Questions and Replies
05 August 2015 - NW2631
Kalyan, Ms SV to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether his department is developing a protocol to (a) document and (b) receive climate refugees; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?NW3006
Reply:
(a) There is no specific protocol in place for climate refugees. The department is not presently developing a protocol to document climate refugees.
The Refugees Act No 130 of 1998 provides for the documentation of all asylum seekers and refugees respectively in terms of section 22 and 24 (3) of the Act.
Refugee status is granted on merit and on the credibility of each asylum claim in terms of provisions transcribed under section 3 of the Refugees Act No 130 of 1998 which stipulates that, a person qualifies for refugee status for the purposes of this Act if that person –
(i) Owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted by reason of his or her race, tribe, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group, is outside the country of his or her nationality and is unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country, or, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his or her former habitual residence is unable or, owing to such fear, unwilling to return to it; or
(ii) Owing to external aggression, occupation, foreign domination or events seriously disturbing or disrupting public order in either a part or the whole of his or her country of origin or nationality, is compelled to leave his or her place of habitual residence in order to seek refuge elsewhere; or
(iii) Is a dependant of a person contemplated in paragraph (i) or (ii).
As part of the existing protocol to document refugees, the department provides enabling documents to recognised refugees such as Refugee Certification in terms of section 27(C), Refugee Identity Documents in terms of section 30 (1) and Refugee Travel Documents in terms of section 31.
(b) The department is not developing a protocol to receive climate refugees. This is because refugee status is already clearly outlined in the current legislation and international protocols. Section 21 of the Refugees Act No 130 of 1998 provides for the reception of all those who - because of reasons indicated in Section 3 of the same Act – have been forced to migrate and seek asylum in South Africa.
Asylum seekers are received, registered, accepted and processed with their claims adjudicated according to the relevant domestic legislation (The Constitution, Refugees Act No 130 of 1998) and international protocols (1951 UN Convention, the 1967 Protocol and the 1969 OAU Protocol).
05 August 2015 - NW2746
Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Communications
With reference to her comments that the Government is slashing its advertising budget to mainstream newspapers (details furnished), (a) what is her department’s definition of mainstream newspapers and (b) what official publications does her department consider to be mainstream newspapers?
Reply:
(a) Mainstream newspapers are defined as the dominant or established newspapers in the South African media landscape. This reference is widely understood and used in the collaborative publication Media Landscape 2014, Celebrating 20 Years of South Africa’s Media.
(b) Therefore the mainstream newspapers referred to are commercial newspapers that fall under the following stables: Times Media Group; Caxton, Independent News and Media SA, and Media24.
MR D LIPHOKO
ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL
GCIS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
05 August 2015 - NW236
Maimane, Mr MA to ask the President of the Republic
With reference to the recommendation made by the Public Protector, in the report titled Secure in Comfort, that he repays a reasonable percentage of the costs of the measures involved in building his private Nkandla residence, (a) what progress has been made in the determination and calculation of said costs and (b) on what date will the repayment of the said costs be made?
Reply:
All reports, including my report to Parliament, are currently under consideration by the Adhoc Committee on the Police Minister’s Nkandla Report appointed by Parliament. Such committee is still seized with the matter and in the circumstances it would be improper and premature for me to comment.
NW110E
05 August 2015 - NW2600
Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Health
Whether, with regard to the development of Portions 87, 148, 149 and the remainder of Portion 1 of the farm Rietfontein 61 IR, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, the Sizwe Tropical Disease Hospital will be moved or relocated; if not, (a) what is to happen to the patients currently at the hospital and (b) where will new patients go to; if so, (i) where is the hospital to be relocated, (ii) at what cost and (iii) when will the relocation commence?
Reply:
Portions 87, 148, 149 were sold through an open tender by the Department of Local Government and Housing. As part of the agreement with the successful bidder, the Sizwe Tropical Disease Hospital will be relocated to a site opposite Edenvale Hospital.
(a) The patience currently at the Hospital will remain at the Hospital until relocation. Any patients that will be at the Hospital when the new premises is complete will be relocated to the new premises.
(b) New patients will continue to be admitted at the Hospital until the relocation, after which all new patients will be admitted at the new premises.
(i) The Hospital will be relocated to a site opposite Edenvale Hospital;
(ii) As part of the agreement with the successful bidder, the successful bidder will relocate the Hospital at his own cost;
(iii) The relocation will only commence once the developer complete the construction and commissioning of the new premises.
END.
04 August 2015 - NW2539
Carter, Ms D to ask the Minister of Health
Whether he had used departmental officials to investigate who had instructed HIV-infected women to be sterilised without their written consent and had used that investigation to bring to book those who had transgressed medical ethics and violated the right to bodily integrity safeguarded in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
In June 2012 the Department of Health requested Professor Jack Moodley (Chairperson of the National Committee on Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths), and Dr Nat Khaole (then Acting Chief Director for Maternal and Women’s Health) to investigate allegations that HIV positive women have been sterilized without their consent. They visited two hospitals in Durban, namely, Addington Hospital and King Edward Hospital and found two evidence of systematic abuse of the consent process as alleged by the researchers.
