Questions and Replies

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06 July 2015 - NW1644

Profile picture: Van Dyk, Ms V

Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Communications

(a) How many Film and Publication Board (FPB) classifiers have been trained through a formal qualification process and (b) at what institution have the specified Film and Publication Board classifiers qualified since 26 May 2014?

Reply:

  1. There is no formal qualification provided for classifiers. FPB provides informal classifier training in the form of workshops. These are conducted using the services of experts in the different fields- the appeals tribunal and experienced senior classifiers. Training is informal in the form of a workshop which deals in depth with the classification guidelines, applicable legislations including the Constitution. On a quarterly basis, there are refresher classifiers’ training workshops provided which are interactive and allow classifiers to provide operational feedback and challenges experienced in the application of the guidelines and legislation.
  2. No formal qualification is offered to classifiers.

NDIVHUHO MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

06 July 2015 - NW2391

Profile picture: Mbhele, Mr ZN

Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Minister of Police

To how many police stations has the Integrated Case Docket Management System been deployed?

Reply:

The Investigation Case Docket Management System (ICDMS) functionality has been implemented at 697 police stations since inception. These figures reflect the status as on 2015-06-12.

The breakdown per Province is as follows:

PROVINCE

TOTAL

Eastern Cape

58

Free State

60

Gauteng

138

KwaZulu-Natal

100

Limpopo

58

Mpumalanga

73

North West

52

Northern Cape

42

Western Cape

116

TOTAL

697

06 July 2015 - NW2479

Profile picture: Mbhele, Mr ZN

Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Minister of Police

(1)What are the reasons for the Edenvale Police Station’s refusal to raid a known drug den (details furnished); (2) whether he will give an instruction for such a raid to take place; if not, why not; if so, when?

Reply:

  1. The house is occupied by different tenants from different counties and has been reported to EMPD that they can raid the place for overcrowding. It was raided for drugs by SAPS but nothing was found.

(2) The address has been given to EMPD for overcrowding. A joint operation between SAPS and EMPD has been arranged for execution.

06 July 2015 - NW1688

Profile picture: Van Dyk, Ms V

Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Communications

(a) How many copies of My District Today published by the Government Communication and Information System are distributed (i) weekly and (ii) monthly, (b) through what medium is the publication distributed, (c) in what language is the publication published, (d) is each province equally represented in the publication and (e) how is the publication monitored to ensure that it successfully reaches communities?

Reply:

(a)    My District Today is a weekly online newsletter published every Friday. Currently My District Today is circulated to a database of roughly 10 000 stakeholders including Academia, Civil society Organisation: NGOs, FBOs, CBOs, Business, Government Sector: National departments, Provincial government and Municipalities, Community Development Workers, Street Committees, Commercial Media: SABC ALS, Community Media: small print, radio as well as community television; Community Policing Forums, Thusong Programme Coordinating Structures, Traditional Authorities, Special Groups: Organised Youth structures, Women’s groups and those structures of people with disabilities, Rate Payers Associations, Organised Labour, Constituency Offices and Ward Committees, amongst others.

The publication aims to profile the impact of government programmes by elevating community voices and coalface stories – the editorial bias is towards profiling success stories of government’s nine priorities especially in remote and far lying communities which often do not get public attention.

The publication further serves to elevate local stories to the national platforms such as the Vuk’uzenzele newspaper, the Public Sector Magazine, internal newsletters of government departments, etc.

(b)       My District Today is published on the GCIS website and cascaded via email to national, provincial and local stakeholders.

(c)       The publication is currently published in English.

(d)       Equal representation of all nine provinces is ensured through a rotational roster, wherein if five stories are covered in a week (one from each province) the next edition automatically covers the remaining four. Provinces are therefore equally represented in a month.

(e)     In terms of monitoring, a survey was conducted in August 2014 among recipients to evaluate interest, conceive inputs and further ideas on areas of improvement. The survey made a number of recommendations which are being implemented.

Because of its nature as an online publication it is primarily intended for stakeholders and community intermediaries as opposed to individual community members who receive communication via other channels. This dissemination is done by means of a data base maintained both nationally and provincially, through the Content and Knowledge Management Assistant Directors in GCIS Provincial Offices who verify email addresses.

Provision is made for occasional print versions of the product during the GCIS provincial outreaches where it is distributed to members of the public with other government information material.

DONALD LIPHOKO

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

GCIS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

06 July 2015 - NW2240

Profile picture: Matsepe, Mr CD

Matsepe, Mr CD to ask the Minister of Police

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:

Kindly find below mentioned answers to the abovementioned question. There were no such terminations for the years 2008-2009 and 2012-2013.

2009-2010 FINANCIAL YEAR

PERSAL NO

RANK

SURNAME & INITIALS

RETIREMENT DATE

AMOUNT

REASON FOR TERMINATION

0400019-6

Major General

Jones JA

2009-04-30

R 1 054 268.21

Section 35

0472624-3

Major General

Mphego NM

2009-09-30

R 1 165 822.26

Section 35

2010-2011 FINANCIAL YEAR

PERSAL NO

RANK

SURNAME & INITIALS

RETIREMENT DATE

AMOUNT

REASON FOR TERMINATION

0058432-1

Major General

Terblanche OS

2010-08-31

R 1 804 775.28

Section 35

0160983-1

Lieutenant General

Naidoo P

2010-08-31

R 4 462 679.40

Section 35

0483197-7

Lieutenant General

Hlela HM

2010-08-31

R 2 008 538.48

Section 35

0062764-0

Major General

Fryer MJ

2010-09-30

R 1 686 082.36

Section 35

0616380-7

Brigadier

Mokoena TD

2010-09-30

R 042 003.71

Section 35

0173416-4

Major General

Mbambo DM

2010-10-31

R 1 423 127.31

Section 35

0435245-9

Major General

Pienaar LJ

2010-10-31

R 1 213 169.85

Section 35

0473766-1

Major General

Van Der Westhuizen CC

2010-10-31

R 1 364 556.79

Section 35

0535587-7

Lieutenant General

Mtimkulu LTMP

2010-11-30

R 1 077 881.65

Section 35

0066660-2

Major General

Roos A

2010-12-31

R 1 572 791.53

Section 35

0055403-1

Major General

Els WJ

2011-01-31

R 1 706 716.69

Section 35

0062694-5

Colonel

Bester LJ

2011-01-31

R1 114 572.90

Section 35

0170499-1

Major General

Mokwena RJ

2011-01-31

R 1 522 507.82

Section 35

0429640-1

Lieutenant General

Pruis LCA

2011-01-31

R 2 194 100.02

Section 35

0401284-4

Major General

Meyer M

2011-02-28

R 1 488 136.93

Section 35

0417501-8

Brigadier

Taylor RJ

2011-02-28

R 1 439 484.09

Section 35

2011-2012 FINANCIAL YEAR

PERSAL NO

RANK

SURNAME & INITIALS

RETIREMENT DATE

AMOUNT

REASON FOR TERMINATION

609287-0

Major General

Mabasa KW

2011-09-30

R 1 831 974.99

Section 35

2011-2012 FINANCIAL YEAR

PERSAL NO

RANK

SURNAME & INITIALS

RETIREMENT DATE

AMOUNT

REASON FOR TERMINATION

0605774-8

Lieutenant General

Lebeya SG

2014-05-31

R 865 295.10

Section 189 (Labour Relations Act)

0608018-9

Lieutenant General

Mofomme AL

2014-05-31

R 1 064 595.73

Section 189 (Labour Relations Act)

2014-2015 FINANCIAL YEAR

PERSAL NO

RANK

SURNAME & INITIALS

RETIREMENT DATE

AMOUNT

REASON FOR TERMINATION

0479543-1

Lieutenant General

Dramat A

2015-03-31

R 3 109 029.80

Section 35

06 July 2015 - NW2481

Profile picture: McLoughlin, Mr AR

McLoughlin, Mr AR to ask the Minister of Police

(1)With regard to his reply to question 2293 on 18 June 2015, where did he get the information that Democratic Alliance (DA) members were wearing DA branded name tags; (2) whether there are any reasons and/or provisions why an open public meeting, where press are reporting, cannot be recorded; if so, what are the reasons and/or provisions; (3) why did the chairperson inform the community police forum meeting that the Member of the Executive Council had given an instruction to postpone the meeting when it was in fact Mr D Sibuyi who had given the advice that the meeting be postponed; (4) will any action be taken in this regard?

Reply:

(1) From CPF Chairperson Linda McKenzie.

(2)  CPF chairperson Linda McKenzie observed a hidden video camera recorder hidden in the shoe box and asked Mr Allan Fourie why the camera is hidden in the box and his reply was that it is used to record and video. She then asked him if he had obtained permission from the executive and he replied that permission was not needed.

(3)  CPF chairperson conveyed the message from the MEC office to the community at the CPF meeting.

(4)  No action will be taken.

06 July 2015 - NW2395

Profile picture: Mokgalapa, Mr S

Mokgalapa, Mr S to ask the Minister of Police

(1)How many witnesses have (a) been attacked or (b) died while under witness protection (i) in the (aa) 200910, (bb) 201011, (cc) 201112, (dd) 201213, (ee) 201314 and (ff) 201415 financial years and (ii) from 1 April 2015 up to the latest date for which information is available; (2) how many of these incidences resulted in investigations (a) which are still in progress and (b) which have been completed in respect of each specified financial year or time period; (3) how many investigated cases were found to involve breaches in security committed by members of SA Police Service in respect of each specified financial year or time period? NW2760E

Reply:

The information that is required is not readily available as each case must be verified before the information can be submitted. A request is hereby made for an extension in order for us to provide quality and correct information as soon as it is received.

03 July 2015 - NW2299

Profile picture: Baker, Ms TE

Baker, Ms TE to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

Are there any plans in place to release water from the Lesotho Highlands Water Project to assist the Free State towns of Ficksburg, Clocolan and Marquard which have been affected by drought; if not, (a) why not and (b) what other measures have been put into place to deal with the effects of water security resultant from the drought in these communities?

Reply:

Yes, a submission has been made to the Director-General on 21 May 2015 for the release of water from the Katse Dam (Lesotho Highlands Water Project).

