Questions and Replies

Filter by year

31 July 2015 - NW2550

Profile picture: Lovemore, Ms AT

Lovemore, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Basic Education

In respect of each province and district, (a) how many Grade 12 learners and (b) what percentage of Grade 12 learners in public ordinary schools are (i) enrolled to study Mathematics for the 2015 academic year, (ii) registered to write the Mathematics National Senior Certificate Examination for the 2015 academic year and (iii) targeted to be studying Mathematics in the (aa) 2015, (bb) 2016, (cc) 2020 and (dd) 2030 academic years?

Reply:

(i)(a) and (i)(b)

(ii)(a) and (ii)(b)

In terms of the data provided below, the number enrolled to study and the number registered to write the Mathematics NSC examination for the 2015 academic year are the same.

PROVINCE

Province

Total Enrolled

Maths Enrolled

% Maths

EASTERN CAPE

92 059

41 265

44.8

FREE STATE

35 246

11 847

33.6

GAUTENG

112 192

37 920

33.8

KWAZULU-NATAL

172 796

90 219

52.2

LIMPOPO

103 276

41 851

40.5

MPUMALANGA

56 133

21 059

37.5

NORTH WEST

33 844

10 867

32.1

NORTHERN CAPE

12 852

3 384

26.3

WESTERN CAPE

56 331

17 195

30.5

NATIONAL

674 729

275 607

40.8

DISTRICT

PROVINCE

DISTRICT

TOTAL ENROLLED

MATHS ENROLLED

% MATHS

EASTERN CAPE

BUTTERWORTH

4 614

2 559

55.5

EASTERN CAPE

COFIMVABA

2 069

1 529

73.9

EASTERN CAPE

CRADOCK

1 032

185

17.9

EASTERN CAPE

DUTYWA

5 819

3 536

60.8

EASTERN CAPE

EAST LONDON

7 779

2 693

34.6

EASTERN CAPE

FORT BEAUFORT

2 178

521

23.9

EASTERN CAPE

GRAAFF-REINET

985

133

13.5

EASTERN CAPE

GRAHAMSTOWN

1 222

301

24.6

EASTERN CAPE

KING WILLIAMS TOWN

6 005

1 506

25.1

EASTERN CAPE

LADY FRERE

2 044

961

47.0

EASTERN CAPE

LIBODE

7 696

3 954

51.4

EASTERN CAPE

LUSIKISIKI

5 342

2 735

51.2

EASTERN CAPE

MALUTI

2 622

1 563

59.6

EASTERN CAPE

MBIZANA

4 499

2 384

53.0

EASTERN CAPE

MT FLETCHER

2 365

1 006

42.5

EASTERN CAPE

MT FRERE

3 246

1 716

52.9

EASTERN CAPE

MTHATHA

6 933

4 964

71.6

EASTERN CAPE

NGCOBO

2 871

1 597

55.6

EASTERN CAPE

PORT ELIZABETH

9 775

2 911

29.8

EASTERN CAPE

QUEENSTOWN

3 325

1 056

31.8

EASTERN CAPE

QUMBU

3 088

1 708

55.3

EASTERN CAPE

STERKSPRUIT

3 015

901

29.9

EASTERN CAPE

UITENHAGE

3 535

846

23.9

FREE STATE

FEZILE DABI

5 527

1 684

30.5

FREE STATE

LEJWELEPUTSWA

7 516

2 370

31.5

FREE STATE

MOTHEO

11 738

3 922

33.4

FREE STATE

THABO MOFUTSANYANA

9 044

3 586

39.7

FREE STATE

XHARIEP

1 421

285

20.1

GAUTENG

EKURHULENI NORTH

10 096

3 769

37.3

GAUTENG

EKURHULENI SOUTH

11 744

3 666

31.2

GAUTENG

GAUTENG EAST

8 144

1 982

24.3

GAUTENG

GAUTENG NORTH

2 173

651

30.0

GAUTENG

GAUTENG WEST

7 388

2 063

27.9

GAUTENG

JOHANNESBURG CENTRAL

9 578

2 800

29.2

GAUTENG

JOHANNESBURG EAST

8 067

3 224

40.0

GAUTENG

JOHANNESBURG NORTH

7 580

2 812

37.1

GAUTENG

JOHANNESBURG SOUTH

6 733

2 262

33.6

GAUTENG

JOHANNESBURG WEST

5 295

1 448

27.3

GAUTENG

SEDIBENG EAST

2 987

1 020

34.1

GAUTENG

SEDIBENG WEST

6 187

1 953

31.6

GAUTENG

TSHWANE NORTH

7 034

2 444

34.7

GAUTENG

TSHWANE SOUTH

11 340

5 177

45.7

GAUTENG

TSHWANE WEST

7 846

2 649

33.8

KWAZULU-NATAL

AMAJUBA

9 727

4 400

45.2

KWAZULU-NATAL

ILEMBE

9 521

5 240

55.0

KWAZULU-NATAL

PINETOWN

21 180

8 274

39.1

KWAZULU-NATAL

SISONKE

7 104

2 944

41.4

KWAZULU-NATAL

UGU

12 189

5 736

47.1

KWAZULU-NATAL

UMGUNGUNDLOVU

15 257

6 620

43.4

KWAZULU-NATAL

UMKHANYAKUDE

14 792

7 167

48.5

KWAZULU-NATAL

UMLAZI

23 204

12 022

51.8

KWAZULU-NATAL

UMZINYATHI

10 506

6 728

64.0

KWAZULU-NATAL

UTHUKELA

11 512

6 404

55.6

KWAZULU-NATAL

UTHUNGULU

20 163

12 758

63.3

KWAZULU-NATAL

ZULULAND

17 641

11 926

67.6

LIMPOPO

CAPRICORN

25 262

11 403

45.1

LIMPOPO

GREATER SEKHUKHUNE

21 945

9 417

42.9

LIMPOPO

MOPANI

19 483

5 828

29.9

LIMPOPO

VHEMBE

26 822

11 404

42.5

LIMPOPO

WATERBERG

9 764

3 799

38.9

MPUMALANGA

BOHLABELA DISTRICT

11 562

4 624

40.0

MPUMALANGA

EHLANZENI DISTRICT

16 546

5 846

35.3

MPUMALANGA

GERT SIBANDE DISTRIC

14 020

5 394

38.5

MPUMALANGA

NKANGALA DISTRICT

14 005

5 195

37.1

NORTH WEST

BOJANALA PLATINUM DI

12 638

4 168

33.0

NORTH WEST

DR. K. KAUNDA DISTRI

6 615

2 216

33.5

NORTH WEST

DR. R.S. MOMPATI DIS

5 870

1 534

26.1

NORTH WEST

NGAKA M. MOLEMA DIST

8 721

2 949

33.8

NORTHERN CAPE

FRANCES BAARD

4 764

1 370

28.8

NORTHERN CAPE

JOHN TAOLO GAETSEWE

2 721

934

34.3

NORTHERN CAPE

NAMAQUA

1 051

227

21.6

NORTHERN CAPE

PIXLEY KA SEME

1 757

331

18.8

NORTHERN CAPE

Z F MGCAWU

2 559

522

20.4

WESTERN CAPE

CAPE WINELANDS EDUCA

8 313

2 104

25.3

WESTERN CAPE

EDEN & CENTRAL KAROO

6 199

1 219

19.7

WESTERN CAPE

METRO CENTRAL EDUCAT

9 332

3 789

40.6

WESTERN CAPE

METRO EAST EDUCATION

8 622

2 500

29.0

WESTERN CAPE

METRO NORTH EDUCATIO

10 538

3 685

35.0

WESTERN CAPE

METRO SOUTH EDUCATIO

9035

2 975

32.9

WESTERN CAPE

OVERBERG EDUCATION D

1919

376

19.6

WESTERN CAPE

WEST COAST EDUCATION

2373

547

23.1

The source is (Data as from the Examination Computer System as at 14 July 2015.)
Note:

The data presented is preliminary data extracted from the examination data base. The DBE is currently verifying the data. Final data will be available in August. 

(iii) The number of Grade 12 learners targeted to be studying Mathematics in the (aa) 2015, (bb) 2016, (cc) 2020 and (dd) 2030 academic years, are as follows:

PROVINCES

2015

2016

2020

2030

EC

39992

41992

51041

62219

FS

10616

11147

13549

16516

GP

40691

42726

51933

63306

KZN

80503

84529

102745

125246

LP

39203

41163

50034

60991

MP

21389

22458

27298

33276

NW

12024

12625

15346

18706

NC

3461

3634

4417

5384

WC

18385

19305

23465

28603

TOTAL

266264

279579

339828

414247

30 July 2015 - NW2605

Profile picture: De Freitas, Mr MS

De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry

(a) What tests have been undertaken by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications pertaining to (i) road safety and (ii) vehicle safety in the (aa) 2012-13, (bb) 2013-14 and (cc) 2014-15 financial years and (b) In each case, (i) what were the outcomes of each specified test, (ii) when was each specified test undertaken and (iii) under what conditions were the specified tests undertaken?

Reply:

a) i) The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) ensures that all new vehicle models and certain safety critical replacement components that fall within the domain of its compulsory specifications and specific provisions of the National Road Traffic Act (Act 93 of 1996), comply with all relevant requirements before they are offered for sale in South Africa. The NRCS is mandated to ensure new manufactured and imported regulated products are in compliance with the set requirements. In addition to this initial approval, market surveillance activities ensure that manufacturers and importers that offer products for sale, continually comply with the requirements, after initial approval has been granted. Product samples are inspected during the approval process. During its market surveillance activities, the NRCS may sample products to confirm compliance.

a) ii) The NRCS is not responsible for roadworthiness of vehicles and components in use during the life cycle of the product. This obligation resides with the National Department of Transport and the National Road Traffic Act.

a.a (and b i, ii and iii):

In the 2012-13 period 5867 products were approved as they met with the requirements of the relevant compulsory specifications. Test reports from accredited laboratories independent of the NRCS, confirmed the compliance of these products. In addition, 4326 market surveillance activities confirmed compliance of products to the relevant compulsory specifications. There were no instances of non-compliance confirmed in 20 samples where non- compliance was suspected. Samples of trucks, tow-bars, brake friction material, replacement glass and lights were verified against the requirements of the compulsory specifications at the time of approval and during market surveillance. Test conditions are specified in the relevant standard referred to in the compulsory specification for a particular product.

a.b and b i; ii and iii):

In the 2013-14 period 5800 products were approved as they met with the requirements of the relevant compulsory specifications. Test reports from accredited laboratories independent of the NRCS, confirmed the compliance of these products. In addition, 4054 market surveillance activities confirmed compliance of products to the relevant compulsory specifications. There were 9 non-compliant products confirmed in sample testing where non-compliance was suspected. Relevant sanctions were imposed on these clients. Samples of tow-bars, brake friction material, replacement glass and lights were verified against the requirements of the compulsory specifications at the time of approval and during market surveillance. Test conditions are specified in the relevant standard referred to in the compulsory specification for a particular product.

a.c and b I; ii and iii):

In the 2014-15 period 3602 products were approved as they met with the requirements of the relevant compulsory specifications. Test reports from accredited laboratories independent of the NRCS, confirmed the compliance of these products. In addition, 4511 market surveillance activities confirmed compliance of products to the relevant compulsory specifications. There were no instances of non-compliance confirmed in 19 samples tested where non- compliance was suspected. Samples of trucks, tow-bars, brake friction material, replacement glass and lights were verified against the requirements of the compulsory specifications at the time of approval and during market surveillance. Test conditions are specified in the relevant standard referred to in the compulsory specification for a particular product.

