Reply:

(a)  None.

(b)  Not applicable

Reply:

The phenomenon of foreign nationals entering the country in contravention of the Immigration Act is difficult to quantify because, by their very nature, such movements do not take place through designated ports of entry and are therefore not recorded. As a result of this, the Department does not have a comprehensive view of the number of undocumented foreign nationals in the country.

Departmental systems do indicate, however, that since 2010, a total of 333 874 foreign nationals have overstayed the duration of their visas and have not departed through a designated port of entry. Further, in the first quarter of the 2015/16 financial year, 10 242 illegal immigrants were deported (and are therefore no longer residing in the country), whilst 4 860 were arrested during “Operation Fiela” as well as in normal operations. These figures only provide an indication of undocumented foreign nationals detected.

Reply:

The Department does not support the so-called principle of “publish or perish” for South African academics. The Department supports the development of academics that value teaching, research and community engagement as outlined in the recently approved Staffing South Africa’s Universities Framework (SSAUF). This includes supporting universities to be innovative and produce quality research. We expect that universities have some highly productive researchers, that may not focus much on teaching, and equally that there will be scholars who have a greater focus on teaching. The focus on publishing at all costs regardless of the quality or substance of the research is not supported by the Department.

It should be noted that the Department does not control nor develop policies on the promotions criteria at universities. The Department admits that highly productive academics, whether in the sphere of research or scholarship of teaching, should be recognised. It is also aware that some universities value research as a key criterion for promotion.

The Department has recently published a revised Research Output Policy (2015). The purpose of this policy is to encourage research productivity by rewarding quality research output at public higher education institutions. The policy is not intended to measure all output, but to enhance productivity by recognising the major types of research output produced by higher education institutions, and uses appropriate proxies to determine the quality of such output. While increased productivity is a key driver behind this policy, what has informed the revision was the need to ensure improved quality of subsidised research outputs.

Within the total subsidy funding allocated to universities in 2015/16, R3 billion which is just under 15% of the total block grant of R20.5 billion, is allocated for research output subsidies and implemented through the Research Output Policy. The remainder of the block grant (85%) is linked to teaching inputs and outputs as well as institutional factors. As can be seen, teaching is the area that is allocated the largest proportion of funding.

Since the implementation of the research outputs subsidy in 2005, South Africa’s research outputs have increased at a rate of 13% per annum, which is a substantial return on investment. The Department takes pride that our universities’ research productivity has improved significantly since 2005. South African universities’ research productivity is ranked top in Africa, and recent impact studies show that more South African research is published in high-impact journals than all other Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) member states.

 

 

Compiler/contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 2772 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

 

(a) The department continues to engage in discussions and deliberations with National Treasury on this matter.

(b) The engagements concern the anticipated increase in applications in the extended period up to December 2017.

Reply:

(a) (i) Driving Licences issued 2012/ 13 financial year:

PROV	Apr 12	May 12	Jun 12	Jul 12	Aug 12	Sept 12	Oct 12	Nov 12	Dec 12	Jan 13	Feb 13	Mar 13
EC	9392	12474	12440	13692	12706	10349	12030	12540	6747	17276	14037	13278
FS	6874	9805	9568	10474	9515	7947	8753	8637	4671	13121	11230	9868
GP	50661	70317	68403	75559	73440	61958	68434	68946	39148	101448	78961	76874
KZN	21859	30604	29055	31493	30617	25800	28034	28409	16686	44105	33705	31572
LIM	11762	15552	15378	17079	16956	14165	15701	15220	8498	22219	18151	16628
MPL	11346	16038	15345	16682	16546	13955	15581	15298	8456	21828	17360	16456
NW	6644	8937	8611	8995	9314	7876	8461	9172	5213	11836	10512	10196
NC	2687	3572	3472	3876	3810	3473	3622	3614	1961	4764	4433	4012
WC	22606	32816	31582	32830	32103	26213	28646	29087	17300	48447	37291	34285
Grand Total	143831	200115	193854	210680	205007	171736	189262	190923	108680	285044	225680	213169

 

(a) (ii) Driving Licences issued 2013/ 14 financial year:

PROV	Apr 13	May 13	Jun 13	Jul 13	Aug 13	Sept 13	Oct 13	Nov 13	Dec 13	Jan 14	Feb 14	Mar 14
EC	12357	14850	12835	12524	13267	9484	15833	15052	11712	13327	12754	12291
FS	10062	10800	9084	10158	9515	8624	10447	9562	7625	9834	8903	8960
GP	73628	78857	67409	73625	70816	63412	76280	74557	56316	73135	62877	64868
KZN	31401	34296	28709	31914	31284	28695	34127	32717	28142	34155	29413	28998
LIM	16418	17811	15481	17347	16176	14509	17116	15956	13485	16974	15467	15589
MPL	16941	17613	15465	16685	17570	14527	18002	17340	12958	17025	16092	15399
NW	9790	10898	9119	9927	9863	8476	9927	9593	7137	9198	8528	8595
NC	4058	4349	3800	4056	3973	3706	4251	4228	2970	3665	3368	3601
WC	32783	36624	29491	30942	29025	27995	33771	32232	27039	31906	26600	28868
Grand Total	207438	226098	191393	207178	201489	179428	219754	211237	167384	209219	184002	187169

(a) (iii) Driving Licences issued 2014/ 15 financial year:

PROV	Apr 14	May 14	Jun 14	Jul 14	Aug 14	Sept 14	Oct 14	Nov 14	Dec 14	Jan 15	Feb 15	Mar 15
EC	12064	13656	12135	14236	13442	12329	14467	14313	10329	15367	13845	14848
FS	8723	9453	8102	10243	9716	8776	9391	8699	6797	11402	10037	10418
GP	61082	70525	59247	70734	70647	62664	73288	65968	55644	79129	67777	71353
KZN	27193	33159	26977	32857	31853	28914	31199	31798	24240	40237	30629	32553
LIM	14858	16926	14024	17547	16408	14895	16924	15343	12099	19733	15973	16473
MPL	15087	17361	14809	17970	17402	15740	18397	16422	12642	19230	16453	17884
NW	8055	9578	7870	9693	9678	8636	9645	9359	7490	10149	9381	10078
NC	3351	3786	3252	3911	3981	3719	3767	3730	2560	4053	3613	3819
WC	26134	29537	24932	29361	30841	27125	29785	30228	23552	36054	29036	31283
Grand Total	176547	203981	171348	206552	203968	182798	206863	195860	155353	235354	196744	208709

(b) (i) and (ii) the delay was as a result of contractual disputes between the Department and the Card Production Facility. This matter has been sorted out and the Department will henceforth in partnership with other relevant government entities take over the issuance of the driving licenses.

Reply:

1. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa declares that “the official languages of the Republic are Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa and isiZulu”. The Constitution, Section 6 (1), (2) and (4) of the Founding Provisions also states that “the state must take practical and positive measures to elevate the status and advance the use of these [the indigenous] languages” and that all official languages must enjoy parity of esteem and be treated equitably. The Constitution enjoins the Pan South African Language Board to promote and create conditions for the development and use of these and other languages.