(a) Falls away

(b) In order to ensure the sustainability of supply within the system, pumping at the Tienfontein Pump Station (Caledon River) should be maintained. This can only be achieved by releasing water from the Lesotho Highlands Water Scheme (Katse Dam) into the Caledon River. The transfer of water from Knellpoort Dam via the Novo transfer scheme to Rustfontein Dam should also be maintained. Fast-track and intensify the implementation of water conservation and water demand management measures in all affected municipalities. Urgent implementation of the gazetted water restrictions and the monitoring of possible unlawful water use along the Modder River, upstream of Maselspoort Dam.

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03 July 2015 - NW2417

Profile picture: Macpherson, Mr DW

Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry

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:

Response from the Department

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

Advertising Cost: 2012/13

The annual advertising cost per newspaper per financial year is indicated in the table below:

Newspaper

2012/13 Financial Year

2013/14 Financial Year

2014/15 Financial Year

Sowetan

R1 283 046.88

R1 146 164 .88

R511 733.97

Daily Sun

0

0

0

Response from the Entities

Entity

b (i)(aa)

b (i)(bb)

b (i)(cc)

b(ii)(aa)

b (ii)(bb)

b(ii)(cc)

Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Export Credit Insurance Corporation (ECIC)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

National Credit Regulator (NCR)

R 237 304

R 244 263

R 209 111

R 149 136

R 496 540

R 109 470

National Consumer Tribunal (NCT)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

National Empowerment Fund (NEF)

R 135 254.40

R 111 960

R 657 600

R63 354

R 6 960

R 37 040

National Gambling Board (NGB)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

National Lotteries Commission (NLC)

R 56 363

R 461 183

R 438 039

R 78 229

Not Applicable

R 112 783

National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

National Regulator For Compulsory Specifications (NRCS)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

South African National Accreditation System (SANAS)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

National Consumer Commission (NCC)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Companies Tribunal (CT)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

R 77 278.65

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

03 July 2015 - NW2297

Profile picture: Baker, Ms TE

Baker, Ms TE to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

(1)With regard to the amount of R352,4 million which was set aside to assist the nine municipalities affected by drought in KwaZulu-Natal, (a) which municipalities have received payments and (b) what amount has each municipality received to date; (2) have funding agreements been signed with all affected municipalities; if not, (a) which municipalities have outstanding agreements and (b) what action has been taken to remedy this?

Reply:

(1)(a) Refer to table below regarding the nine municipalities affected by drought in KZN:

No.

Name of Municipality

Business Plan

Funding agreement

Amount received to date

1

Umzinyathi District Municipality

Approved

Approved

R1 782 836.47

2

Umkhanyakude District Municipality

Approved

Approved

R6 321 734.42

3

Uthukela District Municipality

Received and pending approval

Received and pending approval

None

4

Ugu District Municipality

Approved

Approved

None

6

Zululand District Municipality

Approved

Approved

None

7

UguDistrict Municipality

Approved

Approved

None

8

IlembeDistrict Municipality

Approved

Approved

None

9

Harry Gwala

Approved

Approved

None

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03 July 2015 - NW2217

Profile picture: Lekota, Mr M

Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises

(1) Whether the Government had completed a detailed financial analysis to put an estimate on the final cost of Medupi Power Station; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether the Government’s financial analysis corresponds with independent estimates that Medupi Power Staton will have cost the Government R300 billion rand or 10 times its cost at the signing of the contract; if so, what is the Government’s own estimate of the final cost; (3) does the Government’s final cost estimate differ with the independently estimated cost of R300 billion; if not, why not; if so, (a) by what amount below or above that mark, (b) will the Government explain what consequences will flow for all those who allowed the target to be overshot by the specified amount and (c) what measures has the Government implemented from 2009 to control the runaway costs; (4) will she make a statement on the handling and management of Medupi Power Station from its implementation up until the latest specified date for which information is available in light of the Government’s own fiduciary responsibility for Medupi Power Station? NW2574E

Reply:

(1) Yes. The cost to completion on the Medupi Project, as with other long term projects, is reviewed on an ongoing basis. The current approved cost to completion is R105bn. The Board of Eskom has not approved any further revision to the R105bn. The most recent review of the costs is currently undergoing internal Governance scrutiny. Should an increase to the current cost of completion be required, the Board will seek the necessary Shareholder approval through the PFMA process.

(2) Eskom is not familiar with the details, assumptions or factors that have been considered in the independent estimate of R300 billion, hence Eskom is not in a position to comment on the credibility of the estimate. The current approved project cost to completion on the Medupi Project is R105 billion.

(3) Eskom’s final cost estimate differs from the quoted independent estimate.

    (a) Eskom’s current approved cost to completion of Medupi of R105bn is R195 billion below the above mentioned independent estimate.

      (b) The Government is aware that the Medupi project might have cost overruns due to the various factors and Eskom will provide the detail of cost overruns to the Department in due course when all the Government processes have been completed.

     (c) Eskom is consistently incorporating techniques to improve performance and manage costs. These ideas for improvement are derived from lessons learnt on other local and international projects. The following main cost control measures have been implemented:

• The introduction of additional supervisory resources to manage construction interfaces and the quality of on-site construction activities and off-site fabrication works.

• The strengthening of construction techniques within the project.

• Implementation of a robust claims management strategy.

• Improved Project oversight and streamlined decision making via the Eskom Board Build Program Review Committee and Eskom’s Executive Build Program Review Committee.

(4) The Minister will continue with the shareholder oversight pertaining to the progress of the Medupi Power Station project. The operational issues of the project are handled by the Eskom and quarterly progress is provided to the Department. The Department has undertaken a study to evaluate Eskom’s build programme and there has been lessons learned which are to be implemented to the build programme.

03 July 2015 - NW2333

Profile picture: McLoughlin, Mr AR

McLoughlin, Mr AR to ask the Minister of Finance

(1) (a) What is the total value of South Africa’s current gold reserves, quoted in US dollars, and (b) what proportion of South Africa’s gold reserves is (i) stored in South Africa and (ii) located offshore; (2) (a) where are the local gold reserves held and (b) when last was a stock check of the locally held gold reserves undertaken; (3) (a) where are the reserves kept which are held offshore and (b) what percentage share of the reserves is held at each respective location; (4) (a) when last (i) were the gold reserves held offshore inspected and (ii) was an accurate stock take undertaken and (b)(i) who conducted such an inspection, (ii) to whom do they report and (iii) where can a copy thereof be obtained; (5) has any portion of South Africa’s gold reserve ever been found to be missing or unaccounted for; if so, what steps have been taken to ascertain the whereabouts of said reserves?

Reply:

1 (a) The value of the official gold reserves as at 31 May 2015 was US$4.8 billion, which is approximately 4 million fine ounces.

1 (b) The SARB holds a large percentage of South Africa’s gold reserves in vaults of official sector institutions at offshore bullion centres, while a smaller amount is held locally. It is operationally efficient to store gold at offshore bullion centres should the need arise to conduct gold transactions. The exact percentage allocation is not made public.

2 (a) Gold reserves held locally are held at Rand Refinery Proprietary Limited (Rand Refinery), the South African Mint Company (RF) Proprietary Limited (SA Mint), and various branches of the SARB, including its head office.

2 (b) The SARB performs regular reconciliations on reports based on gold held at various local locations. An audit of locally held gold reserves is also conducted annually.

3 (a) Most of South Africa’s gold reserves are kept at secure offshore bullion centres, in vaults of official sector institutions.

3 (b) The exact percentage allocation is not made public.

4 (a) Senior SARB officials conduct due diligence visits to inspect gold reserves held offshore on a regular basis. The last due diligence visit was conducted during 2014.

4 (b) The report on each due diligence visit is forwarded to the executive of the SARB. As these reports contain confidential information, they are not publically available.

5 No.

03 July 2015 - NW2522

Profile picture: Steyn, Ms A

Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

With reference to his response to oral question 153 on 10 June 2015, what amount has been budgeted for the implementation of the Agricultural Policy Action Plan in the 2015-16 financial year?

Reply:

(a) The Agricultural Policy Action Plan (APAP) is planned over a five-year period and will be updated on an annual basis. Cabinet furthermore approved APAP      in March 2015, and implementation will commence in the 2015/2016 financial year. It is important to note that APAP does not act outside existing            budgets such as DAFFs budgetary allocation. However it provides a comprehensive strategic approach in implementing the National Development Plan (NDP) and the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) and directs the spending on strategic interventions identified by all stakeholders.

 APAP 2015/16 interventions are funded via DAFF’s grant programmes such as CASP, Ilema Letsema, and sector organisations’ contribution. The estimated  total for APAP 2015/16 is R 4, 6 billion.

03 July 2015 - NW2348

Profile picture: Van Der Walt, Ms D

Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Finance

With reference to the presentation made to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on 2 June 2015 (a) what are the full details of each of the mobile schools, (b) how many learners are enrolled in each of the specified schools, (c) on what dates were each of the specified mobile schools established, (d) how many teachers are employed in each mobile school, (e) what is the reason for the establishment of the mobile schools and (f) for how long will the specified schools remain mobile schools?

Reply:

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) During a joint meeting of the Select Committee on Appropriations and the Portfolio Committee on Education on 02 June 2015, the acting Director General of Basic Education and other staff members of the Department of Basic Education made a presentation to the meeting regarding the delivery performance of the Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI) and the Education Infrastructure Grant. During the same meeting the National Treasury also made a presentation about the expenditure of these two programmes, and also reflected on non-financial performance within the same presentation. The National Treasury indicated that the non-financial data was sourced from the Department of Basic Education, which oversees and manages these programmes.

Following the National Treasury presentation the acting co-chairperson of the hearing, Mr C de Beer, informed members of both committees that questions regarding the actual service delivery performance of the grants or programmes should be directed to the Department of Basic Education, as this was the reason why they had been invited to the joint hearing. For this reason, and since the questions that have been asked are specifically related to the mandate of the Minister of Basic Education, please be advised that the questions have been forwarded to the Ministry of Basic Education, who will provide a reply.