In terms of the NRCS Act: Act No 5 of 2008, the sanctioning process is an internal mechanism used by the Regulator to prevent the entry of non-compliant products into the market. However, such information specific to the company/client cannot legally be made public.

30 July 2015 - NW2589

Profile picture: Waters, Mr M

Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Social Development

Whether, with reference to her reply to question 1650 on 9 June 2015, she will provide a copy of the Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme concept document?

Reply:

This question has already been replied to and the Integrated Community Registration Outreach Programme (ICROP) concept document was sent for the Honourable Member’s attention on 16 July 2015.

30 July 2015 - NW2249

Profile picture: Cassim, Mr Y

Cassim, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training

Whether (a) his department and (b) any entities reporting to him has paid out the remainder of any employee's contract before the contractually stipulated date of termination of the contract since the 2008-09 financial year up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, (i) what amount has (aa) his department and (bb) entities reporting to him spent on each such payout, (ii) to whom were these payouts made and (iii) what were the reasons for the early termination of the contracts in each specified case?

Reply:

Editorial Note: This Question and Reply, including the accompanying annexure, was published in 2015. In January 2024, we received information that the annexure contained an error regarding Dr More Chakane. Dr Chakane was not dismissed by the CETA due to misconduct, but rather his employment was terminated by mutual agreement between the parties. Accordingly, the annexure has been redacted to remove reference to Dr Chakane.

 

 

  1. Department of Higher Education and Training:

Financial Year

(i) Amount paid

on early

termination

(ii) Name of

employee

(iii) Reasons for

early

termination

2010/11

R711 187.43

Ms R Munusamy

Settlement agreement

2012/13

R685 200.00

Mr PS Mvelase

Unresolvable working practices

  1. At the time of compilation, eighteen of the twenty-six entities indicated that they did not pay out the remainder of any employee's contract before the contractually stipulated date of termination, since the 2008/09 financial year up to the latest specified date. The information received from the eight entities is attached as Annexure A. The Department is following up on the outstanding information from one entity.

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 2249 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

30 July 2015 - NW2581

Profile picture: Mokgalapa, Mr S

Mokgalapa, Mr S to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry

(1) With regard to the recently established National Export Advisory Council, how will the council enable the unlocking of opportunities and unleashing of barriers to trade whilst dealing with developmental issues and facilitating market access;

Reply:

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

 

The National Export Advisory Council (NEAC) will facilitate access to targeted international markets by prioritising the resources and supporting the exporters to enter foreign markets and service continental infrastructure projects. NEAC will facilitate the eradication of trade barriers in the targeted markets (as informed by the Export Diversification Strategy) whilst dealing with the developmental issues as defined by the “four gear concept” of the International Trade Center, which places emphasis on the developmental impacts of the export sector and its synchronicity with the national development goals

The NEAC structure will provide direction, co-ordination and oversight in order to enhance the trade and business environment and improving the competitiveness of companies and sectors. The NEAC approach is modelled on ITC’s Four Functional Gear Concept of Competitiveness and Development which informs the draft Integrated National Export Strategy (INES). The four gears comprise 1) Border-in or supply-side issues dealing with capacity development, capacity diversification, skills and entrepreneurship development; 2) Border or business environment dealing with infrastructure, trade facilitation and cost of doing business; 3) Border-out or demand-side issues dealing with market access, in-market support and strategic export promotion; and the developmental issues such as export-related employment, transformation efforts and regional development. The three competitiveness gears of should reinforce other each, whilst powering the 4) developmental gear resulting in a combined competitiveness-development focus for the country. The NEAC structure will deal with all four gears in unlocking regulatory or institutional bottlenecks in order to improve competitiveness and drive exports.

Question

(2) (a) who are the members that serve on the specified council and (b) how were they chosen;

Response

(2) (a) NEAC will comprise the Ministries involved directly or indirectly in the export development and export promotion regulatory and policy framework, State Owned Enterprises, 5 Proxies of Export formations (including Export councils, Export clubs, Joint Action Groups, Industry associations, Chamber of Commerce) Business Unity South Africa, Black Business Council, Provincial Investment and Promotion Agencies etc.

(2) (b) The aforementioned members are recommended on their respective roles in advancing the national export agenda contributing to the realization of the National Development Plan and New Growth Path imperatives.

Question

(3) what remuneration will each council member receive;

Response

(3) The remuneration package of the council member are not determined as yet as we are awaiting the finalisation of the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the establishment of the National Export Development and Promotion Bill, the outcome thereof will inform the modality of NEAC.

The Bill which is being explored will provide for the establishment of structure/s with the functions to represent and promote the interests of the export community and to advise national, provincial and local spheres of government on policy imperatives in order to advance the national export agenda.

Question

(4) what costs will be incurred by the specified council to do its work;

Response

The costs have not been determined for the aforementioned reason (Awaiting the outcome of the National Export Development and Promotion Bill that will inform the modality of NEAC and the needs of the potential beneficiaries).

Question

(5) has (a) a business plan and (b) key objectives been developed for the specified council; if so, what are the relevant details in each case? NW2956E

Response

(5) (a) A business plan will be compiled upon the conclusion of the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the establishment of the National Export Development and Promotion Bill. It will be important to consider the proposed structure within a national responsive institutional framework in order to address the current fragmentation and the on-going strengthening of NEAC’s capacity.

(b) The key objectives of the council will be developed upon the conclusion of the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the establishment of the National Export Development and Promotion Bill.

30 July 2015 - NW2478

Profile picture: Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI

Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Social Development

With reference to her reply to question 1289 on 19 May 2015, did the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) obtain authorisation from the SA Police Service to provide the services which are not within SASSA’s mandate; if not; why was no authorisation sought; if so, will she provide proof of such authorisation?

Reply:

SASSA has been in consultation with SAPS Crime Intelligence and VIP Protection Services on this matter since 2013.

30 July 2015 - NW2607

Profile picture: De Freitas, Mr MS

De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Transport

(a) What matters have been investigated by her department’s Accident and Incident Investigations Division in the (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15 financial years, in each case, (b) when were the specified investigations (i) initiated and (ii) concluded and (c) what were the outcomes in respect of each investigation?

Reply:

(a) The Accident and Incident Investigation Division investigates all major crashes that occur on the roads. Major crashes are defined as: (i) crashes where five or more people died, (ii) crashes where there are four or more vehicles involved with a fatality, (iii) crashes involving transportation of hazardous substances and there is a fatality and (iv) any crash that the Corporation may deem necessary to investigate.

  1. In 2012 -13 there were 107 major crashes investigated
  2. In 2013 – 14 there were 122 major crashes investigated
  3. In 2014 – 15 there were 109 major crashes investigated

(b) (i) Investigations were initiated as soon as a crashes occurred and (ii) concluded on average after three months.

(c) (i) In 2012-13, 99 cases were referred to the SAPS for prosecution.

(ii) In 2013-14, 118 cases were referred to the SAPS for prosecution.

(iii) In 2014-15, 71 cases were referred to the SAPS for prosecution.

 

30 July 2015 - NW2608

Profile picture: Mubu, Mr KS

Mubu, Mr KS to ask the Minister of Transport

(a) What has been the funding model of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to date, (b) what (i) processes, (ii) procedures and (iii) mechanisms are in place to ensure the integrity of the specified funding model and (c) why has an expression of interest been called for by the RTMC?

Reply:

(a) In line with Section 24 (1) of the Road Traffic Management Corporation, Act No 20 of 1999 the RTMC is funded from:

  • monies prescribed, subject to section 48(1)(b) which must include transaction fees charged by the Corporation for the sale of services; -  transaction fees for vehicle licenses
  • penalties and fines payable to the RTMC as an issuing authority in terms of Section 32 of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act, 1998 (Act No. 46 of 1998);-
  • infringement fees issued by NTP (interest on invested cash balances); and
  • monies appropriated by Parliament - grant from the Department of Transport.

(b) what (i) processes, (ii) procedures and (iii) mechanisms are in place to ensure the integrity of the specified funding model

The legislative framework governing RTMC and the Treasury Regulations are in place to ensure integrity of the funding model.

(c) The financial sustainability assessment that was conducted in house amongst others proved that the financial dependency of RTMC on Government funding is not sustainable. Developing a sustainable funding model warrants scientific and intellectual proneness and specialty of a particular type in ensuring long term sustainability.

30 July 2015 - NW2426

Profile picture: Cardo, Dr MJ

Cardo, Dr MJ to ask the Minister of Economic Development

What amount did (a) his department and (b) each entity reporting to him spend on advertising in (i) Sowetan and (ii) Daily Sun in the (aa) 2012-13, (bb) 2013-14 and (cc) 2014-15 financial years?

Reply:

EDD, Competition Commission, Competition Tribunal and ITAC did not spend any amount on advertising in the Sowetan and The Daily Sun for the 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15 financial years.

IDC

(aa) 2012-13: IDC did not spend on advertising in the Sowetan and The Daily Sun during this period.

(bb) 2013-14 : Sowetan - Total spent was R 514 601.10

Daily Sun - Total spent was R 674 568.00

(cc) 2014-2015: Sowetan - Total spent was R 59 580.00

Daily Sun - IDC did not spend on advertising during this period

-END-

30 July 2015 - NW2610

Profile picture: Mubu, Mr KS

Mubu, Mr KS to ask the Minister of Transport

(a) To what extent have the payments of e-tolls increased since the implementation of the new dispensation announced by the Deputy President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, and (b) how do these payments compare to the payments of the 12-month period prior to the announcement of the dispensation?

Reply:

  1. The graph below depicts the monthly cash receipts since the announcement of the new dispensation.

cid:image010.png@01D0C629.0BE462A0

  1. The graph below depicts the monthly cash flow comparison for the 12 months prior to the announcement of the new dispensation.

cid:image009.png@01D0C629.0BE462A0

30 July 2015 - NW2613

Profile picture: Masango, Ms B

Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Transport

With reference to the SA Civil Aviation Authority, (a) how many persons have written the (i) Air Law and Procedures Exam or (ii) any other exam in each month in the (aa) 2012-13, (bb) 2013-14 and (cc) 2014-15 financial years, (b) what have the average results been, (c) what are the respective registration fees for each exam, (d) how are the exams assessed, (e) what investigations have taken place into the (i) process, (ii) procedures and (iii) mechanisms associated with these exams in the specified financial years, (f) who conducted these investigations, (g) what conclusions were reached in these investigations and (h) how were these conclusions reached?

Reply:

South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

With reference to the SA Civil Aviation Authority, (a)(i)(ii)(aa),(bb),(cc)

  • The number of examinations written for the 2012-2013 financial year, including Air Law and Procedures was 23686.
  • The number of examinations written for the April 2013 to December 2014, including Air Law and Procedures was 21773.
  • The number of examinations written for the period January 2014 to 31 March 2015, which included Air Law and Procedures was 24186.
  • The SACAA introduced a new examination system in January 2014, and as such monthly statistics for the specified period could not be automatically generated. The legacy system did not have the capabilities for such reporting.

