Reply:

As the Honorable Member is most probably aware, SAA currently reports to National Treasury. The Honorable Member is thus advised to redirect her question to the Minister Finance.

 

Reply:

1. (a) 2012 – 13 :- 07 Limpopo Region, 05 KwaZulu-Natal, and 01 Eastern Cape

(b) 2013 – 14 :- 0

(c) 2014 – 15 :-17 Limpopo Region

(2) (a) one (1) and (b) sanctions included three (3) years imprisonment suspended for five (5) years.

(3) (a)(b) Illegal miners were advised to apply for mining permits and follow up inspections were conducted.

Reply:

The Deputy Minister and I, including officials in the department, did not travel to China in the 2014-15 financial year.

Reply:

The trackless mobile machinery accidents are also the major contributor of fatalities, disabilities and injuries in the mining sector. In this regard, the Department has been implementing measures including reviewing the relevant legal provisions to protect the health and safety of the mineworkers.

The new regulations require the employer to ensure that pedestrians are prevented from being injured as a result of a collision between the trackless mobile machines or vehicles and persons, where there is a significant risk of such a collision.

 (a) These regulations are expected to be effective and should result in decreased fatalities and injuries. The department will monitor the situation continuously.

(b)  (i) and (ii)

Yes, it is envisaged that the prevention of accidents as a result of compliance to the regulations will ultimately reduce capital expenditure and cost of maintenance because there will be far less production interruptions and less money spent to repair vehicles that have collided. However the loss of life is of utmost importance and cannot be equated to costs or profit at the mine.

Reply:

1. (a) One (1)

(b) None

2.  (a) Chrissiesmeer Biodiversity Site

(b) (i) 31 August 2009

(ii) 04 March 2011

(c) The national interest to protect the sensitive environment of areas around Lake Chrissie, commonly known as the Chrissiesmeer Biodiversity Site.

3.  (a) (b) (i) (ii) (c) None

4. Yes, the area was declared on 04 March 2011 for a period of 3 years. The declaration has since lapsed and an application for extension was lodged with the Department and it is still under consideration.

Reply:

(i)  Government has responded in a number of ways to ensure the long-term viability of the strategic iron-ore and steel industry in SA since 2010. Therefore (a) and (b) above do not apply.

Government convened an interdepartmental task team on iron and steel (IDTT) in 2010, to develop a set of inter-related policy instruments and interventions. These included;

• A process to secure a domestically produced steel price in the lowest global quartile of steel prices, working in close collaboration with stakeholders, especially the largest domestic steel producer Arcelor-Mittal. In so doing to ensure that domestic comparative advantages at the time, especially a cost plus price for iron ore, was passed on to downstream users of steel,
• Processes to increase competition in the domestic steel industry to support the same objective,
• An intervention to curtail the unencumbered export of scrap metal to ensure security of scrap metal supply to domestic steel producers at competitive prices; prevent the associated illegal export of precious metals; limit the extent to which the associated theft of critical infrastructure such as cables was carried out and lower the carbon intensity of the economy,
• All these and other measures were designed to ensure both security of supply and competitive steel prices in support of downstream manufacturing and value addition as a competitive advantage for domestic, labour intensive manufacturing.

Arising from the work, Cabinet approved a set of recommendations made by the IDTT in December 2012. These included:

• A process led by the DMR to amend the Mineral Resources and Petroleum Development Act (MPRDA) to secure a competitive advantage for the manufacturing sector arising from South Africa’s enormous resource endowment, especially in key value chains; inclusive of iron ore and steel.
• A process led by the EDD to utilise the International Trade Administration Act to safeguard the supply of affordable scrap metal to domestic mills and curtail the abuse of export of scrap metal.
• A process to amend the Competition Act led by EDD to ensure that iron ore price concessions are indeed passed on to downstream users, and
• An Industrial Development Corporation led process to secure new steel investments to increase domestic capacity and strengthen competition in the steel sector.

(ii) (aa) and (bb) Significant progress has been secured in many of the above areas. This is despite the fact that there was, over an extended period, a sub-optimal level of cooperation from the major steel producer. This during a period which coincided with the global commodity boom, where market conditions included both high demand and high prices for steel which in turn translated into high margins and profits as well as the fact that input costs for the major steel producer were relatively low. Finally and most critically a set of circumstances which included the fact that, notwithstanding favourable market conditions, there was very little maintenance and capital investment in plant and machinery carried out by the major domestic steel producer over an extended period of time. This was a contributing factor to at least seven significant plant breakdowns of AMSA facilities across the country. These latter factors combined, clearly constituted a significant danger to the competiveness, including with respect to technology issues, of the domestic steel sector.

Notwithstanding this major constraint, progress has in fact been registered and will find reflection in significant new and collaborative approaches and platforms, which will place the sector on a firmer foundation going forward. These include the following;

• In September 2013 the Price Preference System for scrap metal was introduced, compelling all SA scrap dealers who wished to export scrap metal, to offer this firstly to local users at a pre-determined price less 20 percent. Export permits are only granted when ITAC is satisfied that there have been no offers from local users. Although this measure was widely supported, there have been challenges with the current system including resistance and circumvention by scrap dealers. Government is therefore examining options to introduce further measures to curtail the unencumbered export of scrap metal, cognisant of South Africa’s obligations under the World Trade Organisation and its bi and multi-lateral trade agreements. An announcement in this regard will be made in due course.
• Led by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) government has embarked on the Masorini Project, aimed at securing a multi-billion rand investment in a new steel production facility in SA, for both the local and regional market. The IDC has completed a pre-feasibility study and government is in discussions with a potential operating partner. The project is proceeding according to plan and the long time-lines commonly associated with a major investment of this type. The next phase in the project cycle will be to negotiate the terms and conditions for the investment, inclusive of those set out in the feasibility study, and involving technology specifications, the range of products to be produced; regulatory issues such as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements and the infrastructure support required for a multi-billion investment of this nature. Further announcements will be made in this regard in due course.
• Processes have reached an advanced stage to secure a competitive iron-ore advantage for local steel producers. the dti and DMR will define the conditions for the allocation of a significant mining right which will mean that a cost plus iron-ore advantage will be ‘passed through’ the steel production process to provide a competitive price advantage to downstream manufacturers.
• Government has also registered significant progress in its efforts to address a range of issues with Arcelor-Mittal (AMSA), in the context of far less favourable steel market conditions. Government is currently negotiating an integrated set of both policy and industry reform measures that would have to be adopted to achieve the objective of a sustainable steel industry in SA, inclusive of the specific needs and interests of the small steel producers and the downstream manufacturing sectors. In this context it is important that the independence and integrity of the processes underway involving the Independent Tariff Administration Commission (ITAC) and the Competition Commission, be respected. Working within these parameters and in close collaboration with the Economic Development Department (under whose authority both institutions fall), the dti will ensure that such supply side protective and support measures are conditional on a competitive pricing policy, increased levels of maintenance and investments, a potential rebate system that will support downstream manufacturers as well as transformation and BBBEE commitments. Announcements in this regard will be made in due course.