03 July 2015 - NW1913

Profile picture: Kalyan, Ms SV

Kalyan, Ms SV to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

(a) Who are the current chief financial officers of (i) her department and (ii) the entities reporting to her and (b) what is the qualification of each chief financial officer?

Reply:

Refer to the table below for the current Chief Financial Officers of the Department and the Entities:

Department/ Entity

Full Names

Qualifications

Department: CFO Water Trading Entity

Mr Mpho Mofokeng

B Tech: Cost & Management Accounting Degree

Department: CFO Main Account

Ms Nthabiseng Fundakubi

B Tech: Business Administration

Amatola Water

The CFO post is vacant.

N/A

Bloem Water

Mr OJ Stadler

B Comm Honours; Masters in Business Leadership (MBL)

Lepelle Northern Water

Mr JC Kilan

Honours: Accounting; Masters in Business Administration

Magalies Water

Ms A Raphela

B Comm Honours; Chartered Accountant

Mhlathuze Water

Mr B Ndaba

(b) B Comm (Accounting)

Overberg Water

Ms A Cilliers

B Compt, B Compt Honours; Chartered Accountant

Rand Water

Mrs SM Nyembe

B Comm (Accounting); B Compt Honours

Sedibeng Water

Ms MA Shasha

B Compt Honours

Umgeni Water

Mr TB Hlongwa

B Comm (Accounting); B Comm Honours (Accounting); Chartered Accountant

Inkomati-Usuthu CMA

Ms Thembelihle Mjaji

Qualified Chartered Accountant.

Honours in Bachelor of Accounting Science

Degree in Bachelor of Accounting Science

Breede Gouritz CMA

Mrs. Judith Ntombizanele Nkomombini

Bachelor of Commerce

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03 July 2015 - NW2065

Profile picture: Basson, Mr LJ

Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

(1)What is the total cost of the project to raise the wall of the Clanwilliam Dam in the Western Cape; (2) which company was appointed as supervisor of the project; (3) is the company a professional service provider (PSP) for her department; if not, why was the company appointed; if so, (a) when was the company appointed as a PSP and (b) in which category; (4) what are the project value parameters for each category of PSP as stipulated by her department?

Reply:

(1) The total cost of the Olifants-Doorn River Water Resources Project (Raising of Clanwilliam Dam wall) is estimated to be R2.2 billion. This amount excludes the relocation of the N7, the relocation of the secondary road, cost for land acquisition, construction engineering supervising costs, Project Management costs, heritage expert costs, Environmental Impact Assessment Practitioner, Environmental Control Officer, Hydro-power plant over and above the civil structure, communications, and escalation (inflation).

(2) Bigen Africa Services (Pty) Ltd was appointed for construction supervision and contract management of the project. Two more emerging companies, namely Tlou Integrated Tech cc and Batseta Engineering Services (BES Africa Engineering and Management Consulting (Pty) Ltd), from the panel were appointed for developmental and transformational purposes to work under the stewardship of Bigen Africa. This is intended to ensure that the scope is not entirely allocated to one Professional Services Provider (PSP) and that the technical expertise of a developed PSP (Bigen Africa) is used to develop emerging enterprises that are owned and managed by Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDIs).

(3) Bigen Africa Services (Pty) Ltd is part of the panel of PSPs that was created by the Department, (a) in 2013 under Contract WP0485-WTE (b) in Category five (5).

(4) The guideline project value thresholds is as follows:

Category

Projects with a value between

1

R0 up to R10,0 million

2

R10.1 million up to R50 million

3

R50,1 million up to R100 million

4

R100.1 million up to R250 million

5

R250.1 million up to R500 million

6

R500.1 million - unlimited

It should be noted that the above thresholds are only a guideline. The final Category chosen is determined based on the project’s scope and is determined, amongst others, the type of project, its complexity, its timeframes, developmental and transformational outputs to be achieved and the experience of companies in each of the categories.

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03 July 2015 - NW1736

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Lovemore, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Basic Education

(1)What are the full details of the readiness of (a) her department and (b) the nine provincial education departments to implement the newly revised curriculum for schools of technology in 2016, including (i) curriculum, (ii) workshop, (iii) textbook and (iv) teacher readiness;

Reply:

  1. (a)(b) (i) curriculum

The development of Curriculum Assessment and Policy Statements (CAPS) for Technical subjects was completed and signed by the Minister of Basic Education on the 13 April 2015; this is in accordance with the Government Gazette No 37840 dated July 2014. Printing is currently in progress and distribution of the CAPS documents will be completed before the training of teachers in June 2015. A total of 52, 750 copies of the CAPS documents for Technical Mathematics, Technical Sciences, Civil Technology, Electrical Technology and Mechanical Technology will be printed and distributed as indicated below:

  • 5 copies ( 1 for each subject) to the National office DBE
  • 5 copies ( 1 for each subject ) to each provincial office
  • 5 copies ( 1 for each subject ) to each district office; and
  • 10 copies (2 for each subject) to each school offering a technical subject

(b) (ii) Workshop

Since the inception of the grant, the objective of training 2,749 teachers, building 118 new workshops, refurbishing 266 existing workshops and supplying equipment, machinery and tools to participating schools has been achieved. The grant was reconfigured in 2014 and it now forms part of the new Mathematics, Science and Technology Conditional Grant. The outputs of the new grant include the supply of machinery, equipment and tools and the training of teachers. Based on the total number of technical schools and the state of physical infrastructure at most schools, the schools have the capacity to implement the curriculum. Those that had challenges were recapitalised by the conditional grant.

(b) (iii) Textbooks

The development process of both Technical Mathematics and Technical Sciences textbooks sponsored and co-managed by Sasol-Inzalo Foundation and DBE will be finalised by July 2015. Publishers are in the process of developing Civil Technology, Electrical Technology and Mechanical Technology textbooks due to be finalised in August 2015. Printing and distribution of all technical textbooks will be completed by 30 October 2015.

(b)(iv) Teacher readiness

The changes introduced in the revised CAPS necessitated the need for orientation of subject advisors and re-training of teachers on theory and practical teaching methodologies.

An audit of skills centres in preparation for the training of FET Technical schools subject advisors and teachers and Technology Senior Phase (Grade 7 – 9) subject advisors and teachers was conducted and finalised.

The Department issued letters to HOD’s on 16 April 2015 to inform them of the training process and to request them to ensure that notifications to all partners are issued.

A National Task Team (NTT) for the development of CAPS training guideline document for the three (3) Technical subjects specialisation; Civil technology, Electrical technology, and Mechanical technology have been developed and finalised.

A National Task Team (NTT) for the development of CAPS training guideline document for Technical Sciences and Technical Mathematics has been developed and finalised.

Subject Advisors and Teacher training on the three (3) Technical subjects has been scheduled for 29 June – 03 July and 05-09 October 2015 (School Holidays) and these dates have been communicated to all provinces. The training of Technical Mathematics and Technical Sciences has been scheduled for July 2015 and these dates have also been communicated to all provinces. The training is aimed at 70% skills transfer and 30% on the strengthening of theory of the specialisation.

The funding for this training will be sourced from the reconfigured MST Conditional Grant. The objective of the grant is to, supply machinery, supply of equipments and tools. The objective of the grant is to train subject advisors and teachers, building of new workshops, refurbishing of existing workshops and supplying equipment, machinery and tools.

  1. (a)(i)(aa) (a)(ii)(bb)(cc)(dd)(ee) Numbers and percentage of learners offering Technology subjects per Province from 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2012.

YEAR

Civil Technology

Engineering Graphics And Design (EGD)

Electrical

Mechanical

 

NUMBER WROTE

%

NUMBER WROTE

%

NUMBER WROTE

%

NUMBER WROTE

%

(aa) 2005

10283

2%

20653

4%

6510

1%

6728

1%

(bb) 2008

10392

2%

26491

5%

7526

1%

7890

1%

(cc) 2010

9359

2%

26350

5%

5843

1%

6859

1%

(dd) 2012

8759

2%

25070

4%

5010

1%

5975

1%

(ee) (2015)

data is not yet available

(b) All technology subjects are non-designated; i.e. HEIs do not recognise these subjects as requirements to university entrance.

3.     The Department is aware that the National Curriculum Statements (NCS) present foundational skills to all learners and these skills create opportunities for learners to enter further and higher education. Therefore the list of critical skills according to the Government Gazette 37716 dated 3 June 2014 contains occupations that require the foundational skills, which are acquired through the basic education sector.

4.    (a)The Universities do not consider these subjects as requirements for entrance into engineering courses at a university. This puts learners at a disadvantage if after three years of studying they change their minds and no longer want to become artisans but engineers, they are then not credited at HEIs.

(b)Based on the targets set by the National Development Plan (NDP), the Department is committed to contributing to the production of 30,000 artisans per year by 2030 (NDP, Chapter 9, p277), through the strengthening and refocusing of technical schools and increasing the learner enrolments from 27,000 to 57,000 in 2030. The revision of the curriculum and the recapitalisation process at technical schools will also ensure that the industry requirements in terms of technical specialisation are met and thereby increase participation in the technical education sector.

In order to further strengthen articulation between GET and FET Technology, Senior Phase Subject Advisors and Teachers will be part of the training for specialisations scheduled for June and October 2015 as mentioned above. Advocacy on the Decade of the Artisan in partnership with Department of Higher Education (DHET) is currently being rolled out in all provinces with the intention to increase participation in artisanship and engineering.

The Department and DHET have embarked on a process of aligning the curriculum for basic education with that of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges.

(c) The enrolment of learners in the technical fields has been declining since 2008 due to the changes in the National Curriculum Statement (NCS). The revision of the Nated 500 to remove areas of specialisation resulted in the overload of subject content areas and the decline in learner enrolment. The reintroduction of the specialisation by the revised Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) for technical schools and the implementation of the recapitalisation programme will ensure that sector is expanded.

