Questions and Replies

Reply:

The country contributed the following amount:

(a)(i) membership

(aa) 2012/13 R167 044 875

(bb) 2013/14 R151 160 331

(cc) 2014/15 R195 878 000

(a)(ii) other fees

(aa) 2012/13 None

(bb) 2013/14 R21 903 933

(cc) 2014/15 R35 962 000

(b) The budget for 201516 financial year is R160 216 million for African Union membership and R38 300 million for other contributions. Payment for membership fees is based on the assessed contribution.

UNQUOTE

Reply:

(i)

1. The Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS) does not subscribe with any media house but follow the normal procurement process as per PFMA and PPPFA through which the prospective service providers are invited to bid for supplying and delivering of various newspapers for the period of six months. The department does not hold subscriptions with any media house. The GCIS procures newspapers for the Department of Communications.

 

The following amounts were spent on newspapers during the financial year, (aaa) 2011 – 2012 R671 607.39

(bbb) 2012 – 2013 R678 410.40

(ccc) 2013 – 2014 R670 473.96

(bb) 2014 – 2015 R793 916.44.

i.  Financial Year 2011/2012 (R671 607.39)

Name of the newspaper	Number of copies per day	Quantity of newspaper procured per year
Beeld	10	4698
Business Day	44	3079
Citizen	25	9614
Daily Sun	15	6003
TNT Media	32	3872
Pretoria News	35	12015
Sowetan	45	15094
Star	46	14834
Financial Mail	3	152
Mail & Guardian	45	2934
Rapport	5	832
DIAMOND Fields Advertiser	4	522
Cape times	8	1364
Saturday Star	5	832
Pretoria news Saturday	5	676
Beeld Saturday	5	676
Sunday Times	10	156
Sunday World	5	60
The Times	7	522
City Press	10	5176
Sunday independent	10	1468
Sunday sun	10	1222
Citizen Saturday	5	416

ii.  Financial Year 2012/2013 (R678 410.40)

Name of the newspaper	Number of copies per day (Monday to Friday)	Quantity of newspaper procured per year
Beeld	20	5260
Business Day	44	11572
Citizen	31	8153
Daily Sun	33	8679
New Age	37	9731
Pretoria News	46	12098
Sowetan	50	13150
Star	49	12887
Financial Mail	23	6049
Mail & Guardian	52	13676
Rapport	7	1841
Saturday Pretoria News	4	208
Saturday Citizen	4	208
Saturday Star	5	260
Sunday Independent	12	624
Sunday Sun	15	780
Sunday Times	16	832
Sunday World	9	468
The Times	25	1300
City Press	12	624

Name of the newspaper	Number of copies per day (Monday to Sunday )	Quantity of newspaper procured per year
Beeld	26	6 838
Business Day	53	13 939
Citizen	38	9994
Daily Sun	50	13150
New Age	43	11 309
Pretoria News	57	14991
Sowetan	61	16043
Star	63	16569
Financial Mail	34	8942
Mail & Guardian	59	15517
Rapport	16	4208
Beeld Naweek	4	208
Saturday Pretoria News	12	624
Saturday Citizen	12	624
Saturday Star	12	624
Sunday Independent	22	1144
Sunday Sun	18	936
Sunday Times	27	1404
Sunday World	19	988
The Times	48	2496
City Press	38	1976

iii. Financial Year 2013/2014 (R670 473.96)

iv.

ii. Financial Year 2014/2015 (R793 916.44)

Name of the newspaper	Number of copies per day (Monday to Sunday)	Number of copies per year
Beeld	18	4 734
Business Day	42	11 046
Citizen	30	7 890
Daily Sun	35	9 206
New Age	37	9 731
Pretoria News	46	12 098
Sowetan	48	12 624
Star	49	12 887
Financial Mail	24	6 312
Mail & Guardian	52	13 676
Rapport	7	1 841
Beeld Naweek	3	156
Saturday Pretoria News	4	208
Saturday Citizen	4	208
Saturday Star	5	260
Sunday Independent	14	728
Sunday Sun	8	416
Sunday Times	16	832
Sunday World	9	468
The Times	25	1300
City Press	13	676

(ii)

BrandSA

(aaa) 2011/2012: R49 195.25

(bbb) 2012/2013: R55 694.40

(ccc) 2013/14: R72 221.17

(bb) 2014/15: R23 432.00

 

(b) The number of copies of each newspaper that were ordered are as follows:

(i) 2011/2012: 3 copies of each newspaper were ordered on each day of the week.