With regard to the provision of languages at institutions of higher learning, Section 29 (2) of the Constitution states that “everyone has the right to receive education in the official language or languages of their choice in public educational institutions where that education is reasonably practicable. In order to ensure the effective access to, and implementation of this right, the state must consider all reasonable educational alternatives, including single medium institutions, taking into account:

1. equity;
2. practicability; and
3. the need to redress the results of past racially discriminatory laws and practices.

These facts are stated so that there is a clear understanding on the obligations of the Minister of Higher Education and Training. In terms of Section 27 (2) of the Higher Education Act (101 of 1997, as amended), the Minister determines Language Policy for Higher Education. In accordance with this legislation, each institution of higher education is required to establish its own language policy, guided by the Constitution and Language Policy for Higher Education. This requirement takes into account the autonomy of institutions to determine flexible language policies provided that such determination is within the context of public accountability and my responsibility to establish the parameters. Although the Language Policy for Higher Education is designed to promote African languages in institutional policies and practices in higher education, it clearly does not make a determination for institutions to instruct in various mother tongues. It would be against the Constitution of the Republic if institutions were to instruct in a language that will disadvantage non-speakers of that particular language. For example, English as a medium language of tuition allows access for all to our higher education institutions and therefore, no one is prevented from accessing our higher education institutions if English is utilised as a language of instruction.

In terms of individual university language policies, multilingualism is supported. Currently, it is however not practical to use languages other than English or Afrikaans as a medium language of tuition, since these have not been developed as languages of instruction at school level. The language of instruction at most universities is therefore English, while most formerly Afrikaans institutions have a dual language policy. The action required is aggressive improvement of universities in developing indigenous languages. I believe that the promotion of multilingualism in the higher education sector is imperative as the Constitution of the RSA accords equal status to all our languages.

In this regard, the Language Policy for Higher Education published in November 2002 is the framework that guides the practices at higher education institutions. The Department is in the process of revising this policy to ensure that other South African languages can be developed to a level where they can enjoy parity in our universities.

 

 

 

 

Compiler/contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 2649 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

The Statistics South Africa monthly Tourism and Migration Statistical Release provides the available detailed information on arrivals and departures including in transit travelers. The number of tourists excludes in transit travelers and there was a year on year decrease for the period January to end April 2015 of 169 017 tourist arrivals, a decline of 7.19%, from the Africa continent. This was made up of a decline of 169 017 (7.1%) in tourism arrivals from SADC and a decline of 7 073 (11%) from the rest of the continent.

The reasons for the decline in arrivals from the African continent is not necessarily entirely attributable to the unfortunate attacks on foreign nationals.

Reply:

(a) The rationale to review the position of the COO was based on the fact that the MDDA is a small organisation with a staff compliment of 34. After due consideration, the Board resolved that streamlining the organisational structure would result in a much more efficient and effective organisational performance.

 

 

 

 

MR N MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

(a)  (i) Tshwane TV

No. Tshwane TV has been having compliance challenges with regards to community participation since the 2012/13 financial year. The problem started after the Licensee’s first Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2011 which then resulted in two controlling structures that were elected in two different AGM’s. The Authority tried to assist the Licensee to convene a properly constituted AGM that would elect a recognized controlling structure in accordance with the Licensee’s founding documents.

The mediation process was abandoned after one of the parties took the matter to Court and a default judgement was then awarded. The Authority is currently assisting Tshwane TV to put structures in place in order to comply with all aspects of their service license pertaining to community participation.

(ii) Soweto TV

Yes. Soweto TV held two annual meetings during the four financial years in question.

(iii) Cape Town Community TV

Cape Town TV reported that they have held two annual meetings for the four financial years in questions. However, ICASA is still awaiting the necessary documentation to confirm this.

(iv) Bay Community TV

Yes Bay Community TV held two annual meetings during the four financial years in question.

(aa) Programming

(bb) Programme related matters

Tshwane TV

See response to the first question.

Soweto TV

Yes, Soweto TV addressed programming and programme related matters at the two annual meetings during the four financial years in question.

Cape Town Community TV

Cape Town TV reported that they have held two annual meeting for the financial years in questions. However, ICASA is still awaiting the necessary documentation to confirm this.

Bay Community TV

Yes, Bay Community TV addressed programming and programme related matters at the two annual meetings during the four financial years in question.

(b)

Tshwane TV

See response to the first question.

Soweto TV

Yes, Soweto TV has provided ICASA with proof of their two annual meetings as well as attendance registers signed by community members.

Cape Town Community TV

Cape Town TV has not yet furnished the Authority with copies of the minutes of the minutes held with the community members.

Bay Community TV

Yes, Bay Community TV has provided ICASA with proof of their two annual meetings as well as the attendance registers signed by members of the community for those meetings for the four financial years in question.

 

 

MR N MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

(a)  To attend the 76th World News Media Congress – 22nd World Editors Forum – 25th World Advertising Forum. The objective of the conference was bring together the industry and to discuss issues affecting the industry.

(b)(i) Flights – R56 334.72

(ii) Accommodation – R38 925.02

(c) Airline – SAA and JetBlue airways

(d) Washington Hilton Hotel

 

 

 

MR N MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

I wish to inform the Honourable Member that (a) neither I nor the former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development travelled to China during 2014-15;

(b) the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development and Deputy Minister of Correctional Services did not travel to China during 2014-2015; and

(c) I have been informed that no officials from all the departments, travelled to China during the 2014-15 financial year.

(i) and (ii) therefore fall away.

Reply:

 

(a) Minister: No trip to China undertaken.

(i) n/a.

(ii) (aa) n/a.

(ii) (bb) n/a.

(b) Deputy Minister: No trip to China undertaken.

(i) n/a.

(ii) (aa) n/a.

(ii) (bb) n/a.

(c) Officials:

Mr Daan du Toit: 21 to 23 May 2014.

(i) To participate in a bilateral meeting with Mr Xu, DDG MOST and the SKA Strategy and Business Development Committee Meeting 4, in China.

(ii) (aa) Total: R18 113.

(ii) (bb) R8 900 air ticket from Brussels and R9 213 accommodation.

Mr Isaac Maredi, Ms Sunita Kalan and Ms Punkah Mdaka: 22 to 26 September 2014.

(i) To participate in the science park development initiatives in China.

(ii) (aa) Total: R69 933.

(ii) (bb) R33 600 three air tickets, R15 333 travel & subsistence for three officials, R18 000 accommodation for 3 officials and R3 000 for shuttle transport to the airport for three officials.

Officials from the DST: Prof Yonah Seleti: 8 to 10 October 2014.

(i) To attend meetings of the International Group of Funding Agencies for Global Change Research (IGFA) and the Belmont Forum in China.

(ii) (aa) Total: R26 432.

(ii) (bb) R12 213 air ticket, R2 576 travel & subsistence, R11 400 accommodation and R243 for parking at the airport.

Official from the DST: Dr P Mjwara: 15 to 17 October 2014.

(i) To participate in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Board of Directors meeting in China.

(ii) (aa) Total: R53 659.

(ii) (bb) R49 939 air ticket and R3 720 accommodation.

Official from the DST: Mr Bruce Tshilamulele: 27 to 28 October 2014.

(i) To participate in the first Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) workshop on pharmaceutical innovation and development in China.