The following targets for the increase in learner enrolment have been set for 2014-2019:

Targets

Mechanical Technology

Electrical

Technology

Engineering

Graphics &Design

Computer

Technology

Technical Maths

Technical Science

Maths

Physical Science

2014

6,410

5,278

28,919

9,527

0

0

21,214

21,214

2015

6,602

5,436

30,943

10,003

0

0

22,275

22,275

2016

6,800

5,599

33,109

10,503

11,694

11,694

11,694

11,694

2017

7,004

5,767

35,427

11,028

12,279

12,279

12,279

12,279

2018

7,214

5,940

37,907

11,580

12,893

12,893

12,893

12,893

2019

7,431

6,118

40,560

12,159

13,538

13,538

13,538

13,538

Targets: National Learner Enrolment in Technical Schools (2014 – 2019)

Provincial Targets per Technology Subject:

2015 Targets

PROVINCE

MT

ET

EGD

CT

Tech Maths

Tech Science

Maths

Science

EC

507

418

2,377

768

 

 

1,711

1,711

FS

582

479

2,727

882

 

 

1,963

1,963

GP

1,753

1,443

8,214

2,655

 

 

5,913

5,913

KZN

1,046

861

4,901

1,584

 

 

3,528

3,528

LP

323

266

1,512

489

 

 

1,088

1,088

MP

360

297

1,689

546

 

 

1,216

1,216

NC

126

104

591

191

 

 

425

425

NW

539

444

2,527

817

 

 

1,819

1,819

WC

1,367

1,125

6,405

2,071

 

 

4,611

4,611

TOTAL

6,602

5,436

30,943

10,003

 

 

22,275

22,275

2016 Targets

PROVINCE

MT

ET

EGD

CT

Tech Maths

Tech Science

Maths

Science

EC

681

560

3,314

1,051

1,170

1,170

1,170

1,170

FS

530

436

2,581

819

912

912

912

912

GP

1,808

1,489

8,804

2,793

3,110

3,110

3,110

3,110

KZN

1,685

1,387

8,202

2,602

2,897

2,897

2,897

2,897

LP

558

460

2,718

862

960

960

960

960

MP

465

383

2,266

719

800

800

800

800

NC

186

153

904

287

319

319

319

319

NW

495

408

2,410

764

851

851

851

851

WC

392

323

1,910

606

675

675

675

675

TOTAL

6,800

5,599

33,109

10,503

11,694

11,694

11,694

11,694

2017 Targets

PROVINCE

MT

ET

EGD

CT

Tech Maths

Tech Science

Maths

Science

EC

635

523

3,211

999

1,113

1,113

1,113

1,113

FS

584

481

2,955

920

1,024

1,024

1,024

1,024

GP

2,063

1,699

10,436

3,249

3,617

3,617

3,617

3,617

KZN

1,550

1,276

7,841

2,441

2,718

2,718

2,718

2,718

LP

306

252

1,547

482

536

536

536

536

MP

436

359

2,205

687

764

764

764

764

NC

190

157

963

300

334

334

334

334

NW

603

497

3,052

950

1,058

1,058

1,058

1,058

WC

636

524

3,217

1,001

1,115

1,115

1,115

1,115

TOTAL

7,004

5,767

35,427

11,028

12,279

12,279

12,279

12,279

2018 Targets

PROVINCE

MT

ET

EGD

CT

Tech Maths

Tech Science

Maths

Science

EC

574

473

3,018

922

1,027

1,027

1,027

1,027

FS

487

401

2,560

782

871

871

871

871

GP

2,059

1,695

10,818

3,305

3,679

3,679

3,679

3,679

KZN

1,817

1,496

9,545

2,916

3,247

3,247

3,247

3,247

LP

447

368

2,347

717

798

798

798

798

MP

440

362

2,312

706

786

786

786

786

NC

135

111

708

216

241

241

241

241

NW

499

411

2,621

801

891

891

891

891

WC

757

623

3,978

1,215

1,353

1,353

1,353

1,353

TOTAL

7,214

5,940

37,907

11,580

12,893

12,893

12,893

12,893

2019 Targets

PROVINCE

MT

ET

EGD

CT

Tech Maths

Tech Science

Maths

Science

EC

592

487

3,230

968

1,078

1,078

1,078

1,078

FS

502

413

2,739

821

914

914

914

914

GP

2,121

1,746

11,575

3,470

3,864

3,864

3,864

3,864

KZN

1,871

1,541

10,213

3,062

3,409

3,409

3,409

3,409

LP

460

379

2,511

753

838

838

838

838

MP

453

373

2,474

742

826

826

826

826

NC

139

114

758

227

253

253

253

253

NW

514

423

2,804

841

936

936

936

936

WC

780

642

4,256

1,276

1,421

1,421

1,421

1,421

TOTAL

7,431

6,118

40,560

12,159

13,538

13,538

13,538

13,538

(d) (i) Negotiations between the Department and Higher Education South Africa (HESA) and Umalusi are in progress for considering the designation of these technology subjects

(d)(ii)The non-designation is the only challenge that the Minister foresees.

03 July 2015 - NW2218

Profile picture: Lekota, Mr M

Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Finance

(1)Whether the National Treasury had (a) refinanced debt in order to keep up its rate of spending at any stage from 1 January 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) undertaken any exercise, with independent verification, to assess to what extent the heavier borrowings by the Government in the specified period had served a clear countercyclical purpose as is shown by economic growth taking the country out of the trough it was into a higher gradient; if not, why has the national debt risen so rapidly to its present level; if so, what (i) are the details and (ii) impact will the refinancing of debt have on the fiscus in the next four years in a market where the cost of borrowing will have risen; (2) whether, in pursuit of achieving intergenerational equity, the Government is keeping young South Africans fully informed of the repayment burden that is being shifted to them to settle?

Reply:

  1. (a) Government borrows money to finance the main budget balance and maturing debt. To partly mitigate refinancing risk – 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 – 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. Between 2008/09 and 2014/15, government switched R203 billion short-term debt (domestic bonds) for longer-term debt.

(b) (i) National Treasury estimates the impact of fiscal policy on economic growth. Internal estimates of the fiscal multiplier are in line with published South African peer-reviewed journal articles, which find that fiscal stimulus has a fairly significant short-term impact on growth.

As was the case for South Africa, many governments had estimated in 2010 that the economy would quickly recover to pre-crisis growth rates. Countercyclical stimulus was expected to reduce the time it would take for economies to return to potential levels of output. These growth projections proved to be over-optimistic; a secular decline in global growth delayed fiscal consolidation and produced rising levels of debt.

Countercyclical policy can influence short-term deviations from trend growth, but cannot be used to address structural declines in output. Many governments have grappled with the fiscal implications of a global slowdown in growth. In South Africa’s case, potential growth has been revised downwards due to lower long-term global growth projections and electricity supply constraints.

Slower potential GDP growth implies that the output gap is fairly small, with two implications for fiscal policy: first, the level of output cannot be significantly increased by running larger deficits; second, the deficit will not likely be reduced by a cyclical upturn in taxes, implying that there is a structural imbalance between revenue and expenditure. The focus of the 2015 Budget is on narrowing the structural fiscal deficit by raising taxes, slowing spending growth and putting in place measures to improve spending efficiency.

(b) (ii) Government is paying interest at an average coupon/interest rate of 10 per cent on the debt which needs to be refinanced over the next four years. It is projected that this debt will be refinanced at a lower average coupon/interest rate of 9 per cent.

2.    The 2015 Budget is aimed at ensuring long-term fiscal sustainability, which is a defining feature of intergenerational equity. The budget also aims to change the composition of borrowing, in order to ensure that government debt is used to fund expenditures with a long-term impact.

Government has stated that there is a long-term (or structural) imbalance between revenue and expenditure, and is addressing this imbalance by raising taxes and reducing the rate of expenditure growth. The bulk of the slowdown in spending growth has been targeted at government consumption, with the current deficit (i.e. the gap between revenue and consumption spending) projected to close in 2015/16. Government is protecting capital expenditure, which remains the fastest growing area of non-interest spending. These three elements of the budget are likely to improve the intergenerational fairness of fiscal policy.

Government reports on the long-term implications of its fiscal choices. The 2015 Budget Review includes estimates of the debt outlook and debt repayments up to 2020/21. In addition, the main findings of the long-term fiscal model are available on the Treasury website. The long-term model’s main finding is that current social spending policies are sustainable over the next three decades.

03 July 2015 - NW2151

Profile picture: Hunsinger, Mr CH

Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Finance

With reference to the reply of the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to question 1629 on 25 May 2015, (a) on what date did the National Treasury’s forensic investigation into the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Integrated Public Transport system commence, (b) at what stage is the investigation, (c) when is the final report due to be released, (d) who is on the investigation team and (e) what (i) is the objective and (ii) are the terms of reference of this investigation?

Reply:

  1. National Treasury’s forensic investigation into the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality on the Integrated Public Transport system commenced on the 12th of November 2014. The Investigation is being conducted in phases as follows:
    • Phase 1: Establish the total amount paid on the projects since its inception in 1 July 2004, obtain and secure all available documentation; conduct preliminary investigation to verify the reasonableness of allegations. This phase was completed in March 2015.
    • Phase 2: An In-depth forensic investigation that is informed by the results of Phase 1, which commenced on 9 April 2015.
    • Other Phases This will be informed by the results of Phase 2 and might include criminal, civil or disciplinary action depending on the findings of the investigation.
  1. The investigation is still in progress for Phase 2, which is focusing on an in-depth investigation of all the alleged implicated service providers, officials and other parties.
  1. The final report on Phase 2 is estimated to be completed by the 15 August 2015, but subject to cooperation by the relevant parties to provide the required information to reach an informed conclusion.
  1. The Investigation Team is composed of National Treasury Special Audit Services officials and its co-sourced forensic investigation firm, Deloitte & Touche.
  1. (i) The objective is to conduct comprehensive investigation that will assist the Municipality to implement the appropriate corrective action.

(ii) The terms of reference include, but is not limited to the following:

  • Conduct a comprehensive investigation of IPTS since its inception.