2012/2013: 4 copies of each newspaper were ordered on each day of the week.

2013/2014: 6 copies of each newspaper were ordered on each day of the week.

 

ii)2014/2015: 2 copies of each newspaper were ordered on each day of the week.

Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)

(aaa) 2011/2012: R262 282.55

(bbb) 2012/2013: R305 856.65

(ccc) 2013/2014: R242 110.14

(bb) 2014/2015: R93 261.51

(b)The number of copies of each newspaper that were ordered are as follows:

i) 2011/2012: Daily purchase: 18 copies of the Sowetan, 40 copies of The Star, 1 copy of The Star (afternoon edition), 36 Business Day, 38 Mail and Guardian (weekly), 28 Financial Mail, 28 Citizen on Thursdays and 7 copies daily, 1 copy of the Beeld, 1 copy of the Finance Week, 4 copies of The Economist on Mondays, 3 copies of the Financial Times on Thursdays, 1 copy of the Daily Sun, 2 copies of the Saturday Star, 4 copies of the City Press, 4 copies of the Sunday Times,1 copy of the Sunday Independent, 1 copy of the Sunday Sun, 1 copy of the Sunday World.

2012/2013: 2011/2012: Daily purchase: 18 copies of the Sowetan, 40 copies of The Star, 1 copy of The Star (afternoon edition), 36 Business Day, 38 Mail and Guardian (weekly), 28 Financial Mail, 7 Citizen, 1 copy of the Beeld, 1 copy of the Finance Week, 4 copies of The Economist on Mondays, 3 copies of the Financial Times on Thursdays, 1 copy of the Daily Sun, 2 copies of the Saturday Star, 4 copies of the City Press, 4 copies of the Sunday Times,1 copy of the Sunday Independent, 1 copy of the Sunday Sun, 1 copy of the Sunday World.

2013/2014: Daily purchase: 17 copies of the Sowetan, 41 copies of The Star, 1 copy of The Star (afternoon edition), 35 Business Day, 39 Mail and Guardian (weekly), 27 Financial Mail (Thursdays), 7 Citizen, 1 copy of the Beeld, 1 copy of the Finance Week (Thursdays), 4 copies of The Economist on Mondays, 3 copies of the Financial Times on Thursdays, 1 copy of the Daily Sun, 1 copy of the Saturday Star, 3 copies of the City Press, 3 copies of the Sunday Times,1 copy of the Sunday Independent, 1 copy of the Sunday Sun, 1 copy of the Sunday World and 1 copy of the Engineering News (weekly).

ii) 2014/2015: Daily purchase: 9 copies of the Sowetan, 11 copies of The Star, 1 copy of The Star (Saturday), 12 Business Day, 8 Mail and Guardian (weekly), 3 Financial Mail (Thursdays), 1 Citizen, 1 copy of the Beeld, 3 copies of the Financial Mail on Thursdays, 1 copy of the Daily Sun, 1 copy of the Saturday Star, 1 copy of the City Press, 1 copy of the Sunday Times,1 copy of the Sunday Independent, 1 copy of the Sunday Sun, 1 copy of the Sunday World and 1 copy of Fin Week (weekly).

Film and Publication Board

(aaa) 2011/2012: R806.04

(bbb) 2012/2013: R8144.76

(ccc) 2013/2014: R6959.28

(bb) 2014/2015: R8250.46

(b)

i) Newspapers purchased for each financial year:

Sowetan: 2 copies daily and 480 per year

The Star: 2 copies daily and 480 per year

Business Day: 2 copies daily and 480 per year

City Press: 2 copies weekly and 96 copies per year

Sunday Times: 2 copies weekly and 96 copies per year

Mail & Guardian: 2 copies weekly and 96 copies per year

ii) Same as above

MDDA

(aaa) 2011/2012: R 8899.59

(bbb) 2012/2013: R 9038.88

(ccc) 2013/2014: R 7079.64

(bb) 2014/2015: R6543.12

(b)The MDDA order two copies of the following newspapers per day for the week:

i) 2011/2012: Financial Mail, Mail and Guardian, Citizen, The Star and Business Day

2012/2013: Financial Mail, Mail and Guardian, Citizen, The New Age and Business Day.