When the issue was first brought to the attention of the Department of Health, I requested that details be provided, including names of the complainants, to enable the Department to investigate the matter fully. However, the Department was informed that the complainants did not wish to be identified to the Department as they were afraid of being victimised, despite our reassurance that I would personally ensure that the complainants are not victimised.
In 2015 the issue of forced sterilisation was raised with the Department of Health again. The Department again requested the NGO, Her Rights Initiative, to provide the names of the complainants, to enable the Department to fully investigate the allegations. In addition, a commitment was made that an independent team would investigate the allegations, if need be. However, to date, there has been great reluctance in providing the Department with the information necessary to investigate this matter.
The Department’s policy on any surgical procedure, including sterilization, is very clear – all surgical procedures require informed consent. In this regard, transgression will not be tolerated and disciplinary action will follow transgression when there is evidence to this effect.
END.
04 August 2015 - NW1294
Bhanga, Mr BM to ask the Minister of Health
With reference to his reply to question 439 on 17 March 2015, (a) how many initiates in each province were admitted to hospital during the 2014-15 summer initiation season and (b) what were the types of injuries suffered by the initiates in this period requiring them to be hospitalised?
Reply:
(a) The table below reflects the details in this regard.
PROVINCE |
ADMISSIONS |
Eastern Cape |
284 |
Other provinces do not collect this information as the boys arrive at health facilities as general patients and not as initiates. The Eastern Cape Province is able to collect the information because the boys are brought by members of initiation monitoring teams at hospitals.
(b) The types of injuries suffered by the initiates in this period requiring them to be hospitalised were as follows:
- Penile mutilations including amputations
- Assaults
END.
04 August 2015 - NW2583
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Whether, with regard to a South African citizen, Stephen McGowan, who has been held hostage in Mali since November 2011, the Government has taken any steps to secure the specific person’s release; if not; why not; if so, what (a) steps have been taken and (b) are the reasons for the specific person not yet having been released?
Reply:
- Yes.
The Government continues to pursue diplomatic channels to secure the release of the South African hostage, Steven McGowan.
(a) A Task Team chaired by DIRCO was established comprising security departments to oversee this case. The Task Team meets regularly and informs the McGowan’s family of developments. In Mali, the South African Embassy is part of the Troika comprising the Netherlands and Sweden. The Troika holds meetings and engages with the Malian government to get updates on developments regarding this matter. This Troika has since been reduced to two members following the release of the Dutch hostage by the French security forces. Furthermore, a Special Envoy was sent to Mauritania in February 2015 specifically to establish more information on the kidnaping and raise South Africa’s concerns on the continued kidnapping.
(b) The political and security situation in North Mali makes it difficult for the Malian government to engage with the kidnappers but efforts continues from both the South African and Malian governments to secure Mr McGowan’s release.
UNQUOTE
04 August 2015 - NW1708
Boshoff, Ms SH to ask the Minister of Health
(1)(a) How many state operated abortion facilities in Mpumalanga are currently operational, (b) what is the legal gestation period to perform an abortion, (c) how accessible is illegal and/or unsafe abortion and (d) what is the cost of an abortion; (2) (a) what were the (i) legal and (ii) illegal abortion statistics for the (aa) 2012-13, (bb) 2013-14 and (cc) 2014-15 financial years, (b) how many deaths were caused by illegal and/or unsafe abortions, (c) what (i) was the (aa) legal and (bb) illegal and/or unsafe abortion ratio and (ii) were the statistics of children between the ages of 12 and 16 who had abortions and (d) how many of these children had the consent of the parents to do so; (3) whether any study or research has been undertaken by (a) his department or the (b) Mpumalanga Health Department into (i) why women seek abortions from illegal or unsafe providers and (ii) abortion rates in comparison with the rest of the world; if so, in each case what were the findings; (4) what plan of action does his department have in place to prevent unsafe abortion statistics from escalating in Mpumalanga?
Reply:
(1) (a) A total of 6 facilities in Mpumalanga are currently operational.
(b) Please refer to the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1996 (Act No. 92 of 1996)
(c) and (d) The Department of Health provides the service at no cost to the clients if indigent and costs are determined depending on the income of the patient in public hospitals as for any other medical condition.
(2) (a) (i) Legal termination of pregnancy statistics are recorded below:
(aa) 2012-2013 |
(bb) 2013 - 2014 |
(cc) 2014- 2015 |
|
3,104 |
3,046 |
2,539 |
(ii) The National and Provincial Departments of Health do not keep a record of illegal abortion statistics.
(b) This is not known as statistics for illegal abortions are not recorded separately.
(c) (i) (aa)-(bb) The Department does not keep a record of separating legal and illegal abortion statistics.
(ii) Statistics of children between the age 12 and 16 years who had terminations of pregnancy over the periods are:
PERIOD |
NUMBER |
2012-2013 |
55 |
2013-2014 |
49 |
2014-2015 |
52 |
(d) “The provisions of the Choice of Termination Act, Act No. 92 Of 1996: Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act92, 1996. Is applicable with respect to consent.
(3) (a)-(b) No study has been conducted by both National Department of Health or the Mpumalanga Health Department that we are aware off.
(4) The Department of Health provides Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) in the designated health facilities which comply with the prescripts of the CTOP Act for safe performance of the procedure. The Department is continuously conducting value clarification workshops to address the issue of limited TOP services.