03 July 2015 - NW1839

Profile picture: Balindlela, Ms ZB

Balindlela, Ms ZB to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

(1)Whether she has taken any steps to implement the recommendations of the Auditor-General with regard to preventing the procurement of goods and services with a transaction value below R500 000 without obtaining the required price and quotations; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details with regard to each recommendation;

Reply:

(1) Yes, steps have been taken to implement the recommendations of the Auditor- General with regard to preventing the procurement of goods and services with a transaction value below R500 000, refer below:

  • The Accounting officer invites and accepts written price quotations for requirement up to an estimated value of R500 000.00 from as many suppliers as possible, that are registered on the list of prospective suppliers.
  • Where no suitable suppliers are available from the list of prospective suppliers, written price quotations may be obtained from other possible suppliers.
  • If it is not possible to obtain at least three (3) written price quotations, the reason should be recorded and approved by the accounting officer/ authority or his /her delegate.
  • The Supply Chain Management policy which incorporates the above and other quotation process has been approved and is currently utilized within the Water Trading Entity as a guideline for the procurement process which include other related National Treasury practices notes and related circulars issued by other authorities within the Water and Infrastructure Sector e.g. CIDB Regulations.

(2) Yes, steps have been taken to implement the recommendations of the Auditor-General with regard to preventing the procurement of goods and services with a transaction value above R500 000.00, refer below:

  • Accounting officer invite competitive bids for all procurement above R500 000.00.
  • Competitive bids are advertised in the Government Tender Bulleting and in other appropriate media should an accounting officer deem it necessary to ensure greater exposure to potential bidders. The responsibility for advertisement cost lies with the relevant accounting officer.
  • Should it be impractical to invite competitive bids for specific procurement, such as in urgent or emergency cases or in cases of a sole supplier, the accounting officer/ authority may procure the required goods and services by other means, such as price quotations or negotiations in accordance with Treasury Regulation 16A6.4. The reasons for deviating from inviting competitive bids are recorded and approved by the accounting officer or his/ her delegate.
  • The Accounting officer reports within ten (10) working days to the relevant Treasury and the Auditor-General regarding all cases where goods and services above the value of R1 Million (VAT inclusive) and providing description of the goods or services, the name/s of the suppliers/s, the amount/s involved and the reasons for deviating from the prescribed competitive bidding process.
  • Goods, works or services may not deliberately be split into parts or items of lesser value merely for the sake of procuring the goods, works or service otherwise than through the prescribed procurement process. when determining transaction values, a requirement for goods , works or services consisting of different parts or items must as far as possible be treated and dealing with as a single transaction
  • Accounting officers apply the prescripts of the preferential procurement policy Framework Act, 2000 (Act No. 5 of 2000) and its associated Regulations for all procurement equal to or above R30 000.00.00 (VAT included) less than
    that amount if and when appropriate.
  • The Supply Chain Management policy which incorporates the above and other bids processes has been approved and is currently utilized within the Water Trading Entity as a guide-line for the procurement process which include together with other related National Treasury practice notes and related circulars issued by other authorities within the Water and Infrastructure Sector e.g. CIDB Regulations.

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03 July 2015 - NW2523

Profile picture: Steyn, Ms A

Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

1) With regard to the deal that was struck between South Africa and the United States of America (USA) in securing the country’s preferential market access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), has his department developed a plan to assist the country’s poulty industry with adjusting its strategic position before the anticipated influx of chicken from the USA; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) will the Government incentives under the Industrial Policy Action Plan and the Agricultural Policy Action Plan be made available to the poultry industry as a means of ensuring minimal damage to the industry’s future growth prospects; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) What action steps has his department taken since the announcement of the agreement that was reached between the SA Poultry Association and its counterpart in the USA to ensure minimal disturbance to the industry and ensure that job losses are avoided? NW2895E

Reply:

1 As the honourable member is aware the APAP has included the Poultry Value Chain as a strategic value chain for development. The development of the value chain includes supporting the reduction of input costs through increasing the supply of good quality feed (soya) and possibly maize. All 9 provinces have identified a number of poultry projects which include increasing the number of Broiler houses as well as support for small scale processing via new abattoirs to be funded via CASP. This development plan was presented to the U.S. during the AGOA negotiations and it is understood that the U.S. response was to accept a lower volume once the developmental needs and objectives were made clear. The U.S. has also offered in support to the agreement on the quota to support training and capacity building of extensions officers as well as research personnel. The South African industry is in full support of this initiative. 

2 The use of incentives under IPAP and APAP was discussed with the industry as well as with representatives of Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDI) in the Poultry Sector. However we are still in discussions on how this will take place in line with the Poultry Sector Value Chain development proposal in APAP.

3 DAFF Economic Development Trade and Marketing DDG has been in constant consultation with the industry body SAPA, the DTI as well as the APAP team and together they have engaged with the planned poultry value chain development proposal for sector growth. The poultry value chain development proposal is also a key commodity intervention the government’s 9 point plan under Priority 1: Revitalisation of Agriculture and the Agroprocessing Value Chains. A DAFF/DTI team is also in the process of identifying the criteria which will be used to allocate and administer the trade quota to ensure there is minimal volatility of import volumes to reduce the potential negative impact. The quota concession will include a volume which will be for HDI's only and will most likely to taken up by existing producers who have indicated that they need it to ensure they have a resonate supply level.

03 July 2015 - NW2304

Profile picture: Basson, Mr LJ

Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

Whether, with regard to her department’s report to the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation on 3 June 2015 indicating the required investment in infrastructure over the next 10 years to be at R805 billion and available funding at only R46 billion for each year, her department has a plan in place to fund the R35 billion annual shortfall; if not, how does her department plan on managing the infrastructure; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Yes, there is a plan to cater for the annual shortfall of R35 billion.

1.  As part of the development of the Water Sector Infrastructure Investment Framework in 2012, the Department developed a first order Water Financing Strategy published on 5 June 2012.

2.   In addition, my department has thus far successfully negotiated major increases in the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG), the establishment of a new Municipal Water Infrastructure Grant (MWIG), as well as major increases in the Water Board’s infrastructure investment budgets. This was done in collaboration with the National Treasury as well as the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, with the aim of increasing budgeting for especially municipal infrastructure operations and maintenance (O&M), addressing aged infrastructure, rehabilitation, and infrastructure replacement.

3.  Partnerships with Financial Institutions and the broader private sector are also vigorously pursued.

4.  As a result of financial constraints, there will be on-going prioritization of water supply areas to identify and sequence projects that offer the best economic and social returns and are addressing the most critical security of supply challenges.

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03 July 2015 - NW2119

Profile picture: Baker, Ms TE

Baker, Ms TE to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

(1)What amount was spent by her department on environmental rehabilitation due to sewage spills in each province (a) in the (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2015; 2) (a) what was the location, (b) cause and (c) nature of the rehabilitation for each spillage?

Reply:

  1. Table 1 below reflects the amount that was spent by the Department on environmental rehabilitation due to sewage spills in each province (a) in the (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2015:

Table 1

(a)Province

(a)(i) 2013-14

(a)(ii) 2014-15

(b) since 1 April 2015

Eastern Cape

N/A

N/A

N/A

Free State

R15 850 000 (ACIP)

R42 850 000 (ACIP)

R18 968 000 (Planned to be spent under ACIP)

 

R5 000 000 (RBIG)

R47 000 000 (RBIG)

R90 474 000 ((Planned to be spent under RBIG)

Gauteng

N/A

N/A

N/A

KwaZulu-Natal

N/A

N/A

N/A

Limpopo

N/A

N/A

N/A

Mpumalanga

R9 000 000 (ACIP)

R13, 7m (ACIP)

R47m (RBIG)

Northern Cape

N/A

N/A

N/A

North West

N/A

N/A

N/A

Western Cape

N/A

N/A

N/A

(2)(a) Refer to the table below for the (a) location, (b) cause and (c) nature of the rehabilitation for each spillage within the Free State and Mpumalanga provinces.

 

FREE STATE PROVINCE

2013/14 (ACIP)

Location (2) (a)

Cause (2) (b)

Nature of Rehabilitation (2) (c)

Municipality

Clocolan

Non-functional sewer pump stations due to ageing infrastructure

Replaced all pumps, motors & electrical infrastructure

Setsoto LM

Ficksburg

Collapsed old sewer pipes

Unblocked sewer lines and replaced defective ones

Setsoto LM

Kroonstad

Collapsed 1,2 km old asbestos sewer line from Gelukwarts polluting the Vals river

Replaced 1,2km of sewer line.

Moqhaka LM

Wepener

Non-functional sewer pump station & waste water treatment works

Refurbished all pumps, motors & electrical infrastructure.

Naledi LM

2013/14 (RBIG)

Location (2) (a)

Cause (2) (b)

Nature of Rehabilitation (2) (c)

Municipality

Vredefort

Non-functional sewer pump station & waste water treatment works

Refurbished all pumps, motors & electrical infrastructure.

Ngwathe LM

2014/15 (ACIP)

Location (2) (a)

Cause (2) (b)

Nature of Rehabilitation (2) (c)

Municipality

Theunissen

Collapsed old asbestos line

Replaced a length of 500 meters

Masilonyana LM

Brandfort

Non-functional two sewer pump stations due to old infrastructure

Refurbished and upgraded the two pump stations.

Masilonyana LM

Winburg

Non-functional one sewer pump station due to old infrastructure

Refurbished and upgraded the one pump station.

Masilonyana LM

Vrede

Non-functional pumps & motors and electrical infrastructure

Replaced pumps and motors and refurbished electrical infrastructure

Phumelela LM

Waden

Non-functional pumps & motors and electrical infrastructure

Replaced pumps and motors and refurbished electrical infrastructure

Phumelela LM

Koffiefontein

Non-functional pumps & motors and electrical infrastructure

Refurbished pumps and motors and refurbished electrical infrastructure

Letsemeng LM

2014/15 (RBIG)

Location (2) (a)

Cause (2) (b)

Nature of Rehabilitation (2) (c)

Municipality

Wesselsbron

Non-functional electrical and mechanical components at waste water treatment plant.

Replaced all non functional electrical & mechanical components.

Nala LM

Kroonstad

Collapsed asbestos sewer pipe line in Hill street

Collapsed Boitumelo Marabastad asbestos sewer pipeline

Non-functional sewer treatment plant

Multi-year projects. Replacing and upgrading the Hill Street sewer pipeline.

Replacing and upgrading the sewer pipeline.