2013/2014: Publisher, Financial Mail, Mail and Guardian, The Star and The New Age.

ii)2014/2015: Financial Mail, Business Day and Sowetan

SABC

(a)

THE NEW AGE NEWSPAPER

(aaa) 2011/12: R238 356,52

(bbb) 2013/14: R337 662.80 and

(ccc) 2014/2015: R43 887.50

MEDIA 24

(aaa) 2009/2010: R229 886.11

(bbb) 2011/2012: R269 403.00 and

(ccc) 2013 R104 910.93 financial years R619 906.82

SABC procures Media 24 subscriptions through Times Media Group due to varying procurement processes

TIMES MEDIA GROUP

(aaa) 2011/2012: R1 659 736 .72

(bbb) 2013/2014: R2 120 559.82 and

(ccc) 2015: R702 899.50

MR NN MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

GCIS procures media space and services on behalf of other departments and public entities. The total funds spent on TNA Media related service including transactions facilitated for the departments and entities as follows:

(a)  Department

(i)  Financial Year 2011/2012 R 7 637 809.65

(ii) Financial Year 2012/2013 R 8 348 116.90

(iii) Financial Year 2013/2014 R 9 048 481.89

(b)  Entities

BrandSA

(i), (ii) & (iii) BrandSA did not spend on advertising in The New Age newspaper for financial years 2011/12, 2012/13 and 2013/14.

Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)

(i), (ii) & (iii) The ICASA did not spend on advertising in The New Age newspaper for financial years 2011/12, 2012/13 and 2013/14.

Film and Publication Board (fpb)

(i), (ii) & (iii) The FPB did not spend on advertising in The New Age newspaper for financial years 2011/12, 2012/13 and 2013/14.

Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA)

(i), (ii) & (iii) The MDDA did not spend on advertising in The New Age newspaper for financial years 2011/12, 2012/13 and 2013/14.

South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)

1. 2011-12 none
2. 2012 – 2013 R175 840
3. 2013 – 2014 R73 140

MR N MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

1. No, there are no Cuban nationals currently employed by the Department of Science and Technology. However, there are scientific exchanges in specific research and development areas facilitated through the Bilateral Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement signed in 2001. Important collaborations in the past have focused on biotechnology and nanotechnology, with five related flagship projects implemented from 2005 to 2014, namely:

• (a) Cholera vaccine development project, supported from 2005;
• 1(b) Human monoclonal antibodies, supported from 2006;
• (c)  Pre-clinical drug development, supported from 2006;
• (d) the use of radio-labelled compounds in medical, biosciences and industrial research, with focus on radio-labelling cancer receptor targeting compounds, supported from 2007; and
• (e)development of drug delivery systems, lateral flow-point-of-care diagnostic kits and biosensors based on nanoparticles, with focus on new therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals based on monoclonal antibodies, supported from 20072.
•  

2.  For each of the above projects, there has been one principal researcher from each side, supported by teams of R&D staff in their organisations. The Cubans involved in the R&D projects are highly qualified scientists in their field of specialisation, most holding Phds in the respective science disciplines they conduct research on.

3.It should be stressed that the Cuban scientists were, however not employed in South Africa but remained based at their own institutions in Cuba.

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.

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

Reply:

1. The available budget allocated for the provision of free set-top-boxes to five (5) million poor television household is R2, 523,642, 000. Shortfall to be established once the costing of the STBs has been determined.
2. Negotiations with National Treasury will be initiated once a shortfall figure, if any, has been identified.