(b) It is not possible to generate the average percentage per assessment or paper by using the current reporting template. However, in all cases, a print-out is provided to the examinee on completion of the examination, which indicates in what aspect of the syllabus a deficiency was encountered.

(c) The examination fees are published in the Civil Aviation Regulations 2011, Part 187, Regulation 187.01.9 (e)(ii) which is R260 per online examination and Regulation 187.01.9 (e)(iii) which is R370 per hand written examination.

(d) The SACAA makes use of reputable examination system, known as “Question Mark Perception” (QMP). The QMP provides for a learning syllabus (which is published and known to the examinee through the Appendices contained in the South African Civil Aviation Technical Standards of 2011, Document SA-CATS 61) that forms the foundation of a database of questions to be populated. Four detractors (answers) are provided in the database for each question and the student is then provided with four answers, from which the correct one must be chosen.

The QMP, through its pre-set assessment criteria, generates an examination paper for each examinee when they enter into the examination system. No two examination papers are the same. Each examination paper uses the same pre-set assessment criteria in the system to examine competency across the entire set syllabus.

Examinees are required to select the correct answer from the four answers provided for each question. On completion of the exam, the examinee requests the system to assess and the system then immediately provides the assessment mark.

(e) (i), (ii) and (iii) No investigation was conducted during the 2012-2013 financial year. No investigation was conducted during the 2013-2014 financial year. Only one (1) investigation was conducted during the 2014-2015 financial year. The investigation was initiated as the result of a complaint received from a member of the public and a holder of an expired Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence, who alleged that the questions used in the Air Law and Procedures examination were inappropriate, irrelevant and designed in such a way that no person can get the right answers. The complainant was of the view that such amounted to “fraud and that the SACAA was fleecing the public by continuously collecting examination fees whilst they knew that no person could pass such examinations”.

(f)(g) and (h) The investigation was conducted by the SACAA’s Internal Forensic Unit, with the assistance of an independent aviation expert. Among others, the investigation probed the examination admission process and procedures, question formulation, suitability, appropriateness and relevance.  The investigation also focused on determining the suitability, appropriateness and relevance of examination questions. The investigation revealed and concluded that whilst there was slight room for future improvement on the processes and procedures of admitting candidates into the examination room; the Air Law and Procedures examination questions were suitable, appropriate and relevant to the establishment of the candidate’s theoretical knowledge and competency. The investigation, therefore, found no evidence to support the allegations levelled against the SACAA.

30 July 2015 - NW2530

Profile picture: Krumbock, Mr GR

Krumbock, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Tourism

(1)What are the details of each of the foreign trips he undertook since his appointment with regard to the (a)(i) country or (ii) city visited, (b) cost of each trip and (c) reason for each such trip; (2) whether each specified trip has been of benefit to the country; if not, why was each trip undertaken; if so, how did each trip benefit the country?

Reply:

1.(a)(i) Country

1. (a) (ii) City

1. (b) Cost

(Rand)

1. (c) Reason(s) for the trip

2. Benefit

Brazil

(21-25 September 2014)

Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo

R 111 957.74

Opening of South African Tourism’s (SAT) office in Brazil.

To preside over the Ubuntu Awards and the South African stand at the Associacao Basiliera de Agencias de Viagens (ABAV) Travel Tradeshow

To interact with the Brazilian Outbound Tour Operators (Travel Trade) and visit WHS

To sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism.

Brazil features in the Top 20 source markets for inbound tourists to South Africa (SA). In addition, in 2013, Brazil was the second largest source market for tourists from the Americas to SA and number one in Latin America. In 2013, SA welcomed 82 802 Brazilian tourists, which was a 5.6% increase from the 2012 statistics (78 376) with a total foreign direct spend of R893 million. Therefore, the opening of the South African Tourism (SA Tourism) Office in Brazil is a direct response to the increasing importance of the Brazilian market to the growth of the SA tourism sector. In 2013, a total of 9.1 million Brazilians travelled abroad, recording a 12% increase from the previous year, with SA capturing 1% of these tourists. [NB: The motivation is based on 2013 statistics because the SA Tourism office was opened in 2014]

In addition, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism with Brazil was a response to the growing importance of Brazil as a source market. It is the first such agreement with a South American country. The signing of this MoU also means that SA has now entered into bilateral tourism MOUs with all BRICS countries and is in a position to share best practices on Responsible Tourism with Brazil, for example. Brazil was the first country in the world to develop standards for Responsible Tourism, followed by SA in 2011. One of the key learning areas will revolve around the strategies and/or incentives Brazil put in place to encourage tourism companies to incorporate Responsible Tourism practices in their businesses.

The Minister had an opportunity to interact with both SA and Brazilian trade during the visit. The Minister gave opening remarks at the South African Airways (SAA) convened buyer-seller workshop on the side-lines of the ABAV Travel Tradeshow, where there were 39 SA exhibitors and 32 Brazilian buyers. The Minister also participated at the first Ubuntu Awards in Brazil where Brazilian tour operators, travel agents and media organisations that have worked in the spirit of partnership with SA to effectively market the destination were recognised. These efforts increased SA’s visibility in the Brazilian market and assured the travel trade that the SA Government acknowledges their role in growing SA’s market share.

All these events took place during the “Meet South Africa Week” where other SA entities such as SAA, Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN), SA Tourism, SA inbound tour operators, and SA Consulate-General in Sao Paolo participated. On 24 September 2015, the Minister hosted Brazilian journalists at a media breakfast.

Uzbekistan

(29 - 30 September 2014 Turkey

1-3 October 2014 Samarkand )

Turkey & Samarkand

R 197 919.41

To attend the 99th Session of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Executive Council (Exco) and 5th meeting of the Working Group on Official Development Assistance (ODA).

South Africa serves on the Executive Committee of the UNWTO until 2017. Together with the General Assembly, Exco is a mandatory session. The UNWTO is a United Nations agency charged with global governance of the tourism sector and responsible/sustainable development of the tourism economy, including ethics. It is also among the key centres of knowledge development and exchange for the tourism sector globally. South Africa contributes to the governance of the global tourism sector and the UNWTO Secretariat through serving in the Exco.

South Africa is the Chair of the UNWTO Working Group on ODA. The objectives of the working group are to assist the UNWTO to seek full ODA eligibility for multilateral ODA and explore ways of mobilising extra-budgetary resources for tourism development in ODA-eligible developing countries.

During South Africa’s term as Chair, the working group engaged with prominent members of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and developed a Tourism for Development Facility (TDF) which is a mechanism of mobilising extra-budgetary resources.

The Minister used the opportunity to meet with tour operators and to strengthen relations in Turkey en-route to Samarkand. Turkey is a developing source market for tourist arrivals to SA.

United Kingdom & Netherlands

(03-06 November 2014)

London & Amsterdam

R119 506.01

To attend the World Travel Market (WTM) including meetings with key stakeholders (trade partners and industry associations) and media engagements.

To deliver the Keynote address at the Ubuntu Awards.

To participate as a Panel Member of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) & WTM Ministers’ Summit with the Theme: The legacy imperative of mega events.

To attend the World Responsible Tourism Awards.

The key event during this visit was the SA Tourism stand at the World Travel Market – showcasing South Africa together with some of its products to countries around the world. The Travel Market was also used to meet with Tourism counterparts around the world to strengthen relations.

The Minister presented the SA Tourism Ubuntu awards to South Africa’s travel and trade partners who have excelled in selling the destination to travellers from the United Kingdom (UK). The UK is one of South Africa’s top overseas source markets for tourist arrivals.

Namibia

(23 to 24 February 2015)

Windhoek

R 7 489.39

The Minister met with his counterpart,
Mr Herunga: Minister of Environment and Tourism during the 5th International Symposium and Annual Conference of the Partners of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism.

The Symposium and the Annual Conference of the Partners presented South Africa with the opportunity to advance its responsible tourism programme through networks, partnerships, knowledge exchange and potential project support. South Africa’s participation at this international event is important in that it positions the country as a leader in responsible tourism practices in the region, on the continent and globally. Ministers also took the opportunity to exchange lessons learnt on how to strengthen community-based tourism.

Germany & Italy

(2-5 March 2015 Berlin

6-7 March 2015 Italy )

Berlin & Milan

R 162 201.85

To attend the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) Berlin, Germany and to visit the South African Tourism (SA Tourism) office in Milan, Italy.

ITB is a leading business platform for global tourism.
SA Tourism has been participating at ITB for a number of years. The SA Tourism stand accommodates products from South Africa.

ITB 2015, for the first time in its history, hosted a Minister’s Roundtable with the theme: Opportunities and Risks of mega sporting events for Tourism. Minister participated as a panel member at this platform. The latter provided South Africa with the opportunity to share our tourism experiences stemming from hosting events like the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The Minister had the opportunity to get a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges for Germany as a key source market for tourist arrivals to South Africa. The event also provided a good opportunity for the Minister to engage with the German Media as well as with media from other countries.

This was Minister’s first visit to the SA Tourism’s office in Italy. This provided an opportunity for Minister to meet the staff and to get a deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges to position South Africa as a preferred tourist destination for Italian residents. Minister also had the opportunity to meet with key tour operators that sell South and Southern Africa to Italian residents.

Russia & United Arab Emirates

(16-20 March 2015)

Moscow

R 167 843.67

To attend the Moscow International Tourism Trade Fair (MITT) and to participate in the South African Trade and Media engagement session in Moscow, Russia.

The Minister’s visit to the Russian Federation was a result of discussions following a meeting with the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, H.E Mikhail Petrakov. The meeting was convened at the request of the Russian Ambassador and the focus of the meeting was on the issues relating to tourism cooperation between South Africa (SA) and the Russian Federation. During the meeting the Russian Ambassador extended an invitation, on behalf of the Russian Minister.

MITT created a unique opportunity for the department to use the visit to Russia to gain a deeper understanding of the Russian trade and the tourism market, and to share the department’s future plans for the Russian market with the SA mission officials in charge of tourism portfolio. Russia has been identified as a priority market and a source of future tourism growth for SA.

The eThekwini Declaration of 2013 raised tourism as an area BRICS should explore. Brazil as incoming Chair in 2013 proposed a MoU on which South Africa provided comments. South Africa explored opportunities to get the BRICS tourism Ministers to meet and formalise tourism cooperation within the BRICS forum. The main reason is to optimise travel and tourism flow and also to advance the African tourism agenda within BRICS. In view of Russia becoming the Chair of BRICS, the Minister used this opportunity to raise tourism issues with the Russian Deputy Minister responsible for tourism.

(15-16 March 2015)

Dubai

The cost included in the Russia trip (connection)

To promote South Africa as a tourism destination in advance of the outgoing holiday season in the UAE;

To establish contact between the governments of South Africa and the UAE to promote tourism cooperation between the two countries;

To engage the main role players in the tourism industry in the UAE to promote South Africa as a suitable tourism destination.

The Ministerial mission comprised of meetings with travel agencies and tour operators; major airlines representatives that have a wide reach within the Middle East region; as well as a meeting with Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority. The aim of the meetings was to understand their product needs and support required for them to sell South Africa as a tourism destination. The engagements allowed the Minister to better understand the market and also address issues relating to promoting South Africa as a tourism destination. The trip has resulted in a familiarisation trip to South Africa by a group of tour operators from the UAE in June 2015 as well as the participation of tour operators from the UAE at Indaba 2015 as buyers of South African products.

