Questions and Replies
11 December 2014 - NW2764
Dreyer, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services:
(1) Whether he received an invitation to the wedding of Vega Gupta and Aakash Jahajgarhia; if so, (2) Whether he attended any of the wedding festivities between 30 April and 3 May 2013; if so, (3) Whether he stayed overnight at the venue; if so, (a) what accommodation did he use, (b) who paid for the said accommodation, (c) what mode of transport did he use to attend the wedding festivities and (d) who paid for the travel costs? NW3416E
Reply:
(1) No.
(2) No.
(3) (a)- (d) falls away.
11 December 2014 - NW2659
Lovemore, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Whether she supports the proposed twinning of schools in Gauteng: if not, why not; if so, what rationale underpins this support;(2) whether she is satisfied that the South African Schools Act, Act 84 of 1996. (SASA) adequately provides for the twinning project; if not, why not; if so, what legal provisions of SASA does she rely on to allow her confidence in the legitimacy of the project;(3) whether she intends to expand the twinning project to other provinces; if so, what are the relevant details;(4) whether the development of social cohesion has been identities as a core function of her department and the nine provincial departments of education; if so. What has led to this position? (2) whether she is satisfied that the South African Schools Act, Act 84 of 1996. (SASA) adequately provides for the twinning project; if not, why not; if so, what legal provisions of SASA does she rely on to allow her confidence in the legitimacy of the project; (3) whether she intends to expand the twinning project to other provinces; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether the development of social cohesion has been identities as a core function of her department and the nine provincial departments of education; if so. What has led to this position? NW3304E
Reply:
I) I support the principle behind the twinning of schools. The rationale behind the twinning is that it is the quickest way of addressing the inequalities that exist in the sector in terms of resources and skills transfer of principals, teachers and school governors.
2) Section 588 (4)and (5) provide the Head of Department (HOD) with wide powers to deal with underperforming schools. Section 58(4) specifically provides that the HOD must take all reasonable steps to assist a school indentified in terms of subsection ( I) in addressing the underperformance. Section 58(5), although indicating which specific steps the Head of Department must consider. does not limit the steps that the HOD can take to remedy the underperfom1ance at a school. Twinning of a school is one of the options that could be considered.
3) The twinning project is at the moment still a Gauteng initiative. The Council of Education Ministers and I have not yet explored its possibilities. It is an initiative that requires research, massive stakeholder consultation and review of legislation before considering it as a possibility.
4) Yes, social cohesion. although not a core function of the department, is part of the department's delivery of Outcome 14 in the MTSF (2014-2019). It is promoted by the department through Curriculum. Teacher Development and Care and Support Branches.
Why? Schools are increasingly being recognized as a key contributor to promoting national unity and solidarity among the different social groups in a country. Given the legacy of apartheid and the high prevalence of social problems challenging our current democratic state, schooling can contribute to achieving cohesive communities that are more effective in supporting education, and achieving social and economic goals. The NDP tasks schools to promote social cohesion, constitutional values, active citizenry and appreciation of diversity.
11 December 2014 - NW2460
Wilson, Ms ER to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
How many work days has his department lost to (a) sick leave and (b) strike action in the (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13 and (iii) 2013-14 financial years?
Reply:
(a) The Department captured (lost) the following number of sick leave days in the years as indicated below:
(i) 15 767 in 2011/2012 financial year.
(ii) 15 646 in 2012/2013 financial year.
(iii) 21 214 in 2013/2014 financial year.
(b) The Department was not affected by any strike action during the periods indicated above.
Adv N.A Ramatlhodi
Minister of Mineral Resources
Date Submitted:· .. ........ .. .. ./. ................ ./2014
11 December 2014 - NW2998
Van der Westhuizen, Mr AP to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration:
Whether, with regard to the implementation of the Use of Official Language Policy Act, Act 12 of 2012 and since the reply of the Minister of Arts and Culture to question 990 on 6 June 2013, his department implemented the Act; if not, when will the Act be implemented; if so, which languages have been adopted as official languages of his department?
Reply:
The Department is in the process of putting together a policy framework to enable effective implementation of the Use of Official Language Policy Act within the Department. It is envisaged that the policy will be adopted and implemented at the beginning of 2015
11 December 2014 - NW3008
Kopane, Ms SP to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether, with regard to the implementation of the Use official Language Policy Act, Act 12 of 2012 and since the reply of the Minister of Arts and Culture to question 990 on 6 June 2013, her department implemented the Act; if not, when will the Act be implemented; if so, which languages have been adopted as official languages of her department? NW3652E
Reply:
The Act is not yet implemented
The Department of Arts and Culture has extended the date of implementation to 2 May 2015.
The Act will probably be implemented on the above date.
09 December 2014 - NW1985
James, Ms LV to ask the Minister of Transport:
Why are there delays in the issuing of licenses by the SA Maritime Safety Authority?
Reply:
As far as we know there are no unnecessary delays in issuing of licenses and certificates. In this instance, clarity is requested as to which specific license is being referred to herein.
09 December 2014 - NW2672
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Transport:
(a) How is her department involved in the feasibility study on the expansion of the Gautrain, (b) what is the progress of the feasibility study to date and (c) when will this feasibility study be completed?
Reply:
(a) The Department is represented on the Gauteng Provincial Integrated Transport Planning Steering Committee established by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport as well as the Project Steering Committee dealing with the detailed feasibility studies related to the expansion of the Gauteng rail network.
(b) The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport approved the 25 year Gauteng Integrated Transport Master Plan (ITMP25) which, based on pre-feasibility studies, identified possible rail extension to the Gauteng rail network. The Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) is undertaking feasibility studies in terms of National Treasury's Public Private Partnership regulations and has appointed Transaction Advisors in October 2014.
(c) The feasibility is scheduled to be completed by the end of November 2015.
09 December 2014 - NW2384
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Women in The Presidency:
(1) what are the details of the programmes that she will implement in the 2014-15 financial year to ensure that women are empowered economically; (2) what are the relevant targets and indicators?
Reply:
(1) The department plays an oversight role and does not implement programs. However we will work closely with other government departments, agencies and the private sector to promote women's socio-economic empowerment in the country.
(2) Not applicable.
09 December 2014 - NW2670
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Transport:
With reference to her department's replies to question 480 on 25 July 2014 and question 1130 on 17 September 2014, has the report on the Gautrain tunnel water leakage been completed as indicated, if so, what (a) are the solutions listed in this report and (b) steps are being implemented as result of the specified report? nw3315e
Reply:
(a) The Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) has received a report titled Tunnel Remedial Works (Principles) from the Bombela Concession Company. The report sets out a preliminary proposal that the section of tunnel be lined with waterproof membrane. This concept consists in a double water-barrier system made of a waterproofing membrane over the full periphery of the tunnel liner and a concrete liner, with water-stops at construction joints.
(b) The specific details for the waterproofing is not yet available, however, Bombela has indicated that the operations plan and preliminary designs of the waterproofing will be ready by the end of November 2014. The detailed construction plans are likely to be ready by the end of March 2015.
09 December 2014 - NW2962
Robinson, Ms D to ask the Minister of Women in The Presidency:
Whether she intends to pay bonuses to staff in her department; if, (a) what criteria has been used to award bonuses, (b) how many members will be receiving bonuses,(c) what total amount will be spent on staff bonuses and (d) was this amount budgeted? NW3607E
Reply:
Chapter 4, clause 15.3 of the SMS Handbook guides the awarding of bonuses to SMS members while the DPSA Employee Performance Management and Development System Framework (for levels 12 and below) guides the awarding of bonuses to levels 12 and below. In terms of clause 9.5 of this framework, departments must not spend more than 1.5% of their remuneration budget for bonuses.
The information requested will be available in Annual Reports once these are tabled in Parliament.
Approved be Minister on
Date : 09/12/2014
03 December 2014 - NW2376
Waters, Mr M to ask the Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
Whether, with regard to her reply to question 1572 on 10 October 2014, her department has subsequently been furnished with the relevant infom1ation? NW2968E
Reply:
Yes, the Gauteng Education Depa11ment has furnished the Minister's office with the relevant information. (See attached).
03 December 2014 - Questions asked to Minister of Water & Sanitation
02 December 2014 - NW2741
Mackay, Mr G to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources
Did (a) his department and/or (b) any entities reporting to it owe money to any Gauteng municipalities at the end of the 2013-14 financial year; if so, in respect of each specified municipality (i) what is the name of the municipality, (ii) what was the total amount owed, (iii) what was the nature of the debt, (iv) for how long has the debt been outstanding and (v) what plans are in place to recover the debt owed to the municipality by (aa) his department and/or (bb} any entities reporting to it?
Reply:
|
(i) |
(ii) |
(iii) |
(iv) |
(v) |
||
|
a)Dept. |
No |
Falls away |
||||
|
b)Entities |
Council for Geoscience |
Falls away |
||||
|
MINTEK Yes. |
City of Johannesburg |
R2 181 508.72 |
Rates & Taxes and electricity consumption |
Less than 30 days. |
The outstanding amount has already been paid |
|
|
State Diamond Trade (SDT), No |
Falls Away |
|||||
|
South African Diamonds and Precious Metals Regulator (SADPMR), No. |
Falls Away |
|||||
|
Mine Health and Safety Council {MHSC), No. |
Falls Away |
Adv. NA Ramatlhodi
Minister of Mineral Resources
Date Submitted:-........./........./2014
01 December 2014 - NW2591
Brauteseth, Mr TJ to ask the Minister of State Security:
What amount has his department spent on promotional magazines in the (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14 financial years?
Reply:
The State Security Agency (SSA) did not spend any amount on promotional magazines for the period under review.
01 December 2014 - NW2377
Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
With reference to her reply to question 1966 on 24 October 20 14, (a) what steps does she intend to take to ensure that Con Amore School adheres to the norms and standards for the distribution of teaching posts to schools and (b) by \\hat date will this be done?
Reply:
(a) The Post Provisioning process involves the declaration of a basket of posts by the MEC for the province. The posts are distributed by the Provincial Department of Education using the Post Provisioning model and tool. It must be noted that given the distributive nature of post provisioning the ideal class size cannot ah\a)S be achieved in all schools and classes.
The Learners at Con Amore School were correctly weighted as prescribed in the Norms and Standards for Post provisioning. The allocation for Con Amore School is captured the table below.
|
District |
Emis |
Name |
Post Establishment 2014 |
Post Establishment 2015 |
||||||||||
|
Lle 2013 |
PL11 |
HOD |
DEPUTY |
PRINCIPAL |
TOTAL |
Lle 2014 |
PL11 |
HOD |
DEPUTY |
PRINCIPAL |
TOTAL |
|||
|
EN |
260075 |
CON AMRESKOOL/SCHOOL |
314 |
18 |
7 |
2 |
1 |
28 |
324 |
18 |
8 |
2 |
1 |
29 |
This school will be gaining I post in 2015. No further steps need to be taken as the school has been informed as to their new post establishment for 2015. It is now the responsibility of the Principal to utilize allocated personnel effectively.
(b) The new post establishment for 2015 has been issued to the school with the effective date of I January 2015. The responsibility now lies with the Principal of the school to utilize the allocated personnel correctly.
01 December 2014 - Questions asked to Minister of Social Development
28 November 2014 - NW1926
Greyling, Mr LW to ask the Minister of Energy
(1) With reference to the reply to question 3125 on 11 December 2013 in respect of the (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14 financial years, (i) when has (aa) she and (bb) the former Minister of Energy visited the Russian Federation and (ii) in respect of each visit, which (aa) persons, (bb) businesses and/or (cc) organisations accompanied them, (iii) what meetings were held during these visits and (iv) what was discussed during each of these meetings; (2) (a) what was the total cost of each visit, (b) what is the detailed breakdown of the costs involved and (c) who paid for each item respectively?
Reply:
Attached find here: A detailed response is provided in a table below:
11 November 2014 - Questions asked to Minister of Police
03 November 2014 - NW1838
Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
(1) What were the legal costs incurred by each (a) local, (b) district and (c) metropolitan municipality in the (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13 and (iii) 2013-14 financial years
Reply:
(1) The detailed report on legal costs expenditure is attached to this parliamentary question. Legal costs incurred by municipalities per each province for financial years 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 is as follows:
Attached find here: Legal costs incurred by municipalities per each province for financial years
30 October 2014 - NW1954
McGluwa, Mr JJ to ask the Minister of Women in the Presidency
Did she stay at Sun City Hotel in the North West during the Gupta wedding; if so, (a) who paid for the accommodation and (b) what was the cost?
Reply:
Not applicable.
Approved by the Minister on
Date: 28/10/2014