the dti is fully cognisant of the extremely adverse conditions in the global steel market characterised mainly by significant oversupply and declining demand and which, taken together with other factors summarised above, constitute a threat to the viability of the domestic steel sector.

Therefore as a first step in the broader process set out above, I have approved the ITAC recommendation for tariff increases on certain steel product lines. In addition a number of other applications for tariff protection and anti-dumping duties are in the pipeline and will be given urgent consideration in the context of a set of conditions set out in summary above and which are the subject of urgent and on-going consultation between all the stakeholders.

 

Reply:

Please refer to my reply to PQ 2843

Reply:

(a) Yes. The Bank Supervision Department of South African Reserve Bank (BSD) has successfully shut down many Ponzi schemes both in the period 1 June 2014 to 30 June 2015 and before this period. Altogether, the BSD has investigated 40 from 1 January 2014 to 30 June 2015, of which the investigations for 30 schemes were finalised and 10 schemes are still current. It should be noted that all schemes where the investigation is finalised and that have contravened the Banks Act are referred to the South African Police Services for criminal investigations. The decision to prosecution any of operators of these schemes resides with the National Prosecuting Authority.

(b)  Current financial sector laws address Ponzi and pyramid schemes in different ways, depending on which Act may be transgressed. The Reserve Bank can act against such activities if there is illegal deposit taking involved, through enforcement in terms of the Banks Act. The Financial Services Board (FSB) investigates instances of possible unregistered financial services business that might be conducted as an ancillary activity to a Ponzi scheme, or under the guise of a legitimate provider of financial services, and will take action against such contraventions in terms of the various Acts (eg Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002) enforced by the FSB. Where there are gaps in the current law, queries and complaints about Ponzi schemes made to the FSB are generally referred through to the Bank Supervision Department of the SARB and the South African Police Services: (Commercial Branch). Outside financial sector legislation, the National Consumer Commissioner (NCC) investigates certain Ponzi or pyramid schemes in terms of the Consumer Protection Act, and such queries and complaints can therefore also be referred to the NCC.

This illustrates the importance of the Twin Peaks reform currently underway (through the Financial Sector Regulation Bill), which will establish a market conduct regulator with flexible, system-wide powers that will, amongst other things, close the net on Ponzi schemes. Under this law, Ponzi schemes may be directly “prohibited” which means that the activity itself can lead to investigation and prosecution by the new Financial Sector Conduct Authority, rather than the current situation where a combination of other laws are required to indirectly reach alleged Ponzi operations.

With specific reference to advertising, the FSB is, as part of its Treating Customers Fairly approach, focusing on advertising across the financial sector, to ensure that advertising is not misleading and does not promote unfair customer treatment. This increased focus on fair advertising in the financial sector will help identify instances where advertising may be promoting illegal activities. Under current legislation, action may then be taken as described above if Ponzi or pyramid schemes, are identified in this manner. Currently, the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act (FAIS Act) requires that an entity licensed by the FSB, must contain a reference to the fact that a licence is held in advertisements and promotional material, but it is not a requirement that an advertisement should reflect an FSP number. This again highlights the need for the Twin Peaks reform, to ensure that activities cannot fall outside of regulation. Currently, supervising advertising standards generally, rather than for FSP numbers specifically would better identify Ponzi schemes.

(c) Yes, action has been taken to counter instances of Ponzi and pyramid schemes. At this stage, the regulators in the financial sector are only able to take reactive action once such activities have been operating, and in some cases action are taken on ancillary aspects of Ponzi and pyramid schemes, such as, unregistered financial services or illegal deposit taking, rather than on the activity itself being illegal.

The proposed Twin Peaks reform of financial sector legislation aims to significantly strengthen financial sector regulation, so regulators may be more proactive and prevent such activities from occurring in the first place, and ensure better customer protection. The law will be more comprehensive, and will minimise instances of financial products or services falling outside of the legislative framework. It will allow for tougher action to be taken, including banning activities like Ponzi and pyramid schemes outright, and taking direct swift and harsh enforcement action against those who contravene the banning.

Reply:

(a) The amount that the Department spent on newspaper subscription in each month was as follows:

(aaa) 2011/2012: R 164 092 per month

(bbb) 2012/2013: R 186 486 per month

(CCC) 2013/2014: R 155 975 per month

(bb) 2014/2015: R 112 122 per month

(b) The number of newspapers ordered on each day of the week was as follows:

(i) 201112012: 792

2012/2013: 808

2013/2014: 762

(ii) 2014/2015: 485

Attached please find here: Table of financial years

Reply:

