Reply:

(a) The MDDA has funded 103 Community Radio Stations since 2004 in 57 district municipalities in South Africa.

(b) Of the 103 community radio stations currently on the MDDA’s disbursement profile, ninety nine (99) are fully operational.

(c) Four (4) out of 103 three stations currently on MDDA’s disbursement profile are not operational.

They are as follows:

i Franchoek FM (Western Cape – Cape Wine Lands District Municipality)

ii Motsitle Community Radio (North West – Bojanala District Municipality)

iii Qwa Qwa FM (Free State – Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality)

iv Blouberg Community Radio (Limpopo Province – Capricorn District Municipality)

(d) During the grant funding cycle, MDDA pays for the insurance of broadcast equipment. Once the grant funding agreement expires, stations are supposed to continue with the insurance.

(e) (i) Cumulatively grants totalling R 280 million have been awarded since 2004 to date.

(ii) 55 community radio stations have received digital broadcast infrastructure to the value of R47, 236,885.00

(iii) Not applicable.

(f) Currently all radio stations are operational, however in terms of the Grant in Aid Agreement and the NPO Act/ including the constitutions of the entities MDDA funds there is a clause that provides for such equipment to be transferred to a project of similar objectives.

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

1. The Department concluded one contract with Vukani Aviation, which commenced on 8 January 2013 covering a period of 36 months and includes the information on the requested financial years.

The Vukani Aviation Cadet Pilot Scheme Programme has the following targeted outcomes:

Programme	Target
Aviation Awareness: Recruitment and Selection	500
Psychometrics Test	500
Simulation	100
Life Skills Programmes	60
Commercial Pilot License	60

It should be noted that the cadets were split into 3 groups of 20, to allow for reasonable instruction time.

(2) (a) A summary of achievements since the inception of the programme are as follows:

• Training

Training Programmes
Learners who completed the Commercial Pilot License and Advanced Pilot Training	4
Learners currently undergoing Commercial Pilot License Training	19
Learners who have obtained their Commercial Pilot License and currently undergoing Advanced Pilot Training	15
Cadets who have found employment after completing the Commercial Pilot License and Advanced Pilot Training	5
Total students who dropped out / dismissed / absconded	17
Total	60

• Aviation Awareness: Recruitment and Selection - The aviation awareness portion of the project started on 16 February 2013 targeting 500 learners. Vukani Aviation visited rural and township based schools in five provinces, as well as utilizing radio stations and local newspapers to ensure greater awareness and project reach. According to the data provide to us, over 10 000 students were reached through this awareness campaign.
• Psychometric Test: 189 Psychometric tests were done.
• Simulation: 100 Learners were shortlisted and went through the simulation process.

Life Skills Programmes: The planned target for the Life Skills Programme was 60 learners, with 50 learners benefitting whilst 10 learners left the programme before completing all the required activities.

(b) The intention was that all 60 cadets would complete all the required tasks and flight hours in a period of 18 months, which proved to be difficult due to the following reasons:

• According to Vukani Aviation, the Private Pilot License Ground School component took longer than anticipated, as the cadets struggled with mastering the required content and some were given more than the required attempts to accomplish certain tasks.
• During the period leading up to the funeral of the late President Nelson Mandela, flight schools around Gauteng lost almost a month of flying time due to restrictions placed on the Gauteng airspace.

(3) (a) 9 Cadets have completed the Commercial Pilot License and Advanced Pilot Training with 5 cadets already having found employment, 19 learners are currently undergoing Commercial Pilot License Training and 15 learners are currently undergoing Advanced Pilot Training.

(b) The total budgeted programme cost is R77 070 921.00.

(4)  The entire programme, as per the contract with Vukani Aviation, is expected to be completed by 31 December 2015.

 

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Contact number:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 2886 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

(a)The Deputy Minister of Small Business Development has extended an invitation to Minister Muthambi F to attend both the Atlanta Lifestyle Hub Show and the Santa FE Folk Art Market events with other role-players to represent the country in these important gatherings.

(b)South African delegation:

1. The Minister

2. Chief of Staff

3. Protector

4. Assistant Director in the office of the DG

(C)FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR SUPPORT STAFF

Item	People	Exchange rate	Days	Cost
Accommodation: Atlanta Santa FE	3	$275 $ 289	9	R10 226.46 R10 747.08
Ground Transport Atlanta Santa FE	3	$85 $100	9	R 6 321.78 R 9 916.56
Ticket, service fees and insurance	3		9	R349 823.16
Travel and Subsistence Daily Allowance	3	$106.40	9	R30 226.59
Total				R417 261.63

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR MINISTER

Item	People	Exchange rate	Days	Cost
Accommodation: Atlanta Santa FE	1	$515 $580	9	R6 383.79 R7 183.30
Ground Transport Atlanta Santa FE	1	$170 $195	9	R12 643.62 R19 337.28
VIP Services at airport	1	$100	9	R 2 479.14
Ticket, service fees and insurance	1			R116 607.72
Travel and Subsistence Daily Allowance	1	106.40	9	R11 619.70
Total				R176 254.55

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL ACTING

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

Reply:

The Minister of Communications received the report from the National Communication Task Team (NCTT). The report is being evaluated. All matters relating to the NCTT will be appropriately responded to once the Minister concludes with the evaluation of the report and expresses her opinion on how the process will be carried forward.