(ii) (aa) Total: R27 189.

(ii) (bb) R12 213 air ticket, R2 576 travel & subsistence, R11 400 accommodation and R1000 for shuttle transport to the airport.

Official from the DST: Dr Cordelia Sita and Ms Anita Mnisi: 7 to 9 November 2014.

(i) To participate in the BRICS Solid State Lighting (SSL) Working Group Meeting, this takes place every year in China around November.

(ii) (aa) Total: R53 950.

(ii) (bb) R41 050 two air-tickets and R12 900 accommodation.

Reply:

1. 39 new Small Claims Courts were established during the 2014-2015 financial year:

Mitchells Plain (WC), Bergville (KZN), Clanwilliam (WC), Boshof (FS), Herschel (EC), Fouriesburg (FS), Lions River (KZN), Polela (KZN), Phalaborwa (LP), Stilfontein (NW), Glen Grey (EC), Christiana (NW), Calitzdorp (WC), Goodwood (WC), Kuils River (WC), Pearston (EC), Namakgale (LP), Adelaide (EC), Bedford (EC), Wellington (WC), Impendle (KZN), Murraysburg (WC), Hopefield (WC), Mount Ayliff (EC), Heidelberg (WC), Uniondale (WC), Lady Grey (EC), Nkandla (KZN), Pofadder (NC), Piketberg (WC), Mapumulo (KZN), Mtunzini (KZN), Postmasburg (NC), Hanover (NC), Molteno (EC), Hay (NC), Tseki (FS), Laingsburg (WC) and Prince Albert (WC)

30 new Small Claims Courts were established from 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2014:

Ngotshe (KZN), Elliot (EC), Msinga (KZN), Madikwe (NW), Peddie (EC), Middledrift (EC), Mooi River (KZN), Clocolan (FS), Camperdown (KZN), KwaMhlanga (MP), Mbibana (MP), Mdutjana (MP), St Marks (EC), Mutale (LP), Atteridgeville (GP), Secunda (MP), Dzanani (LP), Vanrhynsdorp (WC), Bultfontein (FS), Williston (NC), Sebokeng (GP), Melmoth (KZN), Reitz (FS), Nqutu (KZN), Hennenman (FS), Virginia (FS), Ventersburg (FS) Sasolburg (FS), Tsakane (GP) and Vuwani (LP)

14 new Small Claims Courts have been established since 1 April 2015:

Babanango (KZN), Libode (EC), Tabankulu (EC), Wodehouse (EC), Indwe (EC), Tsolo (EC), Qumbu (EC), Simon’s Town (WC), Middelburg (EC), Sterkstroom (EC), Tiyani (LP), Barkly East (EC), Kakamas (NC) and Flagstaff (EC)

2. The statistics for the new 39 Small Claims Courts is not yet readily available on the department’s ICMS system which is our main statistics information source as these courts are still being assisted to get registered and trained to use the system. However the 2014/15 national stats for the SCC were as follows:

Matters Finalized - Broken down into Regions:

Regions	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Grand Total	Amount	Average of Days : Registration to Finalisation Date	Average of Days: First Hearing Date to Finalization date
Eastern Cape	596	626	603	655	2480	R 10 609 170.11	70.48	52.97
Free State	267	205	252	279	1003	R 2 988 213.13	56.43	35.08
Gauteng	2711	2940	2217	2430	10298	R 53 338 021.86	39.48	19.87
Kwazulu Natal	870	901	809	816	3396	R 19 196 151.86	111.63	68.89
Limpopo	845	947	825	902	3519	R 12 391 156.03	87.96	60.12
Mpumalanga	419	571	573	374	1937	R 8 626 175.45	83.65	56.41
North West	671	585	497	361	2114	R 8 143 952.28	87.20	37.85
Northern Cape	177	99	85	90	451	R 1 814 831.20	45.93	20.79
Western Cape	740	901	801	890	3332	R 19 972 283.98	77.20	27.56
Grand Total	7296	7775	6662	6797	28530	R 137 079 955.90	68.38

Matters Finalized - Broken down into Outcomes:

Outcomes	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Grand Total	%
Absolution	131	155	100	143	529	2%
Case Dismissed	559	664	529	500	2252	8%
Case Struck of Roll	2380	2579	2283	2387	9629	34%
Case Withdrawn	81	98	77	103	359	1%
Default Judgement	1316	1284	1150	1526	5276	18%
Judgement Granted	2435	2604	2150	1859	9048	32%
Out of Court Settlement	317	329	272	229	1147	4%
Postponed	77	61	101	46	285	1%
Rescission Granted		1		4	5	0.02%
Grand Total	7296	7775	6662	6797	28530	100%

Reply:

I wish to inform the Honourable Member that I have been informed by the National Prosecuting Authority that:

1. 
   The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), South Gauteng indicates that Sandton CAS 63/3/2012 is a case involving theft (shoplifting) of lingerie valued at R99.00 at Woolworths Store in Sandton City on 2 March 2012 committed by a female student, aged 26 years, who appeared in court on 5 March 2012 and the matter was postponed to 20 March 2012. It is however inconceivable that this is a matter that the DA is referring to or interested in. It would assist if the Honourable member of the Democratic Alliance provides more details about the docket the Honourable member is referring to.The Serious and Commercial Crimes Unit (SCCU) Johannesburg Office only dealt with and declined to prosecute in Sandton CAS 1242/09/2010. The Special Director SCCU and Director of Public Prosecutions, Gauteng, are currently engaging in evaluating the request to review the said decision declining to prosecute in respect of Sandton CAS 1242/09/2010 where the complainant in the matter was Mr Sheldon Chellakooty and not the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). CAS number 63/03/2012 was never referred to the SCCU.
2. See response in (1) above.
3. The findings of the Auditor-General can be obtained from his office. These findings were specifically referred to by the suspect in Sandton CAS 1242/09/2010.
4. The SCCU Johannesburg office in particular has not been contacted.

Reply:

1. (a) – (b) (i)-(ii) Numerous engagements were held with PRASA and the Department of Transport (DOT) on both locomotives and coaches procurement to ensure that localisation requirements are fulfilled. Significant inputs were provided on the capabilities of the domestic rolling stock manufacturing sector including comprehensive information on components that should be localised. Efforts to maximise local content are on-going.

The locomotives procurement has been subjected to the National Policy Industrial Participation (NIPP) Programme and discussions on the development of offset projects are advanced. Further, the dti participated in the Rail Inter-Departmental Committee chaired by the DOT so as to provide support and inputs on how the coaches’ procurement can be leveraged to resuscitate and enhance the rail manufacturing capacity and capability.

In addition, engagements with the winning bidder of the coaches tender (Gibela Consortium) are continuing. The contract has provided the department with the opportunity to offer the various incentive programmes to the rolling stock manufacturing firms in order to enable the necessary investments to improve the competitiveness and to meet the Original Equipment Manufacturers’ requirements.

2. The procurement of both coaches and locomotives were not subject to the designation process as the request for proposals were issued before the issuance of the National Treasury Instruction Note ,that provides guidelines for the invitation and evaluation of bids for the procurement of rolling stock sector. This instruction note only came into effect on the 07 December 2011. It is for this reason that the locomotive procurement is subjected to the offset obligation programme as indicated above. Although the designation had not been effected on the coaches’ procurement, the dti played a critical role to ensure the draft policy framework on local content was incorporated into the extensive procurement processes driven by DoT and PRASA, hence the coaches’ tender was issued with a minimum local content of 65%.