SER NO		CONTRACTOR	SERVICES PROVIDED	RELATED COST
		a	b	c
1 Mil
1		CSIR	Transfer of Facility Management functions from the Department of Public Works to the Department of Defence	R 32 392 866.00
2		Tectura Architects	Professional consultant services for the Refurbishment and Upgrading of the 1st floor at 1 Military Hospital	R 40 536 138.24
			a.   Project Management services
			b.   Architectural services
			c.   Mechanical Engineering services
			d.   Electrical Engineering services
			e.   Civil Engineering services
			f.   Structural Engineering services
			g.   Quantity Surveying services
RWU KZN
1	Treesaurus		Cutting of tree	R 2 900.00
2	Alu Solutions Glass & Aluminum		Replace rotten wooden door at 5 Bisley Close	R 4 750.00
3	Alu Solutions Glass & Aluminum		Replace old door at 22 Bisley Close	R 4 750.00
4	IZA Business Enterprise		Repair plugs lights, CBI breakers at 258 Bisley Close	R 4 820.00
5	Jacobs Roller Door		Install garage door at 258 Bisley Close	R 4 490.00
6	184 Alderberry Trading CC		Installation of cupboards at 85 Lagoon Drive	R 489 744.00
7	E Ramsamy T/A Bobby's Construction		Upgrading at 19 Anchetil	R 446 260.00
8	Kwa-Zulu Industrial Contractors CC		Renovation upgrade at 5 Parsons Rd	R 267 900.00
9	Kwa-Zulu Industrial Contractors CC		Renovation and repair at 55 Doble Rd	R 296 400.00
RWU EC
1	Laundromat		Laundry services	R 11 959.00
2	Steiner Hygiene		Sanitary/Cleaning/Fumigation	R 15 552.00
3	Chubb Security		Security services	R 12 597.00
4	The courier and Freight Group		Courier services	R 4 271.00
5	Konica Minolta		Photocopy Machine	R 59 979.00
6	Vuka Uvuthulule Trading		General Building - Geyser	R 23 060.00
7	Bhugane		General Building - Electrical	R 9 840.00
RWU FS
1	Prekko Trd CC		Replace damage slabs with new slabs	R 2 021.98
2	Prekko Trd CC		Construction of partitioning 7.3x2.8 including door and aluminum frame	R 14 400.00
3	Mamello Trading		Constructing and installing of wooden counter at building 576 as per scope of work	R 8 000.00
4	F. Esterhuizen		Paint of x3 Theaters at 3 Mil Hospital as per scope of work	R 53 000.00
5	Servilline 58 CC		Completing of project Tempe Church Project 20/2014, waterproofing repair of gutters	R 29 684.00
6	Zulu Portia Trading		Laundry services for Log section	R 19 965.00
7	F. Esterhuizen		Upgrading of building 155, DOD Mobilization Centre, Project no 49/2015 Tender 14/2015
WTS
1	Kurhula Events Management		Rendering catering services at DW Fmn, Works Training School, Attridgeville	R 4 092 449.67
2	Tradeworx 177 (PTY) Ltd T/A Sizani Gardens		Rendering garden services at DW Fmn, Works Training School, Attridgeville	R 1 723 439.00
3	Coltrane Mpho Supplies		Painting of walls and window frames at DW Fmn, Works Training School	R 279 864.00
4	Coltrane Mpho Supplies		Removal, Install and paint of walls & passages at DW Fmn, Works Training School	R 452 672.00
5	Dose Construction		Ready mix for recreational centre	R 145 000.00
DW Fmn HQ Unit
1	Khanyoz Trading and Projects		Rendering garden services at DW Fmn HQ Unit	R 498 018.94
2	LLH Properties		Installation of paving for DW Fmn HQ	R 998 375.00
3	Sanqa Trading		Tree felling at DW Fmn HQ Unit	R 12 000.00
4	Tshwane South College		Technical Training for artisans	R 32 278 697.08
5	AB Logistics		Vehicle Hire	R 56 941.64
6	G - Fleet		Vehicle Hire	R 4 442 471.62
RWU GP
1	AK - RV Trading		Refurbishment of 7 Koos van Zyl str, General Kemp Hill	R 198 726.85
2	Dose Construction		Installation of kitchen cupboards, 3 Magazine str, Salvokop, Pretoria	R 240 000.00
3	ML Nkosi Electrical CC		Installation of windows, 3 Magazine str, Salvokop, Pretoria	R 242 000.00
4	Mashva Group		Upgrading of Personnel Service School, Officers Mess	R 285 900.00
5	Amper Sand Investments (Wilcote Midrand)		Renovations and repair of Edwin Swales Residential Area - Air Force Base Waterkloof	R 1 130 037.74
6	Thebanane Trading		Procurement and installation of burglar bars for RWU GP	R 160 000.00
7	AK ARV Trading PTY Ltd		Installation of Kitchen cupboards at Chaplain's residence	R 94 860.00
8	Stanleb Construction Projects		Installation of tiles at PS School officers accommodation	R 197 000.00
9	Jackson & Clifford Trading PTY		Tiling of floor using carpet tiles at PS School officers mess	R 225 010.00
10	Carpet Supplies & Décor Centre		Fitting of carpets at Chaplain General's house	R 27 489.00
11	Rosa IT Solutions		Replace old windows  - project no 1	R 29 950.00
12	Jackson & Clifford Trading PTY		Installation of carpets at PS School officers Mess	R 29 500.00
RWU NW
1	Planet (PTY) Ltd		Partitioning of offices & conference room	R 98 500.00
RWU WC
1	Munathi Construction		Installation of palisade fencing and gates at building 99	R 28 500.00
DLM
1	Armscor (DDSI)		Logistics Policy Development: 4yr contract	RM18.5

 

REPLY:

 

Reply:

1. INTRODUCTION

The Department of Telecommunication and Postal Services (DTPS) is the custodian of schools’ connectivity and not the Department of Basic Education (DBE). However, considering the interest the DBE has in the matter, as a beneficiary like any other public institution, the DBE is working closely with the DTPS on this matter and the collaboration has been strengthened. For example, in implementing Government Gazette No. 3718 of 4 June, 2014, on the Universal Services and Access Obligation (USAO), the two Departments have been working closely with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to ensure that the four Network Operators (as per the Gazette), Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Neotel, fulfill their mandate in terms of schools’ connectivity.