MR NDIVHUHO MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

1. The Department of Communications did not spend an amount of R1.6 million for an official advertisement in the named newspaper, but rather spent R720 990.72.  This cost saving was due to negotiated discounts through media bulk buying.
2. The above expenditure was authorised in accordance with the GCIS/DOC supply chain management delegation 4.4 which states that "the acquisition of print media directly with the sole service providers or sole appointed agent , approval thereof rests with the Chief Director (Communication Services Agency) and the Chief Financial Officer for amounts between (R30 000.00 – R3 million)."

This expenditure was within the provision of delegation 4.4 and it was authorised by the Acting Chief Director: Communication Service Agency and Acting Director General in his capacity as the Accounting Officer due to the absence of the Chief Financial Officer at the time.

MR D LIPHOKO

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS (GCIS)

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

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.

Reply:

(a) Dual illumination already exist in South Africa. We assume that dual illumination here is referred to the performance period. The performance period will be determined by the Minister in consultation with Cabinet in due course. The consultation timeline with Cabinet will be determined in consideration of a few factors:

• Bilateral engagement with neighbouring countries regarding harmonisation of frequency spectrum interference; and
• Pending court decision against the Government by eTV.

(b)

DESCRIPTION	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018
Dual Illumination (Ex VAT)	R113, 975 542	R120, 683, 617	R129, 369, 314
Dual Illumination (Incl. VAT)	R129, 932, 118	R137, 579, 323	R147, 481, 018

(c) Sentech has in its budget funding for Dual Illumination Period for 2015/16.

MR NDIVHUHO MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

1.    The Director General or his delegate (Accounting Officer) approves payments for annual membership and other fees to the African Union.

2.    No, it is not a requirement for her department to consult with the Minister of Finance or any relevant officials from the National Treasury before authorising South Africa’s annual membership payments to the African Union as the budget is appropriated to the department.

3.   No, the department has not been contacted in the past 12 months by any representatives from the African Union to request additional funding, other than the country’s annual membership fees.

UNQUOTE

Reply:

(1)(a)(i) and (ii) and (2)(a)(i)(aa), (bb), (cc) and (ii)(aa) and (bb).

The following details are applicable in respect of expenditure found to be irregular expenditure in the 2014/2015 financial year:

Details of irregular expenditure	Cases	Actions taken	Amount recovered from employees	2014/2015
Catering	1	Verbal warning	R 0.00	R 17 370.00
Food & Beverages	1	Written warning	R 0.00	R 25 229.58
Furniture	1	Written warning	R 0.00	R 9 102.00
Repairs	1	Verbal warning	R 0.00	R 24 453.00
Security Services	1	Verbal warning	R 0.00	R 7 085.00
Storage Fees	1	Verbal warning	R 0.00	R 3 657.50
Total	6		R 0.00	R 86 897.08

For the period 1 April 2015 to date no irregular expenditure was found to be irregular of nature.

(1)(b)(i) and (ii) and (2)(b)(i)(aa), (bb), (cc) and (ii)(aa) and (bb).

The following details are relevant to amounts found to be fruitless and wasteful expenditure in the 2014/2015 financial year:

Details of fruitless and wasteful expenditure	Cases	Actions taken	Amount recovered from employees	2014/2015
Penalties on License Fees	42	Liability investigation conducted to determine recoverability	R 1 822.80	R 72 357.25
Accommodation	8	Liability investigation conducted to determine recoverability		R 46 631.00
Air/Bus Tickets	5	Liability investigation conducted to determine recoverability		R 1 765.50
Non attending of courses	4	Liability investigation conducted to determine recoverability	R 590.00	R 2 474.00
Incorrect Payment	1	Liability investigation conducted to determine recoverability		R 14 443.71
Penalty Municipal Account	1	Liability investigation conducted to determine recoverability		R 2 000.00
Telecommunications	1	Liability investigation conducted to determine recoverability		R 1 122.30
Total	62		R 2 412.80	R 140 793.76

For the period 1 April 2015 to date no expenditure was found to be fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

In respect of fruitless and wasteful expenditure, the outcome of a liability investigation being conducted to determine recoverability can result in the following:

• Investigation still pending (no resolution);
• Treasury Regulation 12.7.3 resolution (claim against official must be waived in those instances where state cover is not forfeited);
• Liability cannot be determined; and
• Liability determination to recover expenditure.