 

Reply:

1. (a)The Metsi Matsho project is being built over two phases. The budget of the first Phase was R26, 125,000 and the expenditure incurred was R25, 734,505. The second Phase is under implementation. The budget for the second Phase is R28, 851,326.00 and the expenditure as at 31 July 2015 is R10, 964,585.

(b) The first phase started around August 2011 till October 2013. The second Phase commenced in February 2015 and is expected to be completed in January 2016.

(2) Due to the fact that the land belongs to the community, a Trust has been registered and ownership of the project will ultimately vest with the Trust with the support of the Local Municipality. The department will be assisting the Trust to appoint a private sector operator, to ensure that an operator is in place by the time the project is completed. This will be undertaken through a consultative process with the community and will adhere to the PFMA regulations and principals of Supply Chain Management.

Reply:

1. It should be noted that in terms of the contemplated regulations, the Minister shall make a final decision with the regard to the place where a CCS veterinarian shall perform compulsory community service, criteria for the selection of places where Compulsory Community Service (CCS) is to be performed and the placement of veterinary graduates are based on key strategic objectives of the Compulsory Community Service (CCS), namely:

(i) To promote accessibility of veterinary services particularly in under-served and resource poor areas,

(ii) To distribute veterinary profession in an equitable manner thereby rectifying the current state of distribution of veterinary personnel and;

(iii)To provide an opportunity for CCS veterinarians to acquire knowledge, critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will help their professional development.

1. The processes followed for the placement of CCS Veterinarians is complex; this is to ensure that applicants are placed in a fair and equitable manner and to ensure that the aforementioned CCS strategic objectives are realised. In this regard, a comprehensive list of selected available places where CCS is to be performed is sent to prospective graduates. In the list, each CCS place is described in detail including the nature of work.

An electronic application must be completed by prospective graduates, and shall be submitted to DAFF. Applicants are required to make a selection of five (5) provinces and three (3) CCS places of their choice per province resulting in fifteen (15) choices per applicant. The applicant must rank their 15 choices in order of preference, i.e. Choices 1 to 15 with choice 1 being the 1st preferred choice and choice 15 being the least preferred choice. The placement process is based on these fifteen (15) ranked choices.

Once all the applications are received the placement process is as follows:

Step 1:

Applicant’s specific choices were assessed in order of their preferred ranking.

Unique choices (meaning no other applicant has chosen that CCS place for that specific choice) will automatically be allocated to that CCS place.

Where there is more than one applicant applying for the same place within the specific choice then applicants should be randomly placed. These processes are to be repeated until all the fifteen (15) choices are exhausted per applicant.

• For the 2015 cohort, DAFF received a total number of 131 applicants and 110 (84%) applicants were placed during step 1; the rest were subjected to step 2.

 

Step 2:

“Special circumstances”, for example medical conditions, may be considered at the discretion of the placement committee once all the applicant’s fifteen (15) choices are exhausted. Applicants who are not placed after this process are subjected to step 3.

.

• For the 2015 cohort, 5 (4%) applicants were considered for “special circumstances” and the remaining applicants were subjected to step 3.

Step 3:

For applicants that were not placed from the steps above i.e. from their 15 ranked choices, a list of available CCS places are to be sent to the remaining unallocated applicants. Applicants should reapply and rank places according to order of preference. Applicants that are not placed after this process are to be subjected to step 4.

• For the 2015 cohort, 14 (11%) applicants were considered for special circumstances and the rest were subjected to step 4.

Step 4:

Applicants who are not placed during step 1 to 3, if any, are to be placed randomly to the remaining CCS places. This means that the placement committee will allocate all the remaining applicants to all remaining CCS places without awarding them a chance to choose.

• For the 2015 cohort 2 (1%) applicants were considered for special circumstances and rest were subjected to step 4.

Step 5:

All applicants are to be informed by DAFF about their placement and should be given a period of one (1) month to swap their placement with a fellow applicant. This provision should be done in writing using a DAFF standard form. Both applicants are expected to give consent and this marks the end of the placement process.

(3) Since the placement process was mostly done by a random selection process based on the number of available CCS posts, as a result, most of the students are placed by chance or if they selected a CCS place that they are not competing with anyone which was also by chance. Based on the above there was no provision for an appeals process because this will disadvantage other students who have already accepted placements that are least suitable to their needs. Step 5 was designed to alleviate any dissatisfaction among the applicants.

Reply:

In terms of the housing programmes of the National Department of Human Settlements, delivery in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality was as follows:

(a) Total number of housing units completed for the period 01 July 2006 to 30 June 2011: 11 237

(b) Total number of housing units completed for the period 01 July 2011 to 31 May 2015: 5 508

Reply:

No.

Reply:

DEPARTMENT

(a) and (b) (i). Reflect the toatal numberof engineers in the Department of Transport irrespective of them not having been e,mployed as engineers. e.g. DDG Hlabisa of Road sis an engineer and soi s many others. All Government Departments that appoint Engineers are guided by the Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD) for Engineers that specifies the criteria as well as qualifications that are required for the various categories of Engineers.

1. Road Accident Fund (RAF)

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) does not currently employ engineers in that capacity, nor does the RAF accredit anyone in that capacity.

2. South African National Road Agency (SANRAL)

(a) SANRAL uses the criteria as per the requirements of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) including those bodies who are signatories to the Washington Accord of 1989.

Registration as a professional engineer with ECSA is a statutory requirement for roles which take responsibility for the performance of engineering work. On meeting the criteria the following designations are used as per the ECSA regulations:

Professional Engineer (Pr Eng)

Professional Engineering Technologist (Pr Tech Eng)

Professional Engineering Technician (Pr Eng Techni)

(b) The basic qualifications required to attain the above are a Bachelor of Science in Engineering; Bachelor of Engineering; Bachelor of Technology; and Diploma in Engineering from a University or the then technikons.

3. Road Traffic Management Cooperation (RTMC)

(a) Currently RTMC does not have an engineer in its employ. The candidate should be registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) , and

(b) Possess a B Degree in Civil Engineering or Equivalent qualification if the agency were to employ one.

4. Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA)

(a) For RTIA, the criteria for employing the Engineers would be based on the requirements of the position.

(b) The qualifications required would also be based on the needs of the position as well as those of the Agency

5. Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA)

(a) The incumbent will have to be registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

(b) Qualifications to qualify a person to be called an engineer: Bachelor of Engineering degree or Bachelor of Technology with a focus on Civil/ Transport/ Structural Engineering.

Air Traffic & Navigation Services SOC Limited (ATNS)

(a) Criteria

ATNS employs two types of engineers, namely, Systems Engineer and Senior Systems Engineer. A Systems Engineer is a person who holds a Bachelor’s degree or Bachelor of Technology in Engineering or Science from the university and is eligible for registration as a professional engineer.