2. How many schools in each province (a) have been connected, (b) through which service provider were the schools connected,

During 2014-15 financial year 1840 schools, including 1650 schools that were connected through the 2010 FIFA World Cup legacy project, were connected. The following is the breakdown per Province:

(a) 2010 FIFA World Cup school connectivity legacy project, for which Telkom was the Service Provider:

Province	VSAT	Diginet	ADSL	Total
Eastern Cape	191	13	9	213
Free State	67	48	35	150
Gauteng	53	92	45	190
KwaZulu-Natal	157	54	18	229
Limpopo	204	4	6	214
Mpumalanga	103	22	38	163
Northern Cape	74	13	11	98
North West	188	5	5	198
Western Cape	103	12	80	195
Total	1140	263	247	1650

(b)  The Universal Services and Access Obligation (USAO) – for which Vodacom was the service provider

• 61 schools in KwaZulu-Natal;
• 53 schools in Eastern Cape;
• 40 schools in Free State; and
• 6 schools in the Northern Cape.

Total: 150 schools

(c) Corporate Social Investment (Corporate Social Investment) initiatives

• 10 Schools in Eastern Cape through CSI (Vodacom);
• 10 Schools in Mpumalanga through CSI (Vodacom); and
• 20 Schools including 4 in Western Cape, 3 Eastern Cape, 5 KwaZulu-Natal, 2 Limpopo, 3 Mpumalanga, 1 North West by State Information Technology Agency (SITA) as Corporate Social Investment contribution(CSI);

Total: 40 schools

During the current financial year (2015-16), thus far, 327 schools have been connected by Vodacom as part of its USAO. The following is the breakdown per province:

• 10 schools in KwaZulu-Natal;
• 103 schools in the Eastern Cape;
• 48 schools in the Free State; and
• 16 Schools in the Northern Cape.

 

Total: 177 schools

3. What amount was budgeted by her department for ICT connection for the (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15 financial years and (d) how were these amounts spent in each specified period?

As indicated above, the DTPS is the custodian of schools’ connectivity as public Institutions. Therefore the DTPS in charge of any related budget. As a beneficiary, the DBE supports the DTPS in realising schools’ connectivity projects. With regard to projects referred to in this submission, while the cost of the current USAO rollout is undertaken by respective Network Operators, as an obligation for their license, the 2010 FIFA World Cup was funded by the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Fund which was managed by the DTPS.

Reply:

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

---ooOoo---

Reply:

The Commission for Gender Equality is a Chapter 9 institution which reports to parliament. The questions should therefore be directed to the CGE.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date………………………..

Reply:

The response below was provided by the Provincial Treasury in Kwazulu Natal:

1. The investigation being conducted by Deloitte and Touche within the Umkhanyukude District Municipality is at various stages:

• Some of the allegations are already the subject of disciplinary enquiries within the municipality (with the assistance of Deloitte);
• Some of the allegations have been referred to the Province’s Anti-Corruption Task Team in order for a criminal case to be opened.

 

2. The Department is in consultation with the Province to determine whether or not the report is at a stage where it could be made available to the public;

3. The names of the people and the service providers implicated are covered in the report;

4. Depending on the outcome of the consultations with the Province, the names of the people and service providers implicated could be made available.

Reply:

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

Reply:

1. With reference to public ordinary schools, how many Grade R teachers are (a) required and (b) employed by (i) provincial education departments and (ii) school governing bodies in each (aa) province and (bb) district;

1. (a) Grade R is currently not fully funded as part of the mainstream basic education system. Therefore, provisioning for Grade R in public schools is based on assessment of available resources including classroom space and other required resources, and thus mainly supply rather than demand-driven. Therefore, it would be difficult to determine the demand, that is, learners enrolled against teachers required.

(b) Currently, Grade R teachers are either fully employed by the state and thus in state paid posts, or employed by the School Governing Body (SGB) with their salaries subsidised by the state in the form of a stipend. Only the Limpopo and North West provinces have appointed Grade R teachers in fully-funded state posts. The following table shows information supplied by provinces on appointment by province. Information by district could not be obtained.

Province	(b) (i) (aa) Employed by the province	(b) (ii) (aa) Employed by the SGB
EC		4 765
FS		1 270
GP		2 710
KZN		6 486
LP	1 080
MP		2 065
NC		736
NW	1 323
WC		1 767
Total	2 403	19 799

Source: Information supplied by provincial education departments

(2) How many of the specified teachers are qualified at (a) NQF level 4 and (b) NQF level 6 in each (i) province and (ii) district?

The following table indicates the number of teachers qualified at (a) NQF Level 6 in each province. The information for districts is not available.

Province	(i) Level 4	(ii) NQF 6 & above
EC	3 907	429
FS	279	673
GP	108	1 165
KZN	4 800	1 103
LP	0	1 080
MP	785	372
NC	309	110
NW	0	1 323
WC	530	530
Total	11 545	5 429

Source: Information supplied by provincial education departments

Reply:

This question should be re-directed to the Ministry of Rural Development and Land Affairs, which is the competent authority to respond.

Reply:

(I) The response to no. I (a) (i) (i i) (aa) (bb) (cc) (b) (i) (i i) (iii) is attached on the excel spreadsheet as an annexure.

(2) In respect of each province, what percentage of (a) male and (b) female learners (i) repeated Grade 10

Attached find here: Table 1: Percentage of learners repeating Grade 10 in ordinary schools, by province, 2010-2014

Reply:

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

---ooOoo---

Reply:

Question 1(a). The Operations Support Legal Satellite Office (OSL) receives all incidents reported to the United Nations (UN) that involves allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct against members of the SANDF. Upon receipt the OSL deploys a team to investigate such allegations and where prima facie evidence of a commission of an offence is disclosed, the necessary disciplinary action is instituted.

Question 1(b). This OSL provides monthly feedback to the UN on all pending sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) cases. It should be noted that the recent UN report highlights the fact that South Africa is the only country to do so.

Question 2. Number of reported cases: 14. All the allegations lodged at the UN were investigated. Out of the 14 reported matters in only two cases the evidence disclosed prima facie evidence. These matters were finalised and the rest of the matters were reported closed due to no prima facie evidence.