If the category of irregular expenditure is considered, it reflects the incurrence of expenditures by members countrywide mainly where procurement prescripts were not technically complied with. The Department did however receive the goods or services. In each such incident reported, a due process of investigation, determination of responsibility and consideration of disciplinary steps are considered. Preventative control measures such as procurement authority, segregation of duties, and registration/rotation of suppliers regarding quotations, exception reporting and certification, limit irregular and fruitless expenditures. The formal process of assessment as indicated is via the Supply Chain Management (BAC) mechanism.

It should be noted that 2014/15 figures are still being audited by the Auditor-General as part of the year-end audit process, and could change.

Reply:

Yes, the four Councillors were duly paid on 30 December 2014 for their 45 day extended period after the expiry of their term, as follows:

Councillor’s Name	End of Office Term	End of the extended 45 working days
Councillor William Currie	30 September 2014	02 December 2014
Councillor Joseph Lebooa	30 September 2014	02 December 2014
Councillor Ntombizodwa Ndhlovu	31 October 2014	08 January 2015
Councillor William Stucke	31 October 2014	08 January 2015

MR N MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

Yes, recipients of free set-top-boxes will have to present valid SABC television licence.

MR NDIVHUHO MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

(1)(a) 343

(1)(b)(i)

EASTERN CAPE	East London, Humansdorp , King Williams Town, Mthatha, Port St John’s, Uitenhage
FREE STATE	Ladybrand, Mangaung, Phuthaditjaba, Welkom, Bethlehem, Bloemfontein, Bultfontein, Henneman
GAUTENG	Alexandra, Benoni, Brakpan, Carltonville, Katlehong, Boksburg, Ga-Rankuwa, Johannesburg, Krugerdorp, Mamelodi, Springs, Tembisa, Vereeniging
KWAZULU-NATAL	Indanda, Newcastle, Pietermaritzburg, Kokstad, Ladysmith, Port Shepstone, Umkomaas,Umlazi
LIMPOPO	Bela- Bela , Giyane, Lephalale, Modimolle, Musina, Phalaborwa, Polokwane, Seshego, Thabazimbi, Thohoyandou, Tzaneen, Vaalwater
MPUMALANGA	Acornhoek, Elukwatini, Ermelo, KwaMhlanga, Middelburg, Nelspruit, Piet Retief, Secunda, Standerton, Witbank, Bushbuckridge
NORTH WEST	Brits, Klerksdorp, Rustenburg, Taung, Vryburg, Wolmaranstad, Zeerust, Haartebeespoort, Lichtenburg, Marikana, Mogwase, Pochefstroom, Stilfontein, Thlabane
NORTHERN CAPE	Alexandra Bay, Calvinia, De Aar, Kimberley, Kuruman, Port Nolloth, Postmasburg, Windsorton, Griekwastad, Hartswater, Jan Kempdorp, Keimoes, Springbok, Victoria West
WESTERN CAPE	Cape Town, George, Hermanus, Khayelitsha, Kraaifontein, Kuilsriver, Milnerton, Mitchells Plain, Nyanga, Vredenburg, Worcester, Bellville, Parrow, Oudsthoorn, Vredenburg

 

(1)(b)(ii)

 

EASTERN CAPE	Matatiele, Mount Road, Mdantsane, Motherwell
FREE STATE	Park Road, Thabong, Selosesha, Zamdela
GAUTENG	Alrode, Diepsloot, Johannesburg Central, Hillbrow, Moroka, Orlando, Pretoria Central, Pretoria West, Sunnyside, Temba,
KWAZULU-NATAL	Brighton Beach, Chatsworth, Durban Central, Jozini, Mountain Rise, Mtuzuma,
LIMPOPO	Lebowakgomo, Lulekani, Mahwelereng, Makhado, Masemola, Mphephu, Tubatse, Vuwani, Westerburg,
MPUMALANGA	Pienaar, Tonga
NORTH WEST	Atamelang, Boitekong, Ikageng, Mahikeng, Mmakau, Phokeng,
NORTHERN CAPE	Barkely West, Kagisho, Kakamas, Roodepan, Wilbosten, Galeshewe
WESTERN CAPE	Dunoon, Wynberg, Grassy Park, Conville, Mannenburg, Bishop Lavis,

(2)(a) 9098

(2)(b)(i) 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.