In addition the Department is conducting Manual Vacuum Aspiration training in partnership with partners that support the implementation of TOP services has introduced medical abortion services to increase access to this service.
However, the key to reducing unwanted pregnancies is to increase knowledge and access to sexual and reproductive health services. In line with this the department launched a revised Contraceptive Policy and introduced the contraception implant as a new and additional contraception method to increase the range of contraceptives available to woman.
END.
04 August 2015 - NW800
Kwankwa, Mr NL to ask the Minister of Communications
(1) With reference to the funeral of the late multi-award winning traditional music presenter (name furnished) of uMhlobo Wenene FM under the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), what (a) procedure and (b) criteria is used by (i) her department and (ii) SABC to decide which funerals to broadcast live and/or cover widely;
Reply:
It is the prerogative of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on State Funerals, together with the Presidency, to declare the status of funerals, whether they are national or provincial.
The SABC is then obliged to follow the broadcast coverage, as prescribed in the regulations pertaining to official funerals.
Irrespective of the individual (or public appeal or popularity), the broadcast parameters are clearly stipulated in the regulations.
Whether a funeral is covered “live” or not, is not at the discretion of the SABC, but what is dictated in the regulations.
In the case in question, the deceased was neither honoured with a State or Provincial funeral status.
The SABC did however cover the announcement of his death widely on all our platforms. Television and radio carried extensive obituaries. All the memorial services were covered in all the news bulletins as was the actual funeral.
MR N MUNZHELELE
[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
04 August 2015 - NW2181
Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Health
Is his department currently involved in a work exchange and/or employment agreement with the Republic of Cuba; if so, (a) what number of Cuban nationals (i) are currently employed and (ii) are due to be employed by his department, (b) what specific work roles are envisaged for the Cuban nationals, (c) what are the specific skill sets of each of the Cuban nationals (i) currently employed and (ii) due to be employed, (d) what are the details of the process followed to ensure that the same skill set was or is not available in the country and amongst South African citizens and (e) what is the total cost of the (i) employment or (ii) prospective employment of such Cuban nationals?
Reply:
Yes.
- (i) A total of 210 Cuban medical doctors.
(ii) A total of 26 Cuban medical doctors.
- Medical Practitioners.
- The following table reflects the details on the skills profile
(i) Currently employed:
Clinical Discipline |
Number |
Anaesthesia |
7 |
Anatomy |
1 |
Biochemistry |
1 |
Biostatistics |
1 |
Cardiology |
1 |
Clinical Laboratory |
1 |
Dermatology |
3 |
Embryology |
1 |
Ear Nose and Throat |
4 |
Epidemiology |
2 |
Family Medicine |
105 |
Gastroenterology |
1 |
General surgery |
13 |
Internal Medicine |
20 |
Maxillo Facial |
3 |
Neurology |
1 |
Obstetric and Gynaecology |
12 |
Opthalmology |
4 |
Orthopaedics |
8 |
Paediatrics |
8 |
Pathology |
1 |
Pharmacology |
1 |
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |
2 |
Psychiatry |
3 |
Public Health |
1 |
Urology |
3 |
Total |
210 |
(ii) Due to be employed
Clinical Discipline |
Number |
Cardiology |
1 |
Emergency Medicine |
1 |
Family Medicine |
10 |
Internal Medicine |
1 |
Maxillo Medicine |
1 |
Obstetrics and Gynaecology |
1 |
Opthalmology |
2 |
Orthopaedics |
2 |
Paediatrics |
4 |
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery |
1 |
Radiology |
1 |
Rheumatology |
1 |
Total |
26 |
- It is generally acknowledged that there is a big shortage of medical doctors in the public health care system.
- The doctors recruited from Cuba earn the same remuneration as other doctors employed by the Government based on the years of experience and expertise.
END.
04 August 2015 - NW2506
Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Communications
Why have no (a) disciplinary steps or (b) criminal action taken in the last three financial years against SABC employees responsible for (i) making payments without contracts and (ii) failing to follow procurement processes? ________________________________________________________________
Reply:
Due to the dynamic nature of SABC operations, there are instances where the SABC is required to broadcast without a contract in place, however, endeavours are carried out to regularise the agreements after the fact.
The SABC has initiated a project to review and align the SABC Procurement Policy to PFMA requirements in terms of original tax clearance certificate.
Disciplinary and criminal action has been instituted where warranted.
MR N MUNZHELELE
ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
04 August 2015 - NW1445
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Communications
Does her department have a Regulatory Burden Reduction strategy in place; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the strategy?
Reply:
No, the department does not have a Regulatory Burden Reduction Strategy.
MR N MUNZHELELE
[ACTING] DIRECTOR-GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
04 August 2015 - NW2060
James, Ms LV to ask the Minister of Health
Whether his department has any plans in place to assist young people to easily access family planning centres in order to prevent teenage pregnancy; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Department of Health has several initiatives to assist young people to access contraceptive and family planning services.
- Ensuring that all primary health care facilities are adolescent and youth friendly. Facilities that are classified as youth friendly need the following standards:
- Policies and processes to support adolescent and youth health rights available;
- Provision of safe and supportive environment;
- Systems to train and develop staff on youth issues;
- Individualised care with privacy and confidentiality maintained; and
- Effective referral systems in place.