Question 3(a). Members that faced disciplinary action: 2

Question 3(b). In both cases the members were convicted by a military court

Question 4. The submissions for assignment of Regular Force members and Reserve Force members as Senior Military Judges and Military Judges in terms of Section 14 of the Military Discipline Supplementary Measures Act, Act 16 of 1999, is with the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans for consideration.

Question 5. The number of outstanding cases within the military justice system is 1 588 cases.

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:-

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

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

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

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

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

Reply:

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

--ooOoo--

Reply:

 

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

---ooOoo---

Reply:

I have been advised by Sentech as follows:-

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

(a) Not applicable

(b) Not Applicable

(c) Not Applicable

Reply:

1.a, (i) (ii) Red tape refers to the hindrance caused to service delivery by bureaucratic processes within Government.

(b) (i)(II) An example of an intervention to mitigate effect of red tape is: Payment to SMMEs within 30 days as required by the Presidency and the department of Small Business Development. The DOD has a fast track process (to counter) red tape and to make sure that the SMMEs are paid within 30 days after invoicing. This is done with an understanding of the impact on the SMMEs if payments are delayed.

Reply:

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

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

 

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date………………………..

Reply:

I have been advised the Department as follows:-

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

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

(c) Their roles include:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Reply:

Question 1

• The 2012 NEEDU Report on Foundation Phase (Grades 1-3) was submitted to the Ministry in May 2013 and was launched in May 2013;
• The 2013 NEEDU Report (similar to the 2013 Report) on Intermediate Phase (Grades 4-6) was submitted to the Ministry in November 2013 and was released in May 2014; and
• The 2014 NEEDU Report on Further Education and Training Phase (Grades 10-12) is being finalised by NEEDU.

Question 2

Section 7(1) (g) of the Regulations for the Establishment of the Office of Standards and Compliance for Basic Education (OSCBE), currently known as NEEDU, provides that NEEDU must “prepare and submit to the Minister reports on the state of the education system.” These Regulations, which must still be approved by the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) before they are finalised, do not obligate the Minister to publish NEEDU reports.

As contemplated in Section 7(1) (g) of the OSCBE Regulations, NEEDU prepares its annual reports and presents them to the Minister. The Minister publishes these reports at her discretion. The Minister published the first two NEEDU reports, as noted in Response 1 above. NEEDU is currently finalising its third annual report (the 2014 Report) and it will be submitted to the Minister on completion.

Question 3

The following is the NEEDU plan:

Year	Semester	Location	School Phase	Provinces	Districts	Schools
2012	2nd	Urban	Foundation	9	15	134
2013	1st	Rural monograde	Intermediate	9	16	99
	2nd	Rural multigrade	Multi-grade FP/ IP	9	18	120
2014	1st	Urban / rural	FET (G10-12)	9	12	93
	2nd	Urban / rural	Senior (G7-9)	9	13	90
2015	1st	Urban and rural	Follow up	9	26	158
	2nd	Urban and rural	SNE	9	29	180
2016	1st	Urban and rural	SNE

[FP = Foundation Phase; IP = Intermediate Phase; FET = Further Education and Training; SNE = Special Needs Education (incl. special and full service schools]

Question 4

Dr Taylor, the third Chief Executive Officer (CEO), left when his contract expired because of his desire to join his former employer, the JET Services. He had not resigned from the JET Services but was seconded to NEEDU.

Dr. Sibusiso Sithole, who has been the Chief Operational Officer and Deputy CEO since 2010, is currently the acting CEO. He is supported by the staff that was appointed in NEEDU since 2009, who played a vital role in assisting the former CEOs.

Question 5

The Minister supports the independence of NEEDU without any reservation, as follows:

• On 14 April 2014, the Minister wrote to the former Minister of Public Service and Administration, Minister Sisulu, MP, and the former Minister of Finance, Minister Gordhan, MP, requesting their written consent on the corporate form and funding requirements of the proposed government component so that OSCBE could be legally established in keeping with the requirements of the Public Service Act, 1994 (Proclamation No. 103 of 1994 as amended by Act 20 of 2007).
• On 14 April 2014, the Minister also approved that the relevant Government Notice containing Regulations for the establishment, governance and functions of the OSCBE be published, once consent has been obtained from the Ministers of Finance and the Public Service and Administration.
• Ministers Sisulu and Gordhan had not responded to the Minister’s request by the time they were deployed to other portfolios after the General Elections in 2014. With the change of political leadership in the Departments of Public Service and Administration and Finance, on 23 July 2014, the Minister again wrote to the new Ministers of Public Service and Administration and Finance, Ministers Chabane, MP and Nene, MP, respectively requesting their support in the establishment of an independent NEEDU.
• Following the Minister’s correspondence with the Ministers of Finance and the Public Service and Administration, certain developments have transpired. These are as follows:
  • • Consultations with the National Treasury and the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) to establish NEEDU as an independent government component, under the title of Office of Standards and Compliance for Basic Education (OSCBE);
    • The formulation of the relevant documents with the support of the DPSA and the preparation of a business case with the support of the National Treasury;
    • The preparation of the Regulations for the establishment of the OSCBE for consideration and approval by the Minister;
    • The approval of the Regulations for the establishment of the OSCBE after close examination and scrutiny by the Chief State Law Advisor, who finally declared that “the draft Regulations are consistent with section 11 of the National Education Policy Act, 1996 (Act No. 27 of 1996)” in May 2015; and
    • The approval of the Regulations for the establishment of the OSCBE by the Minister in May 2015, after they were endorsed by the Chief State Law Advisor.
• What remains to be done includes the following activities:
  • • Approving the Regulations for the establishment of the OSCBE [by the CEM];
    • Declaring the establishment of the OSCBE through the promulgation of the Regulations (via the Government Notice) [by the Minister];
    • Submitting the updated business case and promulgated Regulations and Government Notice to the DPSA [by NEEDU];
    • Arranging a meeting of the Interdepartmental Assessment Committee to make recommendations on the organisational form for the OSCBE—with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) (NEEDU) participating as a member in the Committee and making a presentation to the members [by DPSA];
    • Preparing a submission to inform the Minister for Public Service and Administration and the Minister of Finance of the Committee's recommendation and to obtain the concurrence of the said Ministers for the establishment of the OSCBE as a government component [by DPSA]; and
    • Preparing (following concurrence from said Ministers) a Presidential Proclamation to list the OSCBE in Schedule 3 of the Public Service Act, so as to establish the OSCBE as a government component [by DPSA]. NW3582E