 

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

(a). Cabinet has already approved that the two Departments appoint a Joint Technical Task Team (JTTT) to spearhead the process and modalities for the transfer. The JTTT has been officially appointed and has started working on the processes.

(b). The transfer of Colleges to the Department of Higher Education and Training is a Cabinet decision. My responsibility is to facilitate the implementation of the decision together with the Minister of Higher Education and Training.

Reply:

The department did not set up a SABC Task Team.

 

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

Reply:

No, I did not interact with my counterpart during my recent visit to China as I was invited by the Deputy President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa to form part of his delegation. I therefore followed the Deputy President’s programme and accompanied him to all his meetings.

However, there are many useful lessons that other universities in China can offer South Africa. There are on-going collaborations between various Chinese and South African Universities, e.g. the Universities of Pretoria and Stellenbosch have partnered with Northeast Normal and Hunan Universities.

A Centre for Chinese Studies (CCS), based at Stellenbosch University, has been established to analyse China-related research by collaborating with scholars from Africa, China and other international academic centres with similar interests, and publishes regular discussion papers, policy briefings and short opinion pieces on current issues. CCS also hosts visiting academics and government officials within the China Forum that provides a platform to discuss and debate on China-African related subjects.

CCS has co-operative linkages with key universities and institutions pursuing both research collaboration and exchange undertakings, prioritising linkages with Chinese institutions that include Beijing University, Tsinghua and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. CCS is also home to the Confucius Institute, the first institution of its kind established in Africa.

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 2921 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

(a) The MDDA has a grant funding cycle that that runs from 12 to 18 months. Projects are monitored twice during the project funding cycle. Funding is allocated in four tranches and each tranche is released after satisfactory reporting and compliance with the Grant in Aid Agreement and monitoring. Due to cost saving, site visits are conducted once during the life cycle of projects. Project report on quarterly basis, this is another form of close monitoring.

(b)  All Radio Stations are monitored on the following:

i. Attainment of intended project objectives as of inception

ii. Governance and institutional stability

iii. Financial Management

iv. Financial Sustainability and revenue generation

v. Community Participation

vi. Partnerships

vii. Compliance and non-compliance with the Grant in Aid Agreement

(c) i. MDDA conducts monitoring on all the funded community radio stations. The dates for monitoring are determined based on the status quo of the projects, funds disbursed and the reporting cycle of each project. Due to cost saving, site visits are conducted once during the life cycle of a project (Average project lifecycle would normally be 14 months). Oversight monitoring is conducted if there is delayed reporting.

ii. In the previous three financial years the projects have been monitored through:

1. Desktop monitoring
2. Site visits monitoring and evaluation
3. Project reporting
4. Annual evaluation using different methodologies such as formative, summative and clarificative where required
5. Board Members undertake Provincial site visit on a random basis

 

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

Reply:

(1). Currently Agricultural Colleges do not have language policies, but their academic rules and procedures clearly state their respective mediums of instruction, the following Colleges Glen, Owen Sithole, Cedara, Taung, Fort Cox, Tsolo, Madzivhandila and Tompi Seleka use English as their medium of instruction.

Elsenburg and Potchefstroom Colleges use a 50/50 (English or Afrikaans) medium of instruction; this is due to the fact that almost all classes are multilingual. The practice is that the lecturer teaches in either English or Afrikaans or both. The audio- visual aids are in the other language that is not being used by the lecturer i.e. English or Afrikaans. The class notes and student guides are available in both English and Afrikaans.

Grootfontein College uses a parallel mode of instruction where tuition is in English to one group (non-Afrikaans) and Afrikaans to the other group.

(2). There is no change expected in the language policy or guidelines of the following Colleges Glen, Owen Sithole, Cedara, Taung, Potchefstroom, Fort Cox, Tsolo, Madzivhandila and Tompi Seleka as they are experiencing no challenges in their respective Institutions regarding the medium of instruction.

Elsenburg College is overseeing a process to inform and sensitise staff and the student body on best practice regarding the current language approach. A Task Team has been established to consult with corresponding institutions on matters related to language policies, options and plans. The College Council will thereafter present a framework to the Department for consideration. A process of consultation with stakeholders, including students and industry representative bodies, regarding the proposed policy framework is envisaged after which a process to draft and adopt a language policy and plan for the Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute will be initiated, in accordance with the approved framework.

My Department has initiated processes of amending the current medium of instruction at Grootfontein College with the aim of developing a language policy which will introduce English as a new medium of instruction.

(3). Breakdown of home language spoken by students at each of the specified Colleges is presented on Attachment A;

Reply:

a) Since the post was vacant following the termination of service of the former Secretary of Police at the end of August 2014, the post was advertised in line with Section 11 (2) of the Public Service Act which requires that there should be transparent competition between applicants for the post.

b) The post was advertised on the 20th October 2014 with a closing date of 31 October 2014.

(i)  No

(ii) Not applicable

Reply:

(1) No.

Reply:

(a) The modernization of stations in the country is occurring according to the programme of implementation.