United States of America (USA) & Spain

(13-14 April 2015)

New York

R174 618.16

To officiate at the 6th Ubuntu Awards which is an annual event that is hosted by South African Tourism.

The Ubuntu awards honours South African Tourism’s outstanding trade partners in business and leisure travel. South African Tourism invited the Minister to deliver a keynote address at the event.

The Minister also interacted with trade on emerging challenges including the issue of Ebola virus which negatively affected travel decisions in the US markets.

(15-16 April 2015)

Madrid

The cost is included in the USA trip. (connection)

To address the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) 15th Global Summit.

The WTTC Global Summit is established as a key annual event in the Travel and Tourism calendar and is the global leaders’ forum for travel and tourism. The theme was ‘Disruption and Reinvention in the tourism sector’. The Minister was invited to deliver a speech on South Africa.

Through discussions held during the summit, it was concluded that the tourism industry has the constant ability to re-invent itself as world events pose new challenges and opportunities to the sector. The sector was encouraged to embrace the power of people for its future successes. These people includes tourism consumers, world’s citizens, governments, entrepreneurs of tomorrow and people employed within the sector.

The Minister’s participation in the WTTC promotes public private partnership. South Africa (both government and industry) benefits from the developments, deliberations and thematic issues emanating from the WTTC summit. South Africa also benefits from the research and knowledge that is generated by the WTTC to get deeper understanding of the opportunities and challenges in key source markets.

Seychelles

(24-26 April 2015)

Victoria

R 54 173.04

To attend the International Carnival of Victoria.

The Minister of Tourism in Seychelles has with South Africa’s support, initiated discussion for the establishment of a chapter for Tourism within the African Union Secretariat. The visit provided the opportunity for an informal bilateral between the two Ministers.

Participating in the Carnival assisted South Africa in developing a regional tourism footprint and to showcase our culture. The Carnival also added to a better understanding of other African countries in terms of culture and heritage.

Relationship-building in the region and continent is crucial for the growth of our continent. There are also three countries which are members of BRICs, namely, Brazil, India and China who are already participating in the carnival. This will further strengthen the partnership in the tourism space.

The marketing of our country through the media coverage will be profound in showcasing our attractions in Africa, Europe, South America and Asia.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

(4-5 May 2015)

Dubai

R 67 303.35

To attend the 2015 UNWTO Arabian Travel Market Ministerial Forum on Intra Arab Tourism and to establish contact between the governments of South Africa and the Middle East region.

To engage the main role players in the tourism sector in the Middle East to promote South Africa as a suitable tourism destination.

To attend the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between South African Tourism and Emirates airlines to promote South Africa as a tourist destination.

The ATM is the largest travel trade exhibition in the Middle East and eight South African companies participated in the exhibition. The South African stand was officially opened by the Minister and an opportunity was provided to engage the tourism trade from the region as well as various media that were present for the opening. This enabled the tourism trade to better understand South Africa’s value proposition as a tourism destination.

The Minister also met with a number of his counterparts from the Middle East as well as Mr Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the UNWTO and Mr David Scowsill, President and CEO, World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) during the Ministerial Forum. This assisted in establishing relations with Ministers counterparts in the Middle East region.

Croatia

(27-29 May 2015)

Rovinj

R 111 831.38

To attend the 100th Session of the UNWTO Exco and 6th meeting of Working Group on ODA.

As a member of the Executive Council (Exco) of the UNWTO for the period 2014-2017, South Africa continues to contribute to the governance of the global tourism sector and the UNWTO Secretariat. South Africa benefits from the research and knowledge that is generated by the UNWTO on various issues such as trends, thematic issues, etc.

South Africa is the Chair of the UNWTO Working Group on Official Development Assistance (ODA). With South Africa as chair, the working group contributed to the historic 100th session of the Exco by developing a Tourism for Development Facility which is a mechanism to be used by UNWTO for mobilising extra-budgetary resources for tourism development in ODA-eligible developing countries. The Exco endorsed the Tourism for Development Facility. The working group has achieved its objectives and will cease to exist in September 2015.

Zimbabwe

(18 June 2015)

Harare

R 27 549.34

The Minister was invited by his Zimbabwean counterpart to be a panellist and guest speaker at the Ministerial Roundtable Discussions during the Sanganai World Tourism Expo organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality of the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe in collaboration with the University of Zimbabwe.

The roundtable discussions aimed at addressing issues impacting negatively on tourism growth and development in the region such as poverty, Ebola, lack of air connectivity and visa.

The Minister’s participation in these events is in line with strengthening regional integration. Minister also participated in roundtable discussions on issues pertaining to unlocking regional tourism growth potential

The participation by the Minister in events like the Sanganai Tourism Expo opened opportunities for Ministers to address issues for the development of tourism in the region and to share best practises.

Zimbabwe is currently the Chair of the SADC Tourism Ministers as well as the Commission for Africa under the UNWTO.

29 July 2015 - NW2256

Profile picture: America, Mr D

America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Labour

Whether (a) her department and (b) any entities reporting to her has paid out the remainder of any employee’s contract before the contractually stipulated date of termination of the contract since the 2008-09 financial year up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, (i) what amount has (aa) her department and (bb) entities reporting to her spent on each such payout, (ii) to whom were these payouts made and (iii) what were the reasons for the early termination of the contracts in each specified case?

Reply:

The Department of Labour and entities are governed by laid down procedures, policies and legislations in managing employer and employee relations. Further more, monies paid out for any reason are reflecting in Annual Reports which Honourable member has access to.

29 July 2015 - NW2215

Profile picture: Ollis, Mr IM

Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Labour

What is preventing the medical aid portion of the Compensation Fund from being privatised or operated by a private medical aid administrator, such as Medscheme, Discovery Health or Old Mutual?

Reply:

The Portfolio Committee on Labour was briefed by the Department of Labour through the Director General where the Department of Labour presented its plan and programmes to turn the Fund around. Also SCOPA was briefed on the same work plan approximately in the Month of June 2015. At this stage there are no intentions to privatise the medical aid portion.

29 July 2015 - NW2130

Profile picture: Van Der Walt, Ms D

Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Basic Education

With reference to the expenditure on payments of the National Teacher Awards ceremony for 2014-15, (a) what total amount was spent on this event, (b) how was this amount made up, (c) what is the amount overspent on the event, (d) what is the reason for the over-expenditure and (e) who authorised the over-expenditure?

Reply:

 

(a) R22.2 million

(b) The amount of R22.2 million was spent on the following:

  • 2014 Build-up process costs (transportation, accommodation, adjudication training, provincial ceremonies,
  • The 15th Annual NTA event: Transportation, Printing and Distribution costs, accommodation, prizes, audio-visual, catering and related event costs.
  • Corporate gifts for the national event;
  • Sign language interpreters for the national event;
  • Television production for the national event; and
  • Advocacy for the national event and travel agency and professional conference organiser fees.

(c) Over-expenditure amounted to R6 488 396,57

(d) The overspending on this programme is due to the fact that the NTAs expenditure was higher than the available funds for the period under review. The NTA has been earmarked as a critical instrument for the acknowledgement and advocacy attached to the strategic priority to support the professionalisation of teachers at all levels, across the curriculum, and focuses on the inclusion of all learners and teachers within the sector. The 15th Annual NTA was utilised to elevate and celebrate all teachers across the country that serve South Africa.

(e) The R6 488 396.57 over-expenditure was approved by the Acting Director-General of the Department of Basic Education after all due procedures for approval had been followed in order to ensure that the objectives of the NTA were met.

29 July 2015 - NW2346

Profile picture: Lovemore, Ms AT

Lovemore, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Basic Education

(1)With reference to her call for written submissions on the draft amendment regulations in terms of the South African Schools Act, Act 84 of 1996, pertaining to the national curriculum statement grades R to12, and specifically, the proposed insertion into the regulations of sub-regulation 4A(iD), requiring that mathematics be a compulsory subject choice in the event that any of the listed subjects are selected for study, (a) from whom was comment on this proposal received and (b) what was the content of the comment; (2) whether she has made a decision in respect of the proposal; if not, (a) why not and (b) what action will she now take with regard to this proposal; if so, (i) what decision has been taken, (ii) why was the decision taken and (iii) when will it be (aa) gazetted and (bb) implemented?

Reply:

1 (a) 38 individual responses and 1 (one) group submitted proposals in this regard.

  1. S Pillay

2. Mr T Botha: Administrator: Life Sciences Member List

3. M Tekere: Geography teacher

4. Ms L Kroll: Brainline

5. P Esterhuysen, HOD Wykeham College

6. Ms L Rodwell: Holy Rosary School

7. N Simamane: Geography teacher

8. Mr KB Mbatha: Dwaleni High School

9. Ms M Mokoka: Limpopo Education Dept

10. Mr A Nxele: Eastern Cape Education Dept

11.Mehmoodbhge

12.Ms U Pillay: Geography teacher

13 CT: Ndwandwe

14. VT Miya: Amaphisi High School

15. Ms I Grimsell: St Dominic’s College

16. Ms E Haffajee: Maritzburg Muslim School for Girls

17. V Govender: Mountview Secondary School

18. Mr Provost: Pinelands High School

19. P Oosthuysen: Holy Rosary School

20. J Lucas: Holy Rosary School

21. B Blampied: Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent School

22. JC Steimann: John Vorster Technical School

23.  Ms S Wiese: GED

24. K Clover: Cedar House School

25. T du Plessis: Milnerton High School

26. A Davey: St Patrick’s College

27. M Smith: St Andrew’s College

28. Mr G Keats, Moderator for Geography

29. Mr B Hughes: Bridge House School

30. Ms J Brown Beaulieue: College:

31. Mr DA Collins: Teacher

32. Dr A Crowe: Lecturer at UCT

33. HL Janse van Rensburg: False Bay High School

34. Ms N Masurei: Pinelands High School

35. Ms M Blignaut: St Catherine’s

36. Ms S Webber: DSG School

37. Mr C Nowlan: Weston Agricultural College

38. Ms Anne Oberholzer: Independent Examinations Board

39. A group of Geography teachers in the Limpopo Province, comprising of 131 individuals.

1(b) Responses to the Government Gazette were as follows:

31 respondents are not in favour of the proposal, especially the coupling of Mathematics with Economics (2 respondents), Geography (24 respondents) and Life Sciences (7 respondents). Seven (7) respondents are in favour of coupling of Mathematics, Accounting and Physical Sciences; one (1) is in favour of coupling Mathematics with Physical Sciences only. One (1) respondent was in favour of the proposal of coupling Mathematics with all the listed subjects.

2. Not yet.

(a) The Minister is still considering the proposals and hence no decision has been taken yet.

(b) The proposals have been taken to relevant structures such as Heads of Education Committee for discussions and will then be considered by the Council of Education Ministers (CEM).

(i) No decision has been taken.

(ii) No decision has been taken yet.

(iii) (aa) The Minister will, after consultation with the Council of Education Ministers, pronounce the decision.

(bb) The amendments will be implemented in the month of January following the year of approval.