Reply:

I have been advised by SITA as follows:-

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

Reply:

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 3208 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

1. Yes the inquiry was finalised on 28 March 2014, and the findings are as follows:

• The Dakota Cargo crashed because it was flown at an altitude to low to provide sufficient terrain clearance and in weather that made visibility marginal.
• The route flown also contributed to the accident as it did not ensure that the aircraft remain clear of the Drakensberg Mountains.
• It was found that it was highly unlikely that a proper pre-flight crew briefing was held, which should have identified the flaws in the selected flight plan.
• The aircraft was serviceable prior to the accident with no history of significant defects, and therefore did not contribute to the accident.

2. No, the Dakota aircraft did not deviate from the flight route.

3. No

Reply:

The information requested is depicted in the Table:

SN	Post	Advertisement Closing Date	Number of Members Shortlisted	Number of Members Interviewed	Comments
	a	b	c	d	e
1	Director Promotion of Access to Information	11 July 2014	9	9 invited or interviews	5 Interviews held on 8 July 2015 4 Interviews to be held on 14 August 2015
2	Deputy Direction Promotion of Access to Information Nodal Point	19 June 2014	10	8 Interviewed 2 Declined 1 Did not attend	Awaiting vetting status to appoint recommended candidate.
3	Deputy Direction Promotion of Access to Information Policy and Support	19 June 2014	8	6 Interviewed 1 Declined 1 Did not attend	Awaiting vetting status to appoint recommended candidate.
4	Assistant Director Promotion of Access to Information Nodal Point	19 June 2014	13	9 Interviewed 4 Declined	Awaiting vetting status to appoint recommended candidate.
5	Assistant Director Promotion of Access to Information Nodal Point	19 June 2014	4	3 Interviewed 1 Did not attend	Awaiting vetting status to appoint recommended candidate.
6	Chief Administration Clerk Promotion of Access to Information Nodal Point	19 June 2014	5	4 Interviewed 1 Declined	Awaiting vetting status to appoint recommended candidate.
7	Chief Administration Clerk Promotion of Access to Information Policy and Support	19 June 2014	5	3 Interviewed 2 Declined	Mr F. Davhana was appointed and assumed duty on 6 July 2015. Mr Davhana has a BCom in Business Management meeting the criteria for the advertised post which required a Diploma/Certificate/NQF Level 4/5 (Supply Chain Management and Financial Management).

Reply:

(a) and (b) At the time of compilation, eighteen out of the twenty-six entities have responded to the question.