The second level of engineer is the Senior Systems Engineer level where professional engineers are appointed. A professional engineer is a person who holds Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and is registered as a professional engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

The criteria used for the appointment of engineers, is the academic qualification, years of experience and professional registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa as a candidate or professional engineer or technologist.

(b) Qualifications

The qualifications used for engineer positions in the company are Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from the university (including university of technology).

Airports Company South Africa SOC Limited (ACSA)

(a) Criteria

The Airports Company South Africa defines the need for specific positions based on the nature of the business. Formal structures exist which includes Engineers. The positions in the different Engineering disciplines are clearly defined in terms of a role description detailing:

• key outputs,
• qualifications; and
• competence needed in the position.

(b) Qualifications

People appointed to positions of Engineers in the different disciplines, are required to have a formal B Tech or Engineering degree and/or with a Government Certificate of Competency, depending on the business need.

Further to this, qualifications are verified via a formal verification process with the institutions that issued the qualifications prior to making an appointment into an Engineering position.

South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

(a)(b)(i)N/A (ii) the South African Civil Aviation Authority’s criteria and qualification requirements for engineers are as follows:

Engineering Stream within the SACAA	Job Title	Qualifications and Criteria
Mechanical Engineering	Certification Engineer	Qualifications: BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering Criteria: 3 year experience as Certification Engineer in the aviation environment.
Electrical Engineering	Certification Engineer	Qualification: BSc degree in Electrical Engineering Criteria: 3 year experience as Certification Engineer in the aviation environment.
Aeronautical Engineering	Certification Engineer	Qualification: BSc degree in Aeronautical Engineering Criteria: 3 year experience as Certification Engineer in the aviation environment.

Railway Safety Regulator

(a) Criteria – Minimum National Diploma/ Degree

(b) A bachelor degree in engineering and a candidate for registration as a professional engineer or technologist with ECSA.

Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA)

(a) As employee must have obtained a four year university engineering degree to be an engineer.

(b) The qualification for an engineer is a B.Sc (Engineering), B.Eng or any 4 year degree from a recognized university.

Ports Regulator South Africa (PRSA)

The Ports Regulator in terms of its organogram, does not employ engineers, thus this is not applicable.

While it is not applicable to the Ports Regulator, the CEO of the Ports Regulator is an engineer by virtue of being:

(a) accredited as a professional engineer (Pr Eng) by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA)

(b) qualified with a university degree in engineering, in his case a masters degree (MSc Eng)

South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)

(a) The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), as a special agency of the Department of Transport on matters relating to Maritime employs Marine Engineers. Marine engineering is a specialist field which is regulated internationally by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and here in South Africa, those standards are implemented and monitored by SAMSA.

(b) We hire Marine Engineers who holds Certificates of Competency as Chief Engineer[1] of a ship of any propulsion power in accordance with standards set by the IMO, through the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW Convention). These Marine Engineers qualifications are vetted and accepted by the IMO and its member states, e.g. UK, Netherlands, Singapore, Liberia, Philippines, etc. There is no requirement for Marine Engineers to be a member of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) to be employed. However, some of them are members through their membership of the South African Institute of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (SAIMENA)

Reply:

(1) No. However the DTPS, DPSA and SITA have been collaborating on matters regarding e-Government and e-Enablement of the prioritised 5 e-Services. The consultations in between the three institutions was conducted through a working group established by the Directors Generals of the two departments as well as the then SITA CEO. The discussions were continued June and Jul 2105 and SITA was tasked by the DPSA on 15 July 2015 to initiate programmes around the prioritised e-Services.

(2) Yes the SITA has been consulted in respect of the specified strategy. SITA, DPSA and DTPS are collaborating on the e-Enablement of the 5 prioritised Services as outlined in the Medium Term Strategic Framework 2014-2019 Outcome 12.4.6 and the DPSA Annual Operation Plan 2015/2016. This strategy is aligned with the 2015 ICT Policy Review Green Paper and SA Connect programme.

Reply:

(a) Matric and a few subjects in Mechanical Engineering according to a personnel file.

(b) Matric is from Fundulwazi Senior Secondary school in Sebokeng, whilst the mechanical engineering subjects are from Vaal University of technology.

(c) Mr Mthimkhulu joined Metrorail as an intern in 2000 and went through the ranks to Head: Engineering in PRASA Rail.

(d) Mr. Mtimkhulu may have given his peers the impression that he had the necessary qualifications and thus without being detected slipped through the verification process.

(e) Gross dishonesty and submission of fraudulent qualifications.

(f) PRASA Rail will not accept his resignation however criminal/Fraud charges are being pursued. A legal opinion was requested prior to take the appropriate actions against an employee who submitted his resignation.

(g)  The legal process will take its course.

(h) Acting Executive Manager: Engineering Services Mr Letsane Rathaba.

Reply:

The Honourable Member must refer to my previous reply to question 1960 in which I have outlined the international trips undertaken for benchmarking purposes. The Honourable Member must also be clear in terms of what she is asking for because in the previous question the focus was on the period leading up to SASSA’s promulgation and now the question includes this period post SASSA’s establishment.

Reply:

(a) The specified queue lengths are monitored at all plazas. CCTV surveillance systems are in place at the toll plazas to monitor this. All Plazas’ performance and operating efficiency is assessed to ensure adequate capacity exists to meet demand.

Several additional measures, as the circumstance demands, have been implemented at toll plazas that operate at near full capacity. These include the following:

• The implementation of tandem tolling which is a mechanism of allowing two vehicles to be processed at the same time in a single lane. This allows an increase in throughput of vehicles in comparison with normal lanes.
• Additional personnel are deployed in the lane area to ensure that motorists who pay toll fees in cash have the correct change, in advance of getting to the toll booth.

Further, to alleviate toll plaza capacity problems and increase vehicle processing speeds, additional, automated electronic toll payment method is being implemented at the toll plazas. This will allow non-stop passage through the lane via payment with an electronic tag. This system has been in operation for over ten years on the Platinum Toll Road, and is in an advanced stage of testing at most of the toll plazas. This will greatly assist with alleviating plaza capacity problems and long queue build-up. As has already been clearly demonstrated at the Platinum Toll Route Plazas, the processing rate of toll lanes dedicated for tag users, is 3 times that of manual payment methods.

(b) Historic traffic volumes, catering for traffic volumes from major events (sporting, cultural, etc.), seasonal traffic shifts, school holidays, long weekends, public holidays, etc. are analysed to plan for the future.

The traffic volumes at the plazas are also regularly monitored and examined. Traffic criteria such as the 30th highest hour traffic volumes and higher than average projected traffic growth rate, which could be indicative of the need to trigger dedicated electronic tag lanes, or a toll plaza expansion is regularly reviewed.

Regular analysis of the traffic volumes is undertaken to optimise the distribution of payment methods available to the road user as well as determining appropriate lane configurations.

(c) Regular traffic and capacity planning together with trained vehicle toll collectors improve the through flow. Flexible lane configuration allows for the accommodation of directional traffic flows so as to minimize the queue length.

The rapid deployment of the automated electronic toll payment method – payment of toll via electronic tag will greatly improve vehicle processing speed at the toll plazas.

Freeway Management Systems and Incident Management, with the assistance of CCTV surveillance of the road network, have facilitated rapid responses to incidents that may impact throughput at the plazas and thereby minimise the impact on traffic flow. These systems can also inform of traffic flows to and from the plaza.

 

Reply:

1. & (b) The Honourable Member is referred to Table 18 on Page 51 of SASSA’s

Annual Report 2014/15 Financial Year.

 

Reply:

The three former Non-Executive Directors of the SABC were removed by the Board of Directors of the SABC in terms of section 71 of the Companies Act 71 of 2008.

The Minister of Communications as the shareholder representative in respect of the SABC SOC Ltd had informed me to note the resolution of the SABC Board of Directors in respect of the removal of the said Non-Executive Directors.

In making any appointment, I apply my mind to all aspects deserving of consideration.

Reply:

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) is funded by a levy on fuel sold, which serves as an indirect tax used to fund the payment of compensation and to rehabilitate qualifying persons injured in road crashes. The fuel levy is also used to pay for the loss of support and funeral costs of those qualifying dependents that lost breadwinners in road crashes.

Although drunken driving has an impact on the incidence of road crashes and therefore on the cost of providing compensation, rehabilitation, support and funeral cover; the RAF does not currently maintain information or statistics (a)(i) of the estimated cost, and (ii) actual cost incurred by the RAF as a result of drunken driving and (b) does not have information or statistics of the economic cost of drunken driving in each (i) province and (ii) local authority for the (aa) 2012-13, (bb) 2013-14 and (cc) 2014-15 financial years.

Reply:

No,

The current Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) aptly identifies the need to consider the compliance burden and complexity of laws and regulations, and the need to improve consistency and remove unnecessary obstacles to business development. In this regard, capacity has been created in the Presidency to carry out thorough impact assessments of both new and existing legislation and regulations, in order to ensure alignment with the NDP and reduce the risk of unintended consequences.

Government will also streamline and improve the efficiency of regulatory processes, in areas such as building licences, environmental impact assessments, company registration, tax compliance, work permits for scarce skills, mining licences, water licences and access to municipal infrastructure services.

The regulatory burden reduction strategy cuts across a number of legislation/regulatory instruments that are not only administered within the DMR. Capacity for a comprehensive regulatory burden reduction strategy has resultantly been established at a central point in government and constitutes a requirement for the legislation development within government.

Reply:

At the time of replying to this question the Department was still awaiting a comprehensive response from provincial departments which are responsible for this function. I will furnish the Honourable Member with a reply upon receipt of provincial inputs.

The Member can also look for information through the relevant Provinces.

 

Reply:

1. The following training courses have been offered on “the management of discipline and incapacity issues in the workplace” during the 2012-2015 period.

Course	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	Totals
Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures	80	111	198	-	389
Investigating and Presiding Skills	159	136	145	-	440
PILIR - Policy & Procedure on Incapacity Leave & Ill health			324	166	490
					1319

(2) The NSG has three programmes related to management of discipline and incapacity issues in the workplace. The first is the Grievance and Disciplinary Action Procedures programme. This programme is accredited by the Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA) against 2 (two) registered unit standards which are 12139 and 11286. The number of public service employees successfully accredited for this programme is 86 from 2012-2015. The second programme is the Investigating and Presiding Skills programme. This programme is not accredited, and thus has no registration number. The third programme is on Policy on incapacity and ill-health (PILIR). This programme is also not accredited, and thus has no registration number

(3) The NSG conducts training needs analyses on middle and senior management level for national, provincial and local government entities. Education interventions and capacity requirements are determined against the senior and middle management competency frameworks developed by the DPSA as well as specialised competency requirements in areas such as finance, supply chain management and human resources – which deal with issues of managing discipline and incapacity amongst others. Learning and education programmes provided by the NSG therefore meet the needs of public servants regarding the management of discipline and incapacity issues within the public service.

However, Management Performance Assessment Tool (MPAT) reports from the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency (DPME) as well as various reports by the Public Service Commission (PSC) suggest that departments need to increase the numbers of supervisors and managers undergoing training. Also senior managers attending specific NSG programmes are of the view that their performance has improved, but further training in areas of Human Resource Management such as discipline management is necessary. MPAT reports have indicated the following with regards to the handling of disciplinary cases by all National Departments: 41% non-compliance with legal/regulatory standards; 39% partial compliance; 5% full compliance; and 15% full compliance while “doing things smartly”.

The NSG is currently piloting mandatory training for public service Managers and Supervisors beginning with Performance Management Development System (PMDS) training in an endeavour to further meet the training needs regarding HRM including discipline and incapacity management.

Reply:

(a) A preliminary investigation was conducted immediately after the accident by the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR), the preliminary report was released on Monday, 20th July 2015. A Board of Inquiry (BOI) is currently underway to determine the root cause that led to the accident.

(b) It is estimated that the BOI process will take three to four months to finalise.

(c) The RSR has appointed specialists for the BOI with a Chairperson of the BOI, Human Factors Specialist and Signaling Specialist.

(d) The estimated cost of damage to both the Rolling Stock and the Infrastructure is R7 567 999.14

(e) Information not yet complete.

(f) See response in (e).

Ministerial Note:

Criteria used to determine compensation?

In the ordinary course of business, and because passengers who get involved in accidents of the nature this one is would invariably sustain injuries which affect each one of them differently, given the extent of such injuries, an opportunity gets created for claims to arise and for litigation to be instituted, by way of exercise of one’s rights, to recover damages that emanates from such accidents.

Ordinarily, the root cause of these types of accidents would be some negligence on the part of PRASA or its operators, and in full cognisance of the fact that passengers involved are affected and inconvenienced in a variety of ways, PRASA has had to, in the past, recognise that most of the passengers who are affected, require assistance that caters for their immediate medical expenses and other damages of the like, depending on the unique personal circumstances of the affected and injured persons. This recognition has led to some acceptance that indeed it is a responsible act of compassion to assist those very passengers PRASA is out to serve, which assistance normally takes place only in circumstances stated here under:

• (a)  That an accident, or incident of the nature this one is must have occurred;

          (b) That any passenger so to be assisted, or compensated, must have been involved in such an accident;

          (c) That such an involved passenger must have sustained bodily injuries, alternatively must have experienced traumatic emotional shock, which then necessitate medical treatment;

       (d)  That such an injured passenger must have received treatment, as a result of the accident and the injuries involved, from the hospital, a clinic or any other medical facility were medical treatment would be rendered; and

      (e) That such injuries sustained have resulted in passengers incurring medical and hospital expenses, or loss of income, or that in future there would be a need for medical treatment, and/or that non pecuniary losses, often referred to as general damages, are indicated.

It is against the background above that PRASA would engage with the affected and injured commuters in order that such a determination for the damages suffered, and/or compensation sought, be made. This exercise normally leads to settlements with the different passengers affected, and subsequently to compensation, as may be, depending on the nature of the injuries suffered.

Further, it is to be noted that over and above verifying the details and the information or documents as indicated above, and in respect on non-pecuniary damages, PRASA embarks upon a strict process of assessing damages by relying on useful legal tools and remedies that solely depend on legal authorities given the seriousness of the injury or injuries involved. The assessment of general damages, it must be added, is to a great extent arbitrary and incapable of true economic evaluation. There are strict guidelines, though, that are followed, that are dictated to by documents like the Quantum Yearbook, by Robert Koch, and Quantum of Damages, by Corbett & Buchanan, as an indication of what the estimation of such compensation should be.

There are no statutory limitations on what an affected passenger can recover from PRASA, and such passengers have a constitutional right, on common law grounds, to institute proceedings against PRASA, which they normally do through the assistance of attorneys.

Reply:

(a) (i) There was no advertising (ii) and no media space purchased by the department in the 2014-15 financial year (aa) in print, (bb) on radio, (cc) on billboards, or (dd) in any format to promote, advertise, educate or inform the public about the Cape Winelands Toll Project and

(b) in each case, (i) no space was sold in each month and (ii) no costs were incurred in each month.

Reply:

(a) and (b)

	NAME AND SURNAME	Designation	Qualifications
1.	Mr Charles Maluleke	Chairperson	B Com MBA
2.	Mr Lesedi Dinte	Deputy Chairperson	Baccalaureus Juris Baccalaureus Legum
3.	Mr Titus Malaza	Member	B Degree Police Science Masters in Public Administration
4.	Professor Imtiaz Vally	Member	Masters in Accountancy
5.	Professor Ntombizozuko Dyani - Mhango	Member	LLB Master of Legum Doctor of Law
6.	Ms Divhane Tshivhase	Member	Secondary teachers diploma B Com
7.	Mr Paul Browning	Member	Fellow of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

(C) March 2016

Reply:

The reports are in the quarterly reports that the Department and its entities submit to the Portfolio Committee and the annual reports of each respective financial year.

Reply:

1-4 Government promulgated the revised Integrated Resource Plan for Electricity 2010 - 2030 (IRP2010) in March 2011. The IRP made provision for 9.6 gigawatts of nuclear capacity expansion.

The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) chaired the Nuclear Energy Sub-Working Group (NESWG) on Localisation, Industrialisation and Skills Development, with key economic departments and state owned companies (SOC) as participants, in support of the Nuclear Energy Working Group (NEWG).

The NESWG on Localisation, Industrialisation and Skills Development submitted its reports to the Department of Energy (DoE) dealing with all matters assigned to it.

All documents of the NESWG are classified as Top Secret and are in the possession of the DoE.

The Minister and Department of Energy have a constitutional mandate for national energy and energy related matters, inclusive of nuclear energy. Requests for programme specific information should therefore be directed to the Minister of Energy.

 

Reply:

(a) The information used in the formulation of the response to question 2495 on 14 July 2015, included the following

(i) The positive overall economic impact was assessed from:

1. The information from the toll gantries and SANRAL’s Comprehensive Traffic Observation (CTO) stations located on the freeways and interchange approach roads measuring the alternative road network.
2. The data recorded at the toll gantries
3. The original traffic and transport planning studies regarding the travel time savings and how it is linked to economic spin offs (economic reports)

(ii) The measurement of travel time and hence delays for the entire network are obtained from traffic studies which includes a traffic model that was developed and used for this purpose. The original model was calibrated to the 2006 conditions and the current situation has been validated against the traffic data obtained from the GFIP traffic monitoring systems as well as independent data from TomTom. The reduction in the delays on the roads considers all time periods and takes into account the reduction in the duration of the morning and afternoon peak periods where higher traffic volumes are moving through the road network in a shorter time period.

(iii) Traffic volumes and speeds on national and other roads are continually recorded through SANRAL’s Comprehensive Traffic Observations (CTO) programme, which has been in operation since the early 1990s. These consist of physical counting stations installed in the road surface. In addition, in 2006 when the traffic models mentioned above were developed a comprehensive exercise of additional traffic surveys were undertaken at interchanges in the GFIP network. The comparison of the 2006 and 2014 traffic data provided the evidence that there were many instances where traffic increases of more than 20% could be accommodated. At specific locations, i.e. the Malibongwe, William Nicol and Rivonia Interchanges increases in traffic volumes during the morning peak hour were 32%, 25% and 38% respectively. On the freeways, the highest increase in traffic has been on the Albertina Sisulu (R21) freeway, but also in the peak direction on the highly trafficked section of the N1 and N12.

(iv)  Arial photographs pre and post the upgrades of these interchanges reflects the development that has taken place in the immediate vicinity of upgraded interchanges. It should be noted that development rights are dependent on adequate road capacity on the freeways and through interchanges being available to accommodate the traffic generated by the proposed developments. In the past, many of these developments could not take place due to the lack of capacity available at these interchanges

(b) There are two economic studies:

(i) Studies performed by the Business School of the University of Cape Town and ARUP

(ii) A study performed by economist Roelof Botha

Reply:

The facts show differently. The system correctly captures more than 99% of the number plates & transactions. SANRAL accepts that no system is flawless. However, there are customer service options available to users through customer service centres, call centre, and the web to make e-toll enquiries. Also, the honourable member would appreciate that these so called errors and invoices would be minimized if the honourable member would join me in encouraging road users to register their details on the toll system.

Reply:

When a disability grant is approved, the approval is based on set criteria and is not related to the type of disability. Therefore no such information regarding the specifics of the disability is retained on the database. The system only captures the fact that the beneficiary is disabled and not the type of disability.

Reply:

Neither the Minister, Deputy Minister nor Officials of the Economic Development Department travelled to China in the 2014-15 financial year.

-END-

Reply:

1. (a) The South African Post Office (SAPO) is currently leasing one thousand two

hundred and forty three (1243) properties from private companies. These consist of Retail outlets, Depots, Office Space and Mail Centres.

(b) As of 6 August 2015 a total of six (6) Retail outlets were locked by the land lord due to non-payment of rentals. Four (4) of these Retail Outlets are located in Kwa-Zulu Natal and two (2) in the Witwatersrand region. In addition, electricity has been disconnected by the land lords in five (5) Retail outlets due to non-payment of rental.

In addition to the abovementioned closed offices, a total of twelve (12) Retail outlets have been closed due to eviction by the land lords since March 2015. Furthermore, five (5) Retail Postal Agencies have been closed by the Agents due to non-payment of their monthly allowance.

2. (a) SAPO is leasing eighteen (18) properties from the Redefine Group.

(b) None of the eighteen (18) properties rented from the Redefine Group are closed

Reply:

(1) the dti has received a total of 1864 applications from 2012 to date requesting exemption letters for the importation of raw materials which are not readily available in South Africa. These raw materials include polyester, nylon, acrylic fibres and textiles dyes and chemicals. The fibres are converted into finished products after manufacturing the yarns and fabrics in the country. Some technical fabrics which were imported in 2012 are now being woven in the country using high performance yarn like aramid yarns and high performance continuous filament polyester and nylon yarns.

(2) The turnaround time for responding to applications is 48 hours maximum due to high volumes received on a daily basis. The turnaround time is within 24 hours if all documentation including supporting letters from suppliers is provided with the applications.

(3) the dti established the South African Sustainable Textiles and Apparel Cluster (SASTAC) through the Clothing and Textiles Competitiveness Programme (CTCP) in close collaboration with all stakeholders. SASTAC is undertaking a comprehensive audit of textile manufacturing capacity and capabilities in the country, amongst other programmes. It is also in the process of developing a website which will make this information, inclusive of traceability, available to both Government entities and any potential supplier to government.