   (i) Of the total of 135 stations identified for modernization, 25 are located in KZN

   (ii) Duffs Road station is the only station in KZN in the current financial year undergoing modernization at a cost of R143 095 385, with expenditure to date being R82 114 808.

(b) The expected date of service of the KZN Business Express between Pietermaritzburg and Durban in early November 2015.

Reply:

The new board members will be appointed before the expiry time of the current board members.

Reply:

1. (a) The draft policy direction has already been prepared and consultation with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa commenced.

(b) The draft policy direction was drafted by the Department.

(2) After finalising consultation with ICASA, public consultation will commence in accordance with section 3(5) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2005 that requires that the text of a policy direction must be published in the Gazette for 30 days to obtain the views of interested persons.

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available within the Department. We have, however, requested all the Provinces, to provide the information.

The Honourable Member will be provided with the requested information as soon as it is submitted to us.

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available within the Department. We have, however, requested the Province and Mantsopa Local Municipality, to provide the information.

The Honourable Member will be provided with the requested information as soon as it is submitted to us.

Reply:

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

--ooOoo--

Reply:

Hammerhead and Broadnose Sevengill sharks are commercially exploited by fishers. The latter species is targeted by linefishers and are a major source of income for fishing villages in the Western Cape. This species is also targeted by the demersal longline fishery and, therefore, they have a commercial value and need sustainable management rather than prohibiting all catches.

In addition, not all the species/groups listed in the question have “dwindling numbers”. According to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Bather Protection Programme catch rates, there is evidence for declines of Spotted Raggedtooth sharks, Bull sharks and Scalloped and Great Hammerhead sharks, but increases in Tiger sharks and Smooth Hammerheads. Other studies indicate that for the east coast of South Africa the Spotted Raggedtooth shark population is stable, but generally for the species mentioned there is a lack of suitable data for assessing trends outside of KZN.

Also it should be noted that Hammerhead sharks are now CITES listed, which affects international trade in these species but not local trade. Since 2011, retention of hammerhead sharks by the pelagic longline fishery has been prohibited in the Cape. The demersal longline fishery is prohibited from targeting Bull sharks.

Furthermore, for the first time, marine species are being included in the national Threatened or Protected (ToPS) list. The Tiger shark, Raggedtooth shark and the Scalloped Hammerhead and Great Hammerhead sharks are all among the marine species that are listed on the draft ToPS list that went out for public comment in March 2015.

--ooOoo--

Reply:

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is the body responsible for issuing electronic communications regulations in South Africa. ICASA will be in a position to issue the Rapid Deployment Regulations in accordance with the procedure prescribed in the Electronic Communications Act No 36 of 2005 after the Cabinet has approved the Rapid Deployment Policy.

Reply:

The response below was provided by the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality:

1. Two (2) officials were charged with misconduct following the recommendations of the Manase report were dismissed.
2. In line the resolution of Council, the City Manager referred all the matters that required investigation by the police to the Anti-corruption Task Team for consideration of possible criminal action. The report from the ACTT is still outstanding.
3. The Manase report recommended recovery from a number of officials involved in irregular expenditure. (a) The current criminal investigation will assist to determine which amounts were proceeds of crime, which would enable recovery. (b) One million rand was recovered from the two dismissed officials, dismissed for fraud. This amount was taken from their pension.
4. Council referred the matters relating to Councillors to the Ethics Committee. Disciplinary action was taken against the ten (10) Councillors who were implicated. One Councillor is no longer a Councillor and two are deceased. The other Councillors were fined according to the quantum of transgression. The fines ranged from R8248,19 to R19500,22. Arrangements were made by the Councillors to pay the fines.

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available within the Department. We have, however, requested all the Metropolitan Municipalities, to provide the information.

The Honourable Member will be provided with the requested information as soon as it is submitted to us.

Reply:

(1) The suspension of the mining license at Optimum Colliery’s commenced on Monday 3 August 2015 and was lifted on Friday 7 August 2015. As part of the normal contingency plans at all coal fired Power Stations, supply is supplemented from other sources. The specific details of supplemental suppliers are confidential.

(2) Yes.

(a) There is over 30 coal stock days at Hendrina Power Station (levels vary daily).

(b) Coal is transported by conveyor belt from Optimum Colliery and is trucked in from the supplementary sources.

(c) This information is commercially sensitive and it is subject to standard confidentiality clauses in Eskom’s agreements with suppliers. Therefore it cannot be disclosed.

(d) This information is commercially sensitive and it is subject to standard confidentiality clauses in Eskom’s agreements with suppliers. Therefore it cannot be disclosed.

(3) If the supply of coal is maintained through other sources then the generating capacity will stay the same.

Reply:

Due to the nature of information that is required . A request is hereby made for an extension in order for us to provide quality and correct information as soon as it is received.

Reply:

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

(a) and (b) Not applicable

2.  Not applicable

--ooOoo--

Reply:

I do not have the information regarding sub-questions (1), (2) and (3).

The MEC responsible for Local Government in Free State, is being requested to commission an investigation into the matter.

Reply:

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

(a) and (b) Not applicable

--ooOoo--

Reply:

Extensive discussions have been held with stakeholders in both the government and private sectors.

