Questions and Replies

Reply:

(1) and (2) The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

(a). Yes, my department, as part of the broad programme of government to build a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous country, we are taking steps to ensure that more resources are being ploughed into the uptake of sign language training, by promoting, and creating conditions for the development of South African Sign Language (SASL) through funding and training projects that focus on the development and use of SASL.The department is also awarding language bursaries to Universities which are offering the training of the South African Sign Language as one of their courses.

(b). By funding training projects and awarding language bursaries we create a pool of professional sign language interpreters. Through sign language interpreters, communities are able to communicate with deaf people at a societal level.

Reply:

(a) Whilst the Eastcape Midlands Technical and Vocational Education and Training College (EMC) has been operating in a stable and violence-free environment since 9 March 2015, the unprotected strike continued due to delays in the disciplinary processes initiated by EMC against a number of employees.

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) National Office Bearers, Department of Higher Education and Training and EMC Council signed a settlement agreement intended to restore and improve working relations between the parties on 7 August 2015. The strike was agreed to be called off with effect from 4 September 2015.

(b)  Regular classes have been conducted by appropriately qualified EMC employed lecturers and others engaged on short-term contracts via a temporary employment agency to replace striking or dismissed lecturers. The College participated in the interviews of the temporary lecturers to confirm that they were qualified as per the curriculum prescripts for the various programmes.

(c) (i) All employees, including dismissed employees who took part in the unprotected strike have been mandated to agree in writing on the settlement terms finalised on 7 August 2015 as a prerequisite to returning to work on 7 September 2015. The settlement agreement requires all employees who embarked in the unprotected strike to forfeit a month’s salary, repay any payments made to them while they were part of the unprotected strike, and accept a twelve month final written warning not to engage in any misconduct activities.

(ii) Students who participated in the strike action for a prolonged period of time have failed to meet the 80% attendance policy requirements for entry into trimester/semester final examinations. Therefore, they have been advised to deregister or return to the college in the following trimester/semester or the following year, depending on the programme for which they had registered.

(d)  Not only have the activities and threats to render the specified TVET college ungovernable, subsided but it has completely stopped.

 

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 3208 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

Ministers and Deputy Ministers are expected to travel between Gauteng and the Western Cape to carry out official duties, including parliamentary duties according the Parliamentary Programme. Costs incurred during the execution of the tasks outlined above are readily made available in Annual Reports which will be tabled in Parliament no later than the end of this month.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

(1) The names of the lessors for each of the 17 leased properties are listed in the table below

	LESSOR NAME	NAME OF BUILDING / PROPERTY	LESSOR TELEPHONE
1.	SAROSMA TRUST REPRESENTED BY DEDEKIND REAL ESTATE	HERON HOUSE, 131 MURCHISON STREET	(036) 637 2297
2.	L.KIRSTEN	104 LEICESTER STREET	(036) 631 2414
3.	EMNAMBITHI LADYSMITH MUNICIPALITY	WAGON HILL RIFLE RANGE UNSURVEYED PORTION OF ERF 1	(036)637 2231
4.	JANORA TRADING (PTY) LTD	33 KEATE STREET	(036) 637 2287
5.	BILLYGREEN INVESTMENTS (PTY) LTD	LADYKEATE BLDG 35-37 KEATE STREET	(036) 637 2989
6.	EMNAMBITHI LADYSMITH MUNICIPALITY	DRIEFONTEIN THUSONG CENTRE	(036) 637 2231
7.	THE ROSCO FAMILY TRUST	73 MURCHISON STREET	(036) 637 2989
8.	KZN PROV GOV-WORKS	OLD RTI SITE	(033) 355 5468
9.	JANORA TRADING (PTY) LTD	DEVANA FARM TRUST, OLD DURBAN ROAD- R103 NEXT TO TESTING GROUNDS	(036) 637 2287
10.	JANORA TRADING (PTY) LTD	388,6 square metre space at 35 BUCKINGHAM STREET	(036) 637 2287
11.	JANORA TRADING (PTY) LTD	500 square metre space at 35 BUCKINGHAM STREET	(036) 637 2287
12.	JANORA TRADING (PTY) LTD	24 BUCKINGHAM STREET	(036) 637 2287
13.	INDUSTRIAL LEASES (PTY) LTD	43 MURCHISON STREET	(031) 941 8132
14.	ETERNA TRUST LADYSMITH CC	284 MURCHISON STREET	(036) 637 2297
15.	JAZZ SPIRIT 140 PTY LTD	284 MURCHISON STREET	(036) 631 3211
16.	NATAL PARKHOMES	VLAK PLAATS - PARKHOMES DISTRIBUTED TO THE FOLLOWING AREARS; GROENVLEI, WASBANK, CHARLESTOWN, ELANDSLAAGTE, VAN REENEN AND BESTES	(031) 701 4221
17	PEPWORTH BODY (PTY) LTD (50)	PT: FOURIESKRAAL FARM	(083) 620 0032

(2) No, the company is not a VAT vendor in terms of the regulations of the South African Revenue Service (SARS). It must be noted that SARS regulations stipulate that a company does not need to be registered for VAT if its annual turnover is below R1 million. The value of the Department’s lease with the said vendor is below R1 million. In addition, upon lease renewal, all landlords are required to submit their recent Tax Clearance Certificates, which indicate the VAT registration status of their companies.

The Department often engages such companies, particularly because in many small towns, there is a shortage of suitable accommodation for Government departments. Also, by engaging small companies the Department contributes to their development.

(3) The 80 square metres in Fourieskraal farm is used for the purpose of accommodating a South African Police Service (SAPS) Communication Tower.

(4) (a), b) and (i) Devana Farm is located alongside the Old Durban Road, which is a small dirt road leading off the R103 into the leased land which is used by SAPS as a garage. (Directions: from the N3 Highway from Durban, take exit at R103 Bergville/Colenso off ramp. Turn right very shortly thereafter onto the R103 – “Durban / Colenso”. Keep on this road until you join up with a larger road, Pass the Ladysmith testing grounds on the right the Garage is immediately next to the Ladysmith testing ground.)

