Reply:

1.

PROVINCE	FINANCIAL YEAR	ALLOCATED BUDGET R’000
Eastern Cape	2013/14	R188, 753,400
	2014/15	R 173,621,000
Gauteng	2013/14	R284, 000.000
	2014/15	R 321, 870,000
Limpopo	2013/14	R240, 000.000
	2014/15	R227, 000,000
North West	2013/14	R55,000.000
	2014/15	R 54,330,000
Northern Cape	2013/14	R71, 026.000
	2014/15	R76,030,000
Western Cape	2013/14	R282,927,000
	2014/15	R231, 581,000
Free State	2013/14	R161.541.000
	2014/15	R175, 498,000
Mpumalanga	2013/14	R185, 296. 320
	2014/15	R192 ,283,000
Kwazulu Natal	2013/14	R211, 333.000
	2014/15	R219, 108,000

2. The Department of Social Development does not have any memoranda of Understanding with both the Departments. What is in place are the Terms of Reference, agreed upon among the Interdepartmental Committee for ECD which includes the departments mentioned in the question. The South African Integrated Programme of Action for ECD: Moving Ahead was approved by Cabinet on 18 September 2013, which outlines the roles and responsibilities of all Departments that deals with ECD issues.

3. According to the Children’s Act 38 of 2005, the provincial head of social development must conduct inspections at the prescribed intervals of partial care facilities in the province to enforce the provisions of this Act. Each province conducts monitoring of ECD centres on a quarterly basis, based on their targets for the quarter.

Reply:

1. No, the department does not conduct lifestyle audits of its employees. No, there is no monitoring of employee expenditure patterns because there has never been any reason to do so;
2. (a) Yes, the matter was referred to the relevant law enforcement agency.
3. Yes, the matter was referred to the relevant enforcement law agency.

Reply:

During the period until 6 August 2015, hotels were used once for domestic travel and on four occasions for international travel.

The domestic travel was to eThekwini for a three-night stay, at a cost of R5 753.

The international travel entailed official trips to the United Kingdom, Indonesia, the United States and Switzerland. This involved 12 nights accommodation at hotels. Of these, accounts have been received and paid for in respect of three of the trips, totalling R54 663 for eight nights stay in hotels. One account is still outstanding from DIRCO who secures hotel accommodation on behalf of the Ministry.

-END-

Reply:

The Department spent R168 744 during the period for a co-sourcing contract with the Business Innovation Group to provide support for the internal audit function in the EDD, covering performance information and transfers/subsidies to entities of the Department.

-END-

Reply:

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

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

Reply:

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

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

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

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

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

• Training

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Contact number:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 2886 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

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

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

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

They are as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(iii) Not applicable.

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

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

In 2009, my Department conducted a study to assess the level of compliance of the twelve Colleges against the approved Norms and Standards the Governance and Financing Framework for ATIs. The assessment study report revealed that no single College complied fully with the established Norms and Standards albeit in differing degrees. Flowing from the approved Norms and Standards and the Governance and Financing Framework for ATIs including the findings of the compliance study, a Revitalisation Plan for the Colleges of Agriculture was developed.

The Colleges Revitalization Plan (CRP) is guided by the following critical pillars:

• Pillar 1: Improvement of Infrastructure and equipment
• Pillar 2: Curriculum review with emphasis on value addition
• Pillar 3: Accreditation and registration of Colleges
• Pillar 4: Leadership development and change management
• Pillar 5: Strengthening of Information and Communication Technology including Colleges Governance

In support of the process of revitalizing the Colleges of Agriculture, my Department approached the National Treasury in 2009/10 to present the case of the twelve Colleges and to solicit funding for their improvement. My Department commenced with its National Treasury approved and funded Colleges Revitalization Plan in 2011/12 financial year. Since then, my Department has been allocating a substantial amount of money to Colleges to augment their equitable budget.

A total amount of R2 236 705 009.00 (two billion two hundred and thirty six million seven hundred and five thousand and nine rand only) has been spent on Colleges of Agriculture between 2009 and January 2015.

A total amount of R1 907 356 342.00 (one billion nine hundred and seven million three hundred and fifty six thousand and three hundred and forty two rand only) has been spent on Goods and Services and Compensation of Employees (Annexure A).