The Department has contracted and NGO (loveLife) to assist with the training of clinic personnel and to ensure that standards listed above are in place. We have trained 615 health professionals during the past year and will be training an additional 375 during this financial year.
- An effort to increase condom use among the youth in particular, the Department has decided to procure coloured and scented male condoms. A contract to supply 50 million coloured and scented condoms has been awarded and 38 million have already been distributed in universities and TVET colleges. The distribution of these condoms is a partnership between the Departments of Higher Education and Training and of Health – the ‘First Things First’ campaign for institutions of higher learning – which has been implemented on an annual basis since 2011. The aim of this campaign is to offer HIV counselling and testing, Medical Male Circumcision (MMC), TB screening, condom distribution, appropriate prevention messages and treatment referrals to the students in Universities and TVETs. Condoms are also distributed during HCT as dual protection against unplanned pregnancies, STIs and HIV. Over 100 000 students were reached in the last financial year;
- In order to expand the range of contraceptive commodities available the Department introduced the sub-dermal implant in April 2014 and to date more than 850,000 women have had the implant inserted. Although the implant method was not specifically targeted at the youth, earlier indications seem to be showing that the majority of the 850 000 women are actually young people who have never been on any contraception before;
- In collaboration with Soul City, the Society for Family Health and Stellenbosch University and funding from a development partner, the Department is implementing the ‘Families Matter’ project whose objective is to prepare youth to make informed health choices, including sexual and reproductive health choices. The project is currently running in Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and Western Cape;
- With funding from the Department of Health and Global Fund, Soul City is implementing the Rise Women’s clubs (the clubs target young women between 15-24 years of age with health education messages and has currently reached 17,000 young women through 1 000 Rise Young Women’s clubs) and Soul Buddies clubs (to empower primary school children to make healthy life choices). In addition, the Department of Health funds loveLife’s ground breakers programme which is a peer-to-peer programme that focuses on learners in high school and out of school and empowers them to make healthy life choices;
- As part of the Integrated School Health Programme (which is a collaborative programme between the Departments of Health and of Basic Education), school health teams provide age-appropriate messages and information to learners in both primary and secondary schools.
END.
04 August 2015 - NW2273
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Labour
(a) Do all labour inspectors have access to the necessary equipment to conduct their inspections properly and (b) what is her department doing to adequately capacitate the labour inspectors who do not have access to the necessary equipment?
Reply:
(a) Yes
(b) The Department makes provision for the procurement of the necessary or required equipment.
04 August 2015 - NW1842
James, Ms LV to ask the Minister of Health
Whether he has set clear criteria for the removal of underperforming hospital managers as per the goals listed in the National Development Plan; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will the criteria be set; if so, what are the criteria?
Reply:
Yes, there are clear criteria set for the removal of underperforming hospital managers as per the goals listed in the National Development Plan (NDP).
END.
04 August 2015 - NW2422
Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Health
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:
The following Tables reflect the situation in this regard:
(a) The Department of Health
Newspaper |
2012/13 |
2013/14 |
2014/15 |
Sowetan |
R564,376.17 |
R153,029.57 |
R256,159.31 |
Daily Sun |
R245,149.33 |
R230,794.39 |
R175,800.71 |
(b) Entities
Neither the Council for Medical Schemes, the Office of Health Standards Compliance, nor the South African Medical Research Council spent on advertising in either of the newspapers in questions during the stated period.
The National Health Laboratory Service spent on advertising as follows:
Newspaper |
2012-13 |
2013-14 |
2014-15 |
Sowetan |
R226,896.48 |
Nil |
Nil |
Daily Sun |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
END.
04 August 2015 - NW2385
Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Communications
With reference to her reply to oral question 145 on 10 June 2015, what is the (a) name and (b) date of appointment of the permanent Chief Executive Officer of the SA Broadcasting Corporation?
Reply:
(a) Mr Frans Matlala
(b) 01 July 2015
MR N MUNZHELELE
[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
04 August 2015 - NW2275
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Labour
(1)What action is taken by her department when labour inspectors find that an employee does not have a valid work permit; (2) are employees who are found to not have valid work permits removed from the work place? NW2635E
Reply:
- When Labour inspectors find that an employee does not have a valid work permit, the matter will be reported to Home Affairs who has jurisdiction over such matters.
- The Department of Labour does not have a legal mandate or powers to remove such employees from the workplace but will refer the matter to Home Affairs to take further action.
04 August 2015 - NW2356
Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What is the current availability of the drugs (a) bedaquiline and (b) linezolid in the country; (2) whether there are any plans for a wider national roll-out of the specified drugs, including but not limited to (i) mines, (ii) prisons and (iii) other communities heavily affected by tuberculosis; (3) whether there are any financing plans in place for purchasing the specified drugs at affordable and sustainable prices?
Reply:
- (a) 60% of patients on bedaquiline are in South Africa, i.e 361 patients in South Africa out of a total of 600 worldwide.
(b) A tender to procure Linezolid is being prepared. Linezolid is available off code in the meantime.
2. (i) and (ii) For year 1 (1st April 2015 to 31 March 2016) we are prioritising XDR-TB, pre-XDR-TB and MRD-TB with hearing impairment, renal impairment and those to be operated.
