Questions and Replies

Reply:

(1) and (2) The attached list comprises of the names, relevant details, budget and amount spent on each of the 164 projects supported by the National Skills Fund in the 2013/14 financial year.

(3) and (4) Please refer to my response to question 2663

Reply:

(a) i. The National Road Traffic Act (NRTA) forms as published in the schedule of forms (volume 1) are the only forms approved for use at DLTC's, vehicle testing stations and registering authorities. Published forms should not be copied for use at the Registering Authorities and all other vehicle and licencing centres in South Africa.

ii. Yes, when a member of public visits our various licensing offices they are provided with only the approved and published forms as per the NRTA and there should not be any copies provided to the public.

(b) Since the implementation relating to road traffic management.

(c) Department of Transport is not aware of any photocopying of the forms and the costs related thereto.

(d) Falls away

Reply:

(a) (b)
SANRAL is not currently collecting any revenue through any 3rd party agency at the border posts. As indicated previously, foreign vehicles have the same obligation to pay toll as any other vehicle using the GFlP roads. Currently 14 741 foreign vehicles are registered on the SANRAL toll system.

(c) Not applicable

Reply:

(1) No, due to the nature of our mandate
(a) Not Applicable
(b) Not Applicable
(c) Not Applicable

(d) Not Applicable

(2) No due to the nature of our mandate
(a) Not Applicable
i. Not Applicable
ii. Not Applicable
iii. Not Applicable
iv. Not Applicable
v. Not Applicable

Reply:

a) The Province of KwaZulu Natal is using a Pro License computerised learners licence system in all their Driving License Testing Centres: Western Cape and Eastern Cape each have 3 Computerized Learners License Test, Limpopo, North West, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga and Free State have two sites per province. Gauteng has about 20 sites that uses eNaTIS computerized Learners License Test and all this are currently pilots sites.

b) The system was designed in terms of the current K53 Motor Vehicle Driving License Manuals. She system randomly select questions from a pool of 1 500 questions that an applicant for a learners license must answer. The sequence of the question and their answers are not similar in a particular test.

c) (i) (aa) The setting up cost is R 900 00 per site.

(bb) A year's maintenance is included in the initial setting up costs listed above

(ii) The Computerised Learners License Test is a module within the eNaTIS system d) The roll out of the system started around 2011/2012 financial years to date

The roll out of the system around 2011/12 financial year to date.

Reply:

(a) How many persons have graduated from the SATaxi Council Driver Training Academy since its inception.

A total number of 238 driven have been trained since the inception of the SA Taxi Council Driver Training Academy.

The breakdown is as follows:
 

(b) What (i) process, (ii) procedures and (iii) mechanisms exist to monitor improvement in driving by these graduates and,

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has established a Call Centre for the commuters to call in and report any reckless driving or if it is suspected that a driver could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If a call is received suggesting any of the above, the call centre staff will notify the nearest law enforcement agency for action to be taken.

Drivers are also trained on the aspects of customer care as part of improving the image of the industry in the face of the general public. A number of calls have been received from commuters expressing their appreciation in the manner in which taxi driven have improved in dealing with the commuters and the respect shown to them.

(c) What has been the cost to her department in this regard to date?

A once off payment of R5.5 million was made during the launch in the 2011/12 financial year.

Reply:

(a) In order to approve efficiencies the Road Accident Fund (RAF) has implemented a process in terms of which the different components making up a claim can now be settled independently (part-settlement), e.g. a claim for past loss of earnings can now be settled whilst the claim for future loss of earnings may require further investigation, and, or assessment, resulting in a future settlement date of the aforementioned component of the claim. This process of part-settlement of the different components of the claim means that little value can be gained from comparing an initial offer (which may relate to only a specific component of the claim) with the final settlement amount (which may exclude the earlier settled component), because like-for-like amounts would not be compared. For this reason the RAF is unable to respond to the specific query.

(b) Due to the number of claims involved, the part-settlement process alluded to above, and the timing of the capturing of certain part-settlements on the RAF's claim system, it is impractical to respond to the remainder of the question, except for providing the below response to part (i) of the question as it relates to possible reasons (other than part-settlement) for the variance between an initial offered settlement and a final settlement amount.

(i) It is not uncommon for an initial offer amount on a component of the claim to be less than the eventual settlement amount. Some of the more common reasons for this include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. The RAF may have applied a percentage apportionment, based on the RAF's assessment of the claimant's contributory negligence, which apportionment served to reduce the amount of the initial offer. This apportionment may later have been reduced, or abandoned, following negotiation or receipt of new evidence:

b. Claimants are entitled to, and frequently do, amend their claims, either by increasing the amount already claimed under a specific component of the claim or by claiming a new amount under a new component. Such amendments are typically the result of the submission of new documentary evidence pertaining to a specific component of the claim; medico-legal reports; Serious Injury Assessment Reports; and, or. actuarial reports that are submitted after the initial offer, or that may be updated after the initial offer. The RAF assesses such additional submissions and may update the initial offer where indicated; and

c. The outcome of litigation, as regards the fault aspect (apportionment) and, or, the quantum of the claim could result in the apportionment being reduced or the quantum being increased, either of which may impact the final settlement amount.

It bears noting that in many instances the RAF settles claims for more than what was originally claimed.

Reply:

(a)The Department is currently working with Statistics South Africa to collate data for all motor vehicle accidents occurred in (aa) 2012-12. (bb) 2012-13 and (cc) 2013- 2014. The data processing will commence once the data capturing is completed.

(b)There are various Road Safety initiatives that focused on seatbelt usage.

Reply:

Attached please fine here: Reply

Reply:

No summons has been filed against the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) for (i) 2011/2012; (ii) 2012/2013; and (iii) 201312014 financial years. (b) NIA, (c) no summons were received against the SACAA Certification Department and (e) N/A

Reply:

Yes there were investigations conducted. (a) The investigations (i) commenced early in 2007 (ii) investigations ended on 24m October 2008. (b) Investigations were conducted by Ernst & Young. (c) Findings and results - Two employees of SACAA were involved in selling examination papers and answers (d) (i) As a result of the investigation, SACAA instituted disciplinary actions against these two employees "Examination Officers" who were charged with misconduct in that they "overrode IT systems, thereby breaching established examination processes" and failed to secure their logon details which allowed unauthorised access to the examination system. (ii) The names of the two employees are Mr Alec Mnisi and Ms Nancy Mashamaite.

Reply:

(1) Yes

(a) A multi-disciplinary barn lead by the Director-General of the State Security Agency.

(b) A full investigation has been launched into the purported leakage, its veracity and verification will be handled in terms of the protocols governing the management of classified information

(c) An investigation is currently underway and the Joint Standing Committee an intelligence (JSCI) has been briefed.

(2) The findings of the Investigation will be made available to the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI). The SSA will do all in its power to expedite the investigation and to identify and act against those responsible for this serious act of security breach against the Agency and the Republic of South Africa.

Reply:

Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women only took office in the current administration.

(a) Not applicable
(b) Not applicable
 

Reply:

No members of the State Security Agency (SSA) have been placed on suspension since 1 January 2014. There is however six members who were placed on suspension prior to the date above and whose disciplinary processes have commenced.

The cost implications for the period 1 January 2014 to date are R6, 984,614.00

Reply:

A) (i) 2011/12 financial year – 23
(i) 2012/13 financial year - 25

(i) 2013/14 financial year – 2

B) FOR YEAR: 2011/12 (23 Appointments Made
 

Please find here: FOR YEAR: 2012/13 (25 Appointments Made)

Reply:

(I) & (II)

(aa)

(bb)

(cc)

(b)

(i) what was the length of the license

Local General Safety Certificate - 12 Months

small Vessel Skippers Certificate of Competence - no expiry date

(ii) what are the reasons for this As per Regulations

Small Vessel Skippers license - there are no provisions in our Merchant Shipping (National Small Vessel Safety) Regulations, 2007 as to the expiry dates of these certificates.

Reply:

Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS)

(1) (a) How many new appointments were made at the Air Traffic and Navigation Services in the (i) 2011-12 - 137(6 Professionally qualified; 120 Skilled Technical Workers and Junior Managers; 11 Semi-skilled and Discretionary Decision positions)
(ii) 2012-13 - 107(10 Professionally qualified; 81 Skilled Technical Workers and Junior Managers; 6 Semi-skilled Technical Workers and 10 Unskilled and Defined Decision Making positions)
(iii) 2013-14 - 146(4 Professionally qualified, 128 Skilled Technical Workers and Junior Managers; 12 Semi-skilled Technical Workers and 2 Unskilled and Defined Decision Making Positions

(2) (a) the positions advertised in the press -Yes, depending on the position ATNS does use the press if the position requires this recruitment method. Not all positions are advertised via the press.

(b) Yes, all positions are filled as per recruitment process and policy.

(i) Average 10 (again this is very subjective, as it largely depends on the level and qualification of the position).

(ii) what was the highest qualification for the persons who were appointed - As per minimum requirements of each advertised position. Again this varies from entry to top levels in the Company.

(iii) ATNS benchmarks all our remuneration against the South African market. Ail remuneration offered is in line with the market benchmark based on the grade of the position.

(3) Yes

Reply:

(1) (a) How many new appointments were made at the Airports Company South Africa in the (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13 and (iii) 2013-14 financial years and (b) in each case, (i) what are the names of the appointees and (ii) in which positions were they appointed;

(a) The Airports Company South Africa appointed various people in different positions during the period under review.

(i) Appointments 2011 -12 were, 375
(ii) Appointments 2012 -13 were, 379
(iii) Appointments 2013 -14 were, 413

Detail of appointments per financial year, per position and employee is attached for reference as requested.

(2) were (a) the positions advertised in the press and (b) standard recruitment processes followed; if not, why not, in each case; if so, (i) how many applications were received for each advertised position, (ii) what was the highest qualification for the persons who were appointed and (iii) what level of remuneration will be paid to the persons who were appointed;

(a) The Company resourcing is approached in line with the approved policy, regulating recruitment, selection and appointments. (b) A copy of the policy is included for reference. Recruitment for positions that are vacant and should be filled is done according to policy requirements.

(3) whether vacant posts were also advertised internally; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many positions were filled internally and (b) what are the names of the incumbents:

In line with the policy as attached, all vacant positions that should be filled are advertised internally. The promotions for each year are reflected below:

(b) (i) Promotions 2011 -12 were, 22
(ii) Promotions 2012 -13 were, 108
(iii) Promotions 2013 -14 were, 158

The detail about each promotion is included in the attached sheet for each year under review.

(4) (a) how many staff members are currently in an acting capacity and (b) in each case, (i) in what positions are they acting and (ii) for what reason? NW485E

The Company approaches absence from people in supervisory and management positions, by requiring a person to Act in such capacity during periods of absence. This allows for business continuity and does expose individuals to gain experience in a different role as well.

The record of people acting during the period mainly December 2014- January 2015, which accumulated to 144 instances, is attached for reference.

Reply:

Find here: Reply attached
 

Reply:

http://pmg-assets.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/RNW346annexureA.pdf
 

Reply:

I . My Department does not have such detailed and disaggregated information of schools as you have requested in your questions. The possession of drugs, alcohol. firearms. knives and other weapons would be serious transgressions in terms of the Code of Conduct for Learners at schools and will be managed at a school level in collaboration with SAPS.

2. All schools have Incident Reporting Registers to record incidents related to the use and abuse of illegal substances. This information remains with the school for the purposes of District Monitoring. The Department is not in a position to determine the number of learners affected nationally by substance abuse.

Reply:

(1)

▪ The Department of Basic Education (DBE) conducted an intensive diagnostic analysis of learner performance in the Grade 9 Mathematics ANA tests. The findings have been succinctly documented in the 2014 ANA Diagnostic Report.
▪ Copies of the 2014 Diagnostic report highlighting challenges that learners are experiencing in terms of Grade 9 Mathematics content have been printed and distributed to all public and independent schools.
▪ The DBE is currently conducting roadshows with all provincial and district officials involving the mediation of the 2014 ANA diagnostic report in Mathematics.
▪ Further, the DBE is currently hosting General Education and Training (GET) Mathematics subject committee meetings to focus on subject improvement plans in grade 9 Mathematics based on the findings of the 2014 ANA Diagnostic Report in Mathematics.
▪ The DEE in partnership with the Sasol lnzalo foundation has developed material in key content areas of Grade 9 Mathematics which has been mediated to all Senior Phase Mathematics subject advisors.
▪ The 1+4 Intervention Model is one of the key features of the Framework for improving performance in the Senior Phase.

(2) (b) There is an MST Roundtable that is scheduled for the 19 March 2015 in the Department of Basic Education. A total of 80 representatives from the NGO sector, universities, DHET, DST and DBE that support and/or have interest on issues relating to the MST in Education in the country are envisaged to be invited to attend the 3d MST in Education Roundtable. The purpose of the MST Roundtable is for the Minister to outline the Strategic Direction of Government in Enhancing MST Performance.

Reply:

1. (a) According to information received from the province, the contractor who was appointed in May 2013 and had been progressing slowly eventually abandoned the site and all the works stopped in June 2014. He was behind on the project and was facing penalties according to the Joint Buildina Contracts Committee contract (JBCC). The implementing agent (IDT) terminated the contractor after the site was abandoned at the roof level in July 2014. The implementing agent then re-advertised the project and has replaced this contractor.

(b) The initial contractor was Shota Engineering cc.

(c) The initial contractor (Shota Engineering cc) was paid R 2,151,727.42.

(d) The contract was terminated and the implementing agent then re-advertised the project and has replaced this contractor.

Reply:

(1) Whether primary schools in the Eastern Cape have had one of their assigned posts allocated for a teacher of an African language and for isiXhosa, in particular; if so, does this post assignment apply to all primary schools in the province;

The introduction of IsiXhosa in Grades 1 and 8 in 201 5 in the Eastern Cape is a provincial initiative which complements the national HAL programme. The posts are only allocated to schools that are currently not offering an African Language or isixhosa, that is, mainly the former Model C schools. The number of posts to be allocated is determined in terms of the post provisioning process. Affected schools are allocated an additional post(s) from the pool of ad-hoc posts, determined as part of the total post basket of the province.