A total amount of R329 348 667.00 (three hundred and twenty nine million three hundred and forty eight thousand and six hundred and sixty seven rand only) has been spent on Colleges of Agriculture since 2011/12 through Colleges Revitalization Plan (Annexure B).

Annexure C presents a list of major infrastructure support provided to Colleges by my Department through the Colleges Revitalization Plan since 2011/12.

Reply:

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

 

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

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

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

Reply:

1. The State Security Agency (SSA) conducts continuous performance reviews with specific reference to reducing lead time and improve turn-around time against the Annual Performance Plans (APPs) and Annual Operational Plans (AOPs) through Business Process Mapping and Re-engineering.
2. The State Security Agency (SSA) does not have any entities.

Reply:

1. No, the department does not conduct lifestyle audits of its employees.
2. No, there is no monitoring of employee expenditure patterns because there has never been any reason to do so;
3. (a) (b) Yes, the matter was referred to relevant law enforcement agency.

Approved/not approved

 

 

Adv N Ramatlhodi

Minister of Mineral Resources

Date Submitted:-……………/………………/ 2015

Reply:

The department did not set up a SABC Task Team.

 

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

Reply:

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

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

i. Attainment of intended project objectives as of inception

ii. Governance and institutional stability

iii. Financial Management

iv. Financial Sustainability and revenue generation

v. Community Participation

vi. Partnerships

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

Reply:

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

 

 

MR N MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

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

(b)South African delegation:

1. The Minister

2. Chief of Staff

3. Protector

4. Assistant Director in the office of the DG

(C)FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR SUPPORT STAFF

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

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR MINISTER

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

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL ACTING

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

Reply:

The Theewaterskloof Local Municipality (THWK LM), the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) from the Office of the Honourable Deputy Minister Skwatsha, the Office of the Premier of the Western Cape, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDOA), and other role players held a meeting on the 27th July 2015 particularly to discuss the problem of the cattle (120 cows) crossing the roads, especially crossing on the National Road (N2) which has put motorists and other people’s lives at risk. There is an urgent need for land that will be used to graze the cattle. The requirement for land has been communicated with the DRDLR office. The THWK LM reported that there are 2 farms available in the area, but these could not be committed as available/secure for use by the cattle. This will be looked into as a short term solution whilst following the DRDLR processes to acquire land.

There is a 17 hectare piece of land available as part of the ARC land, though this is equally not available for use by the producers immediately as it is meant to support the ARC’s research interventions. The WCDOA advised the producers to reduce the number of cattle in order to contain the cows in a better condition, in terms of supervision and easy handling, including the provision of feed on a continuous basis. The reduction in cattle numbers was proposed by the WCDOA as a short term solution whilst the THWK LM resolves the availability of the two farms for immediate use. The cattle producers did not agree to this and refused to negotiate any further.

The land acquisition matter is being discussed as a matter of urgency to address the challenge of the cattle crossing the N2.

Reply:

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China has extended an invitation to Minister Muthambi F to attend the Ministerial Workshop on Development and Management of Radio and TV Media for Developing Countries trip will take place on 20 – 31 July 2015.

The South African delegation was represented by:

1. Chief of Staff.

2. Outcome facilitator.

3. Assistant director in the office of the DG.

4. DTT project Head.

5. Chief Director Broadcasting Policy.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR SUPPORT STAFF

Item	People	Exchange rate	Days	Cost
Accommodation: Changsha, China	3		11	R46 200.00
Ground Transport	3		11	R 11 000.00
Ticket, service fees and insurance(To and From and internal Flights)	5			R130 710.00
Daily Allowance	5 (note)		11	R63 864.80
Total				R 251 774.80

Note

The accommodation and ground transport in respect of the Head of the DTT Project and the CD: Broadcasting Policy were sponsored by the Government of China. The DoC was only responsible for paying the daily allowance for the period.