(2)(b)(ii) 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.

(3) 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.

(4) 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.

(5)(a) 27

(5)(b) 39

(5)(c)

Dagga	287231.068g
Dagga Plant	6
Tik	623.5g
Mandrax	439 Tablets
Cocaine	2301g
Crystal Meth	12g
Heroine	1125 Tablets
Whoonga	124g
Khat	34g
Nyaope	2312.37g

 

Reply:

(1)

(a) R22 Million has been identified from the DTPS 2014/15 budget. The department is liaising with DTPS and National Treasusy for the funds to be rolled-over to 2015/16 financial year and also be transferred to the DoC to fund the Public Awareness Campaign and its related activities.

(b) as per the above

(2) No tender can issued on unappropriated funds. The PFMA does not allow the Accounting Officer to spend amounts that have not been appropriated. Procurement activities in this regard can be undertaken after National Treasury has guaranteed the roll-over and function shift of the R22 million request.

MR NDIVHUHO MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

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:

Reply:

a) 3767 is the total number of queries received in July 2014 to March 2015.

b) The process of tracking is manual, a service provider will be appointed to automate the process.

c) 2070 total queries were resolved in July 2014 to March 2015.

NDIVHUHO MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

1. The MDDA has 19 employees
2. (a) 11 resigned from the MDDA in the past financial year

(b) Reasons for resignation are as follows:

Number	Reason for resignation
2	Contract expired
1	Took a job closer to place of residence
1	Promotion
1	Higher salary
1	Strained relation at work
1	Ill health
3	Work environment not conducive for efficiency and productivity
1	Mutually agreed settlement

(3) (a) The names and

(b) contact details of employees who have resigned will not be made available to the public due to the following reasons:

(i) The International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) code of Practice on the protection of workers personal data, 1997 which is taken into account when interpreting and applying the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (Section 1(b) and section 3(c) states that:

“personal data should in principle be used for the purposes for which they were originally collected.”

It further states that “Personal data should not be communicated to third parties without the worker’s explicit consent unless the communication is: a) necessary to prevent serious and imminent threat to life or health. b) required or authorised by law. c) necessary for the conduct of employment relationship d) required for enforcement of criminal law.

Former employees of the MDDA have not consented to their personal information be made available to third parties. The MDDA will not disclose such information unless it is required by law or unless consent is given by the previous employees.

4. (a) The following senior positions are vacant:

i) Chief Executive Officer

ii) Chief Operating Officer

iii) Chief Financial Officer

iv) Programme Director

 

(b) i) Chief Executive Officer – since June 2014

ii) Chief Operating Officer – since July 2014

iii) Chief Financial Officer - since January 2015

iv) Programme Director – since June 2014

5. i) Chief Executive Officer: The post was advertised in the national newspapers in September 2014. The recruitment process is awaiting presentation and approval from the Board.

ii) Chief Operating Officer: The position has not been advertised as it is being reviewed.

iii) Chief Financial Officer: The position has not been advertised. According to the MDDA Board resolution of 2013, this position must be appointed by the Board.

iv) Programme Director: The post was advertised in May 2014 and interviews were held. No suitable candidate was found. The position will be readvertised.

MR N MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

ICASA did not purchase (a) décor (b) plants and (c) artwork (i) from artists or (ii) through an agent in the 2013/2014 financial year.

MR N MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

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.

Reply:

(a) Load shedding has an adverse effect on service delivery in the SAPS. It has an impact on all communication and network operations, including the registering of case dockets, circulation of firearms and vehicles. A number of stations cannot function at night because there are no lights, especially in the cells when there are detainees, which is a huge security risk.

(b) Not all 1140 fully fledged police stations have generators. Of the 1 140 police stations, 197 do not have generators. Of the 197 police stations, 184 police stations are non-devolved police stations, which is the responsibility of DPW and 13 are devolved, which is SAPS’ responsibility.