29 July 2015 - NW2446

Profile picture: Van Der Walt, Ms D

Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Basic Education

(a) When will her department’s 1 000 Libraries Campaign start, (b) until when will the specified campaign run, (c) what is the total cost of the specified campaign, (d) how will schools be prioritised, (e) which schools have been identified for the specified campaign and (f) how will these libraries be resourced with (i) books and (ii) staff?

Reply:

(a) The Department of Basic Education’s 1000 Libraries campaign started at the beginning of the current financial year.

(b) The campaign targets 1000 schools in 2019 and there will be at least 1000 additional libraries every year until 2019.

(c) The total cost of the campaign has not been determined yet.

(d) Because it is starting phase, softer criteria were used for 2015. The criteria that were used for the selection of the schools are as follows:

  • There must be an existing structure;
  • The structure must have minimal resources;
  • The structure must be located within a functioning-school environment; and

However, the aim is to reach all schools which have no libraries.

(e) A total of 1 000 schools have been identified across the nine provinces.

(f) (i)Normal procurement procedures will be used and, in addition, donations will be received.

(ii)The Department of Basic Education is partnering with the ETDP SETA to place assistant school librarians in the identified schools. Staffing is going to be a major challenge.

29 July 2015 - NW2404

Profile picture: Lovemore, Ms AT

Lovemore, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Basic Education

(1)In respect of each province and district, (a) how many Grade 10 learners and (b) what percentage of Grade 10 learners in public ordinary schools are (i) enrolled to study Mathematics for the 2015 academic year and (ii) targeted to be studying Mathematics in the (aa) 2015, (bb) 2016 and (cc) 2020 academic years; (2) in respect of each province and district, (a) how many Grade 11 learners and (b) what percentage of Grade 10 learners in public ordinary schools are (i) enrolled to study Mathematics for the 2015 academic year and (ii) targeted to be studying Mathematics in the (aa) 2015, (bb) 2016 and (cc) 2020 academic years?

Reply:

The dataset for 2015 is not available yet for both LURITS and Annual School Survey.

  • The Annual School Survey dataset will be available in February 2016.
  • All learners and educators will be uploaded on LURITS by 30 September 2015.

29 July 2015 - NW2157

Profile picture: Boshoff, Ms SH

Boshoff, Ms SH to ask the Minister of Basic Education

(1)(a) How many rural schools does her department provide with sport resources in each (i) province and (ii) education district and (b) what are the relevant details of these resources; (2) what progress has been made in (a) rolling out sport programmes in these schools in each (i) province and (ii) education district and (b) what are the relevant details of the progress?

Reply:

1(a) The Department of Basic Education does not have a budget to provide schools with sport resources. The schools budget for sport through funding from Norms and Standards or sponsorship from private companies. The Department of Sport and Recreation, however, has allocated 40% of the total allocation of the Mass Participation and Sport development grant to school sport. Each province has 10% to purchase equipment for disadvantaged schools identified through participation in school leagues. The 5% is allocated to purchase attire for disadvantaged schools that are registered for the school sport programme and participating in school leagues. The information of the schools and their location resides with Provincial Departments of Sport and Recreation.

2. The schools that are provided with equipment are monitored and supported by the Department of Sport and Recreation, as well as officials from the Department of Basic Education at District level. The officials ensure the participation of the supported schools in school league programme and the specific codes of sport. The report with the analysis is currently being drafted by the Department of Sport and Recreation.

28 July 2015 - NW2219

Profile picture: Madisha, Mr WM

Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Communications:

Whether the Government will request the SA Broadcasting Corporation to precede one or more of its evening broadcasts in an indigenous language with a five minute vocabulary introduction in English, so as to enable listeners who wish to learn that indigenous language to prepare themselves with the necessary vocabulary to follow the news and thus begin to learn that language; if not, why not; if so, what steps will she take in this regard? NW2576E

Reply:

If news were required to give up five minutes of the bulletin, the SABC will hardly be left with enough time to do the stories that are already limited.

The SABC Television and SABC Education are already providing an invaluable service as per its mandate and the ICASA license conditions



MR N MUNZHELELE
[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: 24/07/15

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:

ATTACHED FIND HERE: QUESTION NUMBER 2305 OF 2015

28 July 2015 - NW2360

Profile picture: Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI

Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Finance

(1)What is the breakdown with regard to the current price per liter of (a) petrol and (b) diesel in terms of the (i) cost of petrol or diesel, (ii) fuel levy, (iii) tax and (iv) any other items; (2) what amount has been collected by National Treasury through fuel levy (a) in the (i) 2011 12, (ii) 2012 13, (iii) 2013 14 and (iv) 2014 15 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2015; (3) whether any amount is ring-fenced for the maintenance of roads; if so, what amount has been spent on maintaining roads (a) in the (i) 2011 12, (ii) 2012 13, (iii) 2013 14 and (iv) 2014 15 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2015?

Reply:

The Honourable Member should note that the Department of Energy is responsible for administering the petrol and diesel prices, and also for determining the basic fuel price (BFP). The Minister of Finance is only responsible for setting the levies and any taxes on petrol and diesel. However, to make it easy for the Honourable Member, I will draw from the website of the Department of Energy (http://www.energy.gov.za/files/petroleum_frame.html) to assist in providing a comprehensive response to the question. The starting point in arriving at the domestic wholesale retail selling price of petrol diesel in South Africa is the calculation of the basic fuel price (BFP), and I will draw on the website of the Department of Energy in response to questions 1(a) and (b) (i) (and (iv)), and then provide my own response to the questions on the tax and levies on petrol and diesel.

(1). (i) and (iv) The website of the Department of Energy states that the basic fuel price (BFP) attempts

“to represent the realistic, market-related costs of importing a substantial portion of South Africa's liquid fuels requirements, and it is therefore deemed that such supplies are sourced from overseas refining centres capable of meeting South Africa's requirements in terms of both product quality and sustained supply considerations.

The petrol price in South Africa is therefore directly linked to the price of petrol quoted in US dollars at refined petroleum export orientated refining centres in the Mediterranean area, the Arab Gulf and Singapore. This means that the domestic prices of fuels are influenced by (a) international crude oil prices, (b) international supply and demand balances for petroleum products and (c) the Rand/US Dollar exchange rate”.

The website goes on to note that there are both international and domestic influences that are added to the BFP to arrive at the final pump prices in the different fuel pricing zones (magisterial district zones). The domestic influences include inland transport costs, wholesale margin, retail profit-margin, the slate levy, and various taxes / levies as listed below. It should be noted that diesel prices are regulated only up to the wholesale level; so the retail price of diesel is not regulated.

(ii), and (iii) Levies on fuels and taxes

The following levies and taxes that apply to liquid fuels in South Africa are provided below:

Table 1: Levy, tax and additional items on PETROL AND DIESEL

Levy

Date first imposed

Amount of levy

Fiscal year 2015/16

Objective of the levy

General fuel levy

Early 1980s; Customs and Excise Act, No.91 of 1964

Introduced for the first time around April 1983

255 cent per litre on petrol and 240 cent per litre on diesel

Revenue (net of the refunds) go to the National Revenue Fund, from which they are appropriated to fund government’s general expenditure programmes, including the construction and maintenance of roads and support of public transport. Refer to the annual Budget Review for more information for any specific fiscal year. .

Since the abolishment of RSC levies, about one third of the revenue is shared with metropolitan municipalities.

Customs and excise levy

1994; Customs and Excise Act, No.91 of 1964

Introduced in April 1983

4 cents per litre on petrol, diesel and biodiesel.

The 4 cents per litre has been fixed since the 1990s.

Included in the Southern African Custom Union (SACU) pool and shared amongst the SACU member countries.

Road accident fund levy

Road Accident Fund Act, No.56 of 1996

Introduced in May 1997

154 cents per litre on petrol, diesel and biodiesel

Provides cover for all road users against injuries sustained or death arising from accidents involving motor vehicles.

Equalisation fund levy

Central Energy Fund Act, No. 38 of 1977;

Introduced in January 1979

Zero cents per litre on both diesel and petrol since 1996

The fund was in the past primarily used to smooth out monthly fluctuations in the price of liquid fuels. This was an attempt to try and limit the impact of volatile international crude oil prices and fluctuations in the Rand / US $ exchange rate on fuel prices. This effort has not been very successful and was ceased about 5 years ago.

Demand Side Management Levy

The Central Energy Fund Act, No. 38 of 1977;

Introduced in January 2006

10 cents per litre on 95 Octane petrol in inland areas

Most vehicles in the inland market do not require 95 ULP. In an effort to limit the demand for 95 ULP in the inland area to prevent "octane wastage" and to ensure sufficient supply for motorist who really need it the DSM levy was introduced.

Petroleum Pipelines Levy

The Petroleum Pipelines Levies Act, No. 28 of 2004

Introduced in March 2007

0.15 cents per litre - NERSA

To meet the general administrative and other costs for the functions performed by the Petroleum Pipelines Regulatory Authority.

Slate Levy

The Central Energy Act, No.38 of 1977

Introduced in January 2009

Fluctuates

To finance the balance in the Slate account when the Slate is in a negative balance. If the daily Basic Fuel Price (BFP) is higher than the BFP in the fuel price structure, a unit under recovery is realised otherwise there is an over recovery for the oil companies.

IP tracer dye levy

Central Energy Fund Act, No. 38 of 1977.

Introduced in August 1999

0.01 cents per litre

To curtail the unlawful mixing of diesel and illuminating paraffin, an illuminating paraffin tracer dye is injected into illuminating paraffin. An illuminating paraffin tracer dye levy was introduced into the price structures of diesel to finance expenses related thereto.

       

The Table below indicates how the pump price for petrol, and the wholesale price for diesel, is determined for an inland province like Gauteng.

Table 2: Composition of levy, tax and additional items in Gauteng

COMPOSITION OF THE RETAIL PRICE OF PETROL AND THE WHOLESALE PRICES FOR DIESEL IN GAUTENG FOR June 2015

 

GAUTENG FUEL PRICES

Petrol 93 ULP

Diesel * 0.05% S

 

c/l

c/l

Basic fuel price (BFP)

644.65

638.63

Wholesale margin

33.50

64.70

Service cost recoveries

30.00

30.00

Dealers margin (*)

151.10

N/A

Zone differential in Gauteng

35.30

35.30

Fuel levy

255.00

240.00

RAF levy

154.00

154.00

Customs & excise duty

4.00

4.00

IP Tracer levy

N/A

0.01

Slate levy

0

0

Petroleum Pipelines Levy

0.15

0.15

Rounding

0.3

 

Retail price

1 308.00

 

Wholesale price

 

1 166.79

(2) Fuel levy revenue

The money received from the fuel levy is recorded in the relevant audited financial statements every year, and included in the appropriate Budget Review, all made available to Parliament and the public. The figures below are drawn from annual Budget Reviews.

Table 3: Revenue from the General Fuel Levy and RAF

R million

General Fuel Levy (net)*

Road Accident Fund Levy

2011/12 (audited)

36 589.07

16 628.02

2012/13

(audited)

40 320.20

17 621.42

2013/14

(audited)

43 684.65

19 961.98

2014/15

(estimate)

48 466.52

22 038.71

* Net of diesel refunds 

Source: Budget Review

Table 4: Initial estimate of revenue collected since 1 April 2015 to 31 May 2015

   

2015/16#

8 602.88

4 364.56

Revenue from 1 April 2015 to May 2015 

Source: Statement of the National Revenue, Expenditure and Borrowing as at 31 May 2015 issued by the DG: National Treasury

(3) No, as noted in the Budget Review and other budget documents every year, there is no money received from the fuel levy that is ring-fenced for the maintenance of roads. The building and maintenance of roads is done by departments or agencies in all three spheres of government, and is appropriated in national and provincial laws and municipal budgets. The amounts spent directly by the national government on the maintenance of roads are appropriated from the National Revenue Fund, and the budget information is provided below. A national entity like SANRAL also funds maintenance of certain roads, using budgetary funds and revenue it may collect. The actual funds spent per year on the maintenance of roads requires the Honourable Member to consider the budgets and annual reports of all organs of state involved with road funding in all three spheres of government.

It should also be noted that in 2014/15 R10.19 billion of the net revenue from the general fuel levy was allocated to the eight metropolitan municipalities as a part of a revenue sharing arrangement.

Money from the Road Accident Fund levy is ring-fenced and used by the Road Accident Fund to compensate victims of vehicle accidents for injuries sustained as a result of such accidents. The Road Accident Fund Levy is thus a form of a personal injuries insurance policy. Further information is available from its annual reports.

The tables below are from the 2015 Budget document Estimates of National Expenditure (ENE) and provide an overview of the funds allocated to the National Department of Transport.

Vote 37: National Department of Transport

Subprogramme:

R million

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

Administration

382.90

399.80

423.50

Integrated Transport Planning

81.20

84.30

89.10

Rail Transport

15 034.60

18 362.00

19 389.60

Road Transport

21 645.30

22 852.10

23 876.20

Civil Aviation

148.30

154.00

162.70

Maritime Transport

110.60

115.40

121.80

Public Transport

11 323.80

11 846.40

12 779.10

TOTAL

48 726.70

53 814.00

56 842.00

Vote 37: National Department of Transport

Subprogramme: %

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

Administration

0.8%

0.7%

0.7%

Integrated Transport Planning

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

Rail Transport

30.9%

34.1%

34.1%

Road Transport

44.4%

42.5%

42.0%

Civil Aviation

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

Maritime Transport

0.2%

0.2%

0.2%

Public Transport

23.2%

22.0%

22.5%

TOTAL

100%

100%

100%

28 July 2015 - NW2528

Profile picture: Steenhuisen, Mr JH

Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

With reference to the tour undertaken by the Cuban Five to South Africa, what amount did her department spend on (a) accommodation, (b) flights, (c) meals, (d) in-country transport and (e) entertainment for the five men and their family?

Reply:

R0

28 July 2015 - NW1330

Profile picture: Shinn, Ms MR

Shinn, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Communications

(a) What discussions (i) have been or (ii) are being held with her department regarding the long-standing debts owed to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa for broadcast licensing fees by (aa) the SA Police Service and (bb) the SA National Defence Force, (b) when were these meetings held, (c) what was the purpose of the meetings and (d) what was the outcome, in each case?

Reply:

(a) The SAPS and SANDF are not holders of Broadcasting Licences.

 

MR N MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

28 July 2015 - NW2483

Profile picture: Mileham, Mr K

Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)In each (a) metropolitan, (b) local and (c) district municipality, what is the total amount currently owed for rates and service charges by municipal councillors and/or traditional leaders serving on municipal councils which is over 90 days; (2) in respect of each case, (a) who is the councillor or traditional leader involved, (b) what is the amount owed and (c) has a repayment agreement been reached with the councillor and/or traditional leader; if so, when will the amount be repaid in full; (3) whether any action has been taken against such councillors and/or traditional leaders in terms of section 13 and 14 of the Code of Conduct for Municipal Councillors; if not, why not; if so, (a) who is the councillor and/or traditional leader involved and (b) what action has been taken; (4) whether his department will take any action against the (a) municipality, (b) speaker of the municipal council and (c) municipal council in cases where no action has been taken in this regard?

Reply:

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

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

28 July 2015 - NW2349

Profile picture: Esau, Mr S

Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

What is the present monitoring and evaluation capability within her department?

Reply:

The monitoring and evaluation component of the Department is currently at a level of a Sub-directorate, and consists of a Deputy Director and an Assistant Director. A process currently is underway with DPSA to review the organisational structure.

28 July 2015 - NW2467

Profile picture: Mazzone, Ms NW

Mazzone, Ms NW to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

Whether he is aware that a certain person (EMMC) refused to call a council meeting in order to deliberate over the alleged financial irregularities (details furnished BB40 and BB41), which contravened a council resolution and certain statutory provisions (details furnished BB39); if so, what action is he taking against the specified person for failing to adhere to the law?

Reply:

I am not aware to these assertions.

I intend writing to the MEC responsible for Local Government in Gauteng, in terms of Section 106(4)(b) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act No.32 of 2000), requesting him to commission and investigation into the matter.

I will await the outcome of the investigation to determine whether or not there are findings that will enable me to provide a response to this question.

28 July 2015 - NW2432

Profile picture: America, Mr D

America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Labour

What amount did (a) her department and (b) each entity reporting to her spend on advertising in (i) Sowetan and (ii) Daily Sun in the (aa) 2012-13, (bb) 2013-14 and (cc) 2014-15 financial years?

Reply:

The Department spent as per below breakdown:


HQ LABOUR

2012-2013

2013-2014           

2014-2015

(i)SOWETAN

R560 159.87

R585 060.78

R271 368.72

(ii)DAILY SUN

R777 265.50

R789 273.05

R699 177.80

ENTITIES:

(b) ENTITIES REPORTING TO THE MINISTER

(i) (Sowetan)

(aa) 2012-13

(bb) 2013-14

(cc) 2014-15

NEDLAC

n/a

n/a

n/a

UIF

n/a

R148,243.32

R371,229.60

CF

R291, 012.20

R624, 552.22

R66, 983.43

PSA

n/a

R76, 799.52

R254, 177.02

CCMA

n/a

n/a

n/a

(b) ENTITIES REPORTING TO THE MINISTER

(ii) (Daily Sun )

(aa) 2012-13

(bb) 2013-14

(cc) 2014-15

NEDLAC

n/a

n/a

n/a

UIF

n/a

R29,930.47

n/a

CF

R174, 911.80

R298, 344.39

n/a

PSA

n/a

n/a

n/a

CCMA

n/a

n/a

*R 39, 979.80

# PSA – payment made to Times Media with adverts in Sowetan and Sunday times.

Compensation Fund – Sowetan Live – 2013/14 = R100, 000.00.

28 July 2015 - NW2469

Profile picture: Mazzone, Ms NW

Mazzone, Ms NW to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)Whether a certain person (Mr M Mlandu was dismissed by a certain person (name and details furnished BB48 Mr L Gumbi) at the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipal Council (EMMC) following a council resolution; if not, why not; if so, what is the (a) number and (b) date of the council resolution; (2)was he informed of the specified dismissal as required by the Disciplinary Regulations for Senior Managers; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3)what is his position with regard to the action of the EMMC in this regard; if not, why not; if so, why?NW2837E

Reply:

(1)No, I have not investigated the matter and therefore am not aware of the details pertaining the matter.

(2)I intend writing to the MEC responsible for local government in Gauteng, in terms of Section 106(4) (a) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act No.32 of 2000), requesting him to commission an investigation into the matter.

(3) Falls off.

28 July 2015 - NW2459

Profile picture: Matsepe, Mr CD

Matsepe, Mr CD to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

Whether, with reference to the employment contract of Mr K Ngema he has established that the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipal Council (EMMC) was misled by the A-CORP (19-2012) report (details furnished) where it is stated that the duration of the specified person’s contract is from 17 August 2009 to 16 August 2014; if not, how was the EMMC allowed to contravene (a) its own resolution (details furnished), (b) the appointment periods stated in the amended Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, (c) the SA Local Government Association circular 14/2012 (details furnished) and (d) a judgment by the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in case 5238/12 (details furnished); if so, (i) what action does he intend taking and (ii) who wrote the confidential report?

Reply:

I am not aware to these assertions.

I intend writing to the MEC responsible for local government in Gauteng, in terms of Section 106(4) (b) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act No.32 of 2000), requesting him to commission an investigation into the matter.

According to Section 106 (4)(b)of the Municipal Systems Act, the MEC must table a report in the relevant provincial legislature, detailing within 90 days from the date of my request to him, to conduct the investigation. The MEC is required to simultaneously send a report to me, the Minister of Finance, and the NCOP.

I will await the outcome of the investigation to determine whether or not there are findings that enable me to provide specific responses in respect of sub-questions (a)(b)(c)(d) and (i)(ii).

28 July 2015 - NW2387

Profile picture: Kohler-Barnard, Ms D

Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Police

(1)How many operational members of the SA Police Service (SAPS) did not have a driving licence (a) in the (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12, (iv) 2012-13, (v) 2013-14 and (vi) 2014-15 financial years and (b) from 1 April 2015 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; (2) how many of the specified members of SAPS have since acquired a driving licence in the case of each financial year or period; (3) how many of the operational SAPS members with driving licences have a licence to drive an official vehicle?

Reply:

The information is not readily available and must be obtained from the provinces.  A request is hereby made for an extension in order for us to provide quality and correct information as soon as it is received.

28 July 2015 - NW2484

Profile picture: Mileham, Mr K

Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)Whether there was an audit committee in place in each (a) metropolitan municipality and (b) municipality that received a disclaimer or adverse audit opinion for the 2013-14 financial year; if not, why not; if so, (i) what are the qualifications and relevant experience of each member of each audit committee and (ii) how many times did the specified committee meet in the 2013-14 financial year; (2) were any reports from each specified committee tabled and considered in each relevant municipal council; if not, why not?

Reply:

The question asked by Honourable member, Mr K J Mileham, must be directed to National Treasury, as it is the competent authority to provide the information requested. National Treasury monitors Audit Committees in terms of sec 166 of the Municipal Finance Management Act.

28 July 2015 - NW2468

Profile picture: Mazzone, Ms NW

Mazzone, Ms NW to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)Whether he is aware that certain persons holding executive positions at the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipal Council (details furnished: a. Executive Mayor, b. Speaker of Council, MMC Finance and the d. Chief Whip), all received a letter (details furnished BB39) stipulating the financial mismanagement at the specified Metro; if so, what action did each of the above person take with regard to all the allegations in the letter; (2)What is his position with regard to the action taken in respect of each case; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2836E

Reply:

(1)No, as stated in my response to PQ2015/2467, I have not investigated the matter and therefore am not aware of the details pertaining the matter.

(2)I intend writing to the MEC responsible for local government in Gauteng, in terms of Section 106(4)(b) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act No.32 of 2000), requesting him to commission an investigation into the matter.

28 July 2015 - NW2295

Profile picture: Mileham, Mr K

Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Finance

(1)With reference to the consolidated report on the audit outcomes of local government for the 2013-14 financial year, what are the names of the 87 auditees for which the Auditor-General reported findings of possible fraud or improper conduct in supply chain management processes for investigation by management; (2) How many findings for investigation were reported for each auditee? NW2656E

Reply:

The department is currently gathering the information required to respond to this question as it is not information that is readily available. After the details of the 87 auditees referred to in the General report have been received from the Auditor General, each of these municipalities will be requested to provide the details of the cases that constituted the total of the irregular expenditure in question in order to respond to part two of the question.