There are no financial implications for the Minister due to the fact that the above expenses were catered by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China as the sponsor.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR MINISTER

Item	People	Exchange rate	Days	Cost
Accommodation:	1		11	R0.00
Ground Transport	1		11	R0.00
VIP Services at airport	1		11	R0.00
Ticket, service fees and insurance	1			R0.00
Ticket, service fees and insurance	1			R12 807.44
Total				R12 807.44

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL ACTING

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

Reply:

Community radio stations in ‘financial distress’ are defined as stations that have requested and been funded by the MDDA on more than one occasion upon completion of the original grant. These are the stations that request for more funds towards strengthening on areas that are still lacking. For instance, a station might request funds for salaries, transmission costs, Outside Broadcast Equipment and Back-Up Power Supply (Generator or Solar Power).

The stations that have been funded more than once are as follows:

1. Inanda FM
2. Emalahleni FM
3. Vukani FM
4. Bush Radio
5. Inkonjane Community Radio
6. Voice of Tembisa
7. Aganang Community Radio
8. Sekhukhune Community Radio
9. ICORA
10. Radio Khwezi
11. Maputaland Community Radio
12. Moletjie Community Radio
13. Greater Tzaneen
14. Kanyamazane Community Radio
15. Star FM
16. N FM
17. Radio Riverside
18. Radio Namakwaland
19. Radio Zibonele

A majority of these Community Radio Stations are in communities whose socio economic standards directly affect self-sustainability of the projects post the grant period. They solely rely on advertising revenue which is invested back into operational costs. All stations face a challenge of delayed payment for services rendered particularly from government and this has an adverse impact on their income and cash flow.

(b)  The MDDA has provided financial support for salaries, infrastructure refurbishment, transmission costs, Outside Broadcast Equipment, Back-Up Power Supply (Generator or Solar Power). The MDDA also lobbies national, provincial and local government to support community radio stations through advertising. The MDDA is further working closely with the GCIS media buying unit in order to ensure investment to the sector.

 

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

Reply:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reply:

(a)  MDDA developed and distributed 1500 toolkits for Media Advertising and Marketing for both radio and another 1500 for print. In addition the MDDA has also produced an “easy to use” Corporate Governance Toolkit

(b) Participants at the workshops were all provided the toolkits:

Toolkits Workshops	Area	Beneficiaries	Period
Marketing and Advertising	Mpumalanga Provincial Workshop	6 Community Radio Stations and 7 Publishers	August 2011
	Northern Cape Provincial Workshop	5 Community Radio Stations and 1 Publisher	August 2011
	Gauteng Provincial Workshop	20 Community Radio Stations, 1 Community TV and 3 Publishers	August 2011
	KwaZulu Natal Provincial Workshop	14 Community Radio Stations, 1 Community TV and 10 Publishers	August 2011
Corporate Governance	National Workshop	37 Publishers and 11 Community Radio Stations.	May 2012
	National Workshop	10 community Radio Stations, 3 Community TV and 6 Publishers.	February 2013
Starting Your School Newspaper	Provincial Annual Media Literacy Workshops	100 Learners per annum	Annually since 2012 Limpopo, Free State, Northern Cape, KwaZulu Natal and Western Cape

These toolkits are subsequently distributed in all workshops and Learning Forum where MDDA beneficiaries participate.

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL ACTING

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

Reply:

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

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

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

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

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 2921 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

(a) (i), (ii), (aa), (bb), (cc), (dd).

The Department of Communications did not commission any consultants or external third parties to undertake the task of revising and drafting the Policy amendments that were submitted in February 2015 and finally adopted by Cabinet on the 4th of March 2015. The task was undertaken by the internal Policy Unit personnel of the DoC and the DTT PMO under the supervision of the Acting Director-General and the leadership of the Minister.

(b) (i), (ii) and (c)

The only point at which external parties were engaged in the formulation of the policy amendments was to solicit the inputs from the consultation session that was held with industry and various stakeholders in the broadcasting sector. This mainly occurred at a workshop called by the Minister to revive the Broadcasting Digital Migration (BDM) Policy and to assist the DTT PMO team to finalise the Policy amendments and attended by several representatives of companies and industry groups from the electronic manufacturing sector.  The details are as follows: 

Date            : Thursday 06 November 2014

Venue       : Auditorium, Ground Floor, Tshedimosetso House, 1035 Francis Baard, Hatfield, Pretoria

Time           : 09H00

Attendance register is attached.