Upgrading of the sewer treatment plant to meet the demands

Moqhaka LM

Vredefort

Non-functional sewer treatment plant and old sewer line

Refurbished and upgraded the waste water treatment plant and replaced the sewer line

Ngwathe LM

2015/16 (ACIP Projects under implementation)

Location (2) (a)

Cause (2) (b)

Nature of Rehabilitation (2) (c)

Municipality

Koppies

Non-functional electrical and mechanical components at waste water treatment plant.

Replace all non-functional electrical & mechanical components.

Ngwathe LM

Reitz and Lindley

Non-functional of electrical and mechanical components in pump station

Refurbishment of non-functional of electrical and mechanical components

Nketoana LM

Koffiefontein

Non-functional electrical and mechanical components at waste water treatment plant.

Replace all non-functional electrical & mechanical components.

Letsemeng LM

Odendalsrus

Collapsed old sewer lines

Replacement of collapsed old sewer pipeline

Matjhabeng LM

Mamahabane

Oxidation ponds not lined and the sewerage seeps through the nearby environment.

Rehabilitation of oxidation ponds

Matjhabeng LM

Wepenar

Collapsed old asbestos sewer pipeline and non-functional of two sewer pump station.

Replace the collapsed sewer line and refurbish the two sewer pump stations.

Naledi LM

 

2015/16 (RBIG Projects under implementation)

Location (2) (a)

Cause (2) (b)

Nature of Rehabilitation (2) (c)

Municipality

Kroonstad

Collapsed asbestos sewer pipe line in Hill street

 

Collapsed Boitumelo Marabastad asbestos sewer pipeline

Non-functional sewer treatment plant

Multi-year projects. Replacing and upgrading the Hill Street sewer pipeline.

Replacing and upgrading the sewer pipeline.

Upgrading of the sewer treatment plant to meet the demands

Moqhaka LM

Vredefort

Non-functional of electrical and mechanical components in pump station

Refurbishment of non-functional of electrical and mechanical components

Nketoana LM

MPUMALANGA PROVINCE

2013-14

Location (2) (a)

Cause (2) (b)

Nature of Rehabilitation (2) (c)

Municipality

Mhlatikop and Komatipoort

Ageing Infrastructure, operating beyond design capacities, poor operation and maintenance

Refurbishment of the WWTW and pump stations Phase 1

Nkomazi

2014-15

Location (2) (a)

Cause (2) (b)

Nature of Rehabilitation (2) (c)

Municipality

Mhlatikop and Komatipoort

Ageing Infrastructure, operating beyond design capacities, poor operation and maintenance

Refurbishment of the WWTW and pump stations Phase 2

Nkomazi

Leandra

 

Refurbishment of the WWTW

Govern Mbeki

2015-16

Location (2) (a)

Cause (2) (b)

Nature of Rehabilitation (2) (c)

Municipality

Balfour

Ageing Infrastructure, operating beyond design capacities, poor operation and maintenance

Upgrade of the WWTW

Dipaleseng

Delmas

   

Victor Khanye LM

Botleng

     

---00O00---

03 July 2015 - NW2224

Profile picture: Alberts, Mr ADW

Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises

Whether she will consider Eskom’s request not to impose load shedding on the country’s water pumps and related infrastructure so as to ensure safe and continuous water supply and services; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

It is the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) and not the Minister of Public Enterprises that can make determinations on the exemption of infrastructure or customers’ load shedding, as the impact on other customers and the national power system needs to be considered. The National Code of Practice for emergency demand reduction (NRS048-9) addresses the manner in which critical loads are treated – including water systems (section 7).

03 July 2015 - NW2327

Profile picture: Alberts, Mr ADW

Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises

(1) Whether the law firm that has been appointed to audit Eskom has ever done any work for the Government, State organs or State institutions; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether any South African or international directors of this law firm have ever done any work for the Government, State organs or State institutions; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

(1) The Honourable member is referred to various government departments for a response on whether the firm has done any work for government. The Law firm (Dentons) has not previously been engaged by Eskom.

(2) As the Minister of Public Enterprises I am in no position to respond on whether the law firm has or not done any other work to various Government Departments and therefore request the Honourable member to direct the question to the relevant Government Department for a response.

03 July 2015 - NW2243

Profile picture: Balindlela, Ms ZB

Balindlela, Ms ZB to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

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 reason for the early termination of the contracts in each specified case?

Reply:

(a) Yes

(b) Yes

(i) (aa) [Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries] (ii) and (iii)

SMS Members

Institution

Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF)

Amount paid out

To whom the payouts were made

Reason

DAFF

R 1, 105,073.17

Amount includes leave credits that had to be paid out.

Ms NJ Nduli (Former DG of DAFF).

Employment contract was re-determined.

DAFF

R 1, 649,076.54

Amount includes leave credits that had to be paid out.

Mr L Zita (Former DG of DAFF).

Employment contract was re-determined.

DAFF

R 750, 125.25

Amount includes leave credits that had to be paid out.

Ms B Thokoane (Former Special Adviser to the Minister).

Employment contract was terminated.

(i) (aa) [Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries] (ii) and (iii)

Non SMS Members

Institution

Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF)

Amount paid out

To whom the payouts were made

Reason

 

None

   
       
       

(i) (bb) [Entities] (ii) and (iii)

Entity

Amount paid out

To whom the payouts were made

Reason

Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP)

R 1, 195,918.28

Dr MM Dyasi

Breakdown of the employment relationship.

Agriculture Research Council (ARC)

R 260 311.35

Ms SL Ginindza

Termination of contract

Agriculture Research Council (ARC)

R 422 607.46

Ds ST Masia

Termination of contract

Agriculture Research Council (ARC)

R 849 646.39

Mr CL Matthews

Termination of contract

National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC)

None

   

Ncera Farms

None

   

PPECB

None

   
       

02 July 2015 - NW2268

Profile picture: Lees, Mr RA

Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)With reference to his department’s offices in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, is there a limit to the number of persons who can be assisted with the collection of documents such as identification documents, passports and residence permits in respect of each day; if so, (a) what is the maximum number of persons that can be assisted and (b) why can only a limited number of persons be assisted;

Reply:

(1)(a) Yes. When the office is busy and there are long queues, the office can assist at least 200 clients per day for both applications and collections of Smart Card IDs and Passports.

(1)(b) The office receives a large number of clients, due to the high demand for the acquisition of Smart ID Cards and the office can only serve the clients within the office operating hours. The increase in demand has been exacerbated by misinformation that has been given to the public, particularly the elderly.

For example, the elderly are being told that they would be charged a fee for the Smart ID Card if they do not apply immediately or they will not be paid their social grants by SASSA if not in possession of the Smart ID Card. This has resulted in a rush to acquire the Smart ID Cards which in turn causes overcrowding in the office as well as long queues.

The Department is working hard to counteract this misinformation and provide accurate information to clients through the channels of Operation Sukuma Sakhe, War Room meetings, Local Task Teams meetings, District Task Team meetings and other stakeholder engagements.

(2)(a) Yes. An additional collection counter will be installed as well as other resources that may be required within the limited space available.

(2)(b) An order is in the process of being issued for re-cabling and installation of additional data points so that the additional collection counter can be installed.

(2)(c) That will be determined once the additional counter has been added.

 

(3)(a-b) Yes, the clients are being informed by the floorwalkers and Office Manager about the numbers that can be assisted per day. Queuing numbers are issued to a certain number of clients that can be assisted per day while they are queuing outside. Moreover, the floorwalker is always available to check if all clients are being assisted and that they are seated in the correct queues. In addition, the floorwalker makes sure that the clients remaining outside are let in once there is availability of space in the office. Clients who are not able to be assisted on a particular day are informed.

02 July 2015 - NW2452

Profile picture: Hill-Lewis, Mr GG

Hill-Lewis, Mr GG to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry

Has his department or any of the entities reporting to him awarded any funding for the production of (a) the Uzalo television drama, produced by certain persons (names furnished) or (b) any other (i) film or (ii) television production involving the specified two individuals; if so, what are the relevant details

Reply:

(a)   No approval has been given for the production of Uzalo television dram produced by Mr Duma Ka Ndlovu and Ms Gugu Ncube.

(b)   No film or television production involving the specified individuals has been awarded funding by the Department of Trade and Industry.

 

Entity

a

b (i)

a(ii)

Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Export Credit Insurance Corporation (ECIC)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

National Credit Regulator (NCR)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

National Consumer Tribunal (NCT)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

National Empowerment Fund (NEF)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

National Gambling Board (NGB)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

National Lotteries Commission (NLC)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

National Regulator For Compulsory Specifications (NRCS)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

South African National Accreditation System (SANAS)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

National Consumer Commission (NCC)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Companies Tribunal (CT)

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

 

02 July 2015 - NW2352

Profile picture: Figlan, Mr AM

Figlan, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Whether all citizens, including those born outside South Africa, are entitled to be issued with the Smart ID card; if not, why not?

Reply:

The rollout of the Smart ID Card is in the first phase of implementation and currently Smart ID Cards are only being issued to South African citizens by birth. All other categories such as permanent residence holders and naturalized citizens are not to be processed through the Live Capture at this stage; as this will form part of phase two of the modernisation project. The department will make an announcement on citizens born outside South Africa as the roll out evolves.

02 July 2015 - NW2447

Profile picture: Macpherson, Mr DW

Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry

(1)With regard to the published Liquor Policy Review, has his department conducted a regulatory impact assessment to ascertain what the cost to the economy would be in terms of job losses should the specified policy be implemented;

Reply:

(1) The initial Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) was conducted to inform the liquor policy review process, and as the policy consultation process continues, assessment continues. RIA serves as an internal tool for government policy development process, and assessment of the cost to the economy is a component of the RIA process. The final RIA report will as submitted with the final liquor policy review document to Cabinet as per process, and the Liquor Amendment Bill will be introduced into Parliament thereafter.

(2)(a) Legal consideration has been applied to all proposals that are made in the liquor policy review document that has been published for public consultation. The proposal regarding suspension or revocation of a trading licence is intended to give the powers to effectively enforce conditions of the licence as per section 13 of the Liquor Act. Suspension or revocation of a licence will be an option available after all remedies within the Act, such as compliance notice, have been exhausted to achieve compliance.

(b)(i) No amendment will be made to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Amendment Act, Act 53 of 2003 as there is no need for such amendment.