Name	(ii) How do you define red tape?	a) What specific interventions/systems that have been applied to identify red tape	(b) What specific interventions / systems that have been implemented to reduce red tape
Department of Higher Education and Training	The Department does not have its own definition of red tape. Using the conventional use of the word “red tape”, it is understood to be unnecessary delays caused by a lack or non-existence of delegations of authority to lower levels and/or too many officials having to be in the decision-making processes of an organisation.	I have approved the Delegations of Authority to the Director-General in respect to the Public Service Act and Public Service Regulations, and the Director-General has further delegated some of the functions to other performer levels. Further to this, the College Councils of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Community Education and Training (CET) colleges are empowered by the Continuing Education and Training Act to make certain decisions and consult, and report to the Minister on decisions made where necessary. This is to ensure that decisions are made at lower levels to ensure that there is efficient and effective management as well as governance of institutions.	Service standards in certain operational areas and a service delivery charter have been developed to assist in monitoring delays in the operations of the department. The standard operating procedures have been developed in certain operational areas, aimed at ensuring that the decision-making processes are clear and applied consistently across the Department within set timeframes.
Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (BANKSETA)	Red tape is understood to be the regulations and/or rules that are considered unnecessary that hinders and delays work done as decision-making process is rather lengthy and negatively impacting stakeholders depending on the outcome and decisions of processes.	The frequency of Board meetings in a year Through previous experiences or lessons learned over the years. Customer Satisfaction Surveys and Stakeholder Forums and Sub-Committees’ feedback. Assessment of time taken for standard applications to be processed.	BANKSETA has a flat organisational structure with its Heads of Departments given a mandate to make decisions that allow the daily running of the business. This means that it is not in all instances where the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has to make decisions. In the event where the CEO is out of the country, the acting CEO has the delegated rights and responsibilities of the CEO to action decisions needed. The Accounting Authority has also delegated some responsibilities and provided the CEO with the mandate to make certain decisions to aid the business to proceed with operations without waiting for the Board sitting. In the event where urgent decisions need to be made which falls outside the delegation to the CEO; urgent meetings/teleconference can be arranged to allow the Accounting Authority opportunity to consider what is put forth and make a decision. The other option is having round robin decision by the Accounting Authority.
Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA)	Defined as administrative (i.e. rules, procedures, procedures and processes) and regulatory hurdles, to achieving the original purpose, that affect or impose unnecessary delays, inaction, costs that exceed their benefits, productivity, and/or delivery (Including competitiveness).	We track and monitor the intended application of the regulatory requirements (i.e. Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Treasury Regulations, Skills Development Act, etc.) to address non-compliance. There are now relevant registers (i.e. Supply Chain Management, Asset Management, Financial Management, etc.) in place that assists in identifying red tape.	Appointed leadership that is committed to continuous improvements and rooting out corruption. Trained staff as part of capacitating them and improving their skills so that they provide excellent service to all our stakeholders. Refocused management to effectively manage performance, processes, systems, people and finances. Improved supply chain management practices in order to address irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditures. Set tools and monitoring mechanisms in order to track payment of suppliers within the 30 days period from receipt date of invoice.
Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA)	The bureaucracy that results in delays in service delivery.	Continuous development and review of organisation’s operational framework. Monthly dashboard analysis of divisional targets and achievements. Monitoring of turnaround times of key performance indicators of executives and managers and implanting strategies to address deviations.	Line managers have been empowered to make decisions within the broad spectrum of the organisation’s operational strategy and are fully involved in strategic and business planning. Monitoring, evaluation and tracking of performance against targets and continuous review and development of strategy to optimise return. Business process reengineering to ensure maximum efficiency, effectiveness and economy for core business processes. Replacement of manual processes with increasingly automated systems. Enforcing a culture of delivery, client orientation and focus maximising return of investment.
Council on Higher Education (CHE)	CHE does not have its own definition of red tape.	Not applicable	Not applicable
Financial and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority (FASSET)	Non-essential procedures, forms, reporting and regulations where cost heavily outweighs benefit and stands in the way of skills development.	Management meetings are held fortnightly to discuss issues relating to efficient and effective delivery of the SETA. The SETA also interacts regularly with DHET and provides input to various matters of engagement.	An Enterprise-wide risk management system is in place to ensure optimal management of all risks associated with the performance of functions and delivery of services to support governance responsibilities. Robust Quality Management System is also in place. Furthermore, the staff at the SETA understands and delivers on reporting requirements.
Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority (FP&M SETA)	The process undertaken to facilitate decision making without making the processes too onerous and time consuming in order to ensure efficiency and enhancing service delivery.	The SETA developed and adopted a new business model, which resulted in the review and enhancement of business processes.	A more flattened organisational structure was developed and implemented to fast-track service delivery and decision making. The SETA has adopted a more direct reporting line and structure. The delegation of authority was reviewed by the Executive Authority to broaden and provide increased capacity for the CEO. The roles and responsibilities of Board Committee Structures have been streamlined for effectiveness and efficiency.
Food and Beverages Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority (FOODBEV SETA)	Red tape refers to excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that are considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents action or decision-making.	None	None
Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA)	A tedious process of decision making which has an adverse effect on the beneficiaries of the service being rendered.	The stakeholder sessions of the Board. Delivery model of the HWSETA. Innovation sessions with all stakeholders.	Service Delivery Charter. Revision of the delegation of authority. Decentralisation and devolution of powers.
Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA)	Unnecessary and invalid / irrelevant requirements.	Process mapping and stakeholder feedback.	Bi-annual updates to processes and guidelines.
Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (MERSETA)	MERSETA does not have its own definition of red tape.	Not applicable	Not applicable
Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA)	Lengthy policies that hinder progress of activities that need to be carried out.	Engagement in tender processes as it takes too long to finalise a tender, ±60 days is a long process including 21 days of advertisement.	Improved policies, that are more enabling, are being investigated.
National Skills Fund (NSF)	The NSF does not have a formal definition for red tape.	The NSF implemented Project Siyaphambili aimed at improving the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the entity. This included a current state assessment of the NSF to identify inefficiencies throughout the organisation, taking into consideration various reviews conducted on the skills levy system and NSF specifically.	The NSF will improve efficiencies in the organisation through the implementation of enabling technology (ERP system, document management system, monitoring technology, etc.) and through delegations of authority to a more efficient restructured organisation. Turn-around times will be monitored throughout all processes.
National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)	NSFAS does not have its own definition of red tape.	Not applicable	Not applicable
Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA)	Red tape is bottlenecks/ bureaucratic procedures that take long to achieve/ approve matters for implementation in the organisation, which inhibits performance.	No specific intervention or system has been applied to identify red tape.	Clearly defined workflows. Standard Operating Procedures that outline roles and responsibilities, and turnaround times. Delegations of Authority Framework. Regular management meetings to review performance and to fast track decision-making.
Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)	Needlessly time-consuming procedures.	QCTO regularly monitors their procedures to identity areas of red tape, by reviewing the number of days allocated to process applications or requests received from stakeholders and by continually monitoring the chain of command in the processing of requests to improve turnaround time.	Systems and processes are continuously assessed to reduce red tape. Moreover, processes are governed by policies and procedures which stipulate turnaround times for processes. These timeframes are also part of the QCTO’s key performance indicators against which the organisation is audited.
South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)	Unnecessary steps or procedures in our processes that client’s need to follow to access our services.	SAQA’s systems are reviewed constantly in line with our established client service standards. SAQA has a customer care helpline/helpdesk that records any customer complaints. These complaints are reviewed and the effects on the turnaround times are scrutinised so that SAQA can ensure continuous improvements in terms of its service delivery.	SAQA ensures that all unnecessary steps are eliminated from the processes.
Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA)	Excessive rules and/or regulations which are redundant and prevent action taking place or decision-making.	Delegations of authority are in place, which are aligned to National Treasury prescripts and promote governance per PFMA requirements. Since the body is under administration, the delegations of authority are under review.	Segregation of duties to employees in the entity to allow approvals / recommendations at various committees / levels. Operational plans that are linked to the mandate of the organisation are in place to ensure tasks at various levels are outlined and agreed upon. These operational plans are translated into performance assessment contracts.
Services SETA	It is any unnecessary and unjustifiable processes that have the effect of making it impossible for role players to achieve required goals and therefore hinder service delivery.	An Organisational Development process has been embarked upon to analyse all processes, procedures and policies with a view to eliminating anything unnecessary and shortening anything which may be too lengthy or cumbersome, but without compromising quality and compliance.	The discretionary grant application system has been simplified and automated. Project implementation steps are clearly articulated in the offer letters to service providers. Documentation required for disbursements is clearly outlined and disbursements are based on pre-agreed deliverables outlined in contracts. Stakeholders receive direct support and training on requirements so as to reduce the amount of back and forth engagement on matters. A tool is being developed to enable real time reconciliation of learner attendance to facilitate timely payments of learner stipends.

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 3068 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

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

Reply:

(a) All formations have their constitution which does accommodate dispute resolutions amongst their members. The Department is in the moment, finalising the dispute resolution mechanisms for those who want to appeal after they have been rejected by the department to enrol in the database. Processes are already in place.