These include:

National Departments of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs; Rural Development and Land Reform; Environmental Affairs; Economic Development; Public Enterprises; Transport; Water Affairs; Performance Monitoring and Evaluation; Office of the Chief State Law Adviser; the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA); South African Local Government Association (SALGA); Broadband Infraco; Cell C; Dark Fibre Africa; Fibreco; Internet Solutions; Dimension Data; Link Africa; Liquid Telecoms; MTN; Neotel; Sentech; Telkom; Vodacom; Vumatel; Fibre to the Home (FTTH) Council; Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Association; Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA); South African Communications Forum (SACF); Wireless Access Providers’ Association (WAPA); Eskom; Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA); South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL); State Information Technology Agency (SITA); Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Transnet; Cape Town Municipality; Ekurhuleni Municipality; Tshwane Municipality and ATC South Africa.

Following these engagements, the Department of Transport, ICASA, Office of the Chief State Law Adviser and Telkom provided further information in writing. Based on these engagements a discussion paper highlighting the policy issues has been developed and circulated to stakeholders.

The Discussion Paper is also available on the Department’s website. This Discussion Paper has been workshopped with stakeholders on 21 August 2015, the draft Rapid Deployment Policy will be developed based on the input derived therefrom.

Reply:

(a) No, and the rest of the questions fall off.

Reply:

(a); (i), (ii), (b), (c), (d). According to information received from Gauteng Department of Education, no educational sites have been provided during the town planning of the area mentioned. Rietfontein falls within the border of the City of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipalities and is surrounded by areas such as Greenstone, Linksfield, Modderfontein and Edenvale. At this point there are no sites earmarked for public schooling within the area and no schools are presently planned to be built on the specified sites.

Reply:

1. (a) The Local Government: Regulations on Appointment and Conditions of Employment of Senior Managers, which came into effect on 17 January 2014, requires that a person appointed as the municipal manager of a municipality must have a Bachelor degree in Public Administration/ Social Sciences/ Law, or equivalent. According to information at the disposal of the Department, the municipal manager of Lekwa Teemane Local Municipality holds a National Diploma in Town and Regional Planning, Certificate in Local Government Finance Management and a short course certificate in Public Management and Governance. As it stands, the Minister is not able to make a conclusive decision whether the qualifications of the municipal manager comply with the prescribed requirements due to lack of evidence or proof that his qualifications were subjected to an evaluation by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) to determine if his qualifications are equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree.

   (b)  The MEC for local government in the North-West Province has been requested to investigate this matter, which will include an evaluation of the municipal manager’s qualifications by SAQA. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the MEC will submit a formal report to the Minister in terms of section 54A(7)(b) of the Municipal Systems Act, whereafter the Minister will determine the course of action, if any.

  (i)   National Diploma in Town and Regional Planning, Certificate in Local Government Finance Management and a short course certificate in Public Management and Governance.

(ii) The process followed in the municipal manager’s appointment will be determined once a full report on the appointment of the municipal manager has been received from the MEC.

2.  The total annual remuneration package of the Municipal Manager of Lekwa Teemane is R970 920-00.

3.   Yes, the total remuneration of the Municipal Manager is within the upper limits for the total remuneration payable to municipal managers, inclusive of the 20% market premium allowance as provided for in clause 10(4) of the Notice on upper limits of the total remuneration packages payable to senior managers under Government Notice No. 225 as published in Government Notice No. 37500 of 29 March 2014.

4.   Section 57 of the Municipal Systems Act requires that a person may be appointed as a municipal manager of a municipality only in terms of a written employment contract with the municipality complying with the provisions of this section and that the employment contract be entered into with the municipality represented by the mayor or executive mayor. On 3 March 2015, the Lekwa Teemane municipal council resolved to appoint a successful candidate and further directed that the employment contract be entered into between the successful candidate and the municipality represented by the mayor.

 (a)  There is no legal requirement for the employment contract to be tabled before council prior to the signing thereof.

 (b) (i) and (ii) Not applicable.

      (iii) The employment contract was signed on 16 April 2015.

     (iv) The contract was entered into between the municipal manager and municipality represented by the mayor.

Reply:

Due to the nature of information required. A request is hereby made for an extension in order for us to provide quality and correct information as soon as it is received.

Reply:

1. The first Notice on the total remuneration packages payable to municipal managers was issued on 29 March 2014, with the express provision that it becomes applicable from 1 July 2014. According to transitional measures contained in Item 11 of the Notice, the Notice does not apply to serving municipal managers whose contracts were concluded before the commencement of the Notice (i.e. 1 July 2014); meaning that such senior manager remuneration will continue to be governed in terms of their employment contracts until the contracts have lapsed or terminated.
2. (a) A total of twenty (20) applications to waive the provisions of the Notice were received by the Minister.

(b) No application of waiver was granted by the Minister.

3.  No waiver was granted.

4.  Please refer to the response on (3) above.

Reply:

The Deputy Minister of Labour, Honourable SP Holomisa led a delegation consisting of eight (8) senior officials of the Department of Labour to China, once during 2014-15 financial year.

The visit to China was to finalise focal areas of cooperation in terms of the signed Memorandum Of Understanding with China.

Reply:

(a)(i) Yes, an Intervention Team that worked under the supervision of the Administrator did a comprehensive diagnostic work into the difficulties / challenges faced by the South African Post Office (SAPO). The work resulted in a Turn-around plan, which has been approved by Cabinet and proposes a new business model. This Strategic Turnaround plan is being implemented.

(ii) The diagnosis undertaken paid specific attention to the financial difficulties of SAPO and proposed specific interventions to deal with these.

(b) Government is not considering selling either part or the whole of SAPO as the company still has value to offer to the citizens especially those residing in the underservice parts of the country especially the rural areas.

Reply:

1. The Department of Health has not commissioned any studies on the safety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). However, the Department participates in the regulatory systems of GMOs.

The safety of Genetically Modified Organisms is regulated in terms of the Genetically Modified Organisms Act, 1997 (Act No. 15 of 1997), (GMO Act), which is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF). The GMO Act provides for safety of human and animal health, as well as the environment. There are specific regulatory systems which have been set up for the rigorous evaluation of GMOs and Genetically Modified foodstuffs, so as to ensure access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food. These regulatory systems evaluate both human health and the impact that these organisms may have. The regulatory system consists of scientists, including food safety experts, who conduct food safety assessments before the GMO crops are approved for human consumption. The Department of Health participates in this regulatory system which also focuses on risk assessments of GMOs.

2. All GMO foodstuffs approved by government are safe to eat.

All foodstuffs from GMOs are thoroughly assessed during the developmental phase to ensure that they are safe for animal and human consumption. This is done before they are made available to the public. The safety assessments of Genetically Modified foodstuffs are based on guidelines and principles developed by Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), an international body involved in food safety, under the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations. The Codex guidelines and principles include the need for a case-by-case safety assessment, i.e., the use of scientific risk-based assessment methods that would take into consideration the newly introduced genetic material in crops, including new proteins and other characteristics of the Genetically Modified foodstuffs. This is also done in comparison with conventionally produced foods. All the Genetically Modified foodstuffs that are on the market have been approved by government and are considered as safe as their conventional counterparts.

The details of all the GMOs approved in South Africa are as a result of the safety assessment by scientists who are experts in fields related to GMOs as appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in terms of the GMO Act and evaluate risk assessments (scientific data relating to food, feed and environmental impact). The decisions for approval are by the Executive Council, which consists of officials from six government departments responsible for matters relating to Agriculture, Health, the Environment, Labour, Trade and Industry and Science and Technology, as well as the chairperson of the Advisory Committee.

END.

Reply:

I have been advised by Broadband Infraco as follows:

(a) Six (6) employees have resigned from Broadband Infraco in the period from 30 September 2014 to 30 June 2015.

(b) The table below referred to questions (b)(i)-(iii)

Termination from September 2014 to June 2015
Number of resignations	Termination date	Termination Service	Positions	Skills	Job Grade	Annual TCTC
1	2014/09/12	Resignation	Technician	Infrastructure maintenance	Peterson C2 Lower	R354 660
2.	2015/01/31	Resignation	Manager for performance Information Monitoring	Business Performance Monitoring and Reporting	Peterson D3 Lower	R504 534
3.	2014/02/01	Resignation	Manager Legal	Commercial Law	Peterson D3 Lower	R800 000
4.	2015/05/31	Resignation	Snr Engineer Transmission	Network Design	Peterson D3 Lower	R711 207
5.	2015/06/12	Resignation	Payroll Account	Payroll reconciliation and payment	Peterson D1 Lower	R355 200
6.	2015/06/30	Resignation	Specialist Maintenance	Infrastructure Maintenance	Peterson D1 Lower	R759 384

Reply:

(a)(i) National Department of Health (NDOH) has rolled out connectivity in 34 of the 50 targeted for the NHI Pilot. The solution will dovetail and align with SA Connect once the service rollout commences following the appointment of a service provider.

(ii) At provincial level, only the Gauteng provincial government and the Western Cape provincial government have financed broadband plans

(iii) At local government level, there are various initiatives by Government and the private sector to provide Wi-Fi hotspot infrastructure and access to the public. Initiative from Tshwane and Lusikisiki are good examples were WiFi infrastructure was financed. The rollout in Tshwane cost in the order of R77, 000 per Wi-Fi site.

(b) The rollout programme of the DTPS will focus on broadband infrastructure and services for government facilities. The DTPS will aggregate government demand to ensure that there is a compelling business case for infrastructure to be extended to the rural areas. The national, provincial and local government departments will then compliment the efforts of the DTPS by focusing on the provisioning of end-user devises and equipment, applications, relevant content and the training of users of the technology. The DTPS has worked with provincial departments to establish provincial broadband steering committees that are used to ensure alignment of the DTPS programme and provincial plans.

Reply:

The monies will be used to provide broadband connectivity services to the targeted government sites in the Phase 1 districts.

Reply:

1. South Africa has not ratified the Southern African Development Community Model Law on Electronic -Transactions and Electronic-Commerce Model Law; Data Protection Model Law; and Cybercrime Model Law.

These SADC Model Laws were developed under the Harmonization of ICT Policies in the Sub-Sahara Africa (HIPSSA) project to assist and to build a comprehensive regional framework for the development of the information society and the knowledge economy in SADC; and to guide the SADC Member States to draft or update their corresponding national legislations.

The SADC Model Laws were adopted as framework, not as binding agreement. Ratification is not applicable.

2. The SADC Model Laws are included in the following:

   (a) None.

   (b) The National ICT Policy.

(i) To be determined on finalization of the National ICT Policy White Paper.

(ii) To be determined by the National ICT Policy White Paper.

Reply:

1. Response is as follows:

• KILLINGS

This office agrees that a number of people have been killed in Glebelands Hostel, there are 21 people who have been killed in the past 14 months from June 2014 to July 2015.

• POLICE CORRUPTION

No one has come up with any evidence with regard to Police corruption. We encourage anyone with evidence to come with such evidence so that corrupt members will be brought to book.

• SALES OF HOSTEL BEDS

This is the domain of Ethekwini Municipality.

• GANGSTERISM

This office is not aware of any gangsterism at Glebelands Hostel. There was a block chairpersons committee that was existing and later a group opposing block chairpersons was formed. Both of these structures have since been dissolved.

• POLICE COLLUDING WITH HOSTEL THUGS

This office is not aware of any policemen who are colluding with the thugs. Anyone with information is encouraged to come forward with such information.

• POLICE SHARING ROOMS WITH HITMAN

This office is not aware of any police members who share rooms with hitman at the hostel. We are aware that there are SAPS, SANDF and Metro Police members who reside in the hostel.

• DEPARTMENT LEAVING THE SITUATION TO ESCALATE

The SAPS did not leave the situation to escalate. Additional personnel were deployed to the hostel on a 24 hours basis. Different police Units, (POP) Public Order Police, (TRT) Tactical Response Team, Visible Policing, Crime Intelligence and Metro Police Intelligence led Crime Prevention Operations are conducted including Operation Field/ reclaim (where the army was also involved) are conducted at Glebelands Hostel.

The issues of environmental design, such as:-

- Lack of access control,

- No fencing or broken fence in some parts of the Hostel,

- No lighting or insufficient lighting outside the hostel blocks, on the street and in open places and in the passages inside the blocks, and the lack of CCTV cameras,

were identified as some of the crime generators at the Hostel. Ethekwini Municipality have since come on board to address the above mention environmental design issues. An integrated Project Plan was developed. The SAPS, Metro Police, Ethekwini Municipality and the Department of Community Safety and Liaison are working together to implement the plan. There is a noticeable good progress.

2.  The police are doing their best to maintain peace and stability at the hostel and do not favour any faction. The police always perform their duties professionally and impartially.

3. Anyone with information or evidence of any police involvement in corruption is encouraged to come forward with the information so that those police members will be brought to book. At this stage no one has ever come up with any information or evidence.

4.  This certain person was arrested together with (2) two other persons on Umlazi Cas 638/4/214, Attempted Murder. They appeared at Umlazi Court on 2015-07-07 and he was acquitted.

  The remaining co-accused appeared at Umlazi Court on 2015-08-03; they were found not guilty and were discharged. He (the said person) is not directly implicated in any of the other reported cases at this stage. His rooms have also been raided for firearms several times with negative results.

 

 

Signed MAJOR GENERAL

ACTING DIVISIONAL COMMISSIONER: VISIBLE POLICING

MM MOTLHALA

Date: 4 August 2015

Reply to question 2785 recommended

Signed LIEUTENANT GENERAL

DEPUTY NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: POLICING

KJ SITOLE (SOE)

Date: 4 August 2015

Agree with reply to question 2785

Signed GENERAL

NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE

MV PHIYEGA

Date: 5 August 2015

Reply to question 2785 approved/not approved

MINISTER OF POLICE

NPT NHLEKO, MP

Date:

Reply:

(a)  Only one meeting was held by the Governance and Security Chamber. The Social Chamber meeting is scheduled to take place on 21 August 2015, the Economic Chamber for 26 August 2015 and the ICTs and Disability Chamber in the first week of September 2015.

(b)  Governance and Security Chamber meeting was held on 17 August 2015.

(c)  Yes, the meeting did quorate.

(d) The following decisions were made by the meeting:

• The terms of reference of the Chamber were developed and adopted.
• A clear Scope of Work was developed and adopted.
• Working Groups were established in three areas, namely, cybersecurity, internet governance and e-commerce.
• Convenors of the Working Groups were nominated and confirmed.
• Each Working Group will develop a specific action plan to be implemented by the Chamber.

Reply:

(a) Yes, the department has studied the latest report of the Auditor-General in respect of municipalities.

(b)  The Minister cannot directly take any action before a municipality is given time to do so as prescribed in the Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003 (MFMA). The Minister has, however, initiated the following measures:

 (i)  Introduced an item in the MinMEC meeting’s agenda, whereby the MECs report on how municipalities, in their respective provinces, are performing on the five pillars of Back to Basics (B2B), which if not performed will result into issues in the audit reports.

(ii)  Giving special attention to the fifty (50) municipalities that received disclaimed audit opinion, with particular emphasis on 25 disclaimers in the past five consecutive years.

(iii)  Partnering with the National Treasury to roll out the Financial Management Capacity Maturity Model to understand gaps to ensure support measures are targeted and customised accordingly.