Numerous working sessions were held to process the inputs between the period November 2014 and February 2015. The final output of these working sessions was a draft Policy amendments submitted in February 2015 and approved by Cabinet on the 4th of March 2015.

 

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

Reply:

(a) National Treasury makes significant efforts to communicate publicly its fiscal strategy and implications for the debt outlook. Extensive budget information is released to the legislature and the public in general. According to the international Open Budget Index survey, South Africa ranks as one of the top countries for transparency and accountability. Parliament holds public hearings after the tabling of each Budget Review and Medium Term Budget Policy Statement. As part of its budget outreach programme, National Treasury representatives travel around South Africa presenting the fiscal outlook to universities and civil society organisations. The National Treasury conducts domestic investor roadshows and communicates regularly with the media on the implications of the fiscal framework for the national debt outlook.

The debt that government will incur over the coming decade is set out in the publicly available budget documents tabled in parliament in February each year. Provisions are made for debt that is falling due, with the details outlined in chapter 7 of 2015 Budget Review. A more detailed breakdown is published in the annual Debt Management Report, which is available on the National Treasury website.

(b) Government manages the debt outlook by narrowing the deficit over time while mitigating refinancing risk (i.e. the risk that government will not be able to raise money to finance the budget deficit and repay debt at any scheduled point, or will have to do so at high cost). In order to close the deficit, government has raised taxes and reduced the rate of expenditure growth. The budget also aims to change the composition of borrowing, in order to ensure that government debt is used to fund infrastructure spending with a positive long-term impact.

The medium-term borrowing strategy focuses on mitigating the risks presented by the sharp increase in loan repayments in 2017/18 and beyond. To meet these high loan repayments, cash has been generated from higher long-term borrowing in 2014/15. Over the medium term, the cash will be used to pay down short-term borrowing. Government also makes use of a bond-switch programme to ease pressure on targeted areas of the bond redemption profile by exchanging short-term for longer-term debt.

Reply:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reply:

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

Reply:

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

END.

ANNEXURE A

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO. 2059

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 29 MAY 2015

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 17)

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

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

NW2322E

REPLY:

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

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

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

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

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

END.

Reply:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All 26 public universities are connected to the internet.

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

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

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

-END-

Reply:

(1) No.

Reply:

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

Reply:

(a) Yes, from 29 November - 06 December 2014

(b) No

(c) Yes

(i) State Visit to the People’s Republic of China

(ii) (a) R163 199.30

(ii) (b) Airfare: R149 459.00

S&T Advance: R 13 740.30

DIRCO has not submitted the invoices for Accommodation, Translators and Ground transport.

(c) (i) see table below

(ii) (a) R582 771.48

(b) See table below

Passenger	Purpose of visit (c) (i)	Travel Date	Breakdown of Costs (c) (ii) (b)
Mr Mkhacani Godfrey Maluleke	Integrated Border Management Agency During September and October 2015 (BMA)	18-27 October 2014	Airfares: R 71 764.00 Daily Allowance: R 8 683.65 Accommodation: Waiting for invoices from DIRCO Ground transport: Waiting for invoices from DIRCO Total Amount: R80 447.65
Ms Keitumetse Mathibe	State Visit to the People’s Republic of China	29 November - 06 December 2014	Airfares: R149 459 Daily Allowance: R 12 491.20 Accommodation: Waiting for invoices from DIRCO Total: R161 950.20
Ms Lesego Ntsieni	State Visit to the People’s Republic of China	29 November - 06 December 2014	Airfares: R149 459 Daily Allowance: R 12 491.20 Accommodation: Waiting for invoices from DIRCO Total: R161 950.20
Mr Mawethu Vilana	State Visit to the People’s Republic of China	29 November 2014	Airfare: R62 446 Advance: R 12 575.32 Accommodation: Waiting for invoices from DIRCO Total: R75 021.32
Mr P Mohan	Cross Border Road Transport study Tour to China	7-13 March 2015	Airfares: R 72 332.14 Accommodation: R 15 670.00 Daily Allowance: R 15 400.00 Total Amount: R 103 402.14
TOTAL COST			R582 771.48

Reply:

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

(a) and (b) Not applicable.