Reply:

(1) The commissioning certificates were issued in sections and in accordance with the provisions of the FIDIC Conditions of Contract for design, build and operate projects (FIDIC), being the contract which applies to the project. The commissioning certificate for the sections comprising the Gauteng Open Road Tolling system and the Transaction Clearing House was issued on 18 December 2013 and effective from 2 December 2013. The section certificate for the relevant part of the Violations Processing Centre (VPC) was issued on 30 April 2015 and effective from 15 December 2014. Although the section of the system comprising the VPC was only commissioned with effect from 15 December 2014, it was considered ready for operation from toll commencement based on the contractor's confirmation (and extensive testing, trial operations and pilot testing) that the system and operations were ready from toll commencement. This all in accordance with FIDIC.

(2) The Employer's Representative, in terms of Sub clause 11.6 of FIDIC, issued the section commissioning certificates. Certificates were issued were in terms of Sub clause 11.6 of FIDIC and that in terms of Sub clause 11.5 of FIDIC which provides that:

"i. Issue the Commissioning Certificate to the Contractor, stating the date on which the Works or Section were completed in accordance with the Contract, except for any minor outstanding work and defects which will not substantially affect the use of the Works or Section for their intended purpose…"

(3) There were no "faults" outstanding on the launch date of 3 December 2013. FIDIC contemplates and as will be appreciated from the section of FIDIC recorded above, that the commissioning certificates are issued subject to certain outstanding work and defects. This is addressed in Clause 12 of FIDIC and this is the basis upon which the section completion certificates were issued.

(4) The operations continued based on the requirements of FIDIC and the issuing of the requisite commissioning certificates. Delays were dealt with in accordance with the delay damages provisions of the contract and were applied accordingly where delay occurred. For the period 1 July 2013 to 15 December 2013 the following amounts were paid to the contractor in respect of the services provided.

 

Month	Operations
Jul-13	R 29 827 326.93
Aug-13	R 15 126 538.85
Sep-13	R 30 559 820.76
Oct-13	R 33 290 653.38
Nov-13	R 47 446 297.39
Dec-13	R 80 869 591.90

The followings are to be noted in this regard:

(i) The payments to the contractor, in addition to payments for the services provided by the contractor, payment for the maintenance of all buildings and gantry's maintained by the contractor, payments for systems maintenance, payments in respect of utilities (water and electricity), rentals of customer kiosks and operations undertaken by the contractor including those for the benefit of the road user;

(ii) The contractor was required, at all times, to be operationally ready not knowing the toll commencement date and having regard to the various court cases;

(iii) The increases in payments in October, November and December 2013 should be viewed in light of the ramp-up of operations required for purposes of toll commencement;

(iv) All payments are determined based on a measurement based contract (add-measured contract) and accordingly the contractor is only paid for services actually rendered; and

(v) The December payment is for the full months services not just to 15 December 2013 as a result of the end of the year industry shut down.

Reply:

1. and (2)

The National Treasury recently circulated proposed draft amendments to the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA) Regulations, 2015 for comment. The Department of Trade & Industry (the dti) has since responded officially to the draft amendments to the Regulations through the Office of the Director-General.

In the main, the dti confined its comments to the preference point system, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) and local content. The substance of the comments is contained in the Submission to the National Treasury. An official response is awaited from the National Treasury.

Furthermore the dti has requested a further engagement with the National Treasury to support and clarify its comments, if the need arises. The position of the dti is that public procurement is an important industrial policy instrument and should be appropriately enshrined in any amendments to the Regulations of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act in combination with other policy objectives, inclusive of broad-based black economic empowerment.

Reply:

Yes, Denel will distribute copies of said book to the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises, at the tabling of its Annual Report 2014/15.

Reply:

 

1. At this point transfer is the best solution
2. No, reason being no misconduct has been established.

Reply:

1. PetroSA will declare a substantial loss of approximately R15 billion for the financial year ending 31 March 2015.

In discharging its fiduciary duty, the Board of Directors of PetroSA resolved to conduct an investigation into the causes of the substantial loss and PetroSA's poor performance as well as the role played by PetroSA's executive team including the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), the Group Chief Financial Officer (GCFO) and the Vice President – Upstream in relation thereto. The Board of Directors formed the prima facie view that PetroSA's poor financial performance was, at least in part, attributable to the three executives given their role, duties and responsibilities as employees of PetroSA.

2. The investigation is currently still in progress. It was envisaged that the investigation would be completed within a period of approximately two months. At this stage, it is anticipated that the investigation will be completed towards the end of August. In light of the fact that the investigation is still underway, no results are available.

Reply:

Yes, we have issued a Request for Information in relation to any initiative to relieve the grid constraints, including through power barges. The Request for Information results have been collated and the procurement process will follow within the next 2 months.

Reply:

The investigation reports are not made public and they remain confidential between the employee and the employer in terms of the disciplinary code.

(a)  (i) One.
(ii) Five.
(iii) Three.

(b) Financial:

Facts / Findings	Parties responsible	Total cost	Steps taken
Misuse of state vehicle	Employee & Employer	Cost not determined

Forensic: All forensic audits have been referred to the Accountant General.

Other Investigations:

Facts / Findings	Parties responsible	Total cost	Steps taken
Abuse of leave	Employee vs employer	Cost is not yet determined	Draft in progress
Alleged Assault	Employee vs employer	No cost	Disciplinary hearing in progress
Alleged corruption related to leave forms	Employee vs employer	No Cost	Investigation in progress

END.

Reply:

 

1. Yes. We have put together a plan that aims to address the basic bottlenecks in service delivery and sound financial management. It entails focusing on improving the financial administration, improving the levels of customer service in the Fund, addressing human resource constraints in the Fund.
2. This is to be achieved by addressing the system deficiencies that prevent performance of basic financial management functions, improving access to benefits for clients though a number of initiatives which include easing the process of access to chronic medication, filling the critical vacancies required in the adjudication of claims and addressing all systems problems that contribute to slow rate of processing claims.

NW3173E

Reply:

1. According to information available at the Division: SCM there are no SAPS members linked to any supplier used by the SAPS for building contracts in the mentioned periods. However, on 14 August 2012 during a Police Portfolio Committee Meeting at Parliament (Building Police Stations: SAPS progress report: SAPS Quarterly Performance 2012), Ms Kohler Barnard stated “a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigation revealed that 115 SAPS members linked to suppliers for building contracts came to R50 Million …..” (See attached PCOP Minutes - Page 8). Neither this information nor any subsequent progress thereafter has ever been reported to the Division: SCM.
2. Unknown as this is linked to (1) above.
3. Unknown as this is linked to (1) above.

Original signed MAJOR GENERAL

ACTING DIVISIONAL COMMISSIONER: SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

RS PILLAY

Date: 27 July 2015

Reply to Question 2628 recommended/not recommended

LIEUTENANT GENERAL

DEPUTY NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

SJP SCHUTTE

Date:

Reply to Question 2628 recommended/not recommended

GENERAL

NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE

MV PHIYEGA

Date:

Reply to Question 2628 approved/not approved

MINISTER OF POLICE

NPT NHLEKO, MP

Date: