Questions and Replies
18 September 2015 - NW3155
Hoosen, Mr MH to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With regard to the IT server at the (a) Edenvale Home Affairs office and (b) Kempton Park Home Affairs office, (i) what amount of down-time or server failure has been experienced by each office’s IT server in (aa) 2014 and (bb) since 1 January 2015, (ii) what was the length of time of each down-time and (iii) what was the reason for each down-time?
Reply:
(i) The information for both offices is hereby provided as follows:
(a) Edenvale:
(aa) 2014 - none
(bb) April 2015 – one (1),
June 2015 – seven (7),
July 2015 - eight (8) and
August 2015 two (2).
b) Kempton Park:
(aa) April 2014 - six (06),
(bb) May 2015 - four (4),
June 2015 - three (3),
July 2015 – six (06) and
August 2015 – two (2).
(ii-iii) Details in tabular format attached below:
OFFICE |
MONTH |
FREQUENCY OF DOWNTIMES |
Duration of Down Time |
Reason for Down Time |
EDENVALE |
APRIL 2015 |
01 |
The whole day |
Photo booth and Front Line Officer (FLO) workstation offline/ power off |
JUNE 2015 |
07 |
The whole day |
FLO workstation and photo booth offline |
|
JULY 2015 |
08 |
The whole day |
Photo booth offline and Integrated Receipting Engine (IRE) for cash registers faulty |
|
AUGUST 2015 |
02 |
The whole day |
Integrated Receipting Engine (IRE) faulty. Photo booth offline and Xerox was faulty |
|
KEMPTON PARK |
APRIL 2015 |
06 |
2 Hours |
Server was down due upgrade and generator kick in |
MAY 2015 |
04 |
3 Hours |
Problem with Server and generator failed to kick in |
|
JUNE 2015 |
03 |
3 Hours |
Problem with server generator failed to kick in |
|
JULY 2015 |
06 |
The whole day |
Back Office re-started the server |
|
AUGUST 2015 |
02 |
3 Hours |
Problem with server generator failed to kick in |
18 September 2015 - NW3229
Figlan, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)How many visa processing centres does his department have on the (a) European, (b) Asian and (c) South American continents? (2) What is being done to address the shortage of visa facilitation service centres in terms of the Medium Term Strategic Framework target to import economically important but scarce skills from abroad; (3) (a) What level of training have staff or officials of the (i) visa facilitation service centres and (ii) Home Affairs received on the implementation of the new Immigration Regulations of 2014 and (b) at what frequency has this training taken place since 1 June 2014?
Reply:
(1)(a) European continent: 3
(1)(b) Asian continent: 13
(1)(c) South American continent: 0
(2) The Department is in the process of developing an ePermit system with an intention to roll it out in all South African Missions abroad and also extend the visas facilitation services (VFS) centres in countries where we receive mostly skilled persons for our economy.
(3)(a)(i-ii) VFS staff and officials received training in March 2014 before the publishing of the amended Immigration Regulations. Another training session took place in February 2015. Another training workshop has been scheduled for September 2015. At VFS centre level, there is regular refresher training conducted as and when there are new developments or departmental directives on the interpretation and application of the Immigration Act and the Regulations.
(3)(b) Home Affairs Officials receive regular training on operations, interpretation and application of the Immigration Act. Officials were trained by the Department’s Learning Academy on the new changes in the Act and its Regulations. Regular on-the-job training also takes place during staff meetings where officials share good practices and interpretation and application of the Immigration Act and the Regulations.
END
18 September 2015 - NW3227
Hoosen, Mr MH to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)(a) How many South African citizens lost their citizenship in terms of section 6 of the South African Citizenship Act, Act 88 of 1995, in the (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13 and (iv) 2014-15 financial years, (b) from which countries did the specified persons acquire citizenship and (c) what attempts are being made to inform citizens who are abroad about the specified provision of the Act; (2) have immigration departments in other countries been briefed in order to inform South African citizens in those countries about the implications of acquiring citizenship of another country?
Reply:
(1)(a)(i) 2010-2011 - 619
(1)(a)(ii) 2011-2012 - 540
(1)(a)(iii) 2012-2013 - 364
(1)(a)(iv) 2014-2014 - 509
(1)(b) A majority of cases relate to citizens taking up citizenship in Australia, Western Europe, Canada, United States of America and other countries.
(1)(c) The website of the department was updated in relation to the Citizenship Act, as it is the responsibility of each citizen to familiarise themselves with the Act, prior to taking up other country’s citizenship.
(2) No, the onus is on the individuals and those receiving countries.
END
18 September 2015 - NW3141
Kopane, Ms SP to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
(1)Have representatives of the residents of Masimong 4 Estate in Welkom approached (a) her department and/or (b) her regarding issues of (i) corruption and/or fraud in the allocation of residential units at the specified estate and (ii) the eviction of residents; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what action was taken to address the concerns raised by the residents in each case; (2) (a) how many residential units are in the specified estate, (b) what criteria was used to allocate the units to the various beneficiaries and (c) what was the total cost of developing the specified estate; (3) (a) why are the residents being evicted from the specified estate, (b) how did it come to be that they occupy their respective units and (c) from which date have they occupied the respective units in each case; (4) (a) what criterion was used to identify amounts payable in rent by the specified beneficiaries and (b) to whom?
Reply:
(1) (a) The Department has initiated an investigation into the allegations made by the tenants/residents of Masimong 4 Estate, in Welkom. The Department received the complaint in March 2015 and concluded its preliminary investigation on 28 May 2015. A preliminary investigation and assessment of the complaints was conducted by the Department’s Legal Advisory Services and Rental Housing Development Units. The preliminary investigation included, inter alia, an engagement with the complainants and property Management Company.
(b) (i) It is important to note that the initial complaint focused on allegations of a rental dispute and illegal evictions. The allegation of rental dispute was confirmed and it was found that conflicting/varying monthly rental fee structures were issued by property management Company and the Free State Department of Human Settlement. This resulted in complainants claiming being able to calculate the correct and/ or valid monthly rental fee structure.
(ii) The allegation of illegal eviction could not be substantiated by the complainants. However, the department has found that the complainants were threatened with evictions following their dispute with property Management Company on monthly rental to be paid by the tenants/ residents, due to conflicting/ different rental structure which was presented to them. The allegations of irregularities regarding the management of Masimong 4 Estate were referred to the department in July of 2015. The outcome of the preliminary investigation recommended that the matter be referred for forensic investigation.
The matter, particularly the alleged irregularities in the management of Masimong 4 Estate, is a subject of a forensic investigation that is currently underway and conducted by the department Special Investigations Directorate. A detailed forensic investigation report will be submitted once the investigation is finalized and the recommendations considered and where required actioned.
(2) (a)There are 641 residential units in the specified estate.
The units were built essentially for low income households earning between R800.00 and R3500.00 per month. Those earning above R7500 must pay market related rental amount.
(b) Applicants have to complete an Application Form and must attach:
- A copy of the ID;
- Copies of the Birth Certificates of all members of the applicant’s household;
- Most recent payslip;
- Two (2) months’ Bank Statement not older than 2 months
Each applicant is then checked whether:
- Their income falls within the permitted brackets; and
- The income is enough to afford the applicable rental.
Where the applicant’s income is not sufficient to allow for the set rental payments, the income of the household is considered.
(c) The total cost for the development of the estate was R138 676 288.
(3) (a) The residents are legally evicted through the Courts and this only applies to the following:
(i) Those who occupied the units illegally, refuse to be regularized and further refuse to pay rentals for accommodation.
(ii) Legitimate occupants who refuse to pay rentals despite the fact that they have been invited on numerous occasions to make payment arrangements. The Department has further offered rent rebates and part arrear write-offs to incentivize payment.
UNIT TYPE |
UNIT SIZE PER M2 |
RU SET MONTHLY RENTALS |
RENTALS CHARGED AS PER ECONOMIC COST RECOVERY |
RENTALS AGREED TO FOR TENANTS EARNING FROM R800 TO R3500 |
MARKET RELATED RENTALS FOR RTENANTS EARNING ABOVE R7500 |
Bachelor |
34.22 |
R 508.92 |
R 500.00 |
R 350.00 |
R 750.00 |
One bedroom |
50.64 |
R 753.13 |
R 700.00 |
R 500.00 |
R 1000.00 |
Two bedroom |
69.69 |
R 1036.44 |
R 1000.00 |
R 700.00 |
R 1850.00 |
Three bedroom |
70.47 |
R 1048.04 |
R 1200.00 |
R 700.00 |
R 1850.00 |
(b) The residents have on the average occupied these residences/units for 21/2 years since the opening of the Estate. An advert was placed in local circulating newspapers inviting tenants earing betweenR800 – 00 and R7500 – 00 to apply for rental accommodation at Masimong 4 Estate
(4) (a) Rentals in a Community Residential Units (CRU) Project are computed on an Economic Cost Recovery method where you divide the total expenses with the size of the floor area of the development and multiply the figure obtained with the size of each unit, for example this is how the Masimong 4 Estate Rentals were computed:
Total expenditure = R421 587
The total floor area for Masimong 4 = 29 719 m2
The standard m2 rate = R421 587 divided by 29 719m2
= R14.87 per/m2
Standard m2 rate is R14.87per m2 multiplied by different unit sizes to actual rentals
(b) Rentals are paid into the bank account of the Property Management Company.
END
18 September 2015 - NW3311
Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Police
Whether, in respect of SA Police Service (SAPS) members serving at border posts, the Government has taken proactive and decisive steps to ensure that (a) adequate accommodation is made available to all SAPS members close to where they work, (b) proper offices with necessary equipment are available to them to work from, (c) shelters are provided for trucks to be inspected in unfavourable weather conditions, (d) the improved garage turnaround plan will result in a faster turnaround time for the servicing of SAPS vehicles and (e) the integrity and honesty of the SAPS is constantly subjected to a variety of checks to weed out corrupt SAPS officers; if not, why not, in respect of each of the above; if so, what are the relevant details in respect of each case during the period 30 June 2010 to 30 June 2015?
Reply:
a) Residential Accommodation requirements for SAPS members serving at border posts are submitted via the SAPS User Asset Management Plan (UAMP) to the Border Control Operations Co-ordination Committee (BCOCC) at Department of Public Works for the provisioning of the required accommodation.
b) Office Accommodation requirements for SAPS members serving at border posts are submitted via the SAPS User Asset Management Plan (UAMP) to the Border Control Operations Co-ordination Committee (BCOCC) at Department of Public Works for the provisioning of the required accommodation.
c) Yes, the approach with regard to provision of shelters is catered in the collective budget that prioritizes the rebuilding of the ports. It must be further mentioned that apart from the rebuilding process, there is also a Repair and Maintenance Programme (RAMP) for all ports in order to deal with day to day challenges and that programme is also financed and budgeted through the collective budget from Treasury.
(d) Yes.
The National Management Forum took a decision that all SAPS garages must fall under Divisional Commissioner: Supply Chain Management in order to improve the availability of vehicles for policing purposes. A turnaround strategy has subsequently been put in place by the SAPS and lengthy procurement processes were shortened and capacity was increased at the garages in terms of infrastructure (e.g. purchasing of diagnostic equipment, hoists and specialized tools).
Spare parts stores were also established in all SAPS garages with fast moving spares.
A contract for spare parts was also awarded nationally in 2014 for the supply and delivery of vehicle spare parts but the SAPS does not solely rely on the spare parts contract to ensure an operable vehicle fleet. It also makes use of the following methods to not affect the downtime of the SAPS vehicles:
• Purchase vehicle body parts on the three (3) quotation basis;
• Repairs to drive line units in terms of contract 19/1/9/1/38TV (11);
• Outsourcing of repairs on a strip and quote basis to single source suppliers;
• Obtaining parts from the vehicle manufacturer’s agents;
• Utilizing of serviceable parts from SAPS vehicles already boarded (“cannibalizing”), and
• Maintaining vehicles in terms of contract RT46.
All SAPS garages are expected to ensure that a minimum of 80% or more of the vehicle fleet is available for policing at all times, and it is continually monitored to ensure this target is met or exceeded. The current national vehicle availability ratio is 83.35% average as on 30 June 2015.
It will be very time consuming to collate all the statistics relating to each border post and post of entry where there are SAPS members and vehicles; however the average time spent for SAPS vehicles in the garages for services was two (2) days during the 2014/15 financial year and we are striving to improve thereon and reduce the average to one (1) day.
(e) Since 2010 all members assigned to Border Policing completed the Z204 vetting forms for vetting process, all documents were received and forwarded to the Division Crime Intelligence for vetting processes. Over and above that process, the government departments, through the BCOCC, have collectively arranged with the National School of Government, previously known as PALAMA, for workshops on corruption that included attendance by various ports members.
Cases of corruption against members at Ports of Entry during the period 30 June 2010 to 30 June 2015 is as follows:
CORRUPTION CASES APRIL 2010 - MARCH 2011
Name of Ports |
Case No |
Members involved |
Outcome of Case |
Beitbridge |
170/02/2011 |
1 x SAPS Official |
Withdrawn |
ORTIA |
54/08/2010 |
1 x SAPS Official |
Filed |
200/06/2010 |
1 x SAPS Official |
Filed |
|
Kopfontein |
27/04/2010 |
1 x SAPS Officials |
Remanded 2015-08-05 |
Durban Harbour |
98/11/2010 |
1 x SAPS Officials |
Not guilty |
CORRUPTION CASES APRIL 2011 - MARCH 2012
Name of Ports |
Case No |
Members involved |
Outcome of Case |
ORTIA |
56/06/2011 |
1 x SAPS Official |
Withdrawn |
Golela |
226/05/2011 |
1 x SAPS Official |
Withdrawn |
305/06/2011 |
1 x SAPS Official |
Not guilty/Acquitted |
|
Durban Harbour |
201/11/2011 |
2 x SAPS Officials |
Fine R2 000.00 |
OR Tambo |
202/11/2011 |
2 x SAPS Officials |
Not guilty |
Durban Harbour |
89/01/2012 |
4 x SAPS Officials |
Withdrawn |
CORRUPTION CASES APRIL 2012 - MARCH 2013
Name of Port |
Case No |
Members involved |
Outcome of Case |
ORTIA |
36/07/2012 51/11/2012 |
1 x SAPS Official 3 x SAPS Official |
Guilty- imprisonment Guilty- fine |
Beit Bridge |
Musina 303/06/2012 |
1 x SAPS member |
Not guilty |
Jeppes Reef |
Schoemansdal 82/11/2012 |
1 x SAPS Member |
Withdrawn |
Durban HBR |
Maydon wharf 13/12/2012 |
2 x SAPS Official |
Not guilty |
CORRUPTION CASES APRIL 2013 - MARCH 2014
Name of Port |
Case No |
Members involved |
Outcome of Case |
Beit bridge |
299/12/2013 405/12/2013 406/12/2013 |
1 x SAPS 1 x SAPS 1 x SAPS |
Not guilty Guilty/ Imprisonment/ Fine Withdrawn |
Jeppes Reef |
Schoemansdal 16/07/2013 |
1 x SAPS |
Withdrawn |
KSIA |
37/07/2013 |
1 x SAPS |
Booked out to Senior State Prosecutor 2015-05-19 |
Van Rooyens |
Wepener 77/02/2014 |
1 x SAPS |
Withdrawn |
CORRUPTION CASES APRIL 2014 - MARCH 2015
Name of Port |
Case No |
Members involved |
Outcome of Case |
Beit Bridge |
Musina 287/05/2014 |
4 x SAPS Members |
Withdrawn 2014-08-29. |
Durban Harbour |
Maydon Wharf 16/11/2014 |
2 x SAPS Members |
1 member resigned and the other member to appear in court. Docket with IPID. |
Vioolsdrift |
08/06/2014 |
1 x SAPS Member |
Still under investigation. |
ORTIA |
160/09/2014 |
2 x SAPS Members |
Withdrawn |
Pafuri |
Masisi 50/02/2015 |
3 x SAPS Members |
Booked to court 2015-03-27; no further status |
18 September 2015 - NW3203
Mackenzie, Mr C to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
Has a certain person (Mr. Phetole Elvis Rabohale) that has recently been reappointed ever been the subject of any internal complaint relating to misconduct; if so, what was the (a) nature of the complaint and (b) result of the relevant enquiry?
Reply:
I’ve been advised by SAPO as follows;
Yes, the person in question was employed by the South African Post Office as the General Manager; and in 2003, internal disciplinary actions were instituted against him for two allegations relating to sexual harassment and intimidation.
(a) He was subjected to disciplinary actions on two charges of sexual harassment and intimidation.
(b) The person in question was found not guilty on both allegations.
18 September 2015 - NW3232
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
How many subsidised Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses were (a) completed and (b) handed over to beneficiaries in each province in the 2013-14 financial year?
Reply:
Honourable member, government is no longer building Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses. RDP houses were discontinued as soon as Cabinet adopted the Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Sustainable Human Settlements in 2004 setting new standards for housing typologies for government houses referred to as BNG houses.
(a) Subsidised houses that were completed in the 2013-14 financial year:
105 936 subsidised houses/units were completed (see Table1, below). This figure excludes 48 893 serviced sites that were completed during the same period.
(b) 84 459 houses/units were handed over to the beneficiaries or qualifying occupants by Provincial Departments of Human Settlements or their respective municipalities.
Table 1: Table depicting Houses Completed and Hand-over: 2013/14 Financial Year
2013/14 |
EC |
FS |
GP |
KZN |
LP |
MP |
NC |
NW |
WC |
SA TOTAL |
Houses completed |
12,646 |
6,920 |
22,352 |
29,151 |
3,080 |
8,126 |
2,464 |
9,362 |
11,835 |
105,936 |
Houses handed over |
8,346 |
4,986 |
8,924 |
29,151 |
2,972 |
6,419 |
2,464 |
9,362 |
11,835 |
84,459 |
Data Source: Provincial Departments: Human Settlements
We have been informed that some of the completed houses have not been allocated for various reasons. These vary from disputes arising out of the existence of more than one "Waiting List", de-registering of beneficiaries that had moved by the time of completion of the houses, refusal by beneficiaries to take occupation prior the connector services such as electricity have been installed. In some instance while these are sorted out, some houses would be illegally invaded.
18 September 2015 - NW2305
Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister at Communications:
Has the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) paid any money towards the legal fees of a certain person (name furnished) during the period 31 January 20 1 5 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, (a) what amount has the SABC paid towards the specified person s legal fees, (b) to which law firms has the money been paid, (c) which cases was the money used for, (d) who authorized the expenditure and (e) which (i) policy, (ii) legislation or (iii) any other relevant documentation was used to justify such expenditures NW2666E
Reply:
King III and the introduction of The Companies Act in 2008 has rendered Directors' and Officers’ Liability Insurance crucial for all companies regardless of size or incorporation. The SABC a s such an insurance cover and all legal fees for Ms Ellen Tshabalala were submitted to the Insurers for payment
(a)SABC has not paid any amounts towards the legal files
(b) Not Applicable
© Not Applicable
(d) Not Applicable
(e) Not Applicable
MR N MUNZHELELE
[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: 24/07/15
MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
18 September 2015 - NW3314
Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
Whether the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) are now (a) functioning in a manner that is recommended in the National Development Plan, (b) providing workers with the skills that the country desperately needs and (c) directly assisting a large number of trainees annually to acquire nationally recognised qualifications; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (2) Whether he will make a statement on the extent to which SETAs were now adding genuine value in upskilling the South African workforce?
Reply:
- (a) The Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) work in accordance with the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training, thus responding to the National Development Plan (NDP). Earlier this year, the Department tabled in Parliament its Strategic Plan (2015-2020) which was developed on the basis of the vision espoused in the NDP, 2014 - 2019 Medium Term Strategic Framework, and policy imperatives of the White Paper, which gives the direction to the entire post-school education and training sector.
(b) Yes, the Skills Development Act, 97 of 1998 directs that SETAs must, in accordance with any requirements that may be prescribed; develop Sector Skills Plans within the framework of the national skills development strategy. Goal 5 of the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) III focuses on encouraging better use of the workplace-based skills development, whereupon SETAs are required through mandatory and discretionary grants to support the training of employed workers as well as encourage employers to expand such training, in order to improve the overall productivity of the economy and address skills imbalances in the workforce and labour market. The Department is required in terms of the Skills Development Act to enter into Service Level Agreements with SETAs to ensure that goals enunciated in the NSDS III are implemented, including but not limited to skilling the workforce, monitored on a quarterly basis. All SETAs directly respond to the sector skills priorities, which are derived from the Sector Skills Plans. The Sector Skills Plans are developed using information received from the respective sector stakeholders hence, training interventions implemented by SETAs address skills that the country requires. I promulgated a national list of occupations in high demand on 4 November 2014 through Government Gazette No. 38174.
(c) Yes, SETAs are implementing PIVOTAL learning programmes as directed, amongst others, by the SETA Grant Regulations regarding monies received by a SETA and related matters, as published on 3 December 2012, which includes but is not limited to offering bursaries to learners at Universities, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges leading to part or full qualifications as recognised nationally, i.e. learnerships, internships, artisanship, work integrated learning, amongst others.
2. Whilst the SETA system has contributed positively in addressing challenges of skills development in the country, I have been upfront and on record in acknowledging the challenges facing the SETA system, hence I am in the process of reviewing the SETA system in accordance with the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training, NDP and other relevant government strategic policy documents.
Compiler/Contact persons:
Ext:
DIRECTOR – GENERAL
STATUS:
DATE:
REPLY TO QUESTION 3314 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED
Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
STATUS:
DATE:
18 September 2015 - NW3323
Mhlongo, Mr P to ask the Minister of Police
(1)(a)(i) What total amount did his department spend on his travel costs between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year and (ii) how many trips did he undertake between Cape Town and Gauteng in the specified financial year and (b) what total amount did his department spend on (i) hotel and (ii) residential or other accommodation for him in (aa) Cape Town and (bb) Pretoria in the 2014-15 financial year; (2) (a)(i) what total amount did his department spend on the Deputy Minister’s travel costs between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year and (ii) how many trips between Gauteng and Cape Town did the Deputy Minister undertake in the specified financial year and (b) what total amount did his department spend on (i) hotel and (ii) residential or other accommodation for the Deputy Minister in (aa) Cape Town and (bb) Pretoria in the 2014-15 financial year?
Reply:
The information is not readily available, therefore a request is hereby made for an extension of time in order for us to provide quality and correct information as soon as it is received, kindly note as well that the information required is depended on other divisions which must still be verified before submitted to you.
18 September 2015 - NW3280
Mokause, Ms MO to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
(1)What (a) total amount did her department spend on air travel between Gauteng and Cape Town for employees attending Parliament business in the 2014-15 financial year and (b) is the total number of trips that were undertaken; (2) what is the total amount that her department spent on (a) accommodation and (b) car rental in Cape Town for employees attending Parliament business in the specified financial year?
Reply:
(1) & (2) The information requested by the Honourable member is provided in the 2014/15 annual report which will be tabled in Parliament before the end of September 2015.
The annual report will assist the Honourable member to get a full picture of departmental performance and expenditure. These public documents are important mechanisms through which departments account to Parliament and the citizens of the country so that they know how their money is spent. Accordingly, the Honourable member is advised to access all relevant information from these reports and report back to her constituency on what the government is doing.
18 September 2015 - NW3235
Gqada, Ms T to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
Has her department considered to launch provincial online housing waiting lists so that persons who are waiting for their Reconstruction and Development Programme houses can monitor their status online; if not, why not?
Reply:
I wish to preface my reply by reminding the Honourable member that government is no longer building Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses. RDP houses were discontinued as soon as Cabinet adopted the Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Sustainable Human Settlements in 2004 setting new standards for housing typologies for government houses referred to as BNG houses.
Honourable Member, an online system is already in existence and it is called the National Housing Needs Register (NHNR).
The NHNR was developed in 2010 as a tool to be utilized at a provincial and municipal level to enable citizens to register their needs for adequate shelter/housing opportunities.
The household profile of citizens that registered their needs is recorded to assist provinces and municipalities to plan new housing projects that will address the needs of citizens. The following information is recorded per household on the NHNR system:
- Geographical details regarding, town, area, street address / house number and ward number;
- If the household is currently located in a hazardous area;
- Type of dwelling the household is currently living in;
- The main bathroom facility that the household has access to;
- The main water facility that the household has access to;
- The main energy type that the household has access to ;
- Monthly income ;
- Migration history;
- Preference regarding different housing opportunities;
- Per household member highest qualification attained;
- Per household member, where applicable, the sector In which sector they are employed;
- Per household member, where applicable, current employment status;
- Per household member, where applicable, social grant received from government and type of grant;
- Per household member, where applicable, type of disability and
- Per household member, where applicable, special needs e.g. Severe chronic disease /s (e.g. HIV/AIDS), Orphan / vulnerable child, Frail and infirm, Physical and mental disabilities, Older person
The NHNR also provides for the allocation of housing opportunities in a fair, transparent and auditable manner. The allocation portion of the NHNR has been implemented based on the Guidelines for the Allocation of Housing Opportunities Created through the National Housing Programmes that was developed by the national Department in 2009.
The allocation process is area based therefore households from various geographical areas can be selected based on the selection criteria relevant to the specific housing project, the following criteria is available:
- Women Headed Households
- Child Headed Households
- No Income
- Income above R3500
- Aged Members (+60 to 80 and beyond)
- Adult (35 to 59)
- Widows and Widowers
- Households with children
- Disabled Persons
- Persons with Special Needs
- Preference – House
- Preference – Stand e.g. the land that’s owned by tribal leaders
The selected criteria can be prioritized and based on that, a list of households will be drawn from the NHNR. The list can be committed on the NHNR after approval. The list will form the basis of inviting the selected households to complete housing subsidy application forms.
The NHNR provides provinces and municipalities with the ability to select a person (members of a specific household) or an area basis (geographical location) records to be validated against the:
-
- Population Register (Home Affairs);
- PERSAL;
- UIF;
- GEPF;
- National Housing Subsidy Database (NHSDB) that contains records of beneficiaries that has been assisted or is in the process for assistance with a housing subsidy) and
- Deeds Datasets.
The results returned from the validation process cannot be used to determine or make a decision whether a household qualifies for a housing subsidy or not. The formal qualification for a housing subsidy is done on the HSS (Housing Subsidy System) as the rules related to the various National Housing Programmes as contained in the National Housing Code are built into the HSS.
Various reports are also available on a provincial, municipal and town level. Currently the NHNR that contains information is about 1,607,223 households. The national Department is the custodian of the NHNR and provides support, training and Data quality services to the various provincial human settlements Departments and municipalities that have implemented the system.
In the process of ensuring that the NHNR Data is always credible, the national Department has just released a new version of the NHNR during the first week of September 2015 and the following new functionalities are available:
- Latest technology;
- The system can now run on a desktop, tablet or a smart phone;
- SMS service that will enable provincial human settlements to communicate with households that have registered their needs for adequate shelter/ housing opportunities and
- Linkage with the Housing Subsidy System that updates the status of households that have completed their housing subsidy applications.
18 September 2015 - NW3233
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
(1)Whether any Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses have been built in the (a) Nama Khoi Local Municipality, (b) Kamiesberg Local Municipality, (c) Richtersveld Local Municipality and (d) Khai-Ma Municipality since 2009; if so, (i) how many houses have been built, (ii) what is the location of the specified houses, (iii) who were the contractors of the specified houses and (iv) were all the houses completed and signed off; (2) whether any of the specified houses in the specified municipalities have been repaired or rebuilt since 2009; if so, (a) how many houses have been repaired or rebuilt, (b) at what cost was each specified house repaired or rebuilt, (c) what is the location of each specified house, (d) who were the contractors of each specified house and (e) were the repairs to all the specified houses completed and signed off?
Reply:
Honourable member, government is no longer building Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses. RDP houses were discontinued as soon as Cabinet adopted the Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Sustainable Human Settlements in 2004 setting new standards for housing typologies for government houses referred to as BNG houses.
(1) The information requested by the Honourable member on Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses built in the (a) Nama Khoi Local Municipality, (b) Kamiesberg Local Municipality, (c) Richtersveld Local Municipality and (d) Khai-Ma Municipality since 2009 is provided in the table below:
Local Municipality |
2009/10 |
2010/11 |
2011/12 |
2012/13 |
2013/14 |
2014/15 |
TOTAL |
(ii) location |
(iv) all houses completed and signed off |
|||||||
Sites |
Units |
Sites |
Units |
Sites |
Units |
Sites |
Units |
Sites |
Units |
Sites |
Units |
Sites |
Units |
|||
(i) Number of houses built |
||||||||||||||||
(a) Nama Khoi |
|
|||||||||||||||
Buffelsrivier |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
0 |
9 |
Buffelsrivier |
All houses completed and signed off |
Bulletrap |
0 |
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
5 |
Bulletrap |
|
Carolusberg |
0 |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
10 |
Carolus-berg |
|
Concordia |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15 |
0 |
15 |
Concordia |
|
Fonteintjie |
0 |
|
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
15 |
Springbok |
|
Goodhouse |
0 |
|
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
15 |
Goodhouse |
|
Komaggas |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26 |
0 |
26 |
Kommagas |
|
Kouroep |
0 |
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
5 |
Kouroep |
|
Matjieskloof |
0 |
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
100 |
Springbok |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
0 |
50 |
|||
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50 |
0 |
50 |
|||
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
0 |
1 |
|||
Nababeep |
0 |
|
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
20 |
Nababeep |
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
0 |
4 |
|||
O'kiep |
|
|
|
110 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
110 |
O'Kiep |
|
|
|
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
50 |
|||
O'kiep |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
190 |
0 |
190 |
O'kiep |
All houses completed and signed off |
Rooiwal |
|
|
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
20 |
Vioolsdrift |
|
Rooiwinkel |
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
5 |
Rooiwinkel |
|
Vioolsdrift |
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
11 |
Vioolsdrift |
|
Sub-total |
0 |
0 |
0 |
220 |
0 |
146 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
50 |
0 |
295 |
0 |
711 |
|
|
(b) Kamiesberg |
|
|||||||||||||||
Garies |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
1 |
Garies |
All houses completed and signed off |
Kharkams |
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
2 |
Kharkams |
|
Klipfontein |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
120 |
0 |
120 |
Klipfontein |
|
Lepelsfontein |
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
60 |
Lepels-fontein |
|
Kamassies |
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
3 |
Kamassies |
|
Kheis |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
0 |
1 |
Kheis |
|
Sub-total |
0 |
6 |
0 |
60 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
120 |
0 |
187 |
|
|
(c) Richtersveld |
|
|||||||||||||||
Kuboes |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
1 |
Kuboes |
All houses completed and signed off |
Port Nolloth |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100 |
0 |
100 |
Port Nolloth |
|
Sanddrift |
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
10 |
Sanddrift |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50 |
0 |
50 |
|||
Eksteenfontein |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
1 |
Eksteen-fontein |
|
Sub-total |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
150 |
0 |
162 |
|
|
(d) Khai-Ma |
|
|||||||||||||||
Pella |
0 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
2 |
Pella |
All houses completed and signed off |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
8 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38 |
0 |
38 |
|||
Pofadder |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
101 |
0 |
101 |
Pof-adder |
|
Onseepkans |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
4 |
Onseep-kans |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
0 |
5 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
0 |
2 |
|||
Sub-total |
0 |
2 |
0 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
146 |
0 |
160 |
|
|
TOTAL |
0 |
9 |
0 |
292 |
0 |
157 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
51 |
0 |
711 |
0 |
1,220 |
|
(2) We have been informed that the houses were not enrolled with the NHBRC and as such we do not have any information on the rectification of the houses.
(a) Falls away.
(b) Falls away.
(c) Falls away.
(d) Falls away.
18 September 2015 - NW3287
Mokause, Ms MO to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
(1)(a)(i) What total amount did her department spend on her travel costs between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year and (ii) how many trips did she undertake between Gauteng and Cape Town in the specified financial year and (b) what total amount did her department spend on (i) hotel and (ii) residential or other accommodation for her in (aa) Cape Town and (bb) Pretoria in the 2014-15 financial year; (2) (a)(i) what total amount did her department spend on the Deputy Minister’s travel costs between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year and (ii) how many trips did the Deputy Minister undertake between Gauteng and Cape Town in the specified financial year and (b) what total amount did her department spend on (i) hotel and (ii) residential or other accommodation for the Deputy Minister in (aa) Cape Town and (bb) Pretoria in the 2014-15 financial year?
Reply:
(1) & (2) The information requested by the Honourable member is provided in the 2014/15 annual report which will be tabled in Parliament before the end of September 2015.
The annual report will assist the Honourable member to get a full picture of departmental performance and expenditure. These public documents are important mechanisms through which departments account to Parliament and the citizens of the country so that they know how their money is spent. Accordingly, the Honourable member is advised to access all relevant information from these reports and report back to her constituency on what the government is doing.
18 September 2015 - NW3166
Dreyer, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
(a) What policy objectives and framework for cybersecurity has he communicated to the state-owned companies for the development of their cybersecurity strategies, (b) how was the specified framework developed, (c) by whom was it developed, (d) when was it communicated to state-owned companies, (e) who will (i) evaluate the specified strategies and (ii) monitor the implementation of the specified strategies and (f) by when must the specified strategies be implemented?
Reply:
(1)(a) The NCPF was communicated to the state-owned companies for the development of their cybersecurity strategies. The National Cybersecurity Policy Framework (NCPF) adopted by Cabinet in 2012, sets the agenda for cybersecurity in South Africa. Whilst the implementation of this policy is government led, its implementation includes all stakeholders, public and private sector, and citizens.
(b) The NCPF was developed taking into consideration South Africa’s national
interest, and global development.
(c) The policy framework was developed by an inter-departmental task team of the JCPS Cluster.
(d) It was communicated to the state-owned companies at the Joint DTPS- state-owned companies strategic workshop held in February 2015.
(e)(i) The strategies developed by SoCs are meant to mitigate the risk associated
with their respective businesses. To this end it is envisaged that the respective boards will be responsible for approving such strategies.
(ii) The boards appointed to these entities have an overall responsibility of ensuring that strategies adopted are implemented. The Department is responsible SoC oversight.
(f) The management and the boards of the state-owned companies will determine date of implementation.
18 September 2015 - NW3338
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
Whether her department meets the Government’s employment equity target of 2% for the employment of persons with disabilities that was set in 2005; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The National Department of Human Settlements has not been able to meet the set target of 2% for persons with disabilities. Currently, the department is at 1, 2% of persons with disabilities.
The reason for not achieving the set minimum disability target is multifaceted, for instance, the department has been faced with a challenge of retaining some of its employees with disabilities, as they left for positions in other departments as well as the private sector. This has resulted in a drop in the number of employees with disabilities employed in the department. However, this challenge is not peculiar to the department, but it is a government wide challenge that necessitated the government to conduct a survey in which the department participated, on the movement of people with disabilities in the Public Service in January 2015. It is hoped that the outcome of the survey will shed light on some of the challenges faced by government in general, and the Department of Human Settlements in particular.
Further, the Department has not been advertising due to the moratorium on the filling of vacant posts. But, my Department intends to address the mentioned challenges by establishing partnerships with Disabled People Organisations (DPOs) in order to advance the recruitment of suitably qualified people with disabilities. Furthermore, the training and development of employees with disabilities has been prioritised as a means of retaining and promoting their upward mobility. We intend to ensure that adequate assistive devices are provided.
18 September 2015 - NW3205
Mackenzie, Mr C to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
Question 1 Have any SA Post Office (SAPO) employees been served with retrenchment notices during the period from 1 March 2015 to 31 July 2015; if so, in each case, (a) how many of the specified persons have actually been retrenched, (b) what was the total cost of the retrenchments to SAPO and (c) in which SAPO divisions were the specified persons employed; Question 2 Have any SAPO employees been offered early retirement packages; if so, (a) how many of the specified number of employees have actually accepted early retirement packages and (b) in which SAPO divisions were these employees located?
Reply:
I have been advised by SAPO as follows;
No retrenchment notices or voluntary severance packages have been effected for the period 1 March to 31 July 2015 because of lack of funding.
18 September 2015 - NW3228
Figlan, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What measures has his department put in place to address significant underspending on (a) building maintenance and (b) computer hardware and software resources in its various offices in the country?
Reply:
(a-b) The department is not significantly underspending on its budget allocations and continues to face serious budget pressures that constrain it from properly maintaining and improving its current office accommodation and expanding its footprint. These budget pressures also limit the department from refreshing its hardware and computer infrastructure on a planned basis. In this regard, it should be noted that the department utilised its full appropriation of R7,223 billion (100%) in the 2014/2015 financial year. This is an improvement on the expenditure outcome in the 2013/2014 financial year when 99,99% of the full appropriation of R6,994 billion was spent. National Treasury is engaged constantly to address the budget pressures the department faces. Treasury has in the past provide budget relief in the form of self-financing.
END
18 September 2015 - NW3230
Figlan, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
When will all South Africans, not only pensioners and individuals during their birth months, be able to make applications for the new Smart ID cards?
Reply:
I will make a determination once all offices have sufficient capacity to handle the volumes of applicants for Smart ID cards. Currently office managers were given permission to apply their own discretion and accept other categories of citizens based on the volumes in their offices.
END
17 September 2015 - NW3321
Mhlongo, Mr P to ask the Minister of State Security
(1)What (a) total amount did his department spend on air travel between Gauteng and Cape Town for employees attending Parliament business in the 2014-15 financial year and (b) is the total number of trips that were undertaken; (2)What is the total amount that his department spent on (a) accommodation and (b) car rental in Cape Town for employees attending Parliament business in the specified financial year?
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 to the Parliamentary programme.
Costs incurred by Government officials are readily made available in Annual Reports which will be tabled in Parliament.
17 September 2015 - NW3206
Kalyan, Ms SV to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
(1) (a) Who are the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on BRICS and (b) what is their mandate; (2) (a) how many times has the IMC met since its establishment and (b) what were the relevant details of the issues discussed at the specified meetings?
Reply:
1(a) The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation tabled Cabinet Memorandum No 14 of 2012 to Cabinet to submit proposals for the Implementation Plan to prepare for the Fifth BRICS Summit, which South Africa would host on 27 March 2014. Cabinet approved this Implementation Plan that included the establishment of i) a BRICS Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) to provide strategic direction to the preparations for the hosting of the Fifth BRICS Summit ii) an Inter-departmental Technical Senior Officials’ Team (IDTSOT) to spearhead preparations for hosting the Fifth BRICS Summit and iii) an Inter-Departmental Logistics Committee (IDLC) to facilitate preparations for hosting the Fifth BRICS Summit. President JG Zuma decided to appoint 15 members of Cabinet as well as the Premier of Kwazulu-Natal as members of the BRICS Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC). The members of the IMC that were appointed included: Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation (Chairperson), Transport, Energy, Police, Communications, Finance, Mineral Resources, Trade and Industry, Public Enterprises, Economic Development, Science and Technology, Home Affairs, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, State Security, Defence and Military Veterans, Minister in the Presidency: Performance Monitoring, Evaluation and Administration and Premier of KwaZulu-Natal. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation was appointed as Chairperson of the IMC. The IMC also considered and adopted Terms of Reference for its functioning.
A recommendation to review its mandate was considered at the 9th BRICS IMC on 4 July 2014. The IMC concluded that the BRICS Forum had become a strategic global engagement, which is central to initiatives to spearhead global governance reforms as well as the transition to a new global order, and it would therefore require continued strategic guidance from the side of the Executive. The Chairperson of the IMC obtained approval from the President for the IMC to continue to convene at a reduced scale, at least bi-annually, of which one meeting will precede the annual Summit to provide strategic guidance to preparations. The members of the reconstituted IMC that were appointed included: Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation (Chairperson), Energy, Finance, Trade and Industry, Economic Development, Science and Technology, State Security, and Higher Education and Training.
1(b) The mandate of the IMC initially was i) to provide strategic direction to South Africa’s tenure as BRICS Chairship for 2013 ii) to host all BRICS agreed sectoral mechanisms and to provide leadership during its Chairship iii) to ensure the implementation of the EThekwini Declaration and Action Plan and iv) to effectively communicate to the South African public, SADC and the African Continent the value of BRICS in advancing the African Agenda.
The mandate of the reconstituted IMC was aligned to the BRICS endorsed Terms of Reference of the BRICS Chairship, which BRICS adopted in 2013.
The additional mandate of the IMC during Chairship and as incoming Chair was highlighted, notably ensuring strategic leadership during SA’s tenure as BRICS Chair in close consultation with other members and to ensure implementation of Summit Declarations and Action Plan. The mandate of the incoming Chairship entails coordination in respect of the next annual Summit in consultation with all South African stakeholders, e.g. to select the Summit theme, propose the Summit programme/agenda and prepare draft Summit Declaration and Action Plan.
2(a) The BRICS IMC has convened on 12 occasions since its establishment in September 2012.
2(b) The most salient issues discussed during these meetings, include, inter alia, a briefing by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation on the most recent substance related developments in BRICS and South Africa’s position on these issues and briefings by partner Departments on the various tracks in which they participate, including amongst others, National Treasury, Trade and Industry, Higher Education and Training, Science and Technology and State Security. Depending on the issues that require attention and guidance, the agenda may vary. It focuses on the implementation of annual Summit Declarations and Action Plans notably input for high level meetings. The minutes of the meetings are classified.
Additional items discussed during meetings of the reconstituted IMC, included a concept document of the African Regional Centre (ARC), the draft Terms of Reference of the New Development Bank African Regional Centre (NDB ARC) Local Steering Committee and the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership (which was adopted by the Leaders of the Seventh BRICS Summit).
UNQUOTE
17 September 2015 - NW1416
Dreyer, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
Does his department have a Regulatory Burden Reduction strategy in place; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the strategy?
Reply:
No. The Department of Public Service and Administration (the DPSA) does not have a Regulatory Burden Reduction Strategy. The Minister for Public Service and Administration, issues Regulations that are required and necessary in terms of the Public Service Act, 1994 and no Regulations have been identified as burdensome to date.
17 September 2015 - NW1946
McGluwa, Mr JJ to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
Whether, with reference to his reply to question 504 on 28 April 2015, he will consider reopening submissions for applications by government employees of the former Transkei, Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei (TBVC) states who missed the June 2002-deadline for claiming pension payouts in terms of Resolution 7 of 1998 and Resolution 12 of 2002 of the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council; if not, why not?
Reply:
The Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) has been tasked to monitor implementation of both Resolutions 7 of 1998 & 12 of 2002 of the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) regarding past discriminatory practices. Therefore, enquiries in relation to reopening of the submissions of applications should be made to the PSCBC.
17 September 2015 - NW2881
Mokgalapa, Mr S to ask the MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:
1. What are the (a) names and (b) designations of each of the nine South African representatives abroad representing the country in various international organisations, as indicated on her department’s website; 2 are these representatives remunerated by her department; if not, are they remunerated by the international organisations on which they serve; if so, on what salary level are each of these representatives remunerated; 3 what appointment process did each of these representatives undergo; 4 were the (a) academic qualifications, (b) experience within (i) the foreign service, (ii) her department or (iii) the Public Service considered in the appointment process of each of the specified representatives; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of each appointment?
Reply:
Reply:
(1) (a)NAMES |
(1) (b)DESIGNATIONS |
ORGANISATIONS |
AMB M Nkosi |
Ambassador |
Belgium and Luxembourg; and Mission to the European Union |
Amb AK Bramdeo |
Ambassador |
Seconded by African Union to the European Union |
Mr E Beck |
Minister Plenipotentiary |
Belgium and Luxembourg; and Mission to the European Union |
Amb JNK Mamabolo |
Ambassador |
SA Permanent Mission in United Nations |
Mr EL Mminele |
Minister Plenipotentiary |
SA Permanent Mission in United Nations |
Amb TJ Seokolo |
Ambassador |
Vienna, Austria and Permanent Mission to the UN & International Organisations |
Ms L Greyling |
Minister Plenipotentiary |
Vienna, Austria and Permanent Mission to the UN & International Organisations |
Amb AS Minty |
Ambassador |
Geneva, Switzerland and Permanent Mission to the UN and other International Organisations |
Ms NP Notutela |
Minister Plenipotentiary |
Geneva, Switzerland and Permanent Mission to the UN and other International Organisations |
Amb X Carim |
Ambassador |
World Trade Organisation |
(2) Yes.
NAMES |
DESIGNATIONS |
MISSION LEVEL |
AMB M Nkosi |
Ambassador |
14 |
Mr E Beck |
Minister Plenipotentiary |
13 |
Amb JNK Mamabolo |
Ambassador |
14 |
Mr EL Mminele |
Minister Plenipotentiary |
13 |
Amb TJ Seokolo |
Ambassador |
14 |
Ms L Greyling |
Minister Plenipotentiary |
13 |
Amb AS Minty |
Ambassador |
14 |
Ms NP Notutela |
Minister Plenipotentiary |
13 |
Amb X Carim |
Ambassador |
14 |
*Amb AK Bramdeo |
Ambassador |
13 |
*Ambassador Bramdeo is remunerated partly by the AU and partly by the Department.
(3) The appointment process undergone by all reprsentatives abroad is done in terms of Section 84 (2) (i) of the Constitution, 1996, which provides: “that the President has the powers entrusted by the Constitution and legislation, appointing ambassadors, plenipotentiaries, and diplomatic and consular representatives”.
Ambassador Bramdeo, an official of the Department, is seconded by the AU to the EU.
(4) No. The appointment process is effected through the Constitution and does not prescribe academic qualifications and experience.
17 September 2015 - NW3366
Terblanche, Ms JF to ask the Minister of Science and Technology
What is the outcome of the Ministerial Review Committee on the enhanced role of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) in the policy advisory niche and (b) what is the current status of the election of the 32 members of ASSAf? (2) Have any members been elected? If so, (a) what are the names of each of the elected members and (b) on which date was each of the specified members elected? (3) Has a human resource manager been appointed in ASSAf? If not, why not? If so, (a) what is the name of the appointed manager and (b) when was the specified person appointed? (4) Did ASSAf appoint four additional interns as at 30 April 2015? If not, why not? If so, (a) what are the names of each of the specified interns and (b) on what date was each specified intern appointed? (5) Has the policy and liaison managerial post within ASSAf been filled? If not, why not? If so, (a) what is the name of the appointee and (b) on what date was the specified person appointed?”
Reply:
- (a) The roles of ASSAf and the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) have been clarified, with ASSAf being best positioned to provide formal scientific advice through its in-depth, evidence-based long-term studies, and NACI being more suited to provide informal, short-term advice that may be of a confidential and policy nature. ASSAf and NACI have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to this effect.
- (b) Thirty-two Members were elected in 2013. They were inaugurated on 23 October 2013. Some details about the members are given below.
ASSAf NEW MEMBERS 2013
NAME |
GENDER |
RACE |
INSTITUTION |
|
1 |
Prof Lee Berger |
M |
White |
Wits |
2 |
Prof William Bishai |
M |
White |
Nelson R Mandela School of Health |
3 |
Prof Claude Carignan |
M |
White |
University of Cape Town |
4 |
Prof Tilman Dedering |
M |
White |
Unisa |
5 |
Prof Tania Douglas |
F |
Black |
University of Cape Town |
6 |
Prof Themba Dube |
M |
Black |
Unisa |
7 |
Prof William Ellery |
M |
White |
Rhodes University |
8 |
Prof Kobus Eloff |
M |
White |
University of Pretoria |
9 |
Prof Andrew Forbes |
M |
White |
CSIR |
10 |
Prof Bao-Zhu Guo |
M |
Black |
Wits |
11 |
Prof Willem Hanekom |
M |
White |
University of Cape Town |
12 |
Prof Branislav Jeremic |
M |
White |
Stellenbosch University |
13 |
Prof Colin Kenyon |
M |
White |
CSIR |
14 |
Prof Anna Kramvis |
F |
White |
Wits |
15 |
Ass. Prof Delia Marshall |
F |
White |
University of the Western Cape |
16 |
Prof Ebrahim Momoniat |
M |
Black |
Wits |
17 |
Prof Kathryn Myburgh |
F |
White |
Stellenbosch University |
18 |
Prof Sabelo Ndlovu-Gatsheni |
M |
Black |
Unisa |
19 |
Prof Marie-Louise Newell |
F |
White |
Africa Centre for Health and Population |
20 |
Prof Stella Nkomo |
F |
Black |
University of Pretoria |
21 |
Prof Ruksana Osman |
F |
Black |
Wits |
22 |
Prof Michael Pepper |
M |
White |
University of Pretoria |
23 |
Prof Francesco Petruccione |
M |
White |
University of KwaZulu-Natal |
24 |
Prof Wolfgang Preiser |
M |
White |
Stellenbosch University |
25 |
Prof Jeremy Seekings |
M |
White |
University of Cape Town |
26 |
Prof Dirk Smit |
M |
White |
Stellenbosch University |
27 |
Prof Mark Solms |
M |
White |
University of Cape Town |
28 |
Prof Gary Stevens |
M |
White |
Stellenbosch University |
29 |
Prof Caroline Tiemessen |
F |
White |
National Institute of Communicable Diseases |
30 |
Prof Louise Viljoen |
F |
White |
Stellenbosch University |
31 |
Prof Maria Watt |
F |
White |
University of KwaZulu-Natal |
32 |
Prof Derek Yach |
M |
White |
The Vitality Group (Discovery Holdings) |
2. In 2014, 23 new ASSAf Members were elected and these members were inaugurated at the Annual Awards ceremony on 14 October 2014 (their details are shown below):
ASSAf NEW MEMBERS 2014
NAME |
GENDER |
RACE |
INSTITUTION |
|
1 |
Professor Marion Bamford |
F |
White |
Wits |
2 |
Professor Markus Böttcher |
M |
White |
North West University |
3 |
Professor Jeanet Conradie |
F |
White |
University of the Free State |
4 |
Professor Wim de Villiers |
M |
White |
University of Cape Town |
5 |
Professor Eno Ebenso |
M |
Black |
North West University |
6 |
Professor Liesel Ebersöhn |
F |
White |
University of Pretoria |
7 |
Professor Sabiha Essack |
F |
Black |
University of Kwazulu-Natal |
8 |
Professor Amanda Gouws |
F |
White |
Stellenbosch University |
9 |
Professor Shireen Hassim |
F |
Black |
Wits |
10 |
Professor Salomé Kruger |
F |
White |
North West University |
11 |
Professor Robert Mattes |
M |
White |
University of Cape Town |
12 |
Professor Dhayendre Moodley |
M |
Black |
University of Kwazulu-Natal |
13 |
Professor Linus Opara |
M |
Black |
Stellenbosch University |
14 |
Dr Nesri Padayatchi |
M |
Black |
University of Kwazulu-Natal |
15 |
Professor Laurence Piper |
M |
White |
University of the Western Cape |
16 |
Professor Sekhar Ray |
M |
Black |
Unisa |
17 |
Professor Neerish Revaprasadu |
M |
Black |
University of Zululand |
18 |
Professor Christian Rogerson |
M |
White |
University of Johannesburg |
19 |
Professor Mohamed Seedat |
M |
Black |
Unisa |
20 |
Professor Sheona Shackleton |
F |
White |
Rhodes University |
21 |
Professor Ivan Turok |
M |
White |
HSRC |
22 |
Professor Karel Viljoen |
M |
White |
University of Johannesburg |
23 |
Professor Charles Wiysonge |
M |
Black |
Stellenbosch University |
3. Mrs Lynette du Plessis was appointed as Human Resources Manager with effect from 1 January 2015.
4. Interns appointed were:
Ntambudzeni Tshiswaise 4 May 2015
Uve Gcilishe 1 April 2015
Mmaphuthi Mashiachidi 1 April 2015
Agatha Khanyisa 1 June 2015
5. Mr Stanley Maphosa was appointed as the policy and liaison manager with effect from 2 March 2015.
16 September 2015 - NW2726
Van Damme, Ms PT to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)With reference to her reply to question 1660 on 26 May 2015, if this was not a deviation from the original contract, (a) why was the R317 million paid separately from the money paid to Cash Paymaster Services in terms of the contract, (b) why was the contract price of R16.44 per registration not adhered too if indeed it was part of the original contract and (c) what was the cost for each of the additional registrations; (2) was there a request to the SA Social Security Agency Bid Adjudication Committee (BAC) for a variation; if so, (a) why was this necessary if there was no deviation from the original contract and (b) what was the response from the BAC?
Reply:
The Honourable Member must refer to my previous reply to question 2725 on 04 September 2015 as this matter in which I have outlined all reasons.
16 September 2015 - NW2439
Shinn, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Communications
What amount did (a) her department and (b) each entity reporting to her spend on advertising in (i) Sowetan and (ii) Daily Sun in the (aa) 2012-13, (bb) 2013-14 and (cc) 2014-15 financial years? NW2805E MINISTRY:COMMUNICATIONS REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA Private Bag X 745, Pretoria, 0001, Tel: +27 12 473 0164 Fax: +27 12 473 0585 URL: http://www.gov.za NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION NUMBER: 2439 OF 2015 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26 JUNE 2015 Ms M R Shinn (DA) to ask Minister of Communications What amount did (a) her department and (b) each entity reporting to her spend on advertising in (i) Sowetan and (ii) Daily Sun in the (aa) 2012-13, (bb) 2013-14 and (cc) 2014-15 financial years? NW2805E REPLY: MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS GCIS advertises on various platfroms based on the objectives of the campaign and the target audience of the message. The department spent the below amounts on the two publications: (i)(aa) No records of the detailed expenditure per publication are available during 2012/13 as media buying procurement was outsourced to a service provider that is now no longer trading. (i)(bb) R181 798.66 (i)(cc) R483 821.86 (ii)(aa) No records of the detailed expenditure per publication are available during 2012/13 as media buying procurement was outsourced to a service provider that is now no longer trading. (ii)(bb) R205 476.79 (ii)(cc) R221 310.20 MR D LIPHOKO [ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL GCIS DATE: MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS DATE:
Reply:
(a) GCIS advertises on various platfroms based on the objectives of the campaign and the target audience of the message. The department spent the below amounts on the two publications:
(i)(aa) No records of the detailed expenditure per publication are available during 2012/13 as media buying procurement was outsourced to a service provider that is now no longer trading.
(i)(bb) R181 798.66
(i)(cc) R483 821.86
(ii)(aa) No records of the detailed expenditure per publication are available during 2012/13 as media buying procurement was outsourced to a service provider that is now no longer trading.
(ii)(bb) R205 476.79
(ii)(cc) R221 310.20
MR D LIPHOKO
[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL
GCIS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
16 September 2015 - NW2955
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Communications
(1) With reference to her reply to question 232 on 25 February 2015, has her department commissioned the services of an independent service provider; if not, why not; if so, (a) who has been commissioned, (b) what amount is the specified independent service provider charging her department for the services, (c) has the specified independent service provider completed its work and (d) what was the outcome of the specified independent service provider’s work; (2) Have any (a) charges or (b) disciplinary measures been instituted as a result of the services of the specified independent service provider; if not, why not; if so, (i) against whom have the specified measures been instituted and (ii) at what level of employment are the persons against whom the specified measures are being taken? NW3459E
Reply:
As per the response to question 232 on 25 February 2015, the SABC did commission a service provider to determine the accuracy of the above quoted amounts as a consequence of the AGSA qualifying the disclosure. The estimated costs for phase I is R4 million. The service provider is yet to finalise its work and the Department is unable to provide further information at this stage.
MR NN MUNZHELELE
DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
16 September 2015 - NW2954
Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Communications
With reference to her reply to question 453 on 27 November 2014, (a) when is the envisaged start and end date for the Information for Empowerment Dialogues, (b) which (i) stakeholders and (ii) towns and cities will be visited,(c) how many officials will participate and (d) what is the budgeted costs for the specified dialogues?
Reply:
The Department could not source the funding for the Information and Empowerment Dialogues and these have been postponed indefinitely.
MR NN MUNZHELELE
DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
16 September 2015 - NW2263
Van Damme, Ms PT to ask the Minister of Communications
Whether (a) her department and (b) any entities reporting to her has paid out the remainder of any employee's contract before the contractually stipulated date of termination of the contract since the 2008-09 financial year up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, (i) what amount has (aa) her department and (bb) entities reporting to her spent on each such payout, (ii) to whom were these payouts made and (iii) what were the reasons for the early termination of the contracts in each specified case?
Reply:
(a) DEPARTMENT
No
(b) ENTITIES
Brand South Africa
2008-09
- R2 284 000
- Ms Yvonne Johnston
- Her contract was terminated by the Presidency.
Film and Publication Board (FPB)
The FPB did not pay out any employee contracts prior to the stipulated date of termination.
Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)
In 2014/15, ICASA had paid out four (4) Councillors for their extended 45 working days, subsequent to their contractually stipulated end of office dates, as stipulated by section 7 (4) of the ICASA Act.
- (bb) ICASA has spent a collective once-off payout of R 437, 346.47 to the four Councillors.
- These payouts were made to the following Councillors:
Councillor’s Name |
Pay-out |
Councillor William Currie |
R 102, 357.69 |
Councillor Joseph Lebooa |
R 102, 357.69 |
Councillor Ntombizodwa Ndhlovu |
R 116, 315.55 |
Councillor William Stucke |
R 116, 315.55 |
- The contractual term of office for each Councillor had lapsed.
Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA)
The MDDA employees have always been appointed on permanent contracts, except for the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Executive Officer. Both the former Chief Executive Officer (Mr Lumko Mtimde) and the former Chief Financial Officer (Mr Mshiyeni Gungqisa) served their contractual terms accordingly.
South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)
Title |
Full Names |
Surname |
Amount |
Comments |
Mr |
Qabang Michael Solly Moeketsi |
Mokoetle |
R 3 800 000.00 |
12 month pay-out - Agreed separation |
Adv |
Daluxolo Christopher |
Mpofu |
R 6 700 000.00 |
Agreed separation, Additional payments - R4.4 m restraint of trade (funded by DoC), R2.1 m legal fees |
Mrs |
Lulama Patricia |
Mokhobo |
R 4 200 000.00 |
12 month pay-out - Agreed separation, Additional payment of R1.4 m restraint of trade |
Mrs |
Clarah Phumelele |
Nzimande |
R 2 600 000.00 |
Pay-out of remainder of contract - separation agreement |
Mr |
Thabo Phillip |
Molefe |
R 4 900 000.00 |
Pay-out of remainder of contract - settlement agreement |
Mrs |
Thabang Charlotte Christine |
Mampane |
R 4 300 000.00 |
Pay-out of remainder of contract - separation agreement |
Ms |
Mantshebo Thelma |
Melk |
R 3 000 000.00 |
Pay-out of remainder of contract - separation agreement |
Ms |
Zaiboonisha |
Jones |
R 1 700 000.00 |
6 month pay-out, including commission - separation agreement |
Mr |
Christopher Warren |
David |
R 800 000.00 |
Pay-out of remainder of contract - separation agreement |
Mr |
Rapitse Peter |
Montsho |
R 1 200 000.00 |
Pay-out of remainder of contract - separation agreement |
Ms |
Khulekelwe Glynnis |
Mbonambi |
R 623 000.00 |
6 month pay-out, CCMA Settlement agreement |
Ms |
Jacqueline Moepeng |
Motsepe |
R 882 000.00 |
Pay-out of remainder of contract - settlement agreement |
MR N MUNZHELELE
[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
16 September 2015 - NW3241
Cassim, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
In respect of each training project currently funded by the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) (a) what total number of students were to be trained in each field of study at the outset of each of these projects and (b) for what specified training periods; (2) (a) how many students were in fact trained in each field of study and (b) for how long was each student trained; (3) (a) how many students have qualified in each field of study at the conclusion of these projects and (b) how long did each student take to qualify; (4) what was the average cost of training for each student?
Reply:
- (a) and (b) Please refer to Annexure A which lists the total number of students trained and training periods thereof.
- (a) The table below provides details of the duration and number of students trained and
qualified:
Learning Programmes |
Learners Trained |
Number of employed Learnerships entered (funded) |
0 |
Number of employed Learnerships entered (unfunded) |
78 |
Number of unemployed Learnerships entered (funded) |
3 005 |
Number of unemployed Learnerships entered (unfunded) |
350 |
Number of employed Bursaries entered |
0 |
Number of unemployed Bursaries entered |
581 |
Number of employed Skills Programmes entered (funded) |
119 |
Number of employed Skills Programmes entered (unfunded) |
67 |
Number of unemployed Skills Programmes entered (funded) |
1 006 |
Number of unemployed Skills Programmes entered (unfunded) |
97 |
Number of unemployed Internships entered (workplace experience) |
686 |
TVET College Graduate Placement |
58 |
Candidacy programmes entered |
0 |
University Graduate Placement |
342 |
Number of apprenticeships entered (unemployed) |
2 982 |
Number of apprenticeships entered (employed) |
0 |
Number of RPL programmes entered (employed) |
0 |
Number of RPL programmes entered (unemployed) |
1 218 |
Total |
10 589 |
(b) The table below provides details on the duration of the programmes offered:
Learning Pathways |
Duration |
Apprenticeships |
1 year |
Learnerships |
3 years |
Short Skills Programmes |
1 – 4 months |
Internships |
3 years |
Candidacy |
1 year |
3. (a) and (b) Please refer to the response to questions 2 (a) and (b) above.
4. 50% of the grant amount was allocated towards the learner stipend, and the remaining 50% was for the actual implementation of the training.
Learning Pathways |
Unit Cost |
Apprenticeships |
R46 350.00 |
Learnerships |
R36 000.00 |
Short Skills Programme |
R13 500.00 |
Recognition of Prior Learning |
R3 500.00 |
Trade Tests |
R3 500.00 |
Internships |
R36 000.00 |
Work Placements |
R36 000.00 |
Candidacy |
R60 000.00 |
Bursaries |
R60 000.00 |
Total |
R294 850.00 |
Compiler/Contact persons:
Ext:
DIRECTOR – GENERAL
STATUS:
DATE:
REPLY TO QUESTION 3241 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED
Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
STATUS:
DATE:
16 September 2015 - NW3268
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
(1) What (a) total amount did his department spend on air travel between Gauteng and Cape Town for employees attending Parliament business in the 2014-15 financial year and (b) is the total number of trips that were undertaken; (2) What is the total amount that his department spent on (a) accommodation and (b) car rental in Cape Town for employees attending Parliament business in the specified financial year?
Reply:
- (a) The total amount that DAFF spent on air travel between Gauteng and Cape Town for employees was R15 144 235.14.
(b) Total number of trips that were undertaken was 2561.
2. (a) The total amount spent on accommodation by DAFF during April 2014- March 2015 was R 2 879 035.45;
(b) The total amount spent on car rental for employees during April 2014 – March 2015 was R1 237 539.22.
The purpose of the trip is reflected on the trip authorization form but is not recorded on the invoice system. For the purposes of responding to this question, the actual expenditure as reflected on the invoice system is used. It will be a mammoth task to obtain the relevant information from the multitude of trip authorizations at hand. The trips to Cape Town are not only for Parliamentary business but also include visits to Regional Offices and meetings in the Western Cape.
15 September 2015 - NW3251
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)What is the amount of the additional recurrent operational funding paid to full service schools based on screened learners with moderate to high support needs in each (a) province and (b) district; (2) (a) which schools have applied for additional staff in terms of the weighting of learners with disabilities and (b) how many staff have been appointed in each (i) province and (ii) district; (3) what amount has been budgeted for the (a) acquisition of assistive technology and learning and teaching support materials in accessible format such as Braille and (b) employment of itinerant learning support teachers in the implementation of inclusive education in each (i) province and (ii) district?
Reply:
1) The Department of Basic Education have requested responses from the nine Provincial Education Departments. However to date, only the following provinces have responded as stated below:
Gauteng Department of Education: In the 2015/16 financial year, no additional funding was transferred to full service schools. Additional support was provided through a provincially centralised provisioning process, including interventions such as the training of teachers and the provision of specialised Learner and Teacher Support Material and assistive devices.
North West Department of Education: The following budgets have been made available the 2015/16 financial year: Bojanala District: R1 151 462; Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District: R100 000; Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District: R100 000; Ngaka Modiri Molema: R100 000. An additional R8.4m budget has been made available for providing assistive devices to sixteen (16) newly identified full service schools.
Western Cape Department of Education: The additional funding paid to full service schools, over and above their norms and standards allocations, amounts to R48 000 per full service school for 2015, across all districts.
The responses from other Provincial Education Departments will be provided as soon as they are received.
2(a) Once learners are screened and categorised according to the nature of the disability, such information is entered in the post provisioning model and the appropriate weighting is used. There is, therefore, no need to apply for additional staff if all learners were included in the data supplied for the determination of the post establishment.
(b) The Department is not aware of any schools that that have requested additional staff in any (i) province and (ii) district. The Department has requested provinces to provide this information and once it is received, it will be submitted.
3(a) Provincial Education Departments have been requested to provide a response to this question. To date, the following responses were received:
Gauteng Department of Education: A sum of R6 894 300 was budgeted for in 2015/2016 to ensure schools in need of assistive devices are able to buy needed devices in order to increase support provisioning for learners.
Limpopo Department of Education: Provided Apex readers and tablets to schools for the visually impaired on to which textbooks and workbooks are downloaded. This was purchased to the value of R10 million.
Northern Cape Department of Education: The province has budgeted for the acquisition of assistive technology to the amount of R120 000.00 and learning and teaching support materials (LTSM) in accessible format such as Braille to the amount of R2 365 139.00.
North West Department of Education: The province have allocated a budget of R8 429 400 for assistive devices and R19 000 000 for LTSM.
Western Cape Department of Education (WCED): Braille equipment to the value of R4 200 000 has been given to the two schools for the Blind for the use of learners in the school and learners placed out from the school. The WCED has developed South African Sign Language (SASL) LTSM to the value of R500 000. Assistive technology was acquired to the amount of R960 000.00 and has been placed at 8 loan centres in the province, one in each district. These devices can be accessed by mainstream learners via the recommendation of the District Based Support Team (DBST) specialist staff or Inclusive Education outreach teams.
The Department of Basic Education is awaiting responses from other Provincial Education Departments.
Table 43: Number of remedial, learning support and special needs teachers in 2014
(b) The Department has the following information available for 2014. No new information for 2015 is available as yet.
Province |
Number of Schools |
Remedial Teachers |
Special Needs Teachers |
Learning Support Educators |
Learning Support Teachers |
Teacher Assistants/Aides |
(School-based) |
(Itinerant) |
|||||
EC |
35 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
82 |
54 |
FS |
251 |
421 |
268 |
|
|
|
GT |
325 |
0 |
258 |
372 |
0 |
0 |
KZN |
66 |
106 |
1 255 |
344 |
43 |
367 |
LP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
MP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NC |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
13 |
|
NW |
0 |
0 |
518 |
62 |
0 |
109 |
WC |
1630 |
0 |
0 |
119 |
480 |
131 |
NATIONAL TOTAL: |
2 309 |
527 |
2 300 |
898 |
254 |
661 |
Source: Information received from provinces in September 2014
15 September 2015 - NW3122
Maimane, Mr MA to ask the President of the Republic
1. Is he aware of the report into the Madibeng Local Municipality water crisis that was put together by the Department of Water and Sanitation, which estimates that between 15 to 20 municipalities are faced with severe water shortages and collapsing water infrastructure; 2. What special projects is (a) he or (b) his Cabinet Ministers undertaking to mitigate the water crisis facing the (i) specified municipality and (ii) various municipalities faced with a water supply system collapse as identified by the Department of Water and Sanitation’s report; 3. Has he, in co-operation with the Department of Water and Sanitation, commissioned any academic studies into the economic impact of recent prolonged water shortages in urban municipal areas such as (a) Johannesburg, (b) Ekhuruleni, (c) Madibeng and others; if not, why not; if so, what are the findings of these studies?
Reply:
Departments prepare and commission many investigations in the course of executing their sector responsibilities and mandates and not all of these reports are brought to my attention. The Outcome of these reports and investigations is however used by Departments to develop specific intervention programmes where appropriate.
In the Case of Madibeng, this Municipality has been placed under Administration, with effect from 23 March 2015, by the Provincial Government in terms of Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa with regard to the Water and Sanitation Functions of the Municipality. The key reasons for placing the Municipality under administration with regard to these services is due to:
- Poor water and sanitation services which often result in water supply disruptions and poor water quality;
- Poor maintenance and operations of water and sanitation infrastructure;
- Uneven provision of services to communities; and
- Project delays due to prolonged processes and possible fraud and corruption.
The Department of Water and Sanitation is working with the Provincial Government of North West to implement a programmatic intervention which is addressing the reasons for the intervention.
The Departments of Water and Sanitation and Co-operative Governance have developed and are implementing support programmes and interventions as part of the Back to Basics programme for prioritized municipalities across the country facing water and sanitation shortages and infrastructure disruptions. These support programmes also take into account the outcomes from the Municipal Strategic Self-assessment System (MuSSA), the Blue and Green Drop Assessments as well as the diagnostic reports conducted by the Provinces.
Reporting on progress and monitoring of the interventions is done through the CoGTA MINMEC, the Implementation Forum for Outcome 9 and the InterMinisterial Committee on Basic Services.
2. SUCCESSES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND INTERVENTIONS
The following progress has been made
- Makana;
- Water supply has been stabilized and Grahamstown is now receiving water on a continuous basis. There is currently no disruption to educational institutions. The success has been largely due to the deployment of Amatola Water and support from the Department of Water Affairs in the Province;
- Key interventions have been made to restore the supply of electrical, which has enhanced the capacity of pump stations; the refurbishment of raw water rising main; the restoration of plant capacity; and reduction and control of water losses.
- A five year “turnaround plan/road map” was finalized following the Water and Sanitation Summit held in March 2015;
- Madibeng,
- We have reinstated the water supply systems in Majakaneng which had not been working for eight years, through a very successful community based leak detection and repair programme under the management of Magalies Water;
- The programme is now be rolled out to the broader Madibeng Municipality;
- Twelve Water Forums have been established;
- Good progress has been made to increase of the capacity and optimization of the Brits Water Treatment works;
- A business plan has been finalized for the implementation of the five year “turnaround plan/road map”;
- Ngaka Modiri Molema
- Sedibeng Water has taken over the operations of the former Botshelo Water Board and will support the retail services in Mahikeng for the next five years;
- We have seen the reduction of the water tanker services through the repair and reinstatement of infrastructure;
- A business plan has been finalized for the implementation of the five year “turnaround plan/road map”;
In addition to these specific actions a Programme Management Office (PMO) has been established by the Department of Cooperative Governance, coordinated by the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency to specifically address the ongoing water and sanitation problems in the 27 identified Priority District Municipalities. A pipeline of projects is currently being compiled by the PMO for Amatola (EC) and Umzinyathi (KZN) District Municipalities. Bojanala and Sekhukhune District Municipalities will be addressed next.
3. The Department of Water and Sanitation is not specifically commissioning studies to determine the economic impact of prolonged water shortages) in Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Madibeng. It is however closely monitoring the state of non-revenue water (and water losses) in these Water Services Authorities (WSAs), and the economic impact this has, and to see whether the WSAs are meeting their water conservation and demand management targets, which have set by the Department.
The Department also (annually) monitors the vulnerability of all WSA nationally through Municipal Strategic Self Assessments, and is currently developing Municipal Priority Actions with these WSAs, based on the outcomes of the assessments, which feed into the WSA Water Service Development Plans, Integrated Development Plans, and Service Delivery Business Improvement Plans, to ensure that the identified areas of extreme and high vulnerability are addressed.
The above findings are available on the Water Services Knowledge System which is accessible on the website of the Department of Water and Sanitation.
15 September 2015 - NW3405
Boshoff, Ms SH to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)In respect of each province and each district, how many schools (a) have Disaster Management Procedures and Emergency Plans in place and (b) conduct regular evacuation trial runs; (2) in respect of each province and each district, how many schools (a) have access control measures in place for (i) learners, (ii) educators and (iii) visitors and (b) conduct random searches on students in conjunction with the SA Police Service?
Reply:
(1) Disaster Management Procedures and Emergency Plans are basic requirements to ensure the safety of learners and teachers and should be drafted and implemented by all schools. (a and b) The Department does not have specific data as requested on how regular evacuation trials are practiced by schools;
(2) As mentioned above, Access Control Measures is also a basic requirement for school safety and should be implemented:
(a) By all schools for (i) learners (ii) educators and (iii) visitors;
(b) Searches and seizures are conducted on reasonable suspicion by the South African Police Services (SAPS), in conjunction with principals and senior management teams. Specific data regarding the number of schools implementing this requirement is not available to the Department and resides with the provinces.
15 September 2015 - NW3209
Cassim, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
(a) How many staff members teaching in adult education centres in each province have experienced delays in salary payments during the transition from provincial to national management of the specified centres, (b) what have been the (i) dates, (ii) scale and (iii) average length of these delays, (c) what bridging funds to assist teachers in this sector have been provided, especially in cases where they have been unable to pay for costs such as (i) rent and (ii) other vital expenses and (d) have any teachers been evicted from their homes as a result of the lack of payment of their salaries; (2) are any salary payments still outstanding; if so, what steps has he taken in this regard?
Reply:
- (a) In the erstwhile Adult Education and Training (AET) centres, when reference is made to
‘salary payments’ the concept is also used to refer to other forms of payment such as claims and stipends. Claims for instance, are part-time and extra-ordinary payments, usually over and above the normal salary of a person. The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) became responsible for the payment of salaries of staff members teaching in AET centres from 1 April 2015, and is unable to respond to delays in salaries, which may have occurred prior to the AET function shift when the function was still with the Provincial Education Departments (PEDs). The response covers the period from 1 April 2015 to 31 August 2015. In view of the above, 2 540 staff members teaching at AET centres experienced delays in salaries during the transition from provincial to national competence.
(b) Table 1 below responds to the delays experienced by AET teachers of the Eastern Cape Province
|
|
|
||
Month Affected |
Date salary paid |
Actual calendar days delay |
||
April 2015 |
17 August 2015 |
119 days |
10 AET teachers |
17 days |
May 2015 |
17 August 2015 |
88 days |
||
June 2015 |
17 August 2015 |
48 days |
||
July 2015 |
17 August 2015 |
17 days |
||
August 2015 |
31 August 2015 |
0 days |
The System Change Control (SCC) was not performed by the Eastern Cape PED which led to the appointment of AET teachers onto the DHET PERSAL on 1 June 2015 instead of 1 April 2015. The salaries of the affected AET teachers were backdated from 1 April 2015 to 31 July 2015 and paid on 17 August 2015, and their salaries for August 2015 were paid on 31 August 2015. Currently, there are no staff members teaching at Eastern Cape AET centres experiencing any delays in salary payments.
Tables 2 to 5 below outline the delays experienced by the Northern Cape, North-West, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape AET teachers with regards to payment of stipends and claims.
Table 2: Delays experienced by AET teachers of the Northern Cape Province
|
|
|
||
Month Affected |
Date salary paid |
Actual calendar days delay |
||
April 2015 |
30 June 2015 |
61 days |
248 AET teachers paid stipends |
45.5 days |
May 2015 |
30 June 2015 |
30 days |
||
June 2015 |
30 June 2015 |
0 days |
In the Northern Cape and North West provinces, delays were experienced with the payment of stipends in April and May 2015 mainly because the appointment of AET teachers who are paid stipends could not be performed programmatically. AET teachers had to be uploaded manually onto the DHET’s PERSAL system. The stipends for April and May 2015 were paid on 30 June 2015 as supplementary payments together with stipends for June 2015. There have been no delays experienced with the payment of stipends since June 2015.
Table 3: Delays experienced by AET teachers of the North-West Province
|
|
|
||
Month Affected |
Date salary paid |
Actual calendar days delay |
||
April 2015 |
30 June 2015 |
61 days |
1 340 AET teachers paid stipends |
45.5 days |
May 2015 |
30 June 2015 |
30 days |
||
June 2015 |
30 June 2015 |
0 days |
With regard to the stipends in the Northern Cape and the North-West Provinces the stipends will run automatically every month as fixed amounts per month have been loaded.
Table 4: Delays experienced by AET teachers of the Western Cape Province
|
|
|
||
Month Affected |
Date salary paid |
Actual calendar days delay |
||
April 2015 |
22 June 2015 |
53 days |
400 AET teachers paid on a claim system |
37.5 days |
May 2015 |
22 June 2015 |
22 days |
The reason for delay is the late submission of claim forms to the DHET by the PED. The payment of claims received from the Western Cape is up to date with exception of approximately forty-nine problematic cases which involve officials working in Community Learning Centres (CLCs) that are above the age as prescribed by the Public Service Act, 1994 or have taken severance packages during 1998 and 2001 and were only allowed to work for one (1) continuous year, or were previously dismissed from service. Such cases have been discussed with the Management of the Western Cape and contracts for these officials will end on 31 December 2015.
Table 5: Delays experienced by AET teachers of KwaZulu-Natal Province
|
|
|
||
Month Affected |
Date salary paid |
Actual calendar days delay |
||
April 2015 |
22 July 2015 |
83 days |
542 AET teachers paid on a claim system |
47.5 days |
May 2015 |
28 July 2015 |
58 days |
||
June 2015 |
2 September 2015 |
64 days |
||
July 2015 |
30 September 2015 |
61 days |
||
August 2015 |
Claims not yet received |
The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province used the claim system to pay AET teachers. As explained in my response to question 1, a claim is not a salary and in the case of KZN, these are extra-ordinary appointments because most of the AET teachers are already appointed as full-time teachers by the KZN PED. In order for any claim to be processed, the DHET has to verify the claim through the Centre Manager, the Regional Manager and the Vocational and Continuing Education and Training Programme Manager. The claims for April and May 2015 were submitted late in June 2015 by the KZN PED. DHET officials worked overtime to first appoint AET teachers onto the DHET PERSAL system and then verify claims and ultimately process payment of claims.
It should also be noted that for the claims method of payment, AET teachers who were transferred from PEDs had to be first appointed onto the PERSAL system before the claims could be processed. There are still cases whereby relevant documentation for appointment is still outstanding and on-going communication is taking place with the KZN Regional Office to rectify this, hence, payments for these claims are still outstanding. This delay affects approximately 542 AET teachers for the period between April and July 2015. These are mainstream teachers who have not completed and submitted the necessary Human Resources Management and Administration (HRMA) mandate documentation. This is due to the fact that they believed it is unnecessary as they are already employed full-time by the KZN PED. Such officials are being assisted by HRMA and the Acting Community Education and Training College Principal to complete and submit documentation for their appointment, processing and payment of their claims.
Other causes of the delays in the payment of claims in KZN is the non-appointment of AET teachers or non-payment of claims because of instances of negligence and/or irregularities in the forms that are submitted to the DHET for loading appointments and processing of payments. For most of the 542 outstanding cases, the DHET has not effected appointments or processed claims as doing so would be in contravention of the prescripts of both the PSA and the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (PFMA). Such cases include instances where:
- Documentation submitted to the DHET was incorrectly completed;
- AET teachers have not submitted original documents required to upload their appointment;
- An AET teacher signs as both the Claimant and Centre Manager on his/her own claim forms;
- Discrepancies are found between the hours claimed and the actual hours worked;
- The hours claimed far exceed the maximum hours the teacher is allowed to work per month;
- Information provided is not correct and relevant to the applicable officials, i.e. incorrect identity document numbers and PERSAL number were used; and
- Some documents submitted are not signed by the necessary delegated officials and incorrect calculations are made on the forms.
(c) There are no bridging funds that were provided as the PFMA does not allow for such.
(d) The DHET has not received any reports of teachers having been evicted from their homes.
2) No, there are no outstanding salary payments but there are outstanding payments of claims. The DHET is liaising with the Regional Offices to ensure that correct documentation, which are correctly and accurately completed, is submitted to enable uploading of appointments and processing of payments. The DHET is in the process of paying claims received on an on-going basis. Queries are received through the Rapid Response Team and escalated to the relevant managers for a solution.
Compiler/contact persons:
Ext:
DIRECTOR – GENERAL
STATUS:
DATE:
REPLY TO QUESTION 3209 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED
Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
STATUS:
DATE:
15 September 2015 - NW3290
Mbatha, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
(a)(i) What total amount did his department spend on his travel costs between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year and (ii) how many trips did he undertake between Cape Town and Gauteng in the specified financial year and (b) what total amount did his department spend on (i) hotel and (ii) residential or other accommodation for him in (aa) Cape Town and (bb) Pretoria in the 2014-15 financial year; (2) (a)(i) what total amount did his department spend on the Deputy Minister’s travel costs between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year and (ii) how many trips between Gauteng and Cape Town did the Deputy Minister undertake in the specified financial year and (b) what total amount did his department spend on (i) hotel and (ii) residential or other accommodation for the Deputy Minister in (aa) Cape Town and (bb) Pretoria in the 2014-15 financial year?
Reply:
The table below provides details of travel and accommodation costs between Gauteng and Pretoria during the 2014/15 financial year for the Deputy Minister and myself:
Executive Authority |
Total amount spent |
|
|||
|
(i) Hotel |
(aa) Residential in Cape Town |
(bb) Residential in Pretoria |
||
|
R128 065.00 |
R0.00 |
R0.00 |
R0.00 |
16 |
|
R203 463.00 |
R0.00 |
R0.00 |
R0.00 |
29 |
Total |
R331 528.00 |
R0.00 |
R0.00 |
R0.00 |
45 |
Compiler/Contact persons:
Ext:
DIRECTOR – GENERAL
STATUS:
DATE:
REPLY TO QUESTION 3290 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED
Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
STATUS:
DATE:
15 September 2015 - NW2777
Mokgalapa, Mr S to ask the President of the Republic
Whether (a) he and (b) any officials in his Office travelled to China in the 2014-15 financial year; if so, what was the (i) purpose of each specified visit and (ii)(aa) total cost and (bb) breakdown of such costs of each specified visit?
Reply:
(a) Yes, I travelled to China during the 2014/15 financial year
(b) Yes, officials from my office travelled with me to China
(i) The purpose was to embark on a State Visit on 04 and 05 December 2014, where the following issues were deliberated upon:
- to review the status of South Africa’s bilateral relations with China;
- to adopt the Five-to-Ten Year Strategic Programme for Cooperation;
- to commit China to South Africa’s industrialisation agenda development finance and request an increase in training slots;
- Discussing the high level Forum on Africa and China meeting that will take place in South Africa in December 2015;
- to encourage China to commit to assist in establishing the African Regional Centre on the New Development Bank; and
(ii) Conclude the 2014 year of South Africa in China.Total costs related to the logistics of the visit including accommodation and transport were R834, 868.64.
15 September 2015 - NW1787
Maimane, Mr MA to ask the President of the Republic
(1) On which exact dates did he visit the Russian Federation in May 2015? (2) (a) how many government officials accompanied him on the specified visit, (b) what are the names of all non-government employees and persons who accompanied him on the specified visit and (c) what was the total cost of (i) flights, (ii) accommodation, (iii) travel within the Russian Federation and/or (iv) entertainment of the entire delegation during the specified visit?
Reply:
The visit to the Russian Federation was on 08-09 May 2015. Seventy-nine (79) officials from the Presidency and other departments accompanied me. Air travel costs incurred by the Department of International Relations and cooperation and the Presidency amounted to R179 124.93, while the accommodation of the entire delegation costed R627 630.54. Ground transport costs were R149 893.67.
15 September 2015 - NW3037
Boshoff, Ms SH to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Of the 22 schools for visually impaired learners, what is the (a) enrolment at each school, (b) how many braille machines are available at each school, (c) what other support materials are available, (d) how many trained educators are appointed at each school, (e) how many support staff are appointed in (i) administrative posts, (ii) therapist posts and (iii) class assistant posts; (2) with reference to the specified schools in each province, (a) how many have the services of an Orientation and Mobility Practitioner, (b) what is the vacancy rate for support staff at each of the schools, (c) how many have implemented White Paper 6 as expected and (d) how many (i) district and (ii) provincial education department officials are appropriately trained to assist teachers and support staff at the specified schools? NW3577E
Reply:
Find here: Response
15 September 2015 - NW3326
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Science and Technology
(a) (i)What total amount did her department spend on her travel costs between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year and (ii) how many trips did she undertake between Gauteng and Cape Town in the specified financial year and (b) what total amount did her department spend on (i) hotel and (ii) residential or other accommodation for her in (aa) Cape Town and (bb) Pretoria in the 2014-15 financial year; (2) (a) (i) What total amount did her department spend on the Deputy Minister’s travel costs between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year and (ii) how many trips did the Deputy Minister undertake between Gauteng and Cape Town in the specified financial year and (b) what total amount did her department spend on (i) hotel and (ii) residential or other accommodation for the Deputy Minister in (aa) Cape Town and (bb) and Pretoria in the 2014-15 financial year?.
Reply:
- Total amount spent by the department on the Minister’s travel costs between Gauteng and Cape Town in 2014-15 financial year;
a |
b |
aa |
bb |
||
i |
ii |
i |
ii |
||
R236 919,46 |
21 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2. Total amount spent by the department on the Deputy Minister’s travel costs between Gauteng and Cape Town in 2014-15 financial year?.
a |
b |
aa |
bb |
||
i |
ii |
i |
ii |
||
R236 919,46 |
21 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
15 September 2015 - NW3313
Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Transport:
Whether the Government has effective measures in place to ensure that fatalities and serious injuries on the road as a result of crashes (details furnished) are declining substantially and progressively on a year-on year basis, if, so by what number and percentage were serious injuries and accidents declining on our roads annually during the period 30 June 2010 to 30 June 2015? Year Fatal Crashes Percentage Increase/ Decrease Fatalities Percentage Increase/ Decrease 2010 10 837 13 967 2011 11 228 3,61% 13 954 -0,09% 2012 10 977 -2,24% 13 528 -3,05% 2013 10 170 -7,35% 11 844 -12,45% 2014 10 367 1,94% 12 702 7,24% Figures for 2015 are still being compiled and this will be followed by quality assurance. These figures will be available at the end of the calendar year.
Reply:
The Government is implementing a 365 days road safety plan to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on the roads. Through the implementation of this plan, which includes road safety education, law enforcement, road engineering and evaluation we have seen a progressive year-on-year decline in road fatalities.
Year |
Fatal Crashes |
Percentage Increase/ Decrease |
Fatalities |
Percentage Increase/ Decrease |
2010 |
10 837 |
13 967 |
||
2011 |
11 228 |
3,61% |
13 954 |
-0,09% |
2012 |
10 977 |
-2,24% |
13 528 |
-3,05% |
2013 |
10 170 |
-7,35% |
11 844 |
-12,45% |
2014 |
10 367 |
1,94% |
12 702 |
7,24% |
Figures for 2015 are still being compiled and this will be followed by quality assurance. These figures will be available at the end of the calendar year.
15 September 2015 - NW3258
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
What (a) total amount did his department spend on air travel between Gauteng and Cape Town for employees attending Parliament business in the 2014-15 financial year and (b) is the total number of trips that were undertaken; (2) what is the total amount that his department spent on (a) accommodation and (b) car rental in Cape Town for employees attending Parliament business in the specified financial year?
Reply:
(1)(a),(b),(2)(a),(b) The required information is not immediately available in the categories requested. However the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is collating the information from its database and travel agents and will submit the requested information by 30 September 2015.
15 September 2015 - NW3351
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of State Security
Whether his department received a request to investigate Project Spider Web; if not, why not; if so, (a) who requested the investigation and (b) when was the investigation requested; • Whether the scope of the investigation will include (a) the origins of the document and/or (b) the particulars in the document; • Whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
- The State Security Agency (SSA) received a request to investigate the Project Spider document in July 2015.
- The matter is therefore currently under investigation. However, as a matter of policy the SSA do not comment on the details of on-going intelligence operations as comment may compromise the security of the investigation.
15 September 2015 - NW3291
Mashabela, Ms N to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)(a)(i) What total amount did her department spend on her travel costs between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year and (ii) how many trips did she undertake between Gauteng and Cape Town in the specified financial year and (b) what total amount did her department spend on (i) hotel and (ii) residential or other accommodation for her in (aa) Cape Town and (bb) Pretoria in the 2014-15 financial year; (2) (a)(i) what total amount did her department spend on the Deputy Minister’s travel costs between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year and (ii) how many trips did the Deputy Minister undertake between Gauteng and Cape Town in the specified financial year and (b) what total amount did her department spend on (i) hotel and (ii) residential or other accommodation for the Deputy Minister in (aa) Cape Town and (bb) Pretoria in the 2014-15 financial year?
Reply:
- (a) (i) the Department spent R236 858.60 on travel costs for the Minister between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year;
(ii) the Minister undertook 34 trips between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year
(b) (i) (aa) the Department did not spend anything for hotel accommodation for the Minister in Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year;
(b) (i) (bb) the Department did not spend anything for hotel accommodation in for the Minister in Pretoria in the 2014-15 financial year;
(b) (ii) (aa) the Department did not spend anything for residential/ other accommodation for the Minister in Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year;
(b) (ii) (bb) the Department did not spend anything for residential/ other accommodation for the Minister in Pretoria in the 2014-15 financial year.
2. (a) (i) the Department spent R201 523.10 n travel costs for the Deputy Minister between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year;
(ii) the Deputy Minister undertook 29 trips between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year;.
(b) (i) (aa) the Department did not spend anything for hotel accommodation in Cape Town for the Deputy Minister in the 2014-15 financial year.
(b) (i) (bb) the Department did not spend anything for hotel accommodation in Pretoria for the Deputy Minister in the 2014-15 financial year.
(b) (ii) (aa) the Department did not spend anything for residential/ other accommodation in Cape Town for the Deputy Minister in the 2014-15 financial year;
(b) (ii) (bb) the Department did not spend anything for residential/ other accommodation in Pretoria for the Deputy Minister in the 2014-15 financial year.
15 September 2015 - NW3144
Van Damme, Ms PT to ask the President of the Republic
Whether anyone from his office ever requested the Department of Public Works to provide a state house to Mr Mac Maharaj during his tenure as his spokesperson; if so, (a) who made the request, (b) when was the request made and (c) what was the basis for the request; 2. In terms of what (a) policy or (b) legislation was the request made; 3. Whether the allocation of the state house in the Bryntirion Estate in Pretoria formed part of his salary package; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how was this benefit calculated; 4. Whether The Presidency arranged for him to pay rent while he occupied the state house; if not, why not; if so, what rental amount was (a) requested and (b) paid?
Reply:
- There is no record of any official having made the said request to the Department of Public Works.
- See 1 above
- No
- The Presidency does not allocate housing and therefore is not involved in rental arrangements..
15 September 2015 - NW3247
Lovemore, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)How many learners were enrolled in Grade 10 in each province in 2013; (2) how many learners in each province are currently registered to write the 2015 National Senior Certificate examinations; (3) how many learners who were progressed from Grade 11 to Grade 12 are registered to write the 2015 National Senior Certificate examinations in each province?
Reply:
Question 1
PROVINCE |
ENROLMENT GRADE 10 (2013) |
Eastern Cape |
154 920 |
Free State |
60 643 |
Gauteng |
201 341 |
Kwazulu-Natal |
268 467 |
Limpopo |
187 804 |
Mpumalanga |
97 117 |
North West |
70 032 |
Northern Cape |
22 727 |
Western Cape |
83 234 |
National |
1 146 285 |
(Source: 2013 School Realities)
Question 2 and 3
QUESTION 3 |
QUESTION 2 |
|
PROVINCE |
PROGRESSION NO |
TOTAL ENTERED |
Eastern Cape |
13 927 |
93 115 |
Free State |
9 945 |
35 389 |
Gauteng |
18 411 |
112 128 |
Kwazulu-Natal |
10 614 |
171 714 |
Limpopo |
18 202 |
102 633 |
Mpumalanga |
4 082 |
56 104 |
North West |
3 808 |
33 841 |
Northern Cape |
2 055 |
12 732 |
Western Cape |
4 813 |
56 576 |
National |
85 857 |
674 232 |
(Source: IECS – 2015 Preliminary Examination Enrolment Data)
15 September 2015 - NW3041
Lovemore, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)Whether she intends to introduce mechanisms to link the measurement of the performance of foundation phase teachers directly to learner performance; if not, (a) why not, (b) who will be held accountable for foundation phase learner outcomes and (c) how will accountability mechanisms operate; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether she will utilise the annual national assessment results (a) as a measure of individual learner progress during a grade or a phase and (b) as a tool to measure the efficacy of teachers; if not, in each case, (i) why not and (ii) how will she hold individual teachers accountable for their learners’ outcomes; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
1. The performance of educators includes, inter alia, the performance of learners.
a) The performance measurement of educators has always included, amongst others, learners’ performance as one of the important proxies. This is in view of the fact that there are many factors at play determining learners’ performance. Factors which influence learning include the learner’s background, school conditions and context, and the teaching quality and processes. International research overwhelmingly points to the learner’s socio-economic status as being a major determinant of learning achievement. The measurement of the performance of all educators is a condition of service as agreed to in the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC). Currently, all educators, including teachers in the Foundation Phase, are appraised in terms of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS). Performance Standard 4 of the IQMS instrument measures Learner Assessment/Achievement.
b) Accountability for learner outcomes rests primarily with the Head of the school. In instances where there is under-performance of learners in the Foundation Phase, the Head of Department as well as the responsible teachers are co-accountable. According to the section 16 E of the South African Schools Act, the Principal of the school has to put in place a plan that would address any under-performance of learners at the school. The implementation of this plan will be monitored by the District and Provincial Department of Education, who report on the progress to the Head of Department in the province.
c) Not applicable.
2) (a) The purpose of Annual National Assessment (ANA) is to diagnose learning challenges and monitor the “health” of the education system. ANA is currently administered in only two subjects, language and mathematics, and on all learners at a particular period in a year. For that reason, individual teachers can use ANA results to measure progress of individual learners in their classes but that is not the primary purpose of ANA.
Through the introduction of the Annual National Assessments, known as ANA, the Department have focussed all officials, schools, teachers, and parents on learning and teaching performance in our country. The Department have utilised the diagnostic function of ANA in classrooms so that the Department have a means to assess performance of learners within our classrooms in relation to learners in the district and province. The Department have only just introduced the ANAs in the system in 2011, and like other countries, the Department recognise that the Department need to strengthen formative (school-based) assessment in our schools and how it can be used to improve learning and teaching in our classrooms. However, the Department do know that more can be done through improved school performance, and oversight of the curriculum in schools – especially in those schools which cater for children from poor households.
The Department has started work on refining the systemic assessment function of the ANA so as to accurately compare results across years and better monitor progress in the system. This process of strengthening systemic performance monitoring has taken over a decade in many countries and has required a dedicated effort and capacity from specialists, researchers and academics in the country and abroad. The National Development Plan (NDP) identifies this as a key issue to be resolved – and our Basic Education sector plan, Action Plan 2019: Towards the realisation of Schooling 2025 prioritises the ability to track performance, through an objective tool, as a priority. The Department will, of course, learn from provincial and international assessments such as the Systemic Assessments in the Western Cape and the Department’s participation in regional and international assessments.
The Department are also strengthening the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) administration so as to improve the performance management of teachers in schools and more carefully reflect the reality of what is going on at school level.
(b) (i)The efficacy of teachers is not specifically linked to performance of learners in the Annual National Assessment (ANA) results. The efficacy of all educators is measured in terms of the instrument in the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) as agreed to in the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC). Performance Standard 4 of the IQMS instrument measures Learner Assessment/Achievement.
(ii) Accountability for learner outcomes rests primarily with the Principal of the school. In instances where there is under-performance of learners in the ANA results, the Head of Department as well as the responsible teachers are co-accountable. According to the section 16 E of the South African Schools Act, the Principal of the school has to put in place a plan that would address any under-performance of learners based on the ANA diagnostic report of the school. The implementation of this plan will be monitored by the District and Provincial Department of Education, who report on the progress to the Head of Department in the province.
15 September 2015 - NW3243
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
Has the Chief Executive Officer and/or the board of the Construction Education Training Authority received any petitions signed by staff members since 1 January 2013; if so, (a) what was the content of each petition and (b) how many staff members signed each petition; (2) did any of these petitions make allegations of corruption against a certain official (name furnished); if not, why not; if so, (a) how many petitions made such allegations, (b) have the allegations been investigated and (c) has the specified official been suspended pending the outcome; (3) have any members of staff of CETA been (a) disciplined, (b) suspended or (c) dismissed for alleged disciplinary offences related to the petitions?
Reply:
- The Chief Executive Officer and/or the Board of the Construction Education Training Authority did not receive any petitions signed by staff members since 1 January 2013.
- and (3) Not applicable.
Compiler/Contact persons:
Ext:
DIRECTOR – GENERAL
STATUS:
DATE:
REPLY TO QUESTION 3243 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED
Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
STATUS:
DATE:
15 September 2015 - NW3169
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Tourism
Whether his department is taking any steps to rid tourist sites of bogus tourist guides who are operating freely and preying on unsuspecting visitors at the specified sites (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, what steps; 2. Whether he intends to set up a dedicated unit where tourists can report these bogus tour operators; if not why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
- Tourist guides operating illegally are in contravention of the Tourism Act, 2014, which states that it is a criminal offence to act as a tourist guide without a valid registration. Complaints of this nature must be reported to the relevant Provincial Registrar of Tourist Guides so that charges can be laid with the South African Police Services (SAPS) for further investigation. The Department of Tourism has implemented programmes to raise awareness about the use of registered tourist guides and the consequences of non-compliance. Initiatives have included inspections conducted at identified illegal guiding hotspots in collaboration with various law enforcement authorities and placing advertorials in both print and digital media.
- The Department also has a dedicated Unit which facilitates the handling of all tourism-related complaints received. In addition, the Department has a call centre and a website facility where such complaints can be reported. The contact details are: Tourism Complaints Officer, [email protected] / [email protected]
Tel: +27 (0) 12 444 6314/6312
Toll free Line: +27 (0) 0860 121 929 or +27 (0)12 444 6000