The National Department of Public Works has been requested to register projects for the provisioning of generators at the non-devolved police stations. Funding has been made available for this purpose for the 2015/ 2016 financial year.

All devolved police stations without generators will be provided with a generator by the end of the current financial year.

The SAPS also invests in renewable green energy and includes solar perimeter lighting in all renewal and new generator and electrical maintenance contracts.

Five (5) devolved police stations in the Eastern Cape are fully dependent on solar power; namely Afsondering, Katkop, Lukholweni, Mbizeni and Zamuxolo.

The SAPS is in the process of putting out a tender for the procurement of mobile backup generators to be distributed by the Provinces as and where the need arises.

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:

Reply:

(i)  Departments

Department of Communications (DoC)

1. The position is vacant. The recruitment process is in progress.
2. The appointment will be finalised in line with the required qualifications.

Government Communications (GCIS)

1. Kenneth Zwelinjani Momeka
2. National Diploma: Cost and Management Accounting (TUT) and B Tech degree: Corporate Administration (UNISA).

 

​(ii)Entities

Brand SA

(a)   Ms Alice Puoane

(b)  Com degree

Film and Publication Board (FPB)

(a)    The position is vacant. The FPB is in the process of recruiting a Chief Financial Officer.

(b)    The minimum qualification requirement for the Chief Financial Officer post is a degree in Finance or similar qualification on the same NQF level and preferably also having CA (SA) or CIMA qualifications.

Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)

(a)     The CFO position at ICASA is vacant. A process is currently underway to fill the position.

(b)     The minimum requirements for the position are Masters Degree in Commerce (Finance, Auditing, Accounting or related) and/or Chartered Accountant NQF level 9.

Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA)

(a)  The MDDA does not have a CFO. However, the Finance Manager (Talifhani Khubana) has been appointed as Acting CFO.

 

(b) Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting

Honours Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting

Master of Business Administration

South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)

(a)  James Rogers Aguma

(a)   B Com ( Accounting )

Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting

Post Graduate Certificate in Auditing

NDIVHUHO MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

(a) Various industry formations in the Broadcasting and Electronic Manufacturing; National Signal Distributor; Regulator; Public and Private institutions made inputs to the amendments process of the Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy approved by Cabinet in March 2015.

(b) Revisions were not gazetted because the process was a continuation of the amendments gazetted on the 4th of December 2013.

MR NDIVHUHO MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

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

Reply:

(a) & (b) In terms of DTH SANS 1719, Section 5.2 and 6, the technical specifications for Direct-To-Home Set-Top-Boxes has be developed by Free-To-Air (FTA) Broadcasters. The technical specifications has not been developed and finalised. Timelines for the compilation and finalisation of the specification is yet to be obtained from the FTA broadcasters.

(i) As a result of the above, no gazette has been published; and

(ii) No gazette number since the specifications has not been developed.

MR NDIVHUHO MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

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.

Reply:

1. (a) The qualifying criteria was developed by the USAASA.

(b) The criteria was published on the 28th of October 2014 under gazette number 38134.

2. (a) According to USAASA, (i) (ii) the identification and vetting of the applicant will be done through the means test and (b) there have been business rules developed by the Agency and SAPO. The process will show the various checks and balances to ensure that the right recipients receive the boxes.

(c) R190 million is allocated for the distribution of Set-Top-Boxes.

(d) The process has not begun.

MR NDIVHUHO MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

No.

Integrateg Digital Television (IDTV) SANS 10352 standard is yet to be finalised. According to SABS, the standard is targeted for finalisation at the end of 2015.

 

MR NDIVHUHO MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

1. (a) & (b) There has not been any allocations placed to any of the service providers. However, allocation will be made taking account of the different capacities which the various service providers have, expected time of delivery, pricing and other considerations.
2. No orders has been placed as yet
3. USAASA is not aware of any collaboration between the service providers.

MR NDIVHUHO MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

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.

Reply:

The department is not involved in the tender process.

MR N MUNZHELELE

[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

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.

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.

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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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.

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

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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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.

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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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.

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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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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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.

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

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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).