(ii) No amendment will be made to the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, Act 46 of 2013 as there is no need for such an amendment. There is a need for the liquor legislation to be amended to empower authorities to enforce adherence to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Amendment Act, and its codes, whatever the form.

(3) The draft policy has taken into consideration the Constitutional Court judgement where the dti acquired the exclusive regulation competence over macro manufacturing and distribution of liquor, while Provinces hold the regulation competence over micro manufacturing and retail sale of liquor. The Liquor Act provides for norms and standards in the regulation of liquor for harmonisation. This harmonisation is achieved through co-operative governance established through the National Liquor Policy Council comprising the Minister and the MECs who legitimately formulate such standards. The norms and standards were adopted in line with the mandate and is within the bounds of the Constitution. The provinces remain responsible for issuance of licences for micro manufacturers and retail sale.

02 July 2015 - NW2236

Profile picture: Dreyer, Ms AM

Dreyer, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

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:

Responses provided by the Department of Home Affairs, Government Printing Works and Electoral Commission are given below:

(a) Department of Home Affairs

The Department has not 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 until 31 March 2015.

(b) According to the Government Printing Works

The Government Printing Works did not pay 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 date.

(b)  According to the Electoral Commission

The Electoral Commission did not pay out the remainder of any employee’s contract before the contractually stipulated date of termination of the contract from the 2008-09 financial year up to date.

01 July 2015 - NW1101

Profile picture: Marais, Mr EJ

Marais, Mr EJ to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources

What amount did (a) his department and (b) entities reporting to him spend on advertising in The New Age newspaper in the (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13 and (iii) 2013-14 financial years?

Reply:

(a) (b) 00

(i), (ii) and (iii) Falls away

01 July 2015 - NW1136

Profile picture: James, Ms LV

James, Ms LV to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources

(a) What amount did (i) his department and (ii) state entities reporting to him spend on each newspaper subscription in each month (aa) in the (aaa) 2011-12, (bbb) 2012-13 and (ccc) 2013-14 financial years and (bb) during the period 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) how many copies of each newspaper were ordered on each day of the week (i) in each specified financial year and (ii) during the period 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available?

Reply:

(a) Department (i) (aa) (aaa) R127,697.86 (bbb) R539,975.57 (ccc) R520,438.02 (bb) R400,296.17 (b) (i) (ii).

Newspaper

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

 

Q

Amount

Q

Amount

Q

Amount

Q

amount

Business day

10

R28 000.00

20

R62 400.00

15

R61 200.00

10

R40 800.00

Cape Times

6

R 2 121.60

6

R 9 792.00

6

R 9 936.00

6

R 9 936.00

Citizen

13

R 2 028.00

17

R12 240.00

10

R 8 160.00

10

R 8 160.00

The Star

34

R10 961.60

66

R98 208.00

44

R70 752.00

35

R56 280.00

Sowetan

14

R 2 912.00

55

R52 800.00

45

R48 600.00

40

R43 200.00

The New Age

8

R 1 456.00

15

R12 600.00

15

R14 040.00

15

R14 040.00

Cape Argus

5

R 1 430.00

5

R 6 600.00

5

R 6 960.00

5

R 6 960.00

The times

31

R10 961.60

66

R107 712.00

58

R94 656.00

40

R65 280.00

Mail & Guardian

26

R33 664.80

45

R58 266,00

39

R52 728.00

20

R27 040.00

City press

3

R 2.028.00

3

R 2 028.00

3

R 2 402.40

3

R 2 402.40

Sunday Times

4

R 3 328.00

4

R 3 328.00

4

R 3 556.80

4

R 3 556.80

Sunday Independent

3

R 2 340.00

3

R 2 340.00

3

R 2 496.00

3

R 2 496.00

Sunday World

2

R 728.00

2

R 728.00

2

R 884.00

2

R 844.00

Pretoria News

11

R 3 546.40

50

R74 400.00

54

R86 832.00

44

R70 752.00

Beeld

1

R 322.40

1

R 1 488.00

1

R 1 488.00

1

R 1 488.00

Financial Mail

11

R11 428.56

22

R22 857.12

22

R58 080.00

18

R47 520.00

TOTAL

182

R127,697.86

380

R539 975.00

326

R520 438.02

256

R400 296.17

ii) State owned entities monthly expenditure between 2011 and 2014

State Diamond Trader (a)(ii)

Quest

Year

Subscription

Number of Copies

Annual Fee

Monthly Fee

(aaa)

2011-12

Business Day

1

 2,296.95

 191.41

   

Sowetan

1

745.58

62.13

 

Total

   

3,042.53

253.54

(bbb)

2012-13

The Star

1

1,237.28

103.11

   

Business Day

1

2,368.42

197.37

   

Sowetan

1

675.00

56.25

 

Total

   

4,280.70

356.73

(ccc)

2013-14

The Star

1

1,337.06

111.42

   

Sowetan

1

786.32

65.53

   

Business Day

1

2,368.42

197.37

 

Total

   

4,491.80

374.32

(aa)

2014 to date

Sowetan

1

1,023.16

85.26

   

Business Day

1

3,836.84

319.74

 

Total

   

4,860.00

405.00

       

 

 

 

Grand Total

   

6,675.03

1,389.59

Mintek

(a)(ii) The amounts on newspaper subscriptions spend during the period in question are depicted in the table below. Mintek subscribes annually and zero cost in any one month does therefore not suggest that no newspapers have been received for that month.

 aa)

aaa)

2011-2012

bbb)

2012-2013

ccc)

2013-2014

bb)

1 April 2014-28 February 2015

Total

R 41 614

R 63 981

R 44 786

R 51 014

SADPMR - (ii)

(aaa) 2011-12

(bbb) 2012-13

(ccc) 2013-14

(bb) 01 April 2014 -28 February 2015

(aa) R 3 273.25

(aa) R 3 311.71

(aa) R 3 530.20

(aa) R 870.00

Mine Health and Safety Council (a) (ii)

2011-12

2012-13

2013-14

2014 -15

R0.00

R0.00

R26 942.20

R0.00

Council for Geoscience (a) (ii) and (b)

Financial Year

 

2011/2012

 

2012/2013

 

2013/2014

 

2014/2015

Newspaper

 

Number of copies

Amount

 

Number of copies

Amount

 

Number of copies

Amount

 

Number of copies

Amount

Beeld

 

2

R2,808.38

 

-

-

 

1

R2,035.63

 

1

R2,488.00

Business Day

 

4

R10,474.08

 

4

R10,800.00

 

4

R12,852.00

 

4

R12,852.00

Mail & Guardian

 

1

R892.92

 

1

R892.92

 

1

R1,249.92

 

1

R1,785.00

New Age

 

-

-

 

-

-

 

1

R792.00

 

1

R792.00

Pretoria News

 

2

R3,503.50

 

2

R2,275.00

 

1

R1,205.76

 

1

R2,889.25

Sowetan

 

2

R1,613.52

 

2

R1,792.80

 

2

R1,792.80

 

1

R896.40

Star

 

1

R1,319.50

 

1

R1,410.50

 

1

R1,524.25

 

1

R1,592.50

Sub total

 

12

ZAR 20 611.90

 

10

ZAR 17 171.22

 

11

ZAR 21 338.61

 

10

ZAR 23 295.15

                         

Notes:

                       

The Council for Geoscience newspaper renewal is annual and prices are based on a one year subscription

     

Question b (i) and (ii)

State Diamond Trader

(aaa) 2011-12

(bbb) 2012-13

(ccc) 2013-14

(ii) (bb) Period 1 April 2014 to date

  • Business Day-1 copy a week
  • Sowetan-1 copy a week
  • The Star-1 copy a week
  • Business Day-1 copy a week
  • Sowetan-1 copy a week
  • The Star-1 copy a week
  • Business Day-1 copy a week
  • Sowetan-1 copy a week
  • Business Day-1 copy a week
  • Sowetan-1 copy a week

Mintek

The number of copies of the newspapers is as per the table below. These newspapers are only delivered weekdays. There are no weekend newspapers.

 

2011-2012

2012-2013

2013-2014

1 April 2014-28 February 2015

Cost for 2014-2015 per newspaper

Business day

7

6

7

7

27 000

Sowetan

6

7

7

7

6 416

The Star

5

13

14

6

8 695

Mail & Guardian

2

8

7

7

8 904

South African Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator

(i) 2011-12

2012-13

2013-14

2014 - February 2015

  • The Star 14 per

day of the week

  • Business day 14

per day of the week

  • Mail & Guardian 5 only on Fridays
  • The Star 15 per day of the week
  • Business day 15 per day of the week
  • Mail & Guardian 5 only on Fridays
  • The Star 15 per day of the week
  • Business day 15 per day of the week
  • Mail & Guardian 6 only on Fridays
  • The Star 3 per day of the week
  • Mail & Guardian 3 only on Fridays

 

01 July 2015 - NW877

Profile picture: America, Mr D

America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources

(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;

Reply:

  1. The Department of Mineral Resources, Mine Health and Safety Council (MHSC), State Diamond Trader (SDT), Council for Geoscience (CGS) and South African Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator (SADPMR) did not provide any sponsorship. The Department’s policy and that of the MHSC and CGS does not make provision for sponsorships. Mintek did provide the following sponsorships during the 2014/2015 financial year.

Recipient

Details

Value (R)

When were the deals undertaken

When will the deal end

THE MINERALS EDUCATION TRUST FUND

Annual Contribution

39 392

Jan-15

This was a once-off

SA INSTITUTE OF MINING AND METALLURY

Sponsored a table at the annual banquet

12 540

Jan-15

This was a once-off

NATIONAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY FUND

Sponsored a table at the annual banquet

30 000

Jun-14

This was a once-off

CORROSION INSTITUTE OF SOUTH AFRICA

Sponsored a table at the annual banquet

9 649

Sep-14

This was a once-off

2. (a & b) No, the Department, MHS, CGS and SDT have not planned to enter into any type of sponsorship deal or contract in the 2015 - 16 and 2016 – 17 financial years. The Department’s policy and that of the MHSC and CGS does not make provision for sponsorships. The SADPMR does not intend to enter into any type of sponsorship deal or contract in 2015-16 and 2016-17 financial years as they do not budget for any type of sponsorship as per National Treasury Practice note 4 of 2006/07.

Yes, Mintek does intend to enter into sponsorship deals similar to the deals mentioned in number 1 above. These sponsorships are for professional bodies and are assessed on a case-by-case basis taking into account affordability and benefit into consideration. They are of a once-off nature and there is no obligation to Mintek to continue with these sponsorships.

01 July 2015 - NW1470

Profile picture: Gqada, Ms T

Gqada, Ms T to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources

(a) How many invoices from private contractors to his department currently remain unpaid for longer than 30 days and (b) in each case, what (i) are the details of the (aa) contractor and (bb) services provided and (ii) what is the (aa) date of the invoice and (bb) reason why the invoice was not paid within 30 days?

Reply:

  1. 27.
  2.  
  1. (aa)

(i) (bb)

  1. (aa)

(ii) (bb)

Metrofile

Storage of files

See attached Annexure A.

See attached Annexure A.

F & J Distributors

Newspapers

   

Century Office

Stationery

   

Cape Town International Conversation

Catering

   

01 July 2015 - NW2371

Profile picture: Stander, Ms T

Stander, Ms T to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources

(1)How many inspections to assess compliance with environmental management plans or programmes were conducted in respect of each region in the (a) 201314 and (b) 201415 financial years;

Reply:

REGIONS

Inspections 2013/14

Orders issued 2013/14

Inspections 2014/15

Orders issued 2014/15

Limpopo

261

147

268

211

Mpumalanga

290

19

284

64

Gauteng

167

71

173

48

North West

292

110

304

58

KwaZulu Natal

151

19

156

151

Eastern Cape

100

02

164

09

Free State

187

30

201

34

Western Cape

157

33

141

27

Northern Cape

263

42

165

11

TOTAL

1868

473

1856

613

01 July 2015 - NW2377

Profile picture: Stander, Ms T

Stander, Ms T to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources

(1) How many environmental mineral resource inspectors have been designated by him in accordance with section 31BB (1) (a) of the National Environmental Management Act, Act 107 of 1998;

Reply:

  1. 34
  2. (a) 34

(b) (i) 7 Regional Managers (including 3 with environmental qualification & 2 Legally qualified)

1 Director: Security Risk Management

1 Deputy Director: Mineral Laws

7 Deputy Directors: Environment

18 Assistant Directors

(ii) They are based in all 9 regional offices

3. The intention is to train a further 60 personnel in 2015/2016

4. All those who successfully complete the course shall be designated

01 July 2015 - NW2252

Profile picture: McGluwa, Mr JJ

McGluwa, Mr JJ to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources

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:

(a) (b) The Department and entities (Council for Geoscience, State Diamond Trader, Mintek, South African Diamond and Precious Metal Regulator and Mine Health and Safety Council) reporting to the Minister of Mineral Resources have never prematurely terminated the services of any employee who is on contract since 2008/ 09 to date. Therefore, has never had to make any pay out.

(i) (bb) N/A

(ii) N/A

(iii) N/A

01 July 2015 - NW1921

Profile picture: Lorimer, Mr JR

Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources

(a) Who are the current chief financial officers of (i) his department and (ii) the entities reporting to him and (b) what is the qualification of each chief financial officer?

Reply:

(a) Who are the current chief financial officers of (i) his department and (ii) the entities reporting to him and (b) what is the qualification of each chief financial officer?

i)Dept

Department of Mineral Resources

  1. i) Mrs Rofhiwa Irene Singo
  1. B. Compt. Hons (CTA)
   

a)

b)

ii)Entities

Council for Geoscience

Mr Leonard Dibela Matsepe

  • Stage 1 Master of Business Administration, Finance Degree
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting
 

MINTEK

Mr Sakhiseni Abednego Simelane

  • Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting
  • Honours: Bachelor of Commerce
  • Master of Business Administration
 

State Diamond Trader

Mrs Nomonde Thamaga

  • Bachelor of Commerce (General)
  • Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Management
 

South African Diamond and Precious Metal Regulator

Mrs Mukondeleli Irene Tshifura

  • Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting
  • Honours: Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting

Short Courses:

  • Customer Service Management
  • Executive Development Programme
  • Generally Recognised Accounting Practice (GRAP) Implementation in the SA Public Sector
  • Revenue, Expenditure, Assets and Liabilities Management
  • Advanced Financial Management Course for Snr. Govt. Officials
 

Mine Health and Safety Council

Mr David S Molapo

  • Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting
  • Chartered Accountant
  • Certificate in taxation
  • Master of Business Administration

01 July 2015 - NW2187

Profile picture: Lorimer, Mr JR

Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources

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:

The Department of Mineral Resources is currently not involved in any work exchange and/or employment agreement with Republic of Cuba.

 

01 July 2015 - NW2270

Profile picture: Macpherson, Mr DW

Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Human Settlements

(1)(a) Has a housing list been established for the uMshwathi Local Municipality and (b) what is the current back log of houses required;

Reply:

(1) (a) The Honourable member would be aware that I undertook to ensure that we have a credible Housing Database. This would include cleaning the housing waiting list and ensure that it is centralised to avoid double-dipping and related challenges. We also undertook to ensure that we prioritise the elderly and child-headed households. To this end, my Department has signed a service level agreement with the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) in line with this undertaking. The service level agreement with SITA caters for National Housing Needs Register on which households can record their housing needs.

Provinces and municipalities are encouraged to make use of the National Housing Needs Register system as it provides for a fair transparent and just process of selection of prospective subsidy beneficiaries and allows for regional specific preferential selection criteria. The System is linked to National Guidelines for the Allocation of Housing Opportunities created through the National Housing Programmes.

Currently, there are no records for uMshwathi Local Municipality on the National Housing Needs Register and the municipality has not implemented the National Housing Needs Register.

(2) (a) Based on project information registered on the Housing Subsidy System HSS), 182 houses were completed in the 2014 -15 financial year and

(b) The total cost for building these 182 houses was approximately R13 628 453;

(3) (a) The 2015/16 provincial business plan indicates that no houses are planned for construction in this financial year. There are two projects under the Integrated Residential Development Programme: Phase 1 and another project under the Enhanced Extended Discount Benefit Scheme (EEDBS).

(b) The Umshwathi Slums Clearance project has a budget of R49 236 000 and the Umshwathi Dalton/ Cool Air project has a budget of R7 750 000. The Umshwathi Cool Air EEDBS Project has a project budget of R7 000.00.

01 July 2015 - NW2086

Profile picture: Luzipo, Mr S

Luzipo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources

Is there any work that is being done by his department with regard to the challenges posed by transfer pricing, mispricing, as well as tax-base erosion and price fixing with other affected or relevant departments like the Department of Trade and Industry and the National Treasury; if not, why not; if so, how much ground has been covered?

Reply:

The Department of Mineral Resources participates in the Inter-Ministerial Committee of Revitalisation of Distressed Mining Towns, which has initiated a process to investigate transfer pricing and related matters. The National Treasury and South African Revenue Services are leading this process.

01 July 2015 - NW2008

Profile picture: Masango, Ms B

Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources

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.

  (a) Five.

    (b) R4,122,119.33

Annexure A

VEHICLES ON THE ASSET REGISTER

 

No

Description

User

Purchase Date

Price

1

Motor Vehicle M-Benz ML

Deputy Minister, Cape Town

06 July 2011

774,270.00

2

Motor Vehicle M-Benz S350

Deputy Minister, Head Office

19 September 2011

954,358.99

3

Motor Vehicle BMW 7 Series

Department

18 February 2010

1,200,100.00

4

Motor Vehicle Toyota

Department

03 March 2013

315,621.54

5

Motor Vehicle BMW X6

Minister, Head Office

30 July 2012

877,768.80

 

TOTAL

4,122,119.33

30 June 2015 - NW2229

Profile picture: Jooste, Ms K

Jooste, Ms K to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)(a) What was the estimated cost of developing the Recruitment and Retention Strategy for Social Workers which came into effect in 2006 and (b) was an implementation plan which is (i) time-bound, (ii) well-resourced and (iii) subject to project management developed and executed in terms of the specified strategy;

Reply:

(1) (a) The estimated cost of developing the Recruitment and Retention Strategy

for Social Workers which came into effect in 2006 was R500 000 and a further cost of Rapid Assessment Study of the strategy was R250 000; (b)(i)The implementation plan was not time bound but ongoing and Provinces were required to source funding from their Provincial Treasury to implement Recruitment and Retention Strategy for Social Workers; (ii) The National Department of Social Development has since the 2007/08 to the 2015/2016 financial year received an estimated R1, 6 billion as part of the resource for the recruitment part of the strategy (scholarship programme); (iii) the Rapid Assessment Study’s findings indicated some notable strides by provinces in the implementation of the strategy in terms of improved office accommodation, vehicle allocation, improved conditions of social workers salaries following the regrading of salaries of social workers. This is despite the many challenges that still need to be addressed.

2. The estimated cost to the department for hosting the Social Work Indaba in March 2015 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban was R 12 119 060.97 of which R3m was spent on implementation of Communication plan for the event. It should however be noted that the costs for conferencing amounting to R2.8m were incurred and paid for by USAID.

3. The resolutions taken at the Social Work Indaba affirm the findings and recommendation of the strategy. The Social Work Indaba involved a broader representation of stakeholders which included social workers from NGOs, other government institutions, universities and national and provincial departments of Social Development. The Recruitment and Retention Strategy process involved only Provincial Departments of Social Development.

 

30 June 2015 - NW2253

Profile picture: Wilson, Ms ER

Wilson, Ms ER to ask the Minister of Social Development

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:

(a) Neither the National Department of Social Development (b) nor the NDA has paid the out the said amount since the 2008/09 financial year.

With regard to SASSA, an amount R1 151 317.20 was paid to Ms B Rankin (Executive Manager: Corporate Services) due to her early termination of her employment services in the 2008/09 financial year.

In the second case, an amount of R 313 267.51 was paid to Mr J Mofokeng (Chief Financial Officer) as a dispute settlement which resulted in early termination of employment contract.