The response will be provided as soon as possible after this information is made available.

28 July 2015 - NW2286

Profile picture: Gqada, Ms T

Gqada, Ms T to ask the Minister of Human Settlements

With reference to her reply to question 1898 on 29 May 2015, what amount has been spent on (a) purchasing, (b) installing, (c) operating cost, including fuel, and (d) maintaining generators in each calendar year in the period 1 May 2008 to 1 January 2015?

Reply:

The Department of Human Settlements:

(a) & (b) The amount spent by the Department of Human Settlements on purchasing and installation of a generator is R1 784 859,00.

(c) The amount for operating costs (fuel) since the generator was purchased R 22 956.00.

(d) There are no maintenance costs incurred thus far.

The Entities:

(a) There are eight (8) public entities reporting to the Minister of Human Settlements, only the following three public entities have purchased generators:

  • EAAB spent R391 006.40 on the 11th March 2014;
  • NURCHA has spent R 288 635 in 2007; and
  • NHBRC has spent R 700 000.00.

(b) Installation cost for the generators of NHBRC and NURCHA was included in the purchasing amount. EAAB has spent R 10 000.00 for installation.

(c) Spending on operational cost, including fuel:

  • The HDA is responsible for the refuelling of the generator. The average cost to refuel the generator is R 4000.00, based on 4x4 hour load shedding per month;
  • NURCHA has spent R 69 223.00;
  • EAAB has spent R 9 763.84 from 12/05/2014 to 01/01/2015; and
  • NHBRC has spent R 134 982.82 (This includes: Diesel = R 93 091.49; SMS Commander = R 10 545.00; and SDM Controller = R 31 346.33)

(d) Maintenance of generators

  • EAAB has spent R 15 298.80 to maintain the generators from 23/09/2014 to 01/01/2015;
  • NURCHA has spent R 13 800.00 per annum
  • NHBRC has spent R 64 655.63 for the service and maintenance of the generators since 1 April 2013.

28 July 2015 - NW2466

Profile picture: Chance, Mr R

Chance, Mr R to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance andTraditional Affairs

Whether the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipal Council executive mayor implemented the council resolution (details furnished BB43) which compelled the executive mayor to recover unauthorised, irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure from a certain person as contemplated in section 32(2) of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003; if not, what action does he intend taking in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

I am not aware of these assertions.

I intend writing to the MEC responsible for local government in Gauteng, in terms of Section 106(4)(b) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act No.32 of 2000), requesting him to commission an investigation into the matter.

28 July 2015 - NW2513

Profile picture: Rabotapi, Mr MW

Rabotapi, Mr MW to ask the Minister of Communications

With reference to her reply to question 1031 on 14 November 2014, on what basis can she justify spending more money advertising on Tshwane TV than advertising on SABC 3 given that Tshwane TV has a viewership equating 1,5% of the viewership of SABC 3 (details furnished)? NW2884E

Reply:

Advertising is audience centred. Tshwane n/ was selected as the preferred community television station for campaigns as they have the highest amount of viewers among community television stations and that they met the targeted audience the programme was intended for.

The GClS uses scientific methods to determine which media best reach our audiences, as determined by the AMPS, TAMS, RAMS surveys that the SA Advertising Research Foundation (SAARF) conducts.


 

MR D LIPHOKO
[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL
GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: 24 July 2015


MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:


Parliamentary question 2513 of 2015
 

28 July 2015 - NW2455

Profile picture: Mackay, Mr G

Mackay, Mr G to ask the Minister of Finance

With reference to the Mmamabula Power Purchase Agreement drafted between Eskom and the independent power producer, CIC Energy, that allowed for a potential electricity supply of 4 800MW and the proposed Mmamabula Energy Project emanating from the specified agreement, was National Treasury involved in the decision-making process responsible for aborting this project; if not, why not; if so, to what extent?

Reply:

The Department of Energy, not the National Treasury, is responsible for developing the
Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) and making determinations relating to generation capacity required to enable procurement of power from the proposed Mmamabula Energy Project.

28 July 2015 - NW2068

Profile picture: Mileham, Mr K

Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)How many municipal managers are currently suspended and/or prevented from performing their roles and functions in their municipalities; (2) in respect of each case, (a) who is the municipal manager, (b) what municipality are they from, (c) when were they placed on suspension and (d) what is the misconduct with which they have been charged?

Reply:

(1) The Department is not aware of any municipal managers that are prevented from performing their functions but rather municipal managers who have been suspended from work for breach of conduct.

(2) According to information furnished by provinces, the following are municipal managers that have been placed on suspension by municipalities:

Province

Municipal Manager

Municipality

Date placed on suspension

Nature of misconduct

Eastern Cape

Details not furnished. Province requested to obtain information.

Ikwezi LM

Details not furnished. Province requested to obtain information.

Details not furnished. Province requested to obtain information.

 

Details not furnished. Province requested to obtain information.

Inkwanca LM

Details not furnished. Province requested to obtain information.

Details not furnished. Province requested to obtain information.

Free State

Mr PI Radebe

Mafube LM

5 January 2015

Council decision to implement consequence management due to Auditor-General audit opinion of a disclaimer over the past 5 years.

Gauteng

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Province

Name of municipal manager

Name of the municipality

Date of suspension

Nature of misconduct

KwaZulu-Natal

Details not furnished. Province requested to obtain information.

Endumeni LM

26 March 2014

Details not furnished. Province requested to obtain information.

 

Details not furnished. Province requested to obtain information.

Imbabazane LM

Details not furnished. Province requested to obtain information.

Details not furnished. Province requested to obtain information.

 

Details not furnished. Province requested to obtain information.

Indaka LM

Details not furnished. Province requested to obtain information.

Details not furnished. Province requested to obtain information.

 

Details not furnished. Province requested to obtain information.

Vulamehlo LM

Details not furnished. Province requested to obtain information.

Details not furnished. Province requested to obtain information.

Limpopo

Mr TM Maake

Mopani DM

1 February 2015

Financial misconduct

 

Mr Ntwane

Thabazimbi LM

10 December 2014

Maladministration, misappropriation of funds and non-compliance with supply chain procedures

 

Mr M Mathivha

Thulamela LM

28 April 2015

Fruitless expenditure

 

Ms C Mamitla

Polokwane LM

4 May 2015

Financial misconduct

 

Mr MF Ramaphakela

Lepelle-Nkumpi LM

Details not furnished. Province requested to obtain information.

Details not furnished. Province requested to obtain information.

Mpumalanga

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

North West

Mr K Rabanye

Mahikeng LM

29 November 2014

Corruption and maladministration

 

Mr J Bhine

Ditsobotla LM

3 April 2013

Gross maladministration

 

Mr J Makade

Ventersdorp LM

11 October 2014

Maladministration

Northern Cape

Mr TF Leeuw

Magareng LM

20 April 2015

Maladministration

 

Mr M Fillis

Ubuntu LM

5 March 2015

Corruption and maladministration

Western Cape

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

28 July 2015 - NW2527

Profile picture: Steenhuisen, Mr JH

Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)Did (a) she or (b) any officials from her department give instructions to any person or persons on duty at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria, Gauteng, to (i) authorise and (ii) facilitate the departure of any (aa) diplomats or (bb) delegates from the base on 15 June 2015; if so, what are the name(s) of this person or persons; (2) did (a) she or (b) any official from her department give any instructions to any person or persons on duty at the airbase (i) not to disclose or (ii) conceal the identity of any (aa) diplomat, (bb) delegate or (cc) passenger on any aircraft departing from the airbase on 15 June 2015; if so, on what authority did she or any official from her department issue such a directive?

Reply:

I cannot reply to this question as the matters raised are currently sub judice.

28 July 2015 - NW1335

Profile picture: America, Mr D

America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Communications

What amount was owed to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa for unpaid broadcasting licence fees by (a) all spheres of government and (b) entities reporting to national government departments as at 31 March 2015?

Reply:

(a) None

(b) Only South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), which is exempted from paying an annual license fee.

 

 

 

 

MR N MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

28 July 2015 - NW2155

Profile picture: Krumbock, Mr GR

Krumbock, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:

(1) Whether, with reference to the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) of KwaZulu-Natal, Ms Nomusa Dube's statement in her budget speech on 14 May 2015, that Mpofana Local Municipality has returned to a good state of health, he has found accordingly; if not, why not; if so, what is the basis for his finding; (2) will effective service delivery now take place in the specified municipality; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) has he now found that the specified municipality is financially viable; if not, what action does he intend taking with regard to the municipality; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2467E

Reply:

(I), (2) and (3) The Honourable Member should note that by-elections-to elect a new Municipal Council in the Mpofana Local Municipality with held on 26 November 2014. Before this by-election was held, a recovery plan was circulated to relevant stakeholders for input. The recovery plan covered the following priority areas:

(i) Municipal Institutional Development and Transformation
(ii) Municipal Financial Viability and Management;
(iii) Basic Service Delivery;

(iv) Local Economic Development

(v) Good Governance and Public Participation; and

(vi) Cross Cutting Issues.

From the assessment made by the KZN CoGTA Department, it appeared that Mpofana Local Municipality would still be in a vulnerable state when the section 139(1) (c) intervention terminated after the by-election was held. The Provincial Executive therefore took a resolution to replace this intervention with a directive issued in terms of section 139(1) (a) of the Constitution after the by-election. This directive, which was envisaged to expire at the end of March 2015, provided that the municipality must fulfil the following:

(i) Adopt by Council Resolution, the exit strategy in respect of the close-out report of the intervention in terms of section 139(1) (c) of the Constitution, and accept the continuation and provision of support by KZN CoGTA or any other stakeholder during the period of the intervention;

(ii) Accept a resource deployed by CoGTA to assist the municipality to implement the exit strategy;

(iii) Ensure that the Municipal Manager and all senior managers account in respect of all indicators included in the exit strategy, on a monthly basis;
(iv) Attend all Steering Committee meetings convened by KZN CoGTA on interventions; and

(v) Develop a strategy of addressing imminent service delivery protests.


In the notice of the termination of the intervention, it was reported that the Mpofana Local Municipality has made substantial progress on its exit strategy and also complied with the above directive. It was also reported that the remaining issues on the exit strategy will be implemented by the municipality, with ongoing support from KZN CoGTA and other sector departments. Strategies to address outstanding issues were developed and these strategies were integrated into the Back to Basics approach.

Apart from the above notice, a presentation of the close-out report which was prepared by the Ministerial Representative has highlighted several overall achievements of this intervention. Some of these achievements are the following:

(i) Portfolio committees and MPAC have been established, and meetings of the Municipal Council and portfolio committees convene every month;
(ii) An Interim Finance Committee was established to address cash flow problems;
(iii) There has been a revival of ward committees and the newly elected councillors, who have since undergone capacity building programmes, hold public meetings in all wards;

(iv) As most service delivery challenges revolve around water shortages, the municipality and Umgungundlovu DM are working much closer than before to address the problem;

(v) Successful resolution of the litigation matter between the municipality and Tai Yuen Textiles; and

(vi) Sporadic service delivery protests have been promptly addressed, and there has been an improvement in meeting legislative compliance deadlines.

The achievements made during this intervention partly address the challenges that were prevalent in the municipality, which led to the intervention, such as the absence of an Internal Audit Committee. These achievements also address some of the challenges which were identified in the Back to Basics Support Plan for Mpofana Local Municipality, such as serious backlogs in water provision.

Notwithstanding these achievements, it appears that there are still several challenges among those that were identified shortly before the intervention was invoked, which still remain unaddressed. Examples of these are losses in the sale of electricity, due to illegal connections, and poor debt recovery. In addition to these, the presentation of the close-out report lists further challenges in this municipality. Some of these challenges are:

(i) Very weak internal audit and audit committee, and the skills audit process is long overdrawn and still incomplete;
(ii) The projected budget is in deficit, and there is a lack of relevant capacity in managing municipal finances within the Budget and Treasury Office (BTO), which will delay the financial turnaround;

(iii) The municipality owes grant funds, used for operational reasons, and there is no reflection in the budget on how this will be paid back;
(iv) Inadequate project management and coordination at a technical level delays project implementation;
(v) Ability to manage Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and other grants is inadequate, and there is inadequate development planning capacity; and
(vi) No risk management.


In light of the challenges still prevalent in the Mpofana Local Municipality, the MEC will closely monitor and provide the necessary support to the municipality, working together with the relevant KZN Back to Basics Task Team.

28 July 2015 - NW2460

Profile picture: Matsepe, Mr CD

Matsepe, Mr CD to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)Why did a certain official (Mr K Ngema) ignore the memorandum from the Legal and Administrative Services department of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipal Council (which in paragraph 5 refers to the supply Chain management Policy details furnished) by allowing the bid adjudication committee to continue awarding said tenders as recommended by the bid evaluation committee, in terms of the bid adjudication committee’s delegated powers; (2)Whether his department will take any action in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2828E

Reply:

  1. No, as stated in my response to PQ2015/2459, I am not aware of these assertions.
  2. Again as stated in my previous response to PQ2015/2459, I intend writing to the MEC responsible for local government in Gauteng, in terms of Section 106(4)(b) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act No.32 of 2000), requesting him to commission an investigation into the matter.

28 July 2015 - NW2449

Profile picture: Bagraim, Mr M

Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Labour

Whether she has found that there are challenges in matching suitable candidates with the requirements of employers ; if so, what steps will she take to ensure that these challenges are overcome?

Reply:

No. The law has only been in place for few months hence cannot make a realistic diagnosis of the challenges in matching suitable candidates with the requirements of the employers at this stage.

28 July 2015 - NW2470

Profile picture: Figg, Mr MJ

Figg, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Finance

(1)With regard to the letter from a certain person (name and details furnished) from Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipal Council (EMMC) dated 3 September 2012 requesting condonation of irregular expenditure to the value of R819 million (details furnished) and National Treasury’s response (details furnished), why was the National Treasury not aware or made aware of (a) all the irregular expenditure in the (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11 and (iii) 2011-12 financial years, (b) bids above R10 million under appeal and (c) bids above R10 million under investigation, in total over R7,2 billion (details furnished); (2) did the application for condonement by the specified city manager give a full picture of the irregular expenditure in the municipality; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the National Treasury intends to take any relevant action (a) prescribed by applicable legislation in respect of this matter in general and (b) against the specified person (name and details furnished) of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipal Council in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether the National Treasury will conduct a forensic audit of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipal Council’s (EMMC) finances; if not, why not; if so, when will the forensic audit commence?

Reply:

(a) Section 62(1)(d) of the Municipal Finance Management (MFMA) provides that the Accounting Officer must take all reasonable steps to ensure that unauthorized, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure or other losses are prevented. Furthermore section 125(2)(d) of the MFMA requires that the notes to the annual financial statements must include particulars of any material losses or any material irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure, including in the case of a municipality, any material unauthorized expenditure that occurred during the financial year and whether these are recoverable.

From the above it is clear that the legislation places the obligation to make public and disclose particulars of any irregular expenditure incurred, including taking steps to prevent such expenditure from being incurred, on the Accounting Officer. Moreover, the legal principle underpinning the MFMA is that the Accounting Officer and Council are responsible for implementation of the MFMA and to ensure appropriate corrective measures are taken.

b) The Honorable member to note that section 62 of the Municipal Systems Act sets out the process to be followed when aggrieved persons are dissatisfied with decisions taken by a municipality. The process provides for appeals to be dealt with by the municipality within its internal governance structures. There is no requirement in section 62 for decisions with regard to the outcomes of appeals to be reported to the National Treasury. Information in this regard is therefore only available at institutional level and therefore National Treasury was not made aware of the extent of the appeals.

c) With regards to supply chain management disputes or objections, regulations 49 and 50 of the Municipal Supply Chain Management Regulations provide the procedure to be followed. The regulations provide that such disputes be first investigated internally by the municipality before it escalates the matter to the provincial or national treasury. It is therefore clear that the National Treasury will not be aware of supply chain management disputes unless a municipality or the relevant treasury was unable to resolve the matter through its internal processes. The details of such information will be available at institutional level.

(2) Correspondence was received from the City Manager dated 3 September 2012. However, this only provided information of irregular expenditure relating to the request for condonement. As mentioned earlier, the detailed information on all irregular expenditure is maintained within the municipality and in this instance was not shared with National Treasury.

(3) (a) Section 32(2) of the MFMA provides that the Municipal Council must recover all irregular expenditure incurred unless the municipal council has, after an investigation by a council committee, certified the expenditure as irrecoverable and has written it off. It is therefore clear that legislatively, the municipal council is the only appropriate structure who should take action in relation to the irregular expenditure that has been incurred. Information in this regard is therefore best obtained from the municipality concerned.

(b) Section 171 of the MFMA defines when an accounting officer of a municipality commits an act of financial misconduct. To further support the implementation of this section and chapter 15 as a whole, the Municipal Regulations on Financial Misconduct Procedures and Criminal Proceedings (“Financial Misconduct Regulations”) was promulgated on 31 May 2014 which sets out processes to be followed by municipalities in dealing with allegations of financial misconduct. The regulations provide that as a start, allegations has to be dealt with by the municipal council through its internal established structures that deals with disciplinary matters. This relevant matter will therefore be referred to the Executive Mayor of this specific municipality for his further handling consistent with the provisions of the Financial Misconduct Regulations.

(4) The National Treasury will not be conducting any forensic audit at the municipality at this stage as the information at hand indicate that the Office of the Public Protector is in the process of conducting an investigation at the municipality. The National Treasury will await the outcome thereof.

28 July 2015 - NW2489

Profile picture: Stander, Ms T

Stander, Ms T to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)What is his department doing to assist municipalities to enforce the applicable local government legislation relating to water pollution in all municipalities in the country? (2) What are the details of each water pollution case that municipalities are involved in with regard to (a) the area, (b) a description of the situation, (c) the environmental impact and (d) the method of intervention?

Reply:

This information is not readily available. It will take some time to assemble the information.

28 July 2015 - NW2396

Profile picture: Dudley, Ms C

Dudley, Ms C to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)Whether, since his reply to question 2029 on 17 November 2014, the information requested is now readily available within his department and will be provided; (2) (a) what is the (i) status and (ii) findings of the investigation and (b) what engagement has his department had with Vrede District Municipality in the Free State? NW2761E

Reply:

(1) Yes, the Department has received the information from the Phumelela Local Municipality.

(2) (a) (i) &(ii) According to the information received, the municipality did not utilize its budget in respect of the farm Krynauwslust in the Vrede district of the Free State; hence, no irregularities were reported (b) In the context of the preceding question, the Department did not engage with the Vrede District Municipality. Instead, the Department exchanged correspondence with the Phumelela Local Municipality on this matter

28 July 2015 - NW2482

Profile picture: Mileham, Mr K

Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1) How many recommendations of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities have not been acted upon by the relevant organ of state since 1 January 2009; (2) in respect of each case, (a) what was the recommendation not acted upon, (b) why was the recommendation not acted upon and (c) who is responsible for the inaction; (3) how many legal cases has the Commission embarked upon or become involved in either as a party to the case, or as an amicus curiae, as a result of the non-implementation of its recommendations since I January 2009; (4) in respect of each specified case, (a) who were the parties to the case, (b) what was the recommendation not acted upon and (c) what was the outcome of the case? NW2851E

Reply:

ATTACHED FIND HERE: Reply

28 July 2015 - NW2438

Profile picture: Kopane, Ms SP

Kopane, Ms SP to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

What amount did (a) his department and (b) each entity reporting to him spend on advertising in (i) Sowetan and (ii) Daily Sun in the (aa) 2012-13, (bb) 2013-14 and (cc) 2014-15 financial years?

Reply:

(a)(b)(i)(ii)(aa)(bb)(cc)

The Departments:

The Sowetan

   

2012/2013

2013/2014

2014/2015

111,444 .27

176,592.50

239,974.07

The Daily Sun

   

2012/2013

2013/2014

2014/2015

-

-

38,136.42

The Entities:

The South African Cities Network (SACN)

The SACN did not spend any amount on advertising in Sowetan and Daily Sun in the 2012 /13, 2013/14 and 2014/15 financial year.

South African Local Government Association (SALGA)

The Sowetan

   

Total

2012/2013

2013/2014

2014/2015

 

-

R50, 940,90

R73, 051,20

R123,992,10

The Daily Sun

     

2012/2013

2013/2014

2014/2015

 

-

-

-

 

Municipal Demarcation Board

The Sowetan

   

Total

2012/2013

2013/2014

2014/2015

 

R267,471,36

-

R30,834,70

R298 306,06

The Daily Sun

     

2012/2013

2013/2014

2014/2015

 

R380,933,25

R298,981,26

-

R679 851,54

28 July 2015 - NW2210

Profile picture: Madisha, Mr WM

Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

Whether the Government has committed funds over the medium term to establish any new town or city as a result of any new set of compelling economic reasons; if not, why not; if so, (a) what was the rationale for doing so, (b) where is this new town or city to be located, (c) what information was shared with Parliament to get its input on the advisability of establishing such a new town or city, (d) what costs will the Government have to carry over the medium term and (e) when did the Cabinet have the opportunity to study the feasibility report and accept the desirability to proceed with the establishment of such a town or city?

Reply:

Government has not taken any decision to establish new cities, and thus no funds have been set aside for this purpose. It should also be noted that development of cities can evolve from small towns or urban nodes that grow as a result of increased economic activities and population growth. Examples of such areas include towns such as Lephalale, which is growing rapidly due to increased economic activities and public infrastructure investments in the area. Furthermore, the location, desirability and growth of such areas are informed by municipalities Spatial Development Frameworks. It is, therefore, the responsibility of municipalities to approve such developments. However, as new and substantial economic hubs develop in new towns and cities, government will assist these municipalities to acquire appropriate planning and other technical capability to manage these new challenges and opportunities.

28 July 2015 - NW2448

Profile picture: Bagraim, Mr M

Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Labour

Whether she has found that the lack of work placements is due to the delays by employers; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what ways are employers responsible for the delay in work placements?

Reply:

No. the law has only been in place for few months hence cannot make a realistic analysis of what the real cause of the delays are at this stage.