Because the main focus will be on XDR-TB, we have started rolling out at our 12 facilities responsible for treating XDR-TB which are:
- Jose Pearson and Fort Grey Hospitals (Eastern Cape);
- Dr J S Moroka (Free State);
- Sizwe Hospital (Gauteng);
- King Dinuzulu Complex Hospital (KZN);
- FH Odendaal (Limpopo);
- Witbank TB Hospital (Mpumalanga);
- Dr Harry Surtie and West End (Northern Cape);
- Tshepong Hospital (North West);
- Brooklyn Chest and Khayelitsha (Western Cape)
The 12 facilities treat all XDR-TB patients in the country.
- Jose Pearson, Fort Grey, King Dinuzulu, Sizwe and Brooklyn Chest Hospitals treat 50% to 60% of all MDR-TB in the country.
- So we believe that there will be a good coverage to years 1, 2 and 3;
- Mines and prisons will follow after 2 to 3 years.
3. A costed plan to make the drugs available has been developed and budgeted for in the HIV Conditional Grant. The drugs will be made available to 3 000 patients in year 1 (1st April 2015 to 31 March 2016), and then gradually increase to 6 000 at the end of year 3.
END.
04 August 2015 - NW2002
Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Health
Does his department maintain an updated asset register; if not, why not; if so, what is the (a) total number and (b) value of all motor vehicles recorded on such register?
Reply:
Yes the department maintain an updated asset register.
(a) Five motor vehicles
(b) Total value for five vehicles is R2 926 330.69
All these vehicles are more than five years old and purchased as follows;
- BMW 525i (Kept and being used when other vehicles went for service)
Price; R349 561.40
Purchase date: 30 June 2004
MINISTER
- Mercedes-Benz E200
Price; R451 804.00
Purchase date: 08 January 2010
- Mercedes-Benz E500
Price; R760 794.01
Purchase date: 08 January 2010
DEPUTY MINISTER
- BMW 520d
Price; R466 449.30
Purchase date: 15 February 2011
- BMW 740i
Price; R897 721.99
Purchase date: 07 March 2011
END.
04 August 2015 - NW2274
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Labour
(a) What proposals for the revision of planning models for the inspection of valid work permits have been completed by her department, (b) how do these propose to protect vulnerable workers and (c)(i) when and (ii) where will it be published? NW2634E
Reply:
(a) The Department of Labour does not have a planning model for the inspection of valid work permits as this is a legislative responsibility of the Department of the Home Affairs and South African Police.
(b) In its normal work aligned with granting of work permits the Department of Labour mere conducts inspections at work places to determine compliance with prescribed conditions of employment. Furthermore the Department notifies the Department of Home Affairs should it discover employees without valid work permits.
(c) (i) N/A and (ii) N/A
04 August 2015 - NW2109
Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Health
(1)How many foreign nationals did the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA) accredit to work as (a) doctors, (b) nurses and (c) other medical practitioners between 1 January 2010 and 30 April 2015; (2) how many (a) South African medical doctors and (b) South Africans who obtained their qualifications as medical doctors outside of the country were accredited by the HPCSA between 1 January 2010 and 30 April 2015; (3) (a) how many South Africans who qualified as medical doctors outside the country and who applied for accreditation between 1 January 2010 and 30 April 2015 were not successful in their applications and (b) what remedy is available to medical doctors who have taken but failed the HPCSA accreditation examination three or more times; (4) will he make a list of foreign institutions accredited by the HPCSA available to the public; (5) how the skills of doctors who qualified outside of South Africa will be utilised until such doctors obtain proper accreditation from the HPCSA?
Reply:
- (a) 1 623;
(b) No nurse is ever registered with the HPCSA;
(c) I do not understand what “other medical practitioners” means.
2. (a) 6 729;
(b) 61;
3. (a) 22;
(b) There is no remedy available for practitioners who have failed the examination three times.
4. There is currently no list of accredited qualifications obtained outside South Africa.
5. Since registration is a pre-requisite for practising the profession of medicine in South Africa, applicants will not be able to work as medical practitioners until such time as they are appropriately registered with the Medical and Dental Board.
END.
04 August 2015 - NW871
Kalyan, Ms SV to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Whether his department or the entities reporting to him provides any type of sponsorships; if not, what is his department’s position in this regard; if so, (a) what are the details of each sponsorship, (b) what is the value of each sponsorship, (c) when were each of these sponsorship deals undertaken and (d) when will each of the sponsorship deals end; (2) whether his department or any of the entities reporting to him intends to enter into any type of sponsorship deal or contract in the (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17 financial years; if not, why not; if so, (i) with whom will each sponsorship deal or contract be made, (ii) what will the terms of each of the sponsorship deals or contracts be, (iii) when will each of the sponsorship deals or contracts (aa) commence and (bb) end and (iv) what is the value of each of the sponsorship deals or contracts?
Reply:
- None of the entities reporting to the Minister of Health provided any type of sponsorship.
- None of the entities reporting to the Minister of Health intends to enter into any type of sponsorship deal or contract in the 2015 and 2016 financial years and the reasons provided are as follows:
- The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) - due to the current financial situation; and
- The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC); the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) and the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) – do not provide any sponsorship deals or contracts.
END.