(iv)  Ensure that the competency regulations are complied with.

Reply:

The draft Rapid Deployment Policy is scheduled to be processed by the Department at the end of September 2015. The draft Policy will then be gazetted for public comment in accordance with the procedure prescribed in the Electronic Communications Act No. 36 of 2005. The final Rapid Deployment Policy will then be developed taking into account the submissions made on the draft Policy. The final Rapid Deployment Policy will then be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.

Reply:

1. The African Union Convention on Cyberspace Security and Protection of Personal Data was adopted by the 23rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union which was held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on 26 and 27 June 2014.

South Africa has not ratified the African Union Convention on Cyberspace Security and Protection of Personal Data because South Africa has not yet signed as she is awaiting the official document from the African Union Commission to be dispatched through diplomatic channels.

The Convention has not yet been signed.

2.  The provisions of the AU Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection

(a)  Will have to be studied by the relevant department and authorities, as part of the process of ratification to ensure that it is consistent with our domestic law and not in conflict with any of South Africa’s international law obligations and that procedurally South Africa is in a position to ratify the Amendment. This will be done by the Office of the Chief State Law Adviser of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, and Office of the Chief State Law Adviser - International Law of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

(b)  No information is available, awaiting the study and legal opinion.

(i) Not applicable

(ii) Not applicable

Reply:

1. Yes
2. These reports on the payment model are being discussed at SASSA executive management level.
3. Currently there are no planned international trips but this does not preclude the Agency or the Department to do so when the need arises.

Reply:

(1) (a) (i) 2010 = 3 train accidents

(ii) 2011 = 2 train accidents

(iii) 2012 = 3 train accidents

(iv) 2013 = 11 train accidents

(v) 2014 = 6 train accidents

(b) 7 train accidents.

(2 ) (a) (i) * 2010 = 3 employee injuries

* 2011 = no injuries

* 2012 = no injuries

* 2013 = 7 employee injuries

* 2014 = no injuries

since 1 January 2015 = 58 injuries (3 employee injuries and 55 3rd party injuries)

(ii) * 2010 = 6 employee fatalities

* 2011 = 2 employee fatalities

* 2012 = no fatalities

* 2013 = 3 employee fatalities

* 2014 = no fatalities

since 1 January 2015 = two 3rd party fatalities

(b) See annexure A

(c) See annexure A

(3) No, the Minister will not make a statement on the matter.

 

Reply:

Honourable Member, the same question was asked by Honourable LV James of the DA (see Annexure A - Question 2059 asked on 29 May 2015).

END.

ANNEXURE A

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO. 2059

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 29 MAY 2015

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 17)

Ms L V James (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

Whether his department has any programmes to improve education about multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, specifically about the importance of testing; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW2322E

REPLY:

The National Department of Health has several programmes and platforms that are being used to inform, educate and raise awareness about TB, including MDR-TB at community level.

(a) The national and provincial TB programmes have Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation units with focal persons whose role is to, on a regular basis, disseminate information to members of the community on the importance of being screened, tested and treated for TB, including MDR-TB. Each of these units have focal persons who, sometimes with support from partner organisations, use various platforms including the media (radio, television, and print) to educate communities about TB. The units also disseminate information through posters, fliers and billboards and sometimes conduct door-to-door campaigns to engage household members on TB.

(b) In 2010, during the advert of the FIFA World Cup hosted in South Africa, the Department and Stellenbosch University conceptualised and implemented a communications platform called “Kick TB and HIV”, which uses community activations (campaign style) to educate members of the community on TB. Over the past year, 266 activations were conducted, and 467 817 people were reached.

(c)  The Deputy President launched, on 24 March 2015, a massive TB campaign that aims to mobilise millions of South Africans to be screened, tested and treated for TB, including MDR-TB.

(d) An integrated mass media communication and education campaign that will focus on HIV/AIDS, TB (including MRD-TB), maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases, violence and injuries, has been developed and a tender is currently being evaluated to appoint a service provider to manage the campaign over the next 3 years.

END.

Reply:

Research studies undertaken in other economies and the experience of a number of countries have established strong and positive relationships between internet access, job creation and economic development.

The benefit of internet access is clear for individuals and enterprises.

For individuals, the internet provides access to a vast array of information through which citizens and workers can become more productive and effective at their workplaces. Businesses are often dependent on the opportunities that can be accessed through the internet inter alia to access information or market, buy or sell their products (e-commerce) and through improving business processes that enhances productivity. The benefits are not confined to large enterprises: many small companies are able to cut costs and improve their product offerings through access to the internet.

A study by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) of the impact of broadband on the economy noted the following

"The economic impact of broadband manifests itself through four types of effects.

The first effect results from the construction of broadband networks. In a way similar to any infrastructure project, the deployment of broadband networks creates jobs and acts over the economy by means of multipliers. The second effect results from the “spill-over” externalities, which impact both enterprises and consumers. The adoption of broadband within firms leads to a multifactor productivity gain, which in turn contributes to growth of GDP. On the other hand, residential adoption drives an increase in household real income as a function of a multiplier. Beyond these direct benefits, which contribute to GDP growth, residential users receive a benefit in terms of consumer surplus, defined as the difference between what they would be willing to pay for broadband service and its price. This last parameter, while not being captured in the GDP statistics, can be significant, insofar that it represents benefits in terms of enhanced access to information, entertainment and public services."