2. Not applicable.

--ooOoo--

Reply:

(a)(i) The mandate of the Cybersecurity Hub is to be the central point of collaboration for Cybersecurity incidents;

(ii)(aa)The budget for 2015-16 Financial Year is R11 755 000.00

(bb)The Medium-Term Expenditure Framework is as follows:

Financial Year (FY) 2016-17 (R11 847 000.00)

FY 2017-18 (R11 939 000.00)

FY 2018-19 (R12 536 000.00)

(iii) The money will be spent on operations of the Cybersecurity Hub as per the Cybersecurity Hub Road Map.

(b) The operations of the Cybersecurity Hub is currently outsourced.

(c) Most of the staff members from the Service Provider hold Masters Degrees.

(d) As outlined in the National Cybersecurity Policy Framework, the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services is in charge of the Cybersecurity Hub and the Cybersecurity Hub is headed by Mr Jabu Radebe.

(e) He is a Chief Director: ICT Security

(f) The Cybersecurity Hub reports to the Ministry of Telecommunications and Postal Services, the Director-General of the Department, Deputy Director-General: ICT Infrastructure Support and the Cybersecurity Response Committee (CRC).

Reply:

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

Reply:

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

(2) Yes.

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

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

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

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

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

Reply:

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

(a) and (b) Not applicable

2.  Not applicable

--ooOoo--

Reply:

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

(a) and (b) Not applicable

--ooOoo--

Reply:

(1) (a)(i)
In 2014. the Kha Ri Gude Mass Literacy Campaign enrolled 2 048 Blind learners that were taught how to read and vvTite using Braille. In addition, 1 084 deaf learners were taught to communicate using the South African Sign Language (SASL).

There is a challenge with regard to finding qualified unemployed educators to teach Braille and SASL. Therefore the campaign did not recruit learners in the Northern Cape. Unfortunately, the programme was unable to recruit blind and deaf learners in the Northern Cape and blind learners in the Western Cape.

The Campaign has implemented plans to recruit a suitable volunteer in both these provinces for the 2015 Campaign to ensure that these learners are included in the campaign.

Attached find here: Provinces

Reply:

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

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

Reply:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 (b) (i) and (ii) Not applicable.

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

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

Reply:

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

Reply:

(i) Registration of Co-operatives

The Department of Military Veterans has been tasked with ensuring that the registration of effective co-operatives continues to be deliverable for the Department in the 2015/16 financial year. In this regard, the Department has set a target for the establishment of at least 40 new co-operatives by the end of the financial year. The task involves the conducting of workshops to advise military veterans on the requirements for establishment of co-operatives. Thereafter, those interested are provided with a training workshop after which they are provided with the requisite documentation to allow for them to independently call their proposed co-operatives members together, complete the Constitution and applications forms and then to submit all the required documents to the DMV for registration of the co-operatives. In the interim, the DMV is engaging in discussion with various stakeholders for potential opportunities for economic participation and job opportunities for military veterans. All workshops and training of Co-operatives is done in conjunction with the Department of Small Business Development’s Small Enterprise Development Agency. A further critical opportunity identified is for the funding of small and medium enterprises and co-operatives of military veterans through the Small Enterprise Financing Agency, with whom the DMV has a signed MOU.

(ii) Alienation of Disposable Products from the Department of Defence

The Minister has identified a critical opportunity for Military Veterans to take part in the process for the disposal of old and non-usable stock from the Department of Defence. Through this opportunity, it is envisaged that many work opportunities and possibility for economic participation can be identified for military veterans. The DMV has been tasked with developing an entity to house the programme so that it is carefully managed to derive maximum benefit to all military veterans, SANMVA shall play a role as a stakeholder to this entity. At present, in planning towards achieving on this goal, the DMV has identified at least 31 military veterans to be trained as auctioneers, in conjunction with the Department of Defence, so that military veterans would have a clear knowledge of the different steps in the alienation of disposable materials from the Department of Defence. The training of the auctioneers is expected to commence before the end of August 2015. It is envisaged that a large proportion of the co-operatives currently listed on the business development and support register would be able to derive benefit from the Department of Defence Programme.