(ii) The park homes are mobile units that can be moved, as per the client’s requirements. The park homes are leased from Natal Parkhomes and were were originally located in Vlakplaats, which is an area within the Ladysmith District. The mobile units used by SAPS were first placed at Ezakheni Police Station and were later relocated to other locations within the Ladysmith District, including the following areas: GROENVLEI, WASBANK, CHARLESTOWN, ELANDSLAAGTE, VAN REENEN AND BESTES.

(5) (a) SAPS is still in occupation of 43 Murchison Street and the lease is currently running on a month to month basis.

(b) (i) The lease has been identified for renewal within the prescripts of the 2nd National Treasury Dispensation on leases, which was recently granted to the Department in March 2015.

(ii) Internal processes dictate that once a Special Dispensation is received from National Treasury, an internal circular on the application of the Dispensation is to be drafted, approved and communicated to all departmental officials who will utilise the dispensation prior to the Dispensation being utilised.

The above lease expired before the issuing of the internal circular and in the interest of compliance and to ensure that the client department’s daily operations are not disrupted and was then renewed on a month to month basis, for a period not exceeding 12 months as an interim measure.

The internal circular on the application of the Dispensation from National treasury has since been approved and the process to renew the lease based on the Dispensation has begun, thus there are no details on the new lease as yet.

_________________________________________________________________

Reply:

COGTA has engaged with the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMMDM) in order to obtain answers to these questions. The municipality has responded as follows:

1. The Project Management Unit (PMU) is an internal unit of the municipality. It has been established under the Technical Services Section within the municipality, as provided for in the PMU Guidelines developed by the Department of Cooperative Governance.

The appointment of the company was prompted by a critical shortage of technical staff in the municipality. This included a shortage of planning, engineering and project management expertise. This had resulted in the municipality failing to spend its allocated MIG and other funds for projects within specified timeframes.

Currently, the company has suspended its support to the municipality due to non-payment of outstanding invoices by the municipality.

(2)(a) The company was appointed by the municipality for a period of three years with effect from 2 September 2013, ending on 31 August 2016, to provide technical support to the PMU unit. The company was appointed to carry out the following tasks as contained in the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the appointment:

• Provision of quality technical support and advice over the Project Life Cycle, which includes inception, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting and close-out on the infrastructure programme in the municipality

• The development of contract briefs for submission to the Professional Service Providers appointed by the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMMDM).

• In respect of each project, scrutinize, approve and verify the accuracy and correctness of all practical and final completion certificates and recommend approval by the Senior Manager of the PMU

• Verification of all technical and financial aspects of the Infrastructure Programme

• Preparation of all required documentation for submission to the departments responsible for conditional grants and any other required reporting.

(2)(b)The contract amount over this period is R21,6 million from the municipality’s Equitable Share budget. Given that the NMMDM receives approximately R300 million per annum from the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), the municipality is within the 5% allowance for PMU costs in the MIG framework.

Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

1. There are no outstanding National Accredited Technical Diploma (NATED) Report 190/1 certificates, as these are issued within 3 months after the release of results as per the national policy.

There are however students who did not receive their National Certificate (Vocational) [NC (V)] certificates at the Thaba Nchu campus of Motheo Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college for the period 2008 to 2010. The table below provides details on the number of outstanding NC (V) certificates:

Examination cycle	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4	Total
200811	2	8	0	10
200903	8	0	0	8
200911	6	13	5	24
201003	9	3	5	17
201011	27	9	19	55
Total	52	33	29	114

2)  Yes. The outstanding NC(V) certificates affect all public TVET and private colleges and are due to a consolidation error on the examinations Information Technology (IT) system managed and maintained by the State Information Technology Agency (SITA). Through the intervention made by my Director-General and the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, SITA has sourced additional project management and technical capacity from an outside IT service provider to eliminate the backlog and ensure that it does not recur. In accordance with the project plan tabled to the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training in August 2015, all outstanding NC (V) certificates will be available at TVET college examination centres by January 2016.

The Department is intervening, on behalf of graduates being denied access to the workplace and/or higher education study programmes due to outstanding certificates, respectively in the following manner:

• Letters of verification are issued on request;
• Employers are contacted on behalf of students; and
• Higher education institutions are contacted on behalf of students.

 

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Contact number:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 3168 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

(a) Red tape is considered to be an excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that are considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevent decision-making.

(b) (i) (aa) (aaa) The Department is always mindful of the impact of unnecessary bureaucracy on the economy and the service delivery to the public. The Department, on a continuous basis, reconsider processes and make them more efficient and effective in its day to day operations. The socio-economic impact assessments that government needs to conduct as part of the process when new policies and legislation are developed will also ensure that unnecessary red tape is avoided.

(bb) (aaa) The Department developed norms and standards to replace the requirement to apply for licenses for certain activities. It also develops other environmental management instruments that will have the effect that the environmental impact assessment process is shortened, be more cost effective, that fewer studies would be required and that decision-making would be based on better and standardised information. The setting of minimum information requirements for certain applications will ensure that the applicant will know up-front what information the competent authority will need to make a decision, and it would be the same whether the competent authority is the national Department or provincial Department. The thresholds for activities listed under the National Environmental Management Act, 1998, are periodically reconsidered as information on their impacts on the environment becomes known.

(bbb) The Department believes that the entities also have their own systems for addressing any red tapes that might be there.

(ii) (aa) (aaa) The Department is currently reviewing its business processes to ensure that the processes are effective and that delays are avoided or minimized. The reviewing and mapping processes identify bottlenecks, which can then be eliminated. Existing mapped processes are monitored and improved.

(bb) (aaa) The Department introduced electronic systems, such as National Environmental Authorisation System, Livelink Opentext and Waste information system; and it is busy developing an electronic licensing system called Integrated Permit Management System that will be rolled out in the near future. The Department is also developing a screening tool that would upfront identify the feasibility of a particular project for which an environmental authorization is applied.

(bbb) South African Weather Service implemented the National Air Quality Information System Phase I.

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Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

(1)(a) The Department has engaged all provinces, particularly those that will form part of Phase 1 of the broadband rollout programme. The purpose of the engagements was to ensure alignment between provincial initiatives and the SA Connect; communicate the intentions of the Departments with respect to Phase 1 of SA Connect; ensure that that there is optimum coordination between provincial line departments and the service providers who may rollout the programme.

(b) Only two provinces have funding for Broadband Projects, Gauteng (R1.2bn over 5 years) and Western Cape (R1.3bn over 7 years). Other provinces have broadband plans that do not have dedicated funding.

(2) The Department has established Provincial Broadband Steering Committees (PBSC). The PBSCs are provincially based structures that will support the co-ordination, alignment and increased professionalism of broadband implementation in the provinces. In order to fully achieve the effects of well managed broadband initiatives, the management of a combined approach between provinces and municipalities have been recognised.

Priority was given to provinces that are targeted for the first phase of Digital Development implementation. Gauteng and Western Cape Provinces will also be engaged on how to collaborate for the development of the implementation plans of facilities in the respective provinces.

Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

Guidelines for Reducing Municipal Red Tape, 2012 define red tape as rules, regulations, and / or bureaucratic procedures and processes which are excessively complex and which impose unnecessary delay(s), inaction and / or costs which exceed their benefits, and / or is no longer effective in achieving the purpose for which they were originally created. Red tape results in undesirable economic, business and / or social impacts or outcomes as a result of negatively impacting on productivity. Red tape involves excessive, or unevenly enforced, regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that is considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents effective action or decision-making.

Government recognizes the need to review its policy and regulatory environment that continue to hinder the development, growth and competitiveness of small businesses. Government has requested all spheres to institutionalise the guidelines aimed at reducing red tape at local government level.

Government sets-aside 30% of appropriate categories of State procurement for purchasing from SMMEs, cooperatives as well as township and rural enterprises.

It’s proposed that the design of a National Red Tape Reduction Programme, with coordinated implementation by the Presidency’s Office, will be informed by lessons learnt from recent and current national red tape initiatives designed to accelerate national competitiveness & economic growth by setting targets to reduce the total costs of government imposed regulations on business.

Other Specific interventions by Government

• Enacted Policies, Regulations and Legislation i. e. (the 30 days payment policy).
• Establishment of the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation located in the Presidency
• The National Development Plan –vision 2030
• Institutionalizing of Performance management System across all spheres of government
• Development of Risk assessment strategies by all departments and entities
• Establishment of Fraud and Corruption fighting mechanisms and many more

Reply:

(a) The Department is undertaking work on Open Access within the broader scope of the National Integrated ICT Policy White Paper. The white paper policy will determine, amongst other things, the appropriate policy and regulatory remedies for the management and regulation of the open access framework. Should the white paper process determine that there is a need to publish open access regulations, the system protocols will be outlined as part of the functional specification that is defined to implement the regulations.

(b) The protocols have not been defined yet but would be defined as part of the work related to the implementation of the open access regulation.

(c) See response above

(d) Oversight over the development and implementation of the functional specifications would fall within the ambit of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)

Reply:

(a) What are the relevant details of the biogas initiatives in the country that are led by the Government?

The Department and the ARC completed a pilot phase of the Biodigester project in the Thabo Mofutsanyane District (Free State province) that started in June 2012 and just concluded in June 2015 as part of the mitigation and adaptation to climate variability and change in the Thabo Mofutsanyane District (Free State Province). This project was rolled-out in Thabo Mofutsanyane District with a number of beneficiaries, mainly community livestock farmers who received training and had the biodigesters equipment purchased for them. 

The ultimate goal of the project was to enhance agricultural productivity by promoting the adoption of an integrated crop-livestock system that effectively mitigates, adapts to and reduces vulnerabilities to climate change. It is also aimed at introducing and encouraging agricultural practices in rural communities that have the potential of mitigating climate change and adapting to adverse effects of climate change and the use of biogas for domestic cooking and electricity purposes.

About 13 biogas digesters for generation of bio-gas for cooking and/lighting from livestock manure were installed and they are operational. The farmer training was conducted and provided an opportunity to promote renewable energies and inform farmers on the possibility of self-energy generation. Capacity building and job creation was achieved through training of the local youth on biogas digester installation. Relevant weather and climate information was distributed to farmers during the planning and implementation of their agricultural activities via sms. The findings of this pilot project will assist with the climate change adaptation and mitigation measures (in the form of strategies and/or polices) for the country.

(b) How extensive is the roll-out of the specified initiatives in the country’s rural population?

This pilot project is currently been rolled out to three Provinces namely: Eastern Cape, North West and Limpopo targeting ten (10) small scale farmers per Province from the financial year 2015/16 to 2017/18. The project aims at raising awareness of climate change among different stakeholders in the agricultural community. It will promote the integrated crop-livestock production system. The beneficiaries in these provinces, mainly livestock farmers will be trained and have biodegesters purchased for them and installed. 

Biogas could be used to generate a large portion of the peaking power required and thereby effect very large cost savings for the country. More funding and resources are however, needed to roll it out at a larger scale.

Reply:

Although I am fully aware of the ILO study on farm workers living and working conditions in South Africa, the report that was issued in February 2015 was just a draft for input by affected stakeholders. The ILO final report on farm workers living and working conditions in South Africa was only finalized and published on 21 July 2015.

I am arranging a briefing from the International Labour Organisation on the findings of the study. Consequently, I will interact with Ministers of Labour and Rural Development and Land Reform to have an integrated approach to the recommendations of the report. We will then consult with relevant stakeholders in the agriculture sector to discuss and develop a sector action plan to address challenges addressed in the report.

Reply:

The Initial Teacher Education Research Project (ITERP) that is currently being conducted by JET Education Services is a partnership project between JET, the Education Deans Forum and Departments of Basic Education, and Higher Education and Training. It is a longitudinal project, which is investigating initial teacher education programme delivery at a selected sample of universities. It is also tracking new teacher graduates as they take up posts in schools in an attempt to understand their readiness as beginning teachers and their ability to make the transition from teacher education into teaching.

The ITERP was conceptualised and is being implemented as part of efforts to strengthen teacher education and is not separate from this. The project findings are fed directly back to universities through engagements with individual universities and regular reporting on findings at the quarterly meetings of the Education Deans Forum.

It must be noted that the ITERP is researching the initial teacher education programmes that were designed and implemented in line with the former teacher education qualifications policy, i.e. the Norms and Standards for Educators in Schooling of 2000. All teacher education programmes have to be redesigned to align with the new standards set by the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework of 2007, revised in 2013 and the Policy on Minimum Requirements for Teacher Education Qualifications (MRTEQ) of 2011, revised in 2015. One of the main purposes of the ITERP is to inform the design of new teacher education programmes.

The MRTEQ sets standards for teacher education at the programme level. Initial teacher education programmes have to meet the standards set for teaching specialisations in terms of knowledge mix, credits and levels. This will assist to respond to one of the key findings that emerged from the ITERP and the degree of variation between programmes offered by different universities.

The MRTEQ also, more closely, regulates the teaching practice component of teacher education programmes to strengthen this component of initial teacher education programmes. It sets standards regarding the nature of schools to be used for teaching practice, the nature of the teaching practice component within initial teacher education programmes, and the time spent in schools.

A national Teacher Education Programme Evaluation Committee (TEPEC) has been set up, chaired by the Department of Higher Education and Training, involving the participation of the Department of Basic Education, South African Council of Educators and Education and the Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA). This committee reviews all teacher education programmes to ensure that they meet the requirements stipulated in the Policy on Minimum Requirements for Teacher Education Qualifications.

In addition to the policy measures that have been put in place to strengthen teacher education, the Department of Higher Education and Training is implementing a 5 year (2015/16 – 2019/20) Teaching and Learning Development Capacity Improvement Programme (TLDCIP) that will support universities to strengthen teacher education programmes at the level of curriculum structure and curriculum delivery.

A specific project in the TLDCIP will focus on strengthening university capacity for primary teacher education. It will involve the implementation of a range of activities to strengthen the capacity and capability of universities for the delivery of quality primary school teacher education programmes, including the following:

• Establish new initial teacher education programmes at universities where specific specialisations are not yet offered but which are needed and which the university is interested to offer;
• Develop and roll-out a national advocacy campaign for teaching generally, specifically Foundation Phase teaching as a viable and attractive career choice;
• Support academic communities of practice focused on priority teaching subject specialisations (Mathematics, Languages, Science and Technology), which would have the responsibility to understand university practices across the system with respect to the specialisation, with a view towards the development of knowledge and practice standards for the teaching specialisation, which could assist to achieve greater convergence and rigour in teacher education curricula;
• Support appropriate research, programme development and material development activities that will improve the quality of initial teacher education programme delivery;
• Finalise norms and standards for professional practice and teaching schools as well as mechanisms for their establishment;
• Develop a national database of schools that will be developed as professional practice schools;
• Support universities to develop business plans for the establishment of teaching schools;
• Develop a national programme to support the professional development of school teachers that act as tutors and mentors to initial teacher education students, which can be delivered in a blended mode, with a significant online component; and
• Develop an online platform/course for the teaching practice/work-integrated learning component of teacher education programmes.

 

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 3245 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

Yes ,the Director –General signed on 01 April to March 2015.

 

Reply:

(1)(a) In 2010

(1)(b) It emanates from a resolution of the International Telecommunications Union that was taken in 2009 and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) responded as a Member State of the ITU by developing the Child Online Protection Programme that was developed in 2010.

(2)(a) Consultation workshops took place in all provinces on the Children Strategy which included the Online Protection Programme.

(2)(b) Children’s Rights Organisations; Children’s Organisations that work in the ICT Sector; State-Owned Companies, Department of Basic Education, Department of Social Development, National Prosecuting Authority, South African Police Service, the former Ministry for Women, Children and People with Disabilities; and International Bodies such as Unicef and the ITU.

(2)(c) During the financial years 2010/2011 and 2011/12.

(2)(d) Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN), Free State Province, North West Province, Gauteng, Northern Cape Province and the Eastern Cape Province.

(3) No, but an advertisement ran on national television and radio. Further, a Webpage was set up for the programme;

(4)(a) On 19 August 2015 in KZN as part of the launch of the Children and ICT Strategy;

(4)(b) The DTPS and Non-Profit Organisations namely; Resources Aimed at Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect; Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention; Childline South Africa, Disabled Children’s Action Group (DICAG); and the Film and Publication Board.

 

(4)(b)(i) Through School-based Awareness Workshops and in this regard we have conducted (5) five workshops in the Eastern Cape, KZN, Western Cape, and North West Province.

(4)(b)(ii) Evaluation workshops are conducted with the schools where the programme is implemented and in this regard we have done one evaluation workshop in KZN this year.

Reply:

Not applicable.

 

 

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date………………………..

Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

1. The department’s Annual Performance Plan of 2015/16 indicates that, in this financial year, the Department will develop intervention plans for girls’ and young women’s access to STEM fields, and that from 2016/17, the target is to enable 2000 girls and young women to access STEM fields per year.

      (a) Funding sources for this intervention will be the private sector, NSFAS and various partners.

      (b) There are no projected funding figures as the project depends on sponsorships from the private sector, and partners.   

    2.  As we are aware that these students are sponsored mainly by the private sector, getting employment is guaranteed by the sponsor.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date………………………..

Reply:

1. According to the revised Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan of the department the target of women who occupy senior management positions was set at 50%. As at 31st March 2015, the actual performance against this target was 85.8%.
2. (a) In terms of a 2003 Cabinet decision, all departments are required to have minimum anti-corruption capacity (MACC) requirements in place. It is therefore a government policy and not any suggestion of a rampant corruption in the department.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date………………………..

Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

(1)(a) Intervention put in place are SA Connect a programme of government to connect 100% of the country to the internet.

(b)(i) Planned interventions are Broadband Infrastructure rollout, E-strategy, internet strategy and USAASA interventions, ICT Policy review

(ii) Broadband rollout to 8 district municipalities including associated digital opportunity programmes.

(2)(a) Yes. Through USAASA, there will be an initiative to subsidise schools, public access points and people in underserved areas.

(b) Yes, in areas where it is not economically viable for operators.

(c)(i-ii) No. The Department does not have plans to subsidise mobile data providers’ prices. The department will pursue policy interventions for the reduction of voice and data costs.

Reply:

Government officials are expected to travel between Gauteng and the Western Cape to carry out official duties, including ministerial and department support to the Executive who carry out parliamentary duties according the Parliamentary Programme. Costs incurred by Government Officials are readily made available in Annual Reports which will be tabled in Parliament.

Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

---ooOoo---

Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

The State’s immovable asset portfolio consists of 99 249 buildings and other immovable assets nationally. It is not possible to inspect all the buildings on a regular basis with the current capacity of people, processes and systems. This has led to the Department’s current approach of prioritising the inspections of occupied buildings only.

Currently, the Department has 33 Officials in all eleven regions that are responsible for inspections of all properties, owned and leased. In addition, the Department employs lease Portfolio Managers in the 11 regional offices, ranging from a minimum of 5 per region to 12 per region, who are also required to regularly inspect buildings which form part of their portfolio.

In the 2014/15 financial year, 2 668 building inspections were conducted and 681 inspections have been conducted in quarter one of the current year 2015/16.

As part of the Turnaround Plan Phase 2 - Efficiency Enhancement - the business processes, systems and Departmental structure are being updated as part of the revision of the operating model. In the revised PMTE Business Processes, which are currently in draft, and upon National Treasury’s approval of funds, this responsibility will rest with area based portfolio managers, thus increasing visibility and access to buildings nationwide.

The roll out of Building Management Systems in 11 State-owned buildings over the MTEF period will also contribute largely to the better monitoring and management of State-owned facilities.

The Department also plans to re-open numerous Facilities Management Workshops nationally in order to ensure rapid responses to maintenance requirements.

The above mentioned initiatives along with various other planned interventions by the PMTE will ensure that the State’s immovable asset portfolio is well maintained and suitable for occupation.

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Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:-

(1) (a) The implementing agency will lead and coordinate State-Owned Companies in the rollout of broadband infrastructure in the identified areas to facilitate government connectivity.

(b) The Department is following the relevant treasury regulation and supply chain management processes.

(c) Cabinet; the Economic Sectors, Employment and Infrastructure Development (ESEID) Cluster; and State Information Technology Agency (SITA) will be consulted.

(d) The appointment will be made once due process has been followed and Cabinet, National Treasury and the Auditor General have been informed.

(e) The agency will not incur any cost for the Department. The operational expenditure of the agency over the MTEF will not be attributed to the Department.

Reply:

(1) The South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) is a tool to support quality assurance of ambient monitoring stations in South Africa. The department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SANAS with the view to ensuring that emission monitoring measurements from all point sources and all ambient monitoring stations in the country are accredited in terms of ISO 17025.

The accreditation process entails the development of accreditation procedures such as guidelines, assessment protocols, as well as the capability of technical staff responsible for running the monitoring stations and associated equipment. The department’s officials are members of the Ambient and Emissions Monitoring SANAS Technical Committee (STC), a body that provides technical advice to the SANAS Chief Executive Officer on various matters regarding ambient and emission monitoring accreditation.

(2) The department has submitted an application to SANAS for ISO 17025 accreditation for its three Air Quality Monitoring Stations located in the Waterberg-Bojanala Priority Area and is currently awaiting the completion of the assessment of these stations by SANAS.

In the meantime, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) is in the processes of applying for SANAS accreditation for the monitoring stations in other Priority Areas (Vaal Triangle and Highveld) which it (SAWS) is managing on behalf of the department.

(3) It is envisaged that accreditation will be granted for all the stations in Waterberg, Highveld and Vaal Triangle networks by the end of 2015/16 financial year.

(4) With respect to other ambient monitoring networks nationwide, the department is providing technical support towards improved station and data management to all government-owned networks with the view to getting these networks to ultimately achieve SANAS accreditation into the future. To this end the department is working on the development of quality assurance (QA) systems to assist these government networks. These QA systems will form part of the Norms and Standards for Ambient Air Quality Monitoring and the standards are under development in the department.

Currently the City of Cape Town is ISO 17025 accredited for Sulphur Dioxide (SO2). There is a lack of expertise and resources at municipal level; hence the management of these stations is always outsourced to service providers. Furthermore, there are only few municipalities managing their stations in-house. The department is currently conducting a comprehensive Ambient Air Quality Monitoring course across all provinces (currently five provinces have been trained and those are; the Gauteng Province; the KwaZulu-Natal Province; the Northwest Province; the Northern Cape Province and the Free State Province).

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Reply:

(a) & (b) The question should be routed to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) for a response.

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Reply:

(1) and (2) The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

 

1. The Department has not as yet specifically interacted with the ICT Companies about employee retrenchments. The Department intends to hold consultations during the 3rd and 4th quarters to address the issues affecting employment in the sector.
2. The Department will communicate the format and objectives of the interactions once held. Outcomes will also be communicated.

Reply:

 

(1) and (2) The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

I have been advised by Sentech as follows:-

No, Sentech has not called tenders for equipment upgrade to the value of R185 million.

(a) Not applicable

(b) Not Applicable

(c) Not Applicable

Reply:

Government has adopted a multi-sectoral approach to addressing Gender based violence which includes the department as well as the Justice Crime Prevention and Security cluster departments under the leadership of the Department of Social Development. This multi-sectoral approach takes into account existing policies, strategic plans, relevant legislation and is focused on implementation of the Integrated Program of Action on Violence Against Women.

The government has also established an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Gender Based Violence which takes into account violence against all women and children regardless of their sexual orientation and geographic location. The government Programme of Action on Violence against women and children requires that communities are engaged which would be in urban, peri-urban as well as rural area.

 

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date………………………..

Reply:

I have been advised the Department as follows:-

(a)(i) Mr. Kefilwe Madingoane heads the Department’s South Africa Connect project office

(b) The project office comprises of eighteen (18) full time departmental staff members.

(c) Their roles include:

• Broadband infrastructure gap analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools

• High-level broadband technical planning to determine appropriate technology options and to develop the technical specification

• Stakeholder engagement at a National Government level to ensure coordination of the rollout plan with the requirements of the line Departments

• Stakeholder engagement at Provincial and Local Government level to ensure that there is coordination between the rollout programme and the readiness of the targeted facilities. Also to assist Provincial Governments with setting up appropriate provincial broadband steering committees to drive the rollout programme at the provincial and local government level.

• Development of relevant business cases to secure funding for the rollout of broadband initiatives.

• Coordination with stakeholders such as State-Owned Companies and the private sector to ensure alignment with public and private sector initiatives.

(d) The budgeted cost for the office over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework is as shown below. The budget includes broadband rollout, remuneration, goods and service and professional services.

Financial Year (over MTEF)	Budget:R’000
2015/16	R 227,150
2016/17	R 380,181
2017/18	R 390,361

(e)(i)(ii)(iii) The mandate is to execute on the four (4) strategies of the SA Connect Policy. The deliverable target is to achieve 100% broadband penetration by 2020 as per Outcome 6 of Medium Term Strategic Framework.

 

Reply:

I have been advised by SITA as follows:-

(a-d) No, SITA did not play a role in planning or implementation of the City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane, City of Pietermaritzburg and the City of Cape Town broadband projects.

Reply:

South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

1. (a)The South African Civil Aviation Authority conducted inspections at the SA Flying Training Academy in terms of two Air Operating Certificates (AOC) namely the Flight Operations Part 141 (Aviation Training Organisation) as well as the Aviation Maintenance Organisation (AMO) that maintains the fleet of the Part 141 Operations. The audits were conducted in (i) 2010 (ii) 2011 (iii) 2012 (iv) 2013 and (v) 2014. (b) listed below are a summary of the findings per year. (c) All Audit findings are signed off by an Airworthiness Review panel prior to any approval being granted.  

   (i) In 2010 the following audits were carried out:

  In the Flight Operations Part 141 unit - one (1) audit was conducted with no findings.

In the Airworthiness General Aircraft (AMO) unit - a total of six (6) audits were conducted which included a Surveillance audit; Amendment audit and Renewal audits, (b) a total of 27 findings were identified which comprised a lack of documentation, shortage of personnel and tools. Two (2) follow up inspections were called for by the Review board.

(ii) In 2011 the following audits were carried out:

In the Flight Operations Part 141 unit – one audit was conducted with no findings.

In the Airworthiness General Aircraft (AMO) unit - a total of 17 audits and inspections were conducted including Surveillance audits; Amendment audits, Renewal audits and Aircraft Inspections, (b) a total of 34 findings were identified. The type of findings included lack of documentation, shortage of personnel and tools as well as not closing previous audit findings. On Aircraft inspections it was found that defects were not being logged or repaired.

(iii) In 2012 the following audits were carried out:

In the Flight Operations Part 141 unit – two (2) audits were conducted and two (2) findings relating to lack of management and quality control.

In the Airworthiness General Aircraft unit - a total of seven (7) audits were conducted including Surveillance audits; Amendment audits, Renewal audits and Aircraft Inspections, (b) a total of 15 findings were identified. The type of findings identified included a lack of documentation and publications, shortage of personnel and tools as well as not closing previous audit findings. On Aircraft inspections it was found that defects were not being logged or repaired. Maintenance was not recorded correctly.

(iv)  In 2013 the following audits were carried out:

In the Flight Operations Part 141 unit - a total of 2 audits were conducted and seven (7) findings were identified including lack of management, documentation, publication and quality control.

In the Airworthiness General Aircraft unit – a total of six (6) audits including Surveillance audits, Amendment audits, Renewal audits and Aircraft Inspections, (b) a total of 21 findings were identified including lack of documentation, shortage of personnel and tools as well as not closing previous audit findings. On Aircraft inspections it was found that defects were not being logged or repaired. Maintenance was not recorded correctly.

(v) In 2014 The following audits were carried out:

In the Flight Operations Part 141 unit - a total of 1 audit was and 0 findings were recorded.

In the Airworthiness General Aircraft unit – a total of five (5) audits were conducted including Surveillance audits; Amendment audits, Renewal audits and Aircraft Inspections audits, (b) a total of 22 findings were identified including a lack of documentation and publications, shortage of personnel and tools as well as not closing previous audit findings. On Aircraft inspections it was found that defects were not being logged or repaired. Maintenance was not recorded correctly and a serious finding of an incorrect engine fitted to an aircraft. These can also be linked to Quality and Management control.

in cases where problems were identified by the CAA, (a) what recommendations were made to remedy the problems, (b) what records are there that the problems were indeed remedied, (c) who signed off on the reports of the problems and (d) what remedial action was taken?

(2) In cases where problems were identified by the SACAA, (a) the SACAA does not make recommendations but the following process ensues after an audit where findings are identified: the Civil Aviation Regulations requires that the operator submits a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) that outlines how and when the operator will close the identified findings. Should the SACAA be satisfied that the CAP addresses all deficiencies, they allow the operator to continue with closing the findings. If the findings are major the SACAA will schedule an ad hoc inspection to verify if the findings are closed however if the findings are regarded as minor then the SACAA will verify if they were addressed in their following annual audit. In the case of the Flight Operations Part 141 operations SAFTA didn’t present with any major findings and therefore no further action was taken. In 2010 when the AMO started up the lack of personnel was identified and follow up audits were conducted to ensure that the maintenance could be conducted on the SAFTA fleet. Throughout its existence, the same personnel shortage was noted and after each of these remedial plans were put into place to employ or contract more personnel. These contracts unfortunately didn’t last very long and the AMO suffered from a high staff turnover. In one particular case the QA manager was replaced three times in a period of 6 months. Currently they have only one certifying engineer left. In January 2015 a combined Flight Operations and Airworthiness in-depth surveillance was conducted at the facility. Seven (7) major findings and nine (9) findings were identified, which include process control and maintenance records, management responsibility and quality control, publications and documentation availability and utilisation, lack of defect rectification on aircraft. As with every audit a corrective action plan was submitted by the client to the SACAA. This action plan was found to be satisfactory in addressing identified findings.

In July 2015 surveillance was conducted on SAFTA following numerous Mandatory Occurrence Reports (MOR). During this surveillance 11 major findings and 2 findings were identified in the AMO of the SAFTA operations. These findings were similar in nature to those of the January audit but it was clear that the situation had deteriorated. As a remedial action a recommendation has been made to the enforcement department of the SACAA to suspend the operations of the AMO.

SAFTA’s Part 141 (Flight School) operations attracted 5 minor findings that will be addressed by the Instructors at the school. For the continued operations of the school, SAFTA will have to use an alternative and accredited AMO as there is no compelling evidence to close down the school.

(b) Records relating to these inspections are kept at the SACAA records management department.

(c) The reports are signed off firstly by the inspectors conducting the inspection or audit and thereafter the decision is verified by a Review Board or panel.

(d) In general the findings were similar in nature from all the inspections conducted, as required by the Promotion of Justice Act (Act 3 of 2000); approval holder was granted an opportunity to remedy the non-compliances discovered during our inspections. And this was indeed the case, however we have taken cognisance that the situation is deteriorating and we have now embarked on a much more comprehensive enforcement action against the AMO since our last inspection.

Reply:

(a) Yes.

(b)  The current salary level of the specified person is: SMS Grade C (salary level 15).

(c) The rank is derived from the prescripts contained in Regulation 8 of the South African Police Service Act (Act No 68 of 1995), as promulgated in Government Gazette Notice No 9252, dated 1 April 2010.

(d) A total number of 23 other Lieutenant Generals (Deputy National Commissioners/Provincial Commissioners and Divisional Commissioners) are on the establishment of the South African Police Service.

 

Reply:

(a) Students who graduated from the University of South Africa (UNISA) with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) before the programme’s accreditation status was changed to ‘not accredited’ by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) in June 2015, are not affected by the change. Therefore, only graduates in 2015 are affected but will be allowed to register with the South African Council on Social Service Practitioners. Students who are currently enrolled in the programme will be transferred to the new programme once accredited. The University has already commenced with the recurriculation of the programme and will submit the programme to CHE for accreditation before the end of 2015. No new enrolments in the BSW will be allowed at UNISA for 2016. Once new enrolments are allowed in 2017, current students will be transferred to the new accredited programme.

(b) The primary employer of BSW graduates is the Department of Social Development (DSD). The Department, DSD and UNISA met to discuss the implications of the de-accreditation. The primary employer is therefore aware of the processes going forward, with regard to the development and offering of a new accredited BSW at UNISA.

(c) Inadequacies are remedied through recurriculation. A communication and teach-out plan for current BSW students has been developed by UNISA. Transferring current students to other programmes, until the new BSW is accredited, is considered as an option. More resources will be allocated to the Department of Social Work at the University and additional staff will be headhunted.

(d) Sixteen BSW programmes were reviewed.

(e) Seven received full accreditation, five received accreditation with conditions, one with a notice of withdrawal, whilst three were de-accredited, including UNISA’s programme.

(f) The four primary concerns were about staff competencies, the theoretical underpinning and content of the programme, programme design, and the nature and extent of practical sessions in the programme.

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 3139 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

(a-b) According to the Departmental Strategic Plan 2015–2020 the department has targeted to automate the registration of marriages, divorces, deaths and citizenship business processes by the end of the 2017/2018 financial year. Currently it has only committed to continue with automation of the ID smart card and passport system through live capture in the 2015/2016 financial year. At an appropriate time the department will make further announcement on the modernisation project.

Reply:

(a) The National Prosecuting Authority has reported the following numbers of prosecutions for human trafficking during the financial years requested:

1. 2010/11: 1;
2. 2011/12: 1;
3. 2012/13: 3;
4. 2013/14: 1; and
5. 2014/15: 19.

The NPA has added that several cases are currently under investigation and in order not to jeopardise these cases that are sub judice, the NPA is unable to provide any information regarding the said matters.

(b) How many of the specified cases were convictions?

1. 2010/11: 1;
2. 2011/12: 1;
3. 2012/13: 3;
4. 2013/14: 1; and
5. 2014/2015: 7 convictions.

Based on the information available at the time of this response, the NPA is only aware of two additional prosecutions on trafficking which resulted in an acquittal (both in the Western Cape. In the one matter the accused was convicted on minor charges and in the other case, the complainant refused to testify.

Progress in other matters: In eight (8) matters, the cases are partly-heard; in one case, the trial is to commence in October 2015; in one case, the trial date was set on 25 August 2015; and in two cases, bail applications will still be heard.

(c) (i) How many of the specified cases involved female victims?

Statistics regarding the gender of the victim was not captured and are therefore unavailable. However, based on experience, the NPA’s cases involve predominantly female victims.

(ii) What was the nationality of the victims identified in each case?

Statistics regarding the nationality of the victim was not captured and are therefore unavailable.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION AS RECEIVED FROM THE NATIONAL PROSECUTION AUTHORITY:

(a) How many cases of human trafficking was prosecuted in the financial years as indicated:

(i) 2010 – 2011

NAME	PROVINCE / DIVISION	DATE	STATUS
S v Eloff & Another	Free State	2009	CONVICTION – Trafficking in persons for sexual purposes, section 71 of Act 32/2007. Sentenced to 8 years imprisonment suspended for 5 years on conditions.

(ii) 2011 – 2012

NAME	PROVINCE / DIVISION	DATE	STATUS
S v Dos Santos	North Gauteng	2011	CONVICTION - Trafficking in persons for sexual purposes, section 71 of Act 32/2007 (4 charges). Sentenced to life imprisonment.

(iii) 2012 – 2013

NAME	PROVINCE / DIVISION	DATE	STATUS
S v Shembe	Western Cape	2012	CONVICTION - Trafficking in persons for sexual purposes, section 71 of Act 32/2007. Sentenced to 23 years imprisonment.
S v Ntonga & Bell	Eastern Cape	2013	CONVICTION - Trafficking in persons for sexual purposes, section 71 of Act 32/2007. Sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
S v Gwambe	Mpumalanga	2013	CONVICTION - Trafficking in persons for sexual purposes, section 71 of Act 32/2007. Sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

(iv) 2013 – 2014

NAME	PROVINCE / DIVISION	DATE	STATUS
S v Jezile	Western Cape	2014	CONVICTION - Trafficking in persons for sexual purposes, section 71 of Act 32/2007 and Rape section 3 of Act 32 / 2007. Sentenced to 22 years imprisonment (conviction and sentence confirmed on appeal).

1. 2014 – 2015

NAME	PROVINCE / DIVISION	DATE	STATUS
S v Allima	KZN	2014	CONVICTION - Trafficking in persons for sexual purposes, section 71 of Act 32/2007. Sentenced to life imprisonment.
S v Simelane	North Gauteng	2014	CONVICTION - Trafficking in persons for sexual purposes, section 71 of Act 32/2007 and Rape section 3 of Act 32/2007. Sentenced to 30 years imprisonment.
S v Mabuza	Mpumalanga	2014	CONVICTION - Trafficking in persons for sexual purposes, section 71 of Act 32/2007 (8 charges). Sentenced to life imprisonment on all 8 charges.
S v Wang	Western Cape	2014	CONVICTION - Trafficking in persons for sexual purposes, section 71 of Act 32/2007. Postponed for sentence.
S v Knoetze	Eastern Cape	2014	CONVICTION – Trafficking in persons for sexual purposes, section 71 of Act 32/2007. Sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.
S v Uche & Others	KZN	2015	CONVICTION - Trafficking in persons for sexual purposes, section 71 of Act 32/2007. Postponed for sentence.
S v Palan & Another	KZN	2015	CONVICTION - Trafficking in persons for sexual purposes, section 71 of Act 32/2007. Sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
S v Rugnath	KZN	2014	Partly heard
S v Mansaur	KZN	2014	Partly heard
S v Matini & Another	Eastern Cape	2014	Partly heard
S v Gudwana	Western Cape	2014	Partly heard
S v Tiki & Others	Western Cape	2014	Partly heard
S v Wellem & Others	Western Cape	2014	Partly heard
S v Agasi & Others	Western Cape	2014	Partly heard
S v Jooste	Western Cape	2014	Trial to commence in October 2015
S v Zweni	KZN	2015	Partly heard
S v Chijoko & Another	WC	2015	Trial date to be set on 25/08/2015
S v Mbene & Another	WC	2015	For bail application on 27/8/2015
S v Okoye & Others	WC	2015	For bail application on 28/9/2015

Several cases are currently under investigation, in order not to jeopardise these cases that are sub judice, we are unable to provide any information regarding the said matters.

(b) How many of the specified cases were convictions?

See schedule as per paragraph (a) supra. Based on the information available at the time of this response, the NPA is only aware of two additional prosecutions on trafficking which resulted in an acquittal (both in the Western Cape. In the one matter the accused was convicted on minor charges and in the other case, the complainant refused to testify.

(c) (i) How many of the specified cases involved female victims?

Statistics regarding the gender of the victim was not captured and are therefore unavailable. However, based on experience, the NPA’s cases involve predominantly female victims.

(ii) What was the nationality of the victims identified in each case?

Statistics regarding the nationality of the victim was not captured and are therefore unavailable.

Reply:

 

(a) There are six fraud cases have been concluded relating to leases / rentals, where officials have been implicated, during the period in question.

(b) In five of the cases wrongdoing was found on the part of Departmental officials.

Reply:

(1) With reference to question 89 of 10 March 2015 the response was adequately provided and was addressing the average cost of installing a Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrine at the cost of R9 500.00 (Nine thousand five hundred) that includes the top and underground structure, health and hygiene education, project management cost and construction costs, whereas the response to question 619 of 6 March 2015 was with regard to the Bucket Eradication Programme.

(2) The name of the contractors who built the 57 toilets in Makana Local Municipality: Eastern Cape is Tyolumnqa Civils and Andile Plant Hire. Construction was completed between November 2013 and March 2014 and payment was made to the contractor. The contract went out on tender for the construction of 737 toilets.

(3) The names of the contractors who built the 363 toilets in Sol Plaatjie Municipality: Northern Cape are Reyoko Construction and Designs and LFP Trading. Construction was completed in July 2014 and payment was made to the contractor. The contract went out on tender for the construction of 954 toilets.

The Rural Household Infrastructure Grant (RHIG) provides dry, on-site sanitation at an average cost of between R9 500 (Single pit toilet) and R11 500 (Double pit toilet) however, variations may occur from province to province and may marginally increase the cost due to location of the project and the availability of materials which at times will be imported or transported from other provinces, if adequate stock is not available from local suppliers.

With regard to Water Borne Sanitation, the cost of providing a new toilet structure in urban and peri-urban areas is between R12 000 to R15 000. This does not include the water and sewer reticulation network and other direct or indirect cost associated with the project. This programme does not provide sanitation in rural areas.

Requesting the Honorable Member to clarify on the referred calculated average cost of building a toilet at the cost of R96 491.00 and R40 943.00.

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Reply:

Yes, the Department of Energy fully complies with the set employment target. 2.48% was reached as at 31 July 2015.

Reply:

(1) The Departments of Justice and Constitutional Development and of Correctional Services, are not responsible for the keeping of criminal records of previous convictions. This is a function of the South African Police Service (SAPS), in particular the Criminal Record Center of the SAPS (CRC). This question should therefore be referred to the Ministry of Police for an answer or input in this regard.

(2) The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development does not have specific information in this regard.

(3) No. (a) to (d) therefore fall away.

Please also find attached a copy of the Parliamentary Question answer No 2615 of the 7th August 2015, where-in the Honourable Member is informed that no pardon has been granted by the President to the person in question, because additional information is still being awaited.

Pardons are submitted for consideration by the President, when the person concerned, does not qualify to have his conviction expunged in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977. Applications for expungement are submitted to the Director-General of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, where a convicted person has been convicted of an offence for which he/ she did not serve a term of direct imprisonment; the conviction happened more than 10 years ago; and he or she has not been found guilty of a sexual offence against a child or a mentally disabled person, which would then mean that such person’s details will be added to the National Register of Sexual Offenders in terms of Chapter 6 of the Criminal Law Amendment (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Act, 2007 (Act No 32 of 2007).

It is the responsibility of the person applying for a pardon and/or an expungement, to obtain a SAPS Clearance Certificate from the Criminal Record Centre him- or herself, to submit to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, for consideration of the expungement, if there was no direct term of imprisonment imposed, after 10 years have passed and the person has not been convicted of a sexual offence against a child or a mentally disabled person. In the latter case, an expungement will not be granted and the only option for removal of a person’s criminal conviction/s, is to apply for a Presidential pardon.

 

Reply:

The matter has been reported to the NPA under Case Number 65/3/2012.  The matter is under investigation. CEF is not in the position to avail and/or request the content of the docket, such request should be directed to the NPA accordingly and a determination by the NPA in terms of their rules shall be made as to whether or not to avail such information on pending matters.