UNCTAD publishes annual reviews of the information economy that set international benchmarks and challenges.

Because the positive link between internet access and economic performance is so well-established. EDD has focused on advocacy of, and supporting measures to, enable more South Africans to have access to quality, affordable internet access, instead of conducting more research to simply confirm that positive relationship.

Access to the internet is a function of the backbone infrastructure laid by the public and private sectors, as well as the 'last-mile' connectivity that brings internet access to users and support for ICT-intensive industries.

There has been a significant increase in access to the internet in both urban and rural areas, through the availability of increased broadband facilities that has led greater broadband penetration (through lower prices and better quality of access) and improvement in smart-phone technologies that enables handset access to the internet.

Since 2009, 41 a significant of cable have been laid and maintained principally by Telkom, Eskom Transmission, Dark Fibre Africa, Broadband Infraco, FibreCo and the NLD Consortium. Broadband rollout is now monitored and supported through the work of the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission. The CSIR has been appointed to coordinate the work of Strategic Integrated Project 15 on Information and Communication Technologies

According to the 2014 General Household Survey, 37% of South African households have access to mobile broadband, and 11% have fixed broadband. But the figures vary substantially by area. While 43% of people in the urban areas have access to mobile broadband and 15% to fixed, in the rural areas the figures are just 3% mobile and 25% fixed.

Many South Africans access the internet from their phones, personal computers (using home telephone or data lines) and portable devices such as laptops (using 3G and 4G cards). Though prices fell, cost is still a constraint for a considerable number of potential users.

In order to avoid the development of a digital divide where access is only available to those who can access private facilities, government has partnered to provide greater levels of public access to broadband. Though such initiatives are still fairly new, they have provided access points at schools, universities and some public transport and government facilities. We provide a few examples below.

A partnership between the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS),Telkom and the Department of Basic Education has resulted in 1650Dinalediand District schools connected (as at December 2014) at a cost of R375 million. By March 2015, 1148 of the targeted schools (70% of the total) are using the connection points.

USAASA is charged with extending broadband coverage and installs connection points to clinics, TVET colleges and libraries in rural areas with limited internet and television access. In the past two financial years, four rural municipalities with 493lic access to broadband. Though such iMorolong (Northern Cape); Ratlou (North West); Msinga (KwaZulu Natal) and Emalahleni (Eastern Cape). USAASA provided a subsidy of R46,7million. In 2015/16, a further two municipalities - Mutale in Limpopo and Albert Luthuli in Mpumalanga - will be connected, at a cost of R23 million, to provide coverage to 277 000 people.

A number of municipalities are extending broadband to their citizens. For instance, Tshwane has 673 live sites in schools, clinics and other public buildings, with 72023 million, to 493lic access to broadband. Though shrough smartphones.

A further priority is to ensure that broadband supports higher education and knowledge management. For this reason, government has prioritised improving ICT for universities.

Almost a million students at South African public universities have access to the Internet, either through their own computers or through the computer labs at the universities.

The current South African National Research Network (SANReN) backbone consists of a 10Gbps ring between Tshwane, Johannesburg, Mangaung, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London and eThekwini, extensions to more remote towns with university campuses, and several metropolitan rings.

All 26 public universities are connected to the internet.

During the 2014/2015 financial year the CSIR was tasked by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to expand the SANReN (South African Research Network) reach by 25 new connections and upgrade the networketworkchnology (DST) to expand the sburg, Mangaung, the computer labs aGbps) per connected site. Construction and commissioning work on 29 new broadband connections are also currently in various stages of completion.

The activation and backhauling of two 10Gbps channels of the recently procured West African Cable System (WACS) capacity right-of-use was completed in August 2014. This effectively doubled the available capacity for all South African universities and science organisations connected to the SANReN to transfer data between South Africa and the rest of the world.

In order to achieve more of the digital dividend for the economy, the National Infrastructure Plan provides for an increase in the rollout of broadband through additional fibre-optic networks.

-END-

Reply:

The Honourable Member must refer to question 300 on 28 April 2015 and question 1650 on 09 June 2015 in which I replied to these questions in details.

 

Reply:

(1) (a) Presentations were held on the 21 August 2014 and 27 November

2014.

(b) Presentation were held at the DTPS offices

(c) For the meeting of the 21 August 2014, six members of the NBAC Working Group, four members from the department and a representative from Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC) were in attendance. For the meeting of the 27 November 2014, five members of the NBAC Working Group were in attendance as well as six members of the department. Viasat and the Gauteng Broadband Network (GBN) were invited to deliver presentations at the meeting of 27th November 2014 but only Viasat managed to deliver the presentation on the day.

(2) The Minister will meet the Chairperson of the NBAC to map a way forward with regards to the continuing role of the NBAC as well as the work plan that will guide the NBAC going forward.

(3) Since the work plan is expected to be a dynamic document, it will not be gazetted to allow for flexible adaptation of the document to the rapidly changing ICT environment and to ensure that the work of the NBAC remains relevant.