(iii) Training through MERSETA and SASSETA

(b) The Critical Opportunities Identified

(i) Department of Defence alienation of obsolete materials

The Department of Defence programme on the alienation of obsolete is a key initiative being negotiated by the Minister on behalf of Military Veterans as indicated above.

Reply:

I have been advised by Broadband Infraco as follows:

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

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

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

Reply:

1) Acquisition of Infrastructure is done through the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Department of Military Veterans does not have control over the process hence failure to acquire health and wellness centre as planned.

(2) The Department has made the financial provision for the establishment of the Health and Wellness Centre and had identified several sites in Gauteng which were submitted to the Department of Public Works, together with the specifications of the envisioned centre to fast track the procurement process as advised by DPW. Furthermore the Department is also considering the possibility of renting the Health and Wellness Sites and out-source the related services based on the specifications developed for the centre.

(3) Currently the Department has not incurred any costs but has reserved R19 million based on projections of the procurement and the management of the facility.

(4) (a) The ultimate plan for the Department is to establish one Health and Wellness Centre in each Province.

(b) The location of the Health and Wellness Centre will be based on the suitability of the sites, however for the 2015/16 period the Department plans to establish one centre in Gauteng.

(5) The department has developed a business plan which will inform the annual budget to ensure the sustainability of the program.

NW3475E

Reply:

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

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

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

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

Reply:

1. The Minister requested a meeting with organisations which are involved in lion hunting in South Africa in response to mounting public concern around captive breeding of lion and, in particular, to address claims of allegedly widespread so-called canned hunting of lion in South Africa. This meeting was then convened on 14 July 2015.

The Department identified organisations in attendance through the National Wildlife Forum, which is a forum established by the Minister in 2005 to address policy, permitting and legislation issues that affect the wildlife sector.

2. No, The Minister still intends to invite civil society, non-governmental organisations and other interested members of the public to discuss the allegedly widespread so-called canned hunting of lion in South Africa.

The following organisations which were directly affected were invited:

• Professional Hunters Association of South Africa
• South African Predators Association
• Wildlife Ranching South Africa
• National Shooting Association
• Wildlife Translocation Association
• The National Confederation of Hunters Associations of South Africa
• South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association
• Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

 

The following organisations attended the meeting:

• Professional Hunters Association of South Africa
• South African Predators Association
• The National Confederation of Hunters Associations of South Africa
• South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association
• Provincial Conservation Authorities
• Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

3. The Minister of Environmental Affairs from time to time receives requests to meet. And she also requests meetings with various stakeholders on a range of issues within the Department’s mandate; ranging from biodiversity and conservation, air quality, climate change, to general matters around environmental protection. All such meetings and their respective agendas are diarised.

The meeting with stakeholders in the hunting industry forms part of regular interaction between the Minister and industry. The Department’s Chief Directorate: Communications regularly releases statements on such meetings, which may be found on the Department’s website.

--ooOoo--

Reply:

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

Reply:

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

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

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

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

   (a) None.

   (b) The National ICT Policy.

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

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

Reply:

1. Response is as follows:

• KILLINGS

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

• POLICE CORRUPTION

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

• SALES OF HOSTEL BEDS

This is the domain of Ethekwini Municipality.

• GANGSTERISM

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

• POLICE COLLUDING WITH HOSTEL THUGS

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

• POLICE SHARING ROOMS WITH HITMAN

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

• DEPARTMENT LEAVING THE SITUATION TO ESCALATE

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

The issues of environmental design, such as:-

- Lack of access control,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

Signed MAJOR GENERAL

ACTING DIVISIONAL COMMISSIONER: VISIBLE POLICING

MM MOTLHALA

Date: 4 August 2015

Reply to question 2785 recommended

Signed LIEUTENANT GENERAL

DEPUTY NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: POLICING

KJ SITOLE (SOE)

Date: 4 August 2015

Agree with reply to question 2785

Signed GENERAL

NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE

MV PHIYEGA

Date: 5 August 2015

Reply to question 2785 approved/not approved

MINISTER OF POLICE

NPT NHLEKO, MP

Date:

Reply:

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

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

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

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

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

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