03 August 2015 - NW1036
Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources
(1)What are the (a) details and (b) all relevant dates of all steps that have been taken to facilitate and ensure the effective functioning of his department’s compliance monitoring and enforcement since 1 January 2009;
Reply:
- (a) (b) In June 2011, the Department established a compliance and enforcement structure in the Mineral Regulation. In 2013 funding was made available and accordingly utilised to enhance environment authorisation capacity.
(2) (a) (b) National Treasury has allocated funding sufficient to fund 22 positions, which are currently in the process of being filled.
(3)(a) 34 personnel have been appointed and designated.
(b) 28 persons have been successfully trained as Environmental Mineral Resource Inspectors whilst 6 had been previously trained. A further 60 persons will undergo training during this financial year.
(c) See (a) above
(4) The mining sector information will be provided to the Department of Environmental Affairs for inclusion into their relevant report.
Approved/not approved
Adv N.A. Ramatlhodi
Minister of Mineral Resources
Date Submitted:-………………/………………/2015
31 July 2015 - NW2550
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 |
31 July 2015 - NW2239
Figlan, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
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:
I have been advised by the Department and Entities as follows:-
DEPARTMENT:
- Yes
The table below provides a full response to the questions asked by the Honourable Member:-
(ii) Name |
Contract Period |
Contract terminated |
(iii) Termination reason |
Contract period paid out |
(i)(aa) Amount |
S D L Dhlomo |
13 July 2009 to 13 January 2011 |
31 May 2010 |
The Post of Deputy Director: Subsistence and Travel was not approved on the organisational structure. The appointment was made irregularly. The employee’s contract was terminated accordingly. The employee then took the department to arbitration. |
1 June 2010 to 13 January 2011 |
Salary: R 249 192-70 |
South African Post Office (SAPO)
(b) Yes,
It is not a practice of the SAPO to pay the remaining value of the contract in cases where Executives leave the organisation before the expiry date of the employment contract. The Executives in the table below were only paid the arbitration awards agreed to, between the employees, their legal representatives, and the company. However, these payments are not linked to the contracted term of employment
See arbitration figures paid since the 2008/9 financial year to current within the SAPO Group.
(ii) Name |
Job Title |
(iii) Reason for Termination |
(i)(bb) Settlement Amount |
Settlement Date |
JP WENTZEL |
COO (2 A) |
Resignation (Arbitration settlement) |
548,058.25 |
10/07/2011 |
RM NESHUNZHI |
GM (3) |
End of Contract (Arbitration settlement - (Contract paid until 31 May 2012) |
532,493.50 |
11/30/2011 |
MM LEFOKA |
GCEO (1) |
Resignation (Arbitration settlement) |
1,466,810.00 |
01/24/2012 |
MS DIAZ |
GE (2 B) |
Resignation (Disciplinary hearing - Deed of settlement signed) Arbitration settlement |
370,217.25 |
11/28/2013 |
ME LANCASTER |
GE (2 A) |
Retrenchment severance package (Voluntary Retrenchment Agreement) |
1,698,977.00 |
12/3/2013 |
BS BULUNGA |
COMPANY SECRETARY (3) |
Dismissal (Settlement at CCMA) |
404,615.93 |
26/3/2014 |
ZADNA
(b) No
ZaDNA has not had an employee’s contract terminated before its stipulated termination.
SENTECH
(b) Yes,
The table below provides a full response to the questions asked by the Honourable Member:-
(ii) Name of Employee |
Position |
Period |
(i)(bb) Amount Spend |
(iii) Reason for Settlement |
Process |
Mr. Cassim Mohammed Siddique |
Chief Financial Officer |
2010 |
R 360 000.00 |
Dismissed |
CCMA Award settlement |
Mosala Mojaki Frederick |
Head: Employee Relations |
2010 |
R 257 393.00 |
Dismissed |
Employee lawyer based on the ongoing case with little evidence |
Steenkamp Carin |
Portfolio Manager: Special Projects |
2010 |
R 515 824.47 |
Retrenched |
Retrenchment |
Ramokhufi Rachel Neo |
Executive: Strategy and Co-ordination |
2010 |
R 250 698.34 |
Ongoing disciplinary hearing |
Employee lawyer based on the ongoing case with little evidence |
|
|||||
|
Chief Financial Officer |
2012 |
R 142 482.84 |
Claimed Constructive - Dismissed |
CCMA Award settlement |
Nevhutalu Tendani Gaylord |
Head: Financial Accounting |
2012 |
R 62 000 |
Dismissed |
CCMA Award settlement |
Emerich Rian |
General Manager: Marketing and Sales |
2012 |
R 83 503.27 |
Dismissed |
CCMA Award settlement |
NEMISA
(b) Yes,
The table below provides a full response to the questions asked by the Honourable Member:-
(ii) To whom were payments Made |
Period |
(i)(bb) Amount Spend |
(iii) Reason for Settlement |
Chief Operations Officer |
2013-2014 |
R 779 055.00 |
Mutual Separation Agreement |
BROADBAND INFRACO
(b) Yes,
From 2008-09 up to date, Broadband Infraco had no early terminations of contracts which involved paying out the remainder of an employee’s fixed term contract. However, Broadband Infraco did terminate the employment contract of three (3) employees due to disciplinary processes and after an assessment that it would cost the Company far less to have conclude a mutual separation agreement with each of the employees instead of pursuing long protracted legal proceedings and committing company resources and labour in pursuit of the legal cases against the employees. Refer to the table below:
(ii) Name of employee |
Position |
Period |
(i)(bb) Amount Spend |
(iii)Reason for Settlement |
Process |
Suren Maharaj |
Chief Financial Officer |
March 2011 |
R 395 916.50 |
The Board decided to part ways with the CFO after he was issued with a final written warning for dereliction of duties |
Employee had been issued with a Final written warning |
S Mapatagane |
SHEQ Manager |
June 2011 |
R 123 527.34 |
The settlement was paid out due to legal costs that were increasing and lawyers for the Company advised on paying the settlement to minimise litigation costs |
Employee had been subjected to a disciplinary hearing |
Ray Hamilton |
Chief Sales & Marketing Officer |
August 2014 |
R 400 000 |
Paid a negotiated settlement for four (4) months for mutual separation with R Hamilton. |
Disciplinary Process- he exceeded his delegation of authority |
USAASA
(b) Yes,
The table below provides a full response to the questions asked by the Honourable Member:-
(ii) To whom were payments Made |
Salary Level |
Salary per annum |
(i)(bb) Amount Paid |
(iii)Reason |
Date of Exit |
Senior Manager: Human Resources |
13 |
R 540 429 |
R 135 107 |
Mutual agreement |
31 May 2008 |
Chief Executive Officer |
15 |
R 1 099 824 |
R 458 260 |
Mutual Agreement |
31 May 2010 |
Chief Executive Officer |
15 |
R 1 120 935 |
R 499 292 |
Mutual Agreement |
30 March 2012 |
Senior Manager: USAF |
13 |
R 782 883 |
R 547 000 |
CCMA Settlement Agreement |
30 September 2015 |
Board Administrator |
10 |
R 405 390 |
R 99 534 |
Mutual Agreement |
31 December 2014 |
Payroll Administrator |
9 |
R 296 100 |
R 74 025 |
CCMA Settlement Agreement |
20 April 2015 |
SITA
(b) Yes
The table below provides a full response to the questions asked by the Honourable Member:-
(ii) Name |
Designation |
(i)(bb) Gross Pay Out |
Date paid |
(iii) Reason for Termination |
Blake Mosley-Lefatola |
Chief Executive Officer |
R 1 439 606.45 |
May 2013 |
Early termination of contract (Board Decision) |
Nontobeko Ntsinde |
Chief Executive Officer |
R 574 991.00 |
June 2013 |
Unfair termination of contract (Labour Court Decision) |
Thandi Zide |
SITA Company Secretary |
R 550 000.00 |
August 2013 |
Unfair Dismissal (CCMA Decision) |
Khumbuzo Ntshevheni |
Chief Operating Officer |
R 1 899 000.00 |
June 2014 |
Early termination of contract (Referred to Labour Court and resulted in a Settlement Agreement) |
Tshidi Gumbi |
Head of Department: Human Resource |
R 265 898.52 |
May 2015 |
Unfair Dismissal (Referred to CCMA and resulted in a Settlement Agreement) |
31 July 2015 - NW2335
Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Small Business Development
(1) Whether there has been any effort by her department to review the regulatory environment in which small businesses operate in an effort to ease their operations; (2) whether, since her reply to question 1766 on 5 June 2015, any transversal agreements have been concluded with other departments; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2696E
Reply:
1. The department intends to review the National Small Business Act, 1996 (Act No. 102 of 1996), read with the National Small Business Amendment Act, 2003 (Act No. 26 of 2003). The reasons to introduce an amending legislation are to provide for the alignment of the Act to the mandate of the department, to provide a framework for business growth,
investment and the facilitation of small business development and promotion.
The areas to be reviewed are as follows:
- The definitions of small businesses,
- The schedule or sectoral classifications,
- Provision for the informal economy,
- Provision for the roles of the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) and the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa),
- To institutionalise the coordination of a periodical national survey for SMMEs, and
- The role and composition of the Small Business Advisory Council.
2. The department has not concluded any transversal agreements with other departments since the last reply. This is partly due to the complexity of requirements and conditions which must be met and be favourable to all parties. As a result, consultations take longer and require a detailed execution plan with specific deliverables and timelines.
The department, however, intends to conclude and sign a transversal agreement with the National Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) by the end of 2015 in which the parties have mutually agreed to collaborate on training and development of co-operatives and SMMEs. The overall aim of this collaboration is to develop and enhance the capacity base of these small businesses to enable them to access procurement opportunities within PRASA. The department will be responsible for the building capacity of the suppliers with regards to technical and business management training whilst DHET, through the relevant Skills Education and Training Authorities (Setas), will provide technical training to co-operatives and SMMEs.
The department also intends to conclude transversal agreements with the following institutions in the near future:
- Department of Human Settlements: to focus on procurement opportunities for small businesses and co-operatives in the development of industrial or commercial parks in the Western Cape.
- Department of Public Enterprises: to develop and prioritise support and increase opportunities for emerging small businesses and designated groups through diverse small business support programmes.
- Massmart: partnership with Massmart is focused on the Supplier Development Programme to improve local procurement linkages for Cooperatives and SMMEs. The programme will focus on three main areas: manufacturing, fresh produce and services to suppliers.
- SAB Miller: the focus is on procurement opportunities to improve local linkages for Cooperatives and SMMEs. The programme will focus on three main areas: Maize, Barley and Wheat production.
- The Swiss Confederation, represented by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO): the overall goal of the pilot project is to establish a web-based centralized system where Business Development Service Providers (BDSP) register after a quality check, and will be assessed by their clients based on the performance of the service delivered. This will allow for the identification of the skills gap of services providers.
31 July 2015 - NW2379
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
What is the status of the revision of the Electronic Communications Amendment Act, Act 1 of 2014? No:
Reply:
The Department is not reviewing the Electronic Communications Amendment Act, Act 1 of 2014, as amendment Acts are normally not reviewed.
31 July 2015 - NW1641
Chance, Mr R to ask the Minister of Small Business Development
(1) What steps has she taken to engage with the (a) Premier of Gauteng and (b) Small Enterprise Finance Agency to urgently address the state of neglect and disrepair at Gauteng’s township industrial parks; (2) does her department intend to investigate claims by the parks’ tenants that they were promised titles to their premises after 10 years of continuous payment of occupational rent; if not, why not? NW1858E
Reply:
1. (a) Minister is seriously concerned about the poor state of the Gauteng’s township industrial park and although has not engaged with the Premier of Gauteng regarding the matter, the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (Sefa), which reports to the Department of Small Business Development, is handling the matters of Gauteng’s township industrial parks.
(b) So far Sefa has reported that it will engage with the Office of the Premier of Gauteng through the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP) in order to understand the Gauteng Province’s plans for property revitilisation. Sefa is in the process of conducting visits to the industrial parks to determine the extent of neglect and disrepair on these industrial parks: this includes assessing the physical state of these properties in order to perform all the necessary repairs and maintenance to these properties in the coming months.
2. Sefa has done investigations to the validity of these claims, and has so far obtained some information on the matter dating back to 1999. During the 2014/15 financial year, Sefa held discussions with the Tenants Association on the terms and conditions of transfer of ownership of these properties. Sefa is now in a process to meet individual Tenants Associations to discuss the framework for the transfer of ownership of these properties to tenants who qualify under the initial framework for transfer.
31 July 2015 - NW2534
Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Small Business Development
Whether his department and/or the Government was pursuing any programme or implementing any policy to make townships in South Africa economically viable through (a) incubating small manufacturing businesses and transferring these to qualifying entrepreneurs in the townships, (b) developing suitable small factories in the townships, supported with the necessary infrastructure, to attract families or groups to set up small-scale manufacturing businesses, (c) interacting with other relevant departments and stakeholders to promote artisanal businesses using township creativity and talent, (d) setting up a one-stop business and manufacturing service and support centers in each township to provide assistance with regulations and skills transfer and (e) creating a scheme for township entrepreneurs to obtain affordable family or group loans; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(a) The department is in the process of development a Township and Rural Economic Development Strategy that will be aimed at supporting informal businesses, SMMEs, Co-operatives, youth, gender, people with disabilities, and rural enterprises. The support will range from the provision of financial and non-financial support to the creation of an enabling legislative and regulatory environment.
Currently, the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa) works closely with the Small Enterprise Development Agency (seda) in relation to government’s small business incubation programme called the Seda Technology Programme (STP). Seda is the custodian of the government’s incubation programme and provides incubating businesses with non-financial and affordable rental space. Sefa in turn, provides financial support in the form of working capital, asset financing and revolving loan facilities to qualify businesses in these incubation centres.
(b) Sefa, administers a property portfolio comprising a mixture of commercial and industrial properties in the provinces of Gauteng, North-West, Free State, Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. These are old properties that were inherited from the Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC), now known as Business Partners, and are located in townships and peri-urban areas and provide affordable industrial premises to manufacturing enterprises. As at 31 March 2015, sefa provided support to 958 entrepreneurs through its property portfolio. These are old properties which were
(c) The department, together with the Departments of Arts and Culture, Economic Development and Tourism, Sports and Culture, provincial investment promotion agencies and the South African Bureau of Standards work together to promote artisanal businesses using township creativity and talent. The National Craft and Design Coordinating Body (NCDCB), in which all the stakeholders mentioned are represented, monitors the implementation of the craft and design programmes at national and provincial level. The NCDCB also serves as a platform through which government departments and the provincial agencies coordinate the information on the craft and design programmes.
30 July 2015 - NW2608
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
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
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:
- The graph below depicts the monthly cash receipts since the announcement of the new dispensation.
- The graph below depicts the monthly cash flow comparison for the 12 months prior to the announcement of the new dispensation.
30 July 2015 - NW2530
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, |
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. 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. |
30 July 2015 - NW2581
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 - NW2589
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
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.
- 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 |
- 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 - NW2607
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.
- In 2012 -13 there were 107 major crashes investigated
- In 2013 – 14 there were 122 major crashes investigated
- 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 - NW2478
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 - NW2613
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 - NW2605
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.
29 July 2015 - NW2404
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 - NW2215
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 - NW2346
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.
|
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 - NW2130
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 - NW2446
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 - NW2256
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 - NW2157
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 - NW2466
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 - NW2286
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.