(b) Individuals are expected to present themselves to the Department for inclusion in the National Military Veterans Database and the dispute will be between the Department and the individual.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

_________________________________________________________________

Reply:

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Contact number:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 3168 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

Yes the AIR Force Base Swartkop is being used as an operational airbase by the SA National Defence Force

(a) The Air Force Base Swartkop forms part of the South African Air Force Strategy and this is to ensure the uninterrupted force preparation and force employment activities in support of the mandate of the South African National Defence Force

(b) (i) The re-alignment of existing structures and posts has taken place to ensure effective command and control of the base is centralised under one command. No additional posts are currently.

(ii) Direct command of the greater Swartkop facility will fall under the Officer Commanding Swartkop

(iii) There are no additional costs for the SAAF since the resident force structure elements continue to function with funding from the current budget in accordance with the existing projections in the MTEF.

Reply:

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

---ooOoo---

Reply:

1. (1) (a) How (i)

The communications strategy is being rolled out and making some impact in so far as sharing information primarily through direct engagements using roadshows, stakeholder briefings with Military Veterans Associations including SANMVA the umbrella body as well as use of means such as media the website and publications. The fact that there is no national footprint and limitation of the communications structure limits capacity to reach the desired impact.

1. Yes

1. Targets were not amended. According to the Annual Performance Plan targets per Quarter, it is only the implementation and monitoring of the strategy.

(2)(a) The Department is currently the Department has a challenge with the organisational structure. This has limited the implementation of the Communication Strategy.

(2)(b) The Department is currently finalising its Q1 Performance review which will include amongst others, the implementation of the communication strategy. Furthermore, the Department is also running a communication campaign through GCIS. This communication campaign is focused at promoting the progress made by the Department thus far.

3.

(a) The current approved structure does not have communications staff members in provinces ,

(b) The current mode of communication with the provinces is through emails and telephones. The ICT is currently preparing for an intranet that will serve as a platform for internal communications at national and provincial level to assist in quicker relay of information to military veterans. The website capacity is also being beefed up.

(c) 07:30 – 16:30 pm are the official working hours though the officials go an extra mile and works on many occasions overtime and on weekends to cover and profile the departmental events.

(d) In the absence of physical structure of offices in provinces information is disseminated through Head Office.

(e) Not applicable

4. There is training and development planned for management and provincial coordinators to assist in the communication and marketing strategy implementation. The dates for training through a course with the School of Governance (former PALAMA) are between the 29th of July and the middle of August 2015. The current costs are R27 000

5.(a) Currently there is None.

(b) DMV is in a process of revisiting and reviewing the key performance indicators that will include that.

(c) The increase has been based on the DMV Annual Performance Plan as well as supporting key deliverables of the Department and the corporate communications programmes and activities. These include media engagements, advertorials, stakeholder engagements, use of own publications and media, branding and marketing as well as internal communications programmes. The budget is being reviewed to ensure that advertorials and other means such as social media are utilised more.

Reply:

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

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Reply:

Department of Defence

(i) Sowetan

(aa) R67.921.20

(bb) R 98.280.00

(cc) R 171.536.00

(ii) Daily Sun

(aa) R 00

(bb) R 00

(cc) R 98.280.00

Reply:

(a) Entrepreneurship is included in the National Curriculum Statement. The subject Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) is compulsory and is taught in the Senior Phase (Grade 7 – 9). EMS provides foundational skills and knowledge on entrepreneurship. The main topics taught in EMS are the Economy, Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship. These are integrated to assist learners to become economically and financially literate by the end of Grade 9 in the Senior Phase. EMS is a practical subject that:

• Equips learners with entrepreneurial knowledge and real-life skills for personal development and the development of the community;
• Deals with the efficient and effective use of different types of private, public and/or collective resources to satisfy people’s needs and wants;
• Introduces learners to the purpose, characteristics, context and functions of formal and informal businesses;
• Encourages learners to reflect critically on the impact of resource exploitation on the environment and on people; and
• Promotes sustainable development practices through teaching learners how to effectively manage scarce resources in order to maximise profit through entrepreneurial knowledge, skills and activities.

EMS also provides foundational knowledge and skills for the following subjects in the Further Education and Training (FET) Band Grades 10 to 12: Accounting; Business Studies; Economics; Hospitality Studies; Consumer Studies; Civil Technology; Electrical Technology; Mechanical Technology; Engineering Graphics and Design; and Mathematical Literacy. A key objective in Technology subjects (Grades 10 -12) is to provide entrepreneurial opportunities for learners.

(b) Learners who do not further their education through tertiary institutions have the opportunity to enrol at Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges (TVET Colleges), apply to participate in Apprenticeships, or enter the world of work, including setting up their own business.

Reply:

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

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

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

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

Reply:

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

---ooOoo---

Reply:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reply:

The Department is currently conducting further consultations with the province to establish why a forensic investigation was not commissioned as per the Council resolution. A reply on the matter will be provided once the information is available from the province.

Reply:

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

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

Reply:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 3245 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

1. – (3) There are three Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in Mpumalanga. The table below provides further details to questions 1 (b) to 3:

TVET college	Student enrolment	Annual Student Registration Fees	Increment on Registration Fees
Ehlanzeni TVET college	8 043	None	Not applicable
Gert Sibande TVET college	9 123	None	Not applicable
Nkangala TVET college	11 603	None	Not applicable
Total	28 769

1. The table below responds to questions 4 (a) and (c):

TVET college	Number of students awarded NSFAS allowances	Number of students not receiving NSFAS allowances	b) Reasons for students not receiving NSFAS	Number of students
				(i) forced to suspend their studies	(ii) not attended classes due to non-payment of NSFAS subsidies
Ehlanzeni TVET college	3 330	153	Students providing incorrect bank accounts	0	0
Gert Sibande TVET college	2 798	403	Lost Identity Documents and incorrect bank accounts	0	0
Nkangala TVET college	2 290	1 236	Students not submitting claims to finance timeously.	0	0
Total	8 418	1 792		0	0

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 2977 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr B NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE: