Questions and Replies
01 July 2009 - Questions: Minister of Mineral Resources
MPs to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources
Reply:
QUESTION NUMBER 2055
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 30 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 26)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) How many (a) applications did her department receive for (i) prospecting rights, (ii) mining rights, (iii) mining permits and (iv) conversions of prospecting and mining rights in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002, and (b) of these applications were still outstanding as at 1 October 2009;
(2) how many (a) appeals has she and her director-general received in terms of section 96 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002, as a result of refusals between 1 May 2004 and 30 April 2009 and (b) of these appeals were still outstanding on 1 October 2009;
(3) how many applications for judicial review have been instituted against her or her department as a result of their refusal to grant (a) prospecting rights, (b) mining rights or (c) the conversion of prospecting and mining rights;
(4) (a) how many of these judicial review applications were granted, settled or refused by the High Court and (b) what was the value of the cost orders made by the court against either her or her department in respect of every judicial review? NW2709E
REPLY
(1) Since the promulgation of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act 28 of 2002) on the 1st of May 2004, the Department has received over 20 000 applications for prospecting rights, mining rights and mining permits. In terms of the timeframes set out in the Act, applications for prospecting rights are processed within 6 months from the date of acceptance and mining rights within 12 months from the date of acceptance. There is no time frame within which the conversions of old order rights must be processed. Therefore, only those applications whose timeframe have not elapsed still stand to be finalized.
(2) The Department has since the promulgation of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act received about approximately 780 appeals. This is in contrast to approximately 4500 prospecting rights and mining rights which have been refused.
(3) The Department has received approximately 180 applications for judicial review.
(4) Granted 21, settled 45 and refused 2.
QUESTION NO 529
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 10 JULY 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
Whether any function was organised to mark the occasion of the delivery of her budget vote in 2009; if so, (a) what total amount was spent on this function, (b) from which budget was the money allocated, (c) what amount was spent on (i) food and refreshments, (ii) venue, (iii) entertainment, (iv) staff and (v) transport and (d) how many persons were invited to attend this function?
REPLY
Yes
(a) The overall amount spent for the function was R412 077.72
(b) The budget was from DME and our partners
(c) (i) R293 752.72 (paid by partners)
(ii) R25 252.27 (paid by DME)
(iii) R99 475.00 (paid by partners)
(iv) 13 DME staff
(v) R77 149.00
(d) 250 invited guests
QUESTION NUMBER 362
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 27 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 25)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources: [Written Question No 1335]
(1) How many applications for (a) prospecting, (b) mining and (c) other types of applications were lodged with her department in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002, for each type of mineral;
(2) how many applications for (a) prospecting, (b) mining and (c) other types of applications that were lodged with her department in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002, for each type of mineral since 1 September 2009 have not been processed;
(3) how many applications for (a) prospecting, (b) mining and (c) other types of applications that were lodged with her department before 1 September 2009 in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002, have not been finalised yet in each regional office? NW1684E
REPLY
1) In respect of (1) and (2) above, all applications for prospecting rights or mining rights must in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act 28 of 2002) be processed. Therefore we do not understand the question in relation to applications not being processed
2) See 1 above
3) Only those application which are within the prescribed timeframe and the conversion applications which still have to comply with the prescribed requirements have not been finalised
QUESTION NUMBER 1126
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 4 SEPTEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 14)
Mr P D Dexter (Cope) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
Whether the computers purchased at the value of R50 million in the past four years by the previous joint Ministry of Minerals and Energy are to be inherited by her department; if not, (a) what computers are these, (b) how will it be apportioned and utilised and (c) what would happen to the R75 million that has been approved for further purchases of computers; if so, what will her department do with such an enormous computer capacity? NW1391E
REPLY
In actual fact, the Department of Minerals and Energy spending on computer equipment in the past four years was R 16,658,316.20 which comprises
R4, 843,902.99 for 2008/09;
R3, 527,433.27 for 2007/08;
R4, 023,517.27 for 2006/07 and
R4, 263,462.67 for 2005/06.
These amounts are also available in the audited Annual Financial Statements which are contained in the annual reports for the respective periods..
(a) The above amounts include the following major items
· Desktops and Laptops for use by departmental officials
· Servers and related infrastructure
· Printers and other computer equipment
(b) The Desktops and Laptops are allocated to positions which will continue to exist in the new Department of Mineral Resources and Department of Energy. This will therefore be apportioned and utilised in line with the new structures of the two departments. The existing servers will be allocated to either Mineral Resource or Energy based on the technical specifications and the requirements of each department
(c) There is no approval granted to spend R75 million on computers
QUESTION NUMBER 2057
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 30 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 26)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) How many (a)(i) ownerless and (ii) abandoned mines have been found to exist as at 1 October 2009;
(2) whether her department has a plan to deal with these mines; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,
(3) whether her department has made this plan available for public comment; if not,
(4) whether this plan will be made public in the future; if not, why not; if so, when? NW2711E
REPLY
(1) (i) approximately 70 sites
(ii) Not applicable
(2) The Department is in the process of developing an inclusive strategy in addressing derelict and ownerless mine sites
(3) Refer to 2 above
(4) Not applicable for now.
QUESTION NUMBER 2056
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 30 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 26)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
Whether the water ingress and regional mine closure strategy for the Witwatersrand and Klerksdorp-Orkney-Stilfontein-Hartebeestfontein (KOSH) area has been made available for public comment; if not, (a) when will such documents be made available and (b) why has there been a delay in publicising the relevant documents? NW2710E
REPLY
Yes. The draft Regional Mine Closure Strategy (RMCS) documents for both Klerksdorp-Orkney-Stilfontein Hartebeesfontein (KOSH) and Witwatersrand Basins (namely Western, Far Western Eastern and Central basin) were made available for public comments. The Council for Geosciences (CGS), which had been contracted by the Department of Mineral Resources to develop the RMCS, posted the Regional Mine Closure Strategy documents on its website for public comment from the 15th December 2008 to the 31stof January 2009. In addition, an invitation to all interested and affected parties was circulated on the 15th of December 2008, urging them to view and comment on the documents. The period for commenting on the documents was extended to the 28th of February 2009.
a) Falls off
b) Falls off
QUESTION NUMBER 2012
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 30 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 26)
Mr E J Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) What total amount in respect of advertising has her department and all specified entities reporting to it (a) budgeted for and (b) spent (i) in the 2008-09 financial year and (ii) during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;
(2) (a) what total number of advertisements for her department and each entity reporting to it (i) appeared in the print media and (ii) were broadcast on (aa) radio and (bb) television, (b) how much did each advertisement cost and (c) what was the purpose of each advertisement?
REPLY:
(1) (a) N/A
(b) (i) N/A.
(ii) For the period May until October 2009 an amount of R 535 542,18 on the advertisement posts
2(a) (i) 24 posts were advertised, in the department alone (not including public entities)
(ii) (aa) N/A
(bb) N/A
(b) Each advertisement cost between R20 000 and R25 000 per advertisement
(c) Mainly Recruitment
QUESTION NUMBER 1723
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 22)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) What amount was spent by her department on (a) hotel accommodation, (b) restaurant expenses and (c) travel costs (i) in the 2008-09 financial year and (ii) during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, for (aa) her, (bb) specified officials of her department and (cc) any other specified individuals;
(2) why did each individual use the specified accommodation in each case? NW2215E
REPLY
1. (a) Hotel accommodation
(i) Not applicable, the Department of Mineral Resources only came into existence during the 2009/10 financial year
(ii) for 2009/10
(aa) R 42 278.45
(bb) R0
(cc) R0
(b) Restaurant expenses
(i) N/A see (a) (i)
(ii) 2009/10
(aa) R 20 720.26
(bb) R0
(cc) R0
(c) Travel Costs
(i) N/A see (a) (i)
(ii) for 2009/10
(aa) R213 327.51
(bb) R0
(cc) R 47 835.70
- Each individual used the specified accommodation in each case for business purpose where they were required as part of their normal duties to be away from their normal place of work.
QUESTION NUMBER 2127
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 6 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 27)
Mr E J Marais(DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) Whether mining licences are approved before inputs from other spheres of government have been received; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether any mining licences have been issued before zoning and environmental impact assessments (EIA) have been completed; if so, (a) how many licences, (b) in how many cases did the applicants withdraw the zoning and the EIA applications after the licences were issued and (c) what steps is her department taking to ensure that zoning and EIA are done?
REPLY
(1) There is no provision in the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act 28 of 2002) provides for the issuing of mining licenses. However, sections 17, 23 and 27 of the MPRDA empower the Minister to grant prospecting rights, mining rights and mining permits. Section 40(1) of the Act states that "When considering an environmental management plan or environmental management programme in terms of section 39, the Minister must consult with any State department which administers any law relating to matters affecting the environment."
(2) There is no provision in the MPRDA that calls upon the Minister to grant prospecting or mining rights subject to zoning requirements of a local government. As far as EIAs are concerned they are conducted during the EMP process.
QUESTION NO 504
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 10 JULY 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6)
Mr M J Ellis (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) With reference to her reply to question no 71 on 2 July 2009, what is a negative environmental impact;
(2) whether acid mine drainage is regarded as having a negative environmental impact, considering the effect it has on the environment; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, why can funds held by her department for the rehabilitation of mines not be used for dealing with acid mine drainage? NW567E
REPLY
(1) Negative environmental impact, implies an activity or action or event that adversely impacts and influences the environment.
(2) If not managed properly, acid mine drainage can have negative impact on the environment.
QUESTION NUMBER 2256
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 28)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) Whether the Peak Quarry in Eersterivier have an Environmental Management Programme Report (EPMR); if not, why not; if so, (a) when was it approved, (b) when did the quarry first commence operations, (c) in what year is expected to stop operations, (d) how many times has inspectors from her department visited the mine since January 2008 and (e) what was the date of each visit;
(2) Whether any directives have been issued against the mine for non-compliance on any matters relating to the EMPR since it commenced operations; if so, what are relevant details?
(3) What are provisions in EMPR that relate to how the quarry operators need to manage (a) noise and (b) dust?
REPLY
1 (a) Yes, the mine has an approved Environmental Management Programme Report (EMPR), approved on 12 June 2000 in terms of the repealed Minerals Act, 1991 (Act 50 of 1991).
(b) A mining authorization was issued on 22 July 1994 in terms of the repealed Minerals Act, 1991, but the mine was in operation long before that time, in terms of legislation prior to the Minerals Act, 1991.
(c) The operation in the Quarry will stop once the reserves have been depleted.
(d) Inspections are conducted in accordance with an inspection plan. As such a total of 6 mine health inspection have been conducted.
(e) Inspections were conducted as per the inspection plans.
(2) No.
(3) The information relating to noise and dust levels is contained in the approved Environmental Management Programme Report, as amended. The noise provision addresses noise within and outside the perimeter of the mine.
QUESTION NUMBER 270
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 27 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 25)
Ms F C Bikani (ANC) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources
(a) What progress has been made in establishing a state-owned mining company and (b) what would be its primary purpose? NO2595E
REPLY
The State Owned Mining Company was established prior to the democratic dispensation, with the aim of ensuring security of supply of strategic energy commodities for local consumption. At the time of its establishment, the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act was not in existence, which means the company was operating under a different regulatory regime, which did not embrace the transformation agenda. The resuscitation of this company under the current regulatory environment is intended to continue ensuring security of strategic commodities, particularly energy commodities, while effecting the developmental agenda of Government.
The primary purpose of the company is to acquire and hold rights in respect of energy related and other strategic minerals on behalf of the State and develop these mineral commodities for national interest.
QUESTION NUMBER 261
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 27 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 25)
Adv A de W Alberts (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
Whether she intends proposing an amendment to the policy regarding the private ownership of mines; if so, (a) why and (b) what are the Government's proposals in this regard? NO2583E
REPLY
No
a) Falls off
b) Falls off
QUESTION NUMBER 269
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 27 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 25)
Mr V V Magagula (ANC) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources
What programmes of assistance and/or strategic plans are in place to encourage and develop small-scale miners in the country? NO2594E
REPLY
The department has identified small scale mining as a prospect of critical intervention to uplift rural communities. As a result the department is developing a small scale mining strategy, which will be implemented in the next financial year
QUESTION NUMBER 1248
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 11 SEPTEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 16)
ADV H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) What (a) are the reasons for the Cabinet's decision to suspend the disposal of State-owned mining assets, (b) is the purpose of the suspension and (c) entities and/or departments are responsible for the audit of the mining assets;
(2) whether an investigation into the regulatory environment within the mining sector pertaining to the suspension of the disposal of mining assets has been mandated; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) what will be the duration of the suspension? NW1590E
REPLY
(1) (a) and (b) The Cabinet approved suspension of disposal of mining assets to allow the Minister of Mineral Resources adequate time to finalise an audit of mining interests held directly or indirectly by the State.
(c) DMR is Responsible
(2) Yes, through Cabinet's decision
(3) Cannot indicate the duration but intend to report to cabinet soon after finalisation of the audit
QUESTION NUMBER 1980
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 30 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 26)
Mr M Waters (DA to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) Whether, with reference to a reply to Question 588 on 26 May 2008, any inspectors have visited the Witfontein R/33/151R mining site; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will this be done; if so, (i) when, (ii) who were the inspectors and (iii) what were their findings;
(2) whether any inspection has been conducted to determine whether regulation 17(6) of the Mine Health and Safety Act, Act 29 of 1996, is being adhered to; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will this be done; if so, when;
(3) whether there are any laws or regulations that stipulate the number of inspections that should be carried out by her department at mining sites per year; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) whether such obligations have been met with regard to the abovementioned mining site; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2463E
REPLY
(1) Yes, Inspections were conducted on 20th and 31st October 2008 by Senior Inspector FJ Nkuna of the Gauteng Region Office as well as on 18th November 2008 by Senior Inspector F Barradas and Inspector J Kearney of the Directorate: Mine Surveying, Head Office, Pretoria.
During these inspections it was found that regulation 17(6) was not applicable as the mine was established in 1983 whilst the township, according to the deeds office, was only proclaimed in 2003. There was also no evidence found that the developer of the township of Glen Erasmia Extensions 4 & 5, which has been established within a horizontal distance of 100 metres from the boundary of the quarry, had submitted an application for comment to my Department, nor had the developer complied with Regulations 17(7)(b) or 17(8)(b) of the Mine Health and Safety Act, Act 29 of 1996, which stipulate that no structures may be erected within a horizontal distance of 100 metres from a mine without prior submission of a risk assessment to, and approval from, the Chief Inspector of Mines.
(2) Yes, the aforementioned inspections were carried out, inter-alia, to investigate compliance of regulation 17(6) as well as compliance with regulations 17(7)(b) and 17(8)(b).
(3) No, there are no laws or regulations that stipulate the number of inspections to be carried out per year. The Annual Business Plan of the Mine Safety Inspectorate, however, determines the risk value of underground and surface mining operations, which in turn, determines the frequency of visits to individual mining sites.
(4) Yes, the obligations were met on 31st October and 14th November 2008 which were routine inspections. All relevant details regarding the legal standing between the mine and the adjacent township have been addressed in my reply of question 1 above.
QUESTION NUMBER 1856
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 24)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) Whether (a) she, (b) any specified officials and (c) any other persons have been issued with a government or official credit card; if so, what are the relevant details for her and each holder of a credit card in respect of the (i) name, (ii) job title, (iii) credit limit, (iv) outstanding amount as at the latest specified date for which information is available, (v) monthly expenses incurred for each month since receiving the credit card, (vi) reason for such persons being issued with a credit card and (vii) uses that such a credit card is intended for;
(2) whether any such credit cards are over their credit limit; if so, (a) whose credit cards are over the limit and (b) what is the reason for the credit cards exceeding the limit;
(3) whether any action has been taken against such persons for exceeding their credit card limits; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2416E
REPLY
(1) (a) No. The Minister has not been issued with a government or official credit card by 30 September 2009.
(b) Yes. Other specified official has been issued with an official credit card.
(c) No. No other persons have been issued with a government or official credit card.
(a) (i) Not applicable
(b) (i) Advocate Sandile Nogxina
(ii) Director General
(iii) The limit is R10 000.00
(iv) R663.00 was outstanding as at 30 September 2009
(v) June 2008 – R143.39; July/August 2008 – R433.39; September 2008 – R1 169.70; October 2008 – R1 727.30; November 2008 – R5 546.42; December 2008 – R304.29; January/February 2009 – R2 065.50; March 2009 – R2 508.79; April 2009 – Nil; May 2009 – R663.00; June 2009 – Nil; July 2009 – Nil; August 2009 – R1 159.70; September 2009 – R663.00.
(vi) To ensure that the Director General is not financially prejudiced when executing official duties outside the normal work station.
(vii) To enable direct payment of other departmental activities such as refreshments/entertainment and other incidental expenses that takes place outside the normal work station.
(c) Not applicable
(2) No. The card is not over the credit limit.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.
(3) Not applicable.
QUESTION NUMBER 1855
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 24)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) In respect of each version of the 2008-09 annual report of her department and the annual reports of each statutory and other entity reporting to her department, (a) what was the (i) budgeted cost, (ii) actual cost and (iii) breakdown of cost in respect of (aa) printing, (bb) graphic design, (cc) other costs and (dd) unit cost of each annual report and (b) how many copies of each were (i) produced and (ii) distributed;
(2) whether any version of the abovementioned reports was retracted or withdrawn; if so, (a) how many times were each annual report withdrawn or retracted, (b) what (i) were the reasons for each withdrawal or retraction and (ii) was the amount spent on each version and (c) how many copies were withdrawn in each case;
(3) how was the decision taken to award the contract to the (a) graphic design company and (b) printing company;
(4) whether (a) her department or (b) any of those public entities that fall under her department held a function on tabling their 2008-09 annual report; if so, in each case (i) what was the name of the public entity, (ii) how much did the function cost, (iii) what is the breakdown of that cost, (iv) where was the function held and (v) how many guests were invited? NW2415E
REPLY
(1)
(a) (i) R200,000.00
(ii) R 281,380.50
(iii) (aa) R 137,297.00
(bb) R 82,600.00
(cc) R 26 928.00
(dd) R137.30
(2) No
(a) N/A
(b) (i) (ii) N/A
(c) N/A
(3) In terms of the PPPFA.
(4) (a) No
(b) No
(i) N/A
(ii) N/A
(iii) N/A
(iv) N/A
(v) N/A
QUESTION NUMBER 1854
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 24)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
Whether any mining company or entity that operated and mined resources which were granted mining rights before the commencement of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002, who have failed to submit their applications for mining rights on 2 May 2009 and on 15 October 2009, are still continuing to operate and mine resources; if so, what are their names? NW2414E
REPLY
It is not clear what honourable member Adv H C Schmidt is referring to by "mined resources". No mining company was granted mining rights prior to 01 May 2004.
QUESTION NUMBER 1159
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 11 SEPTEMBER 2009
Mr E J Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
Whether her department uses temporary employment services and/or labour brokers; if so, (a) why, (b) how many positions have been filled by temporary employment services in the (i) 2006-07, (ii) 2007-08 and (iii) 2008-09 financial years, (c) what percentage of the total staff complement did temporary employment services contribute in each of these years and (d) how much money has been spent on temporary employment services in each year?
REPLY
No
QUESTION NO 471
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 03 JULY 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) With reference to her reply to question no 112 on 2 July 2009, what were the reported causes of (a) deaths of legal mine workers and (b) accidents causing injuries to legal mine workers during the period 1 June 2008 to 1 June 2009;
(2) whether her department (a) has taken any steps in addition to implementing the Mine Health and Safety Act, Act 29 of 1996 and (b) will introduce any additional measures to stop or reduce the (i) illegal mining activities and (ii) fatal mining incidents whilst on duty; if not, why not; if so, what steps? NW532E
REPLY
1(a) and (b) The reported causes of both injuries and deaths of legal miners are ranked as follows:
1. Falls of ground (caused by gravity 60% and 40% seismicity).
2. Trackless Mobile Machinery (Truck accidents).
3. Railbound Transport (Underground train derailments).
4. Falling from Heights.
5. Electricity.
6. Explosives.
2(a) The Department conducted countrywide Presidential Mine health Safety Audits to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Mine Health and Safety Act and to eliminate or reduce mine employee fatal accidents. A report depicting the overall performance by the mining industry was compiled which included recommendations for enhancing mine health and safety.
A Mine Health and Safety Tripartite Summit, lead by the former Minister of the Department of Minerals and Energy, was also held to consider sustainable measures that would enhance health and safety at the mines. All the respective principals of the State, Labour and Employer stakeholders together agreed on the action steps which would be adopted for eliminating or reducing cases of ill health, fatalities and injuries in the industry.
In addition, meetings are held with the CEOs of the respective mining companies to ensure that effective health and safety management systems are implemented to prevent harm. Critical measures, including mine stoppages, are also taken where necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Act.
2(b)(i) Illegal mining is not regulated
(b)(ii) The Mine Health and Safety Act was amended to strengthen the enforcement provisions and the Department's capacity for ensuring effective coverage of the mines.
QUESTION NUMBER 2193
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 6 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 27)
Mrs P de Lille (ID) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
Whether commercial companies that mine sand must comply with the conditions of the Land Use Planning Ordinance Amendment Act, Act 64 of 1992; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2901E
REPLY
The Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act 28 of 2002) is the statutory instrument passed by Parliament (the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces) to regulate the minerals and mining sector in South Africa. There is no provision in the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 which stipulates that decision taken in terms of this Act are subject to provisions of a local government.
QUESTION NUMBER 2186
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 6 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 27)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA)to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
Whether, any state-owned mining company/entity has been awarded prospecting and/or mining rights or permits in the 2008-09 financial year; if so, (a) for which minerals in each case and (b) what is the name of the mining company/entity in each case? NW2894E
REPLY
All applicants for prospecting rights, mining rights or mining permits are treated equally in terms of the provisions of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 and other legislation. Therefore, it is not proper nor correct for private information of any applicant to be divulged to the public.
The existing direct and indirect t state-owned prospecting and mining companies are Alexkor (Ptd) Ltd, Foskor (Pty) Ltd and African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation (Pty) Ltd.
QUESTION NUMBER 2185
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 6 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 27)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA)to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
Whether any mineral has been declared a strategic mineral in terms of the applicable legislation in the 2008-09 financial year; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what minerals, (b) on what date in each case and (c) for what reason in each case? NW2893E
REPLY
No
(a) Falls off
(b) Falls off
(c) Falls off
Background Information
The interpretation of the question is that it flows from the previous oral response in respect of State Owned Mining Company, in which the department indicated that the company will focus on strategic minerals. There are currently no provisions in legislation for declaration of any mineral as strategic, other than the inference on uranium as a strategic mineral in the Nuclear Policy of June 2008 as well as Minister Sonjica's and Alec Erwin statements in parliament at the time.
In light of challenges of energy deficit, priority of classification of minerals as strategic is currently on energy commodities, viz. coal, uranium, fluorspar, thorium, zirconium and platinum. To this extent, the department has drafted strategies on both uranium and coal and is prioritising finalisation of these strategies, which will be translated into the minerals being declared strategic.
It is the intention of the department to declare all minerals of the people of the Republic of South Africa strategic to support government programmes such as Beneficiation, Infrastructure Development and National Industrial Policy Framework.
QUESTION NUMBER 2193
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 6 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 27)
Mrs P de Lille (ID) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
Whether commercial companies that mine sand must comply with the conditions of the Land Use Planning Ordinance Amendment Act, Act 64 of 1992; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2901E
REPLY
The Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act 28 of 2002) is the statutory instrument passed by Parliament (the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces) to regulate the minerals and mining sector in South Africa. There is no provision in the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 which stipulates that decision taken in terms of this Act are subject to provisions of a local government.
QUESTION NUMBER 2186
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 6 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 27)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA)to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
Whether, any state-owned mining company/entity has been awarded prospecting and/or mining rights or permits in the 2008-09 financial year; if so, (a) for which minerals in each case and (b) what is the name of the mining company/entity in each case? NW2894E
REPLY
All applicants for prospecting rights, mining rights or mining permits are treated equally in terms of the provisions of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 and other legislation. Therefore, it is not proper nor correct for private information of any applicant to be divulged to the public.
The existing direct and indirect t state-owned prospecting and mining companies are Alexkor (Ptd) Ltd, Foskor (Pty) Ltd and African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation (Pty) Ltd.
QUESTION NUMBER 2185
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 6 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 27)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA)to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
Whether any mineral has been declared a strategic mineral in terms of the applicable legislation in the 2008-09 financial year; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what minerals, (b) on what date in each case and (c) for what reason in each case? NW2893E
REPLY
No
(a) Falls off
(b) Falls off
(c) Falls off
Background Information
The interpretation of the question is that it flows from the previous oral response in respect of State Owned Mining Company, in which the department indicated that the company will focus on strategic minerals. There are currently no provisions in legislation for declaration of any mineral as strategic, other than the inference on uranium as a strategic mineral in the Nuclear Policy of June 2008 as well as Minister Sonjica's and Alec Erwin statements in parliament at the time.
In light of challenges of energy deficit, priority of classification of minerals as strategic is currently on energy commodities, viz. coal, uranium, fluorspar, thorium, zirconium and platinum. To this extent, the department has drafted strategies on both uranium and coal and is prioritising finalisation of these strategies, which will be translated into the minerals being declared strategic.
It is the intention of the department to declare all minerals of the people of the Republic of South Africa strategic to support government programmes such as Beneficiation, Infrastructure Development and National Industrial Policy Framework.
QUESTION NUMBER 97
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 8 SEPTEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 15)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) What steps have been taken to develop institutional mechanisms and structures in order to give support to historically disadvantaged persons in respect of transforming the mining industry;
(2) whether her department and/or any other department or institution will be responsible for the implementation of these steps; if so, (a) when and (b) what are the further relevant details? NO1428E
REPLY
1 My department developed the first mechanism of implementing the transformation agenda with the precursor charter, the mining charter, which Charter sets out specific targets for transformation of the industry, with particular emphasis on extending the benefits to the historically disadvantaged South Africans, including, albeit not limited to community benefits, ownership and management participation. The vesting of custodianship of mineral rights to State has enabled my department to attach conditions to the issuing of mining rights, which seek to effectively drive the transformation agenda. This meant that as companies apply for mining rights (including conversions of old order rights), their commitment in relation to the transformation pillars of the Charter are scrutinised and for the basis of the conditions of their license.
2 My Department is implementing this legislation
a. Already in progress, having started from the 2004 May 1st.
b. Not applicable
QUESTION NUMBER 2349
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 20 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 29)
Mr E J Marais(DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
Whether, with reference to her reply to written Question 415 on 17 July 2009, she has purchased a new vehicle; if not, (a) when will she purchase a new vehicle and (b) what is the value of the vehicle she is currently using; if so, (i) why, (ii) what make and model is the vehicle, (iii) what did the vehicle cost and (iv) what (aa) accessories were included in excess of the vehicle's purchase price and (bb) was the cost of such accessories? NW3062E
REPLY
I have not purchased a new vehicle.
(a) I have not made a decision to buy a new vehicle yet..
(b) I am currently using a leased vehicle and therefore value cannot be put on such vehicle.
(i) Falls away
(ii) Falls away
(iii) Falls away
(iv) Falls away
(aa) Falls away
(bb) Falls away
QUESTION NO 415
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 03 JULY 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 5)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) Whether she purchased a new vehicle on her appointment to office; if so, (a) why, (b) what make and model is the vehicle, (c) what did the vehicle cost and (d)(i) what accessories were included in excess of the vehicle's purchase price and (ii) what was the cost of such accessories; if not,
(2) whether she inherited an existing vehicle; if so, (a) what was the make and model and (b) how old is the vehicle? NW476E
REPLY
(1) No, I have not yet purchased a vehicle since my appointment. I am currently making use of loan vehicles from BMW in terms of the arrangement between BMW and the Department of Transport.
(2) Falls away. Refer to the explanation above.
QUESTION NUMBER 1797
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 22)
Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) (a) How many of her department's officials are dedicated to environmental protection and monitoring,(b) what are their respective designations, (c) how many vacancies currently exist for such officials and (d) for low long has each of these positions been vacant;
(2) what was the budget for environmental protection and monitoring for the 2008-09 financial year;
(3) (a) how many mines were found to be in transgression of their environmental management programmes in the 2008-09 financial year, (b) what was the nature of the transgression in each case and (c) what action did her department take in each case?
REPLY
(1) Seventy eight (78) of the Department's officials are dedicated to environmental protection and monitoring,
Thirteen (13) vacancies (of which 12 became vacant since June 2009) currently exist for such officials.
(2) What was the budget for environmental protection and monitoring for the 2008-09 financial year?
Each regional office of the Department of Mineral Resources has a global integrated budget from which funds are sourced by interalia the officials referred to in question 1 above.
(3) (a) Two hundred and fifteen (215) cases of transgression of environmental management requirements were found in the 2008-09 financial year,
(b) Transgressions cover a wide spectrum varying from minor issues to more significant issues.
(c) Actions undertaken by the department are as follows:
Action was taken by the Department in accordance with the provisions of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002(Act 28 0f 2002).
QUESTION NUMBER 1063
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 4 SEPTEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 14)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) Whether approval has been granted to any mining company or other applicant during the period 1 July 2008 to the present for the construction of new mine tailings storage facilities; if so, (a) where will it be located, (b) the date on which date was approval granted, (c) for which time period is such storage facility to be constructed, (d) when will it become operational and (e) what is the extent of the land surface it is to occupy;
(2) whether agricultural land will be the site on which the storage facilities will be built; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the name of the successful applicant and/or mining company?
REPLY
(1) No approval has been granted to any mining company for the construction of new mine tailing storage facilities by the Department of Mineral Resources and no application for the said facility was submitted to the Department of Mineral Resources.
(a) NA
(b) NA
(c) NA
(d) NA
(e) NA
2. NA
QUESTION NUMBER 1062
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 4 SEPTEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 14)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) Whether approval has been granted to a certain mining company (name furnished) for the construction of a storage facility (details furnished); if so, (a) where will it be located, (b) the date on which approval was granted, (c) the time period during which such storage facility is to be constructed, (d) when will it become operational and (e) the extent of the land surface it is to occupy;
(2) whether agricultural land will be the site on which the storage facility will be built; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1323E
REPLY
Please refer to the response to question 1063.
QUESTION NUMBER 1189
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 11 SEPTEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 16)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
In light of the appointment of a certain company (name furnished) to conduct an assessment of compliance in respect of the Mining Charter, (a) what is its mandate, (b) what is the date on which it must present its report to the department, (c) who are the (i) directors and (ii) members of this company and (d) what is the cost of commissioning the report?
REPLY
(a) The mandate of the company is to undertake an independent assessment of the cumulative progress (by the mining industry) against the targets of the Mining Charter, as agreed upon by all stakeholders prior to implementation of this Charter.
(b) End of September, 2009.
(c) (i) Ms. Kate Moloto and Mr. Titus Mpe.
(ii) Not applicable
(d) The report is commissioned at a total cost of R 3,659,172.00.
QUESTION NUMBER 1608
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 9 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 20)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) (1)Whether her department developed and adopted a policy providing guidelines for the appointment of persons with a criminal record; if so, (a) when was the policy (i) developed and (ii) adopted and (b) where can a copy of the policy be obtained; if not,
(2) Whether her department has any plans in place to develop and adopt such a policy; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) Whether her department does any pre-employment screening of potential employees for criminal records; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) Whether any employees with criminal records are currently employed by her department; if so, (a) how many and (b) what is their (i) job level and (ii) occupational category? NW2014E
REPLY
(1) Yes,
(a) (i) in 2002 under DME
(ii) in 2004
(b) The Policy and the DME Vetting Strategy is available on request.
(2) Not applicable
(3) Yes, all potential employees are sent for pre-employment screening before the approval is granted for the appointment. The pre-employment screening of the Department covers the following: Criminal record checks, citizenship status, credit worthiness, previous employment and qualification verification.
(4) No
(a) Not applicable
(b) (i) Not applicable
(ii) Not applicable
QUESTION NUMBER 1678
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 22)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
Whether, since her appointment in May 2009 any renovations or alterations were done at state owned and private residences of her or any other specified official of her department; if so, (a) where she and the occupants of each such residence were accommodated during the renovations and (b) at what cost to his department in each case? NW2134E
REPLY
No.
(a) Falls away
(b) Falls away
QUESTION NO 552
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 10 JULY 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) Whether her department makes use of private security firms; if so, how much money was spent on such firms in 2008;
(2) whether these firms are used on a contractual basis; if so, (a) how many contracts did her department take out in this regard in 2008, (b) with which firms were these contracts taken out, (c) for what specific purpose was each contract taken out and (d) what was the value of the contract in each case;
(3) why is there a need for her department to use a private security firm as opposed to state security?
REPLY
(1) Yes, the Department makes use private security firms. The money spent the security firms in 2008 is R186 435.60.
(2) Yes the firms are used on contractual basis.
(a) Two firms were contracted in 2008
(b) Siyashesha Security Services and Enforce Armed Response System
(c) Siyashesha Security Services for Physical security at Olifantsfontein training centre and Enforce Security Services for Armed Response System at Durban regional office
(d) The department paid R186 435.60 per annum for Siyashesha Security Services and paid R4 035 to Enforce Security Services
(3) It is government policy.
QUESTION NO 569
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 10 JULY 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6)
Mr AM Figlan (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) (a) How many sand mining operations have been authorised by her department (i) in or (ii) adjacent to the Umgeni River system and (b) what is the name of the entity that has been awarded approval to mine in each case;
(2) whether the sand mining operation run by an entity called Crossmore near the Anthurium Place access road in eThekwini has been authorised by her department; if not, what action will be taken against this operation; if so, when was the application granted;
(3) whether steps are being taken to ensure that the operation complies with the Environmental Management Plan; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) whether any directives have been issued against the operation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW633E
REPLY
1. The following mining permits have been issued on the Umgeni river:
(a) (i) 12
(b) (ii) 4
1. X Moor Transport cc 379MP
2. X Moor Transport cc 74MP
3. BHD Zuma 218MP
4. M A Hall 246MP
5. C N Shabalala 216MP
6. Ziyasha Logistics (Pty) Ltd 204MP
7. A B Sibisi 260MP
8. Very Nice Trading (Pty) Ltd 168MP
9. P T Dube 254MP
10. Little Rock Trading 45cc 147MP
11. Quebeka Euzils Building Material Suppliers cc 355MP
12. Uzuzinikela Trading 9 cc 233MP
13. Versatex 486 (Pty) Ltd 58MP
14. Invincible Panther Co-operative Limited 141MP
15. Tack it Trading cc 370MP
16. Gamelihle Sand and Pebble Suppliers cc 169MP
(ii) The following rights/permits have been issued adjacent to the Umgeni River
system:
1. K Lutchman (Tributary adjacent to Umgeni River) 232MR
2. V Govender 45MP
3. Kovacs Investments (Pty) Ltd (Qala Quarry – adjacent to Umgeni River System) -
102MR
4. Invincible Panther Co-operative Limited (Granite Quarry adjacent to Umgeni river) -
146MR
2. From the Department's records there is no company by the name of Crossmore which is a holder of any permit or rights
3. Question not applicable, see Question 2 reply.
4. Question not applicable, see Question 2 reply.
31 December 2008 - Questions: Minister of Mineral and Energy
MPs to ask the Minister of Minerals and Energy
Reply:
Question no. 376
QUESTION PAPER DATE: FRIDAY, 07 March 2008
376: Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Minerals and Energy:
(1) Between 1 May 2004 and 29 February 2008 the Department received 8196 prospecting rights (ii) mining rights-1359,(iii) mining permits-4244, (iv) (aa) the period for conversion of prospecting rights expired in April 2006, a total of 378 conversions were received.(bb) mining rights conversions -549
(1) (b) (i) and (ii) A total of 504 appeals were received during the aforementioned period. What is however important to note at this stage, is that the majority of so-called appeals received by the Department, has been processed in terms of section103(4)(b) of the MPRDA, as it relates to Ministerial decisions taken under delegated authority, which as a result rendered an appeal in terms of section 96 of the Act, incompetent.
(c) (i) Of the appeals received, 23 were successful and (ii) 48 unsuccessful
The remainder of the appeals were either withdrawn (38), suspended pending litigation (32) or negotiations (48) or still pending (315).
2. (i) The department has not identified quality of decisions as a cause for settlement with parties, settlement is as per agreement between the Applicants and the Department, thus meaning that the matters were in effect settled between the parties.
(ii) As referred in 2(i) majority of matters not opposed is because of the agreements between the parties.
Question no. 1219
QUESTION PAPER DATE: FRIDAY, 01 August 2008
1219: Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Minerals and Energy:
With reference to her reply to Question 653 on 17 July 2008, how many applications for (a) prospecting rights, (b) mining (i) rights and (ii) permits and (c) conversions of (i) prospecting and (ii) mining rights did her department return to the applicants after acceptance of the application for purposes of further details and/or information and/or completion submitted in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002?
REPLY
The Department does not return applications to applicants after acceptance, applications are only returned to applicants if they were rejected. After acceptance the department as stipulated in the Act, have to inform the applicant of such acceptance and request the applicant to consult with interested and affected parties and submit the results of such consultation and to submit an Environmental Management Plan/Programme within the specified time frames. Therefore the Department request information on all the accepted applications.
Question no. 1220
QUESTION PAPER DATE: FRIDAY, 01 August 2008
1220Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Minerals and Energy:
With reference to her reply to Question 653 on 17 July 2008, and the fact that no mining right conversions were refused, on what grounds were the judicial reviews instituted against her department based on applications for mining rights submitted in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002?
REPLY
The grounds on which the judicial reviews were instituted in respect of conversion applications referred to in the reply to question 653 did not concern the merits of the applications per se. In two of the judicial review proceedings, the parties held different views on the interpretation of the time period for the lodgement of conversion of prospecting right application as per the transitional provisions of the MPRDA. The Court ruled in favour of the interpretation of the applicant. The third review which is still pending, essentially relates to a dispute between two parties, which arose subsequent to the granting of a conversion application to the Respondent in this matter. The Department has no material interest in the outcome of the review proceedings.
Question no.551
QUESTION PAPER DATE: FRIDAY, 28March 2008
551: Mr. W D Spies (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Minerals and Energy:
Whether an increase in electricity tariffs will also come into force on 1 April 2008 for neighboring countries to which South Africa supplies electricity; if not, why not; if so, what is the (a) current tariff and (b) percentage increase for (i) Namibia, (ii) Botswana, (iii) Mozambique, (iv) Lesotho, (v) Swaziland
RESPONSE:
The electricity tariffs to neighbouring utilities escalate at the agreed rates in their supply agreements. In most cases this escalation is equal to or higher than the NERSA approved escalation and comes into effect from 1 April each year. In some instances however agreements allow escalation linked to other indices such as PPI and escalation dates of 1 January each year.
The specific detail requested per country is confidential information and therefore cannot be disclosed publicly. Should the Honourable Member require further clarity in this regard, he is welcome to contact the Honourable Minister of Minerals and Energy.
Question no.588
QUESTION PAPER DATE: FRIDAY, 28 March 2008
588: Mr. M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Minerals and Energy:
(1) What are the co-ordinates with regard to the mining rights on a certain farm in the Kempton Park area (Witfontein )R/33/151R
whether there are any restrictions which prohibit any mining from taking place near residential dwellings; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) up to what distance from residential dwellings can mining take place?
REPLY:
Co ordinates on the remainder of the farm Witfontein No 15IR, wherein a mining permit has been issued.
DATUM: WGS 84
LO-Y |
LO-X |
70766.789 |
2883463.934 |
70676.433 |
2883953.612 |
70691.011 |
2884122.129 |
70780.737 |
2884125.445 |
70766.789 |
2883963.934 |
2(a) Yes, Section 48(1) of the MPRDA, restricts mining or prospecting in respect of land comprising a residential area, however Section 48(2) provides powers to the Minister to issue a right in respect of land mentioned above, if the Minister is satisfied that-
Having regard to the sustainable development of the mineral resources involved and national interest, it is desirable to issue it.
The right/permit will take place within the framework of national environmental management policies, norms and standards.
(b) Regulation 17(6)of Mine Health and Safety Act, provides that no mining operations are carried out under or within a horizontal distances of 100 metres from buildings, roads, railways, reserves, mine boundaries, any structure whatsoever.
Question no.551
QUESTION PAPER DATE: FRIDAY, 28March 2008
551: Mr. W D Spies (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Minerals and Energy:
Whether an increase in electricity tariffs will also come into force on 1 April 2008 for neighboring countries to which South Africa supplies electricity; if not, why not; if so, what is the (a) current tariff and (b) percentage increase for (i) Namibia, (ii) Botswana, (iii) Mozambique, (iv) Lesotho, (v) Swaziland
RESPONSE:
The electricity tariffs to neighbouring utilities escalate at the agreed rates in their supply agreements. In most cases this escalation is equal to or higher than the NERSA approved escalation and comes into effect from 1 April each year. In some instances however agreements allow escalation linked to other indices such as PPI and escalation dates of 1 January each year.
The specific detail requested per country is confidential information and therefore cannot be disclosed publicly. Should the Honourable Member require further clarity in this regard, he is welcome to contact the Honourable Minister of Minerals and Energy.
QUESTION NUMBER 1189
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 11 SEPTEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 16)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
In light of the appointment of a certain company (name furnished) to conduct an assessment of compliance in respect of the Mining Charter, (a) what is its mandate, (b) what is the date on which it must present its report to the department, (c) who are the (i) directors and (ii) members of this company and (d) what is the cost of commissioning the report?
REPLY
(a) The mandate of the company is to undertake an independent assessment of the cumulative progress (by the mining industry) against the targets of the Mining Charter, as agreed upon by all stakeholders prior to implementation of this Charter.
(b) End of September, 2009.
(c) (i) Ms. Kate Moloto and Mr. Titus Mpe.
(ii) Not applicable
(d) The report is commissioned at a total cost of R 3,659,172.00.
Question No. 1515
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER
QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Response by Hon. Buyelwa Sonjica. Minister of Minerals and Energy. To Adv HC Schmidt's
Parliamentarv Question No. 1515
A. Question:
Following recent allegations that PetroSA signed oil deals with associates of Mugabe,(sic) whether the Minister can indicate (a) when was the deal between Middle East South Africa Energy (MESA) and PetroSA entered into; (b) what the specific terms 0 the deal were; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (c) whether PetroSA was aware of the UN Final Report by the Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploration of Natural Resources and other forms of Wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; if not, why not?
B. Response:
a) The agreement was signed by both parties on 17 June 2004 – effective for two years, commencing on 1 August 2004.
b) The agreement stipulates that MESA will supply condensate as a feedstock for the Mossel Bay Refinery at price that are dependent on the grade of condensate that would have been supplied to PetroSA.
(c) No. But at any rate, the report did not specifically mention DRC or MESA.
BACKGROUND
After the aforesaid condensate deal, MESA subsequently successfully bid for other spot deals for Reformate, amongst others, all of which had nothing to do with DRC.
Recent News
On 24th August 2008 the Sunday Times newspaper published a story in its business section that insinuates that PetroSA knowingly "dished out oil deals" to a consortium partly owned by foreign businessmen accused of being fronts for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.
PetroSA then placed it on record that in 2004 they concluded a tender wherein MESA Energy, a majority-owned South African company, was contracted to supply them with gas condensate. At the time three separate South African companies owned 51% of MESA. A Mauritian-registered company Pegasus Energy (Ltd) owned the remaining 49%.
A forensic audit to verify the legal and BEE status of MESA was conducted in accordance with PetroSA's policies. The decision to award MESA Energy this highly competitive tender, was based on PetroSA's stringent selection criteria, which considered factors such as pricing, BEE participation levels, and the ability to introduce various condensate grades.
It is also true that in January 2008, PetroSA purchased a spot cargo of Reformate from MESA.
Throughout these transactions PetroSA has conducted itself with professional integrity, putting at the forefront the best interests of South Africa. At no time before or after the two deals, was PetroSA ever informed of any allegations of impropriety concerning MESA or any of its partners.
It is therefore mischievous of the Sunday Times to insinuate that PetroSA knowingly conducted business in defiance of United Nations resolutions or sanctions. A fact is that PetroSA, in good faith, concluded two deals with .
Mesa Energy. Both deals were conducted in full compliance with PetroSA's internal processes which are aligned with PFMA Act.
Possible link between the "UN Final Report by the Panel of Experts on the illegal Exploration of Natural Resources and other forms of Wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo" and MESA http://www .natural-resources.ora/minerals/law/docs/pdf/ N0262179.pd
Among the Government departments interviewed by the Panel of Experts was the Department of Minerals and Energy of South Africa (p.54 of the UN Final Report). However, no names of officials interviewed were provided.
The central focus of the Panel's work was gathering information about politically and economically powerful groups involved in the exploitation activities / illegal exploration of natural resources and other forms of wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which are often highly criminalized. The UN Report's main focus is on the micro conflicts that have been provoked by the DRC civil war that have resulted in some groups, politically connected persons and high-ranking government officials from states involved in the conflict criminally exploiting the situation for self enrichment.
The report then goes further to explain the modus operandi of the said groups but has no specific mention of MESA Energy.
The person posing the questions seems to be of the opinion that there is a link between MESA (shareholders or individuals within MESA) and the entities alleged to be involved in the illegal dealings in DRC (from a Zimbabwe front) as shown in the extracts of the Report below. Unfortunately, a detailed investigation could not be conducted to prove beyond reasonable doubt that there is no such link.
Extracts from the Report that could be relevant to the questions posed are as follows:
"12. The regional conflict that drew the armies of seven African States into the Democratic Republic of the Congo has diminished in intensity, but the overlapping micro conflicts that it provoked continue. These conflicts are fought over minerals, farm produce, land and even tax revenues. Criminal groups linked to the armies of Rwanda, Uganda and Zimbabwe and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have benefited from the micro conflicts. Those groups will not disband voluntarily even as the foreign military forces continue their withdrawals. They have built up a self-financing war economy centred on mineral exploitation.
13. Facilitated by South Africa and Angola, the Pretoria and Luanda Agreements have prompted the recent troop withdrawals from the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Welcome as they may be, these withdrawals are unlikely to alter the determination of Rwanda and Zimbabwe, and Ugandan individuals, to exercise economic control over portions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The departure of their forces will do little to reduce economic control, or the means of achieving it, since the use of national armies is only one among many means for exercising it. All three countries have anticipated the day when pressure from the international community would make it impossible to maintain large forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Governments of Rwanda and Zimbabwe, as well as powerful individuals in Uganda, have adopted other strategies for maintaining the mechanisms for revenue generation, many of which involve criminal activities, once their troops have departed.
17. Although troops of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces have been a major guarantor of the security of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo against regional rivals, its senior officers have enriched themselves from the country's mineral assets under the pretext of arrangements set up to repay Zimbabwe for military services. Now ZDF is establishing new companies and contractual arrangements to defend its economic interests in the longer term should there be a complete withdrawal of ZDF troops. New trade and service agreements were signed between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zimbabwe just prior to the announced withdrawal of ZDF troops from the diamond centre of Mbuji Mayi late in August 2002.
18. Towards the end of its mandate, the Panel received a copy of a memorandum dated August 2002 from the Defence Minister, Sidney Sekeramayi, to President Robert Mugabe, proposing that a joint Zimbabwe-Democratic Republic of the Congo company be set up in Mauritius to disguise the continuing economic interests of ZDF in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The memorandum states: "Your Excellency would be aware of the wave of negative publicity and criticism that the DRC-Zimbabwe joint ventures have attracted, which tends to inform the current United Nations Panel investigations into our commercial activities." It also refers to plans to set up a private Zimbabwean military company to guard Zimbabwe's economic investments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after the planned withdrawal of ZDF troops. It states that this company was formed to operate alongside a new military company owned by the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
19. At the same time, local militias and local politicians have supplemented the role that State armies previously played in ensuring access to and control of valuable resources and diverting State revenue. The 'looting that was previously conducted by the armies themselves has been replaced with organized systems of embezzlement, tax fraud, extortion, the use of stock options as kickbacks and diversion of State funds conducted by groups that closely resemble criminal organizations.
20. Such activities have become increasingly prominent in the techniques of exploitation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Panel has identified three distinct groups engaged in activities in three different areas and refers to them as elite networks. These elite networks have control over a range of commercial activities involving the exploitation of natural resources, diversion of taxes and other revenue generation activities in the three separate areas controlled by the Government of the' Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda, respectively."
22. The elite network of Congolese and Zimbabwean political, military and commercial interests seeks to maintain its grip on the main mineral resources - diamonds, cobalt, copper, germanium - of the Government-controlled area. This network has transferred ownership of at least US$ 5 billion of assets from the State mining sector to private companies under its control in the past three years with no compensation or benefit for the State treasury of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
23. This network benefits from instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its representatives in the Kinshasa Government and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces have fuelled instability by supporting armed groups opposing Rwanda and Burundi.
24. Even if present moves towards peace lead to a complete withdrawal of Zimbabwean forces, the network's grip on the richest mineral assets of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and related businesses will remain.
Zimbabwe's political-military elite signed six major trade and service agreements in August 2002 with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Reliable sources have told the Panel about plans to set up new holding companies to disguise the continuing ZDF commercial operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a ZDF-controlled private military company to be deployed in the country to guard those assets
27. The key strategist for the Zimbabwean branch of the elite network is the Speaker of the Parliament and former National Security Minister, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. Mr. Mnangagwa has won strong support from senior military and intelligence officers for an aggressive policy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His key ally is a Commander of ZDF and Executive Chairman of COSLEG, General Vitalis Musunga Gava Zvinavashe. The General and his family have been involved in diamond trading and supply contracts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A long-time ally of President Mugabe, Air Marshal Perence Shiri, has been involved in military procurement and organizing air support for the pro- Kinshasa armed groups fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is also part of the inner circle of ZDF diamond traders who have turned Harare into a significant illicit diamond-trading centre.
28. Other prominent Zimbabwean members of the network include Brigadier General Sibusiso Busi Moyo, who is Director General of COSLEG. Brigadier Moyo advised both Tremalt and Oryx Natural Resources, which represented covert Zimbabwean military financial interests in negotiations with State mining companies of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Air Commodore Mike Tichafa Karakadzai is Deputy Secretary of COSLEG, directing policy and procurement. He played a key role in arranging the Tremalt cobalt and copper deal. Colonel Simpson Sikhulile Nyathi is Director of defence policy for COSLEG. The Minister of Defence and former Security Minister, Sidney Sekeramayi, coordinates with the military leadership and is a shareholder in COSLEG. The Panel has a copy of a letter from Mr. Sekeramayi thanking the Chief Executive of Oryx Natural Resources, Thamer Bin Said Ahmed AIShanfari, for his material and moral support during the parliamentary elections of 2000. Such contributions violate Zimbabwean law.
29. In June 2002, the Panel learned of a secret new ZDF diamond mining operation in Kalobo in Kasai Occidental run by Dube Associates. This company is linked, according to banking documents, through Colonel Tshinga Dube of Zimbabwe Defence Industries to the Ukrainian diamond and arms dealer Leonid Minim, who currently faces smuggling charges in Italy. The diamond mining operations have been conducted in great secrecy.
31. The techniques used by Mr. Forrest have since been replicated by Zimbabwean-backed entrepreneurs John Arnold Bredenkamp and Mr. AIShanfari. Mr. Bredenkamp, who has an estimated personal net worth of over $500 million, is experienced in setting up clandestine companies and sanctions-busting operations. Mr. AI-Shanfari has gained privileged access to the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its diamond concessions in exchange for raising capital from some powerful entrepreneurs in the Gulf such as Issa a/-Kawari who manages the fortune of the deposed Amir of Qatar. Also working with ZDF is a convicted criminal based in South Africa, Nico Shefer, who has arranged for Zimbabwean officers to be trained in diamond valuation in Johannesburg. Mr. Shefer's company, Tandan Holdings, has a 50 per cent stake in Thorntree Industries, a joint venture diamond-trading company with ZDF.
32. Zimbabwean Billy Rautenbach headed a joint venture cobalt-mining company and was Chief Executive of Gecamines from November 1998 to March 2000. Although stripped of his cobalt concessions in Katanga, Mr. Rautenbach told the Panel that the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo had offered his company, Ridgepointe International, mining rights to Gecamines concessions at Shinkolobwe, which include substantial deposits of uranium, copper and cobalt. Mr. Rautenbach's representatives said that any new agreement would be subject to the new mining code of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and any uranium mining operations would be open to inspections by the International Atomic Energy
QUESTION NO: 1539
NATIONAL ASSEMBLYINTERNAL QUESTION PAPER
QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN REPLY
1539. Mr LW (I D) to ask the Minister of Minerals and Energy:
(1) Whether public participation processeswere conducted regarding the Government's decision to build new nuclear power plant stations; if not, why not if so, how many submissions were received from public;
(2) Whether her department has considered the submissions; if not, whynot; if so, what are relevant details?
RESPONSES:
(1) No, this is OPE and DEAT's responsibility.
QUESTION 1544
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER
QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN REPLY
1544. Mr L W Greyling (ID) to ask the Minister of Minerals and Energy:
(1) Whether her department is currently running a wind source atlas programme if so (a) when did the programme start and (b) when will a comprehensive wind atlas be available to the public'
(2) Whether there have been any delays in the programme; if so what were the reasons for the delays?
Response:
1 (a) Yes, the programme started in May 2008
(b) The 1stiteration of the wind atlas, covering coastal areas of the Northern Western and Eastern provinces is planned for November 2009. The final comprehensive version (reports, facts sheets, web site, and database) of the atlas is planned for the 3rdquarter of 2012.
2. No delays
26 December 2008 - Question:Minister of Cooperative Governance
MPs to ask the Minister of Provincial and Local Government
Reply:
QUESTION NO. 1433
(Internal Question Paper No 24 – 2008)
Mr M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
With regard to each municipality, (a) what was the (i) total number of staff, (ii) total number of days taken for (aa) sick leave and (bb) annual leave and (iii) rate of absenteeism, (b) (i) what total amount was spent on consultants and (ii) what was the (aa) nature of the work done by the consultants, (bb) duration of their contracts or work done and (cc) hourly rates charged by these consultants during the 2007-08 financial year and (c) what total amount was spent by each of these municipalities on (i) parties and (ii) any other social events in each of the past three financial years up to and including 15 August 2008?
ANSWER
This question requires that information covering all the two hundred and eighty-three municipalities, be made available. The information sought also covers a wide range of issues.
The National Assembly Guide to Procedure, 2004 provides that members of the National Assembly "may not raise questions which would require an impractically extensive answer". This question falls within this category. Consequently, it is not possible to respond to the question.
QUESTION NO. 1436
(Internal Question Paper No 24 - 2008)
Mr M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government
What is the breakdown of the (a) actual number of engineer posts and (b) the number of these posts that are vacant in each municipality as at 1 August 2008?
ANSWER
The Honourable Member will note that information has been obtained from Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces. The outstanding information from Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Free State, Kwa Zulu Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West province will be made available to the Honourable Member as soon as it has been received.
See the tables here: http://www.pmg.org.za/docs/2008/questions/Q1436tables.pdf
QUESTION NO. 1519
(Internal Question Paper No 25 - 2008)
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government
(1) (a) How many posts on senior management level are currently vacant in each of the 283 municipalities and (b) how long have each of these posts been vacant
(2) whether each of these vacancies have been budgeted for; if not; why not; if so, (a) how much will be spent in filling these vacancies and (b) when will they be filled?
ANSWER
The Honourable Member will note that information has been obtained from Free State, Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces. The outstanding information from Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Kwa Zulu Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West province will be made available to the Honourable Member as soon as it has been received.
See tables here: http://www.pmg.org.za/docs/2008/questions/Q1519tables.pdf
QUESTION NO. 1543
(Internal Question Paper No 27 - 2008)
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government
(1) What (a) were the reasons for the abolishment of the Regional Services Council (RSC) levies and (b) was the total amount owed to municipalities when the RSC levies were abolished;
(2) whether municipalities were given a date by which to collect the moneys owed to them; if not. what is the position in this regard; if so, what was the deadline;
(3) whether municipalities have been successful in recovering those moneys; if not, what are the challenges they are facing; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) whether his department has any plans to help those municipalities that could not recover the moneys owed to them at the time when RSC levies were abolished; if not, why not; if so, what plans;
(5) whether he has been informed of any legal action by a municipality or an individual representing a municipality against (a) organisations, (b) government departments. (c) private enterprises and (d) individuals over moneys owed to Regional Services Councils; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
ANSWER
The RSC levies were administered by the Minister of Finance and their abolishment were also done by the Minister of Finance, and the related matters of collections also have interface with the South African Revenue Services (SARS) which also report to the Minster of Finance. Accordingly, this Parliamentary Question should be directed to the Minister of Finance not the Minister for Provincial and Local Government
QUESTION NO. 802
(Internal Question Paper No 14 – 2008)
Moulana M R Sayedali-Shah (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
(a) What procedures are followed when meetings of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) and Directorate Conventional Arms Control (DCAC) are not held in terms of the approval process for urgent applications and (b) who from the NCACC attended the meetings of the Scrutiny Committee in terms of the regulations?
ANSWER
(a) As a general rule, meetings of the NCACC are scheduled to take place on a monthly basis throughout the year. At its meetings, it considers a number of matters placed before it. When taking decisions, the NCACC takes into account the recommendations placed before it by the Scrutiny Committee. The Scrutiny Committee is a committee comprising all representatives of review departments. This committee has a duty to undertake general spade work for the NCACC. After considering the Scrutiny Committee's recommendations, the NCACC may decide to accept or reject the recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee.
In the event that the NCACC cannot convene, the Chairperson of the NCACC and the Minister of Defence consider and decide on matters that are urgent. In considering and deciding on urgent matters, the NCACC takes into account the recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee. The decisions taken by the Chairperson and the Minister of Defence under these circumstances are, as a matter of principle, ratified by the next ensuing meeting of the NCACC.
The Directorate: Conventional Arms Control does not hold meetings to decide on urgent applications. What the Directorate does is to facilitate the holding of meetings by the Scrutiny Committee and the NCACC. The Directorate also executes and implements the decisions that have been taken by the NCACC.
Since the Scrutiny Committee was established and functioned as a subcommittee of the NCACC, no member of the NCACC has ever attended its meetings. This failure to have a member of the NCACC attending the Scrutiny Committee meetings is due to practical reasons only. It is because of these practical challenges that the NCACC has proposed an amendment to the Act relating to the establishment and functioning of the Scrutiny Committee.
QUESTION NO. 803
(Internal Question Paper No 14 – 2008)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
Whether there are National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC)-approved processes for the Directorate Conventional Arms Control (DCAC) to follow when scrutinising and assessing applications for the issuing of a permit, besides the Chairperson delegating for the signing of permits; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
ANSWER
The Directorate uses clearly defined procedures when handling conventional arms permit
applications. The procedures deal with the following aspects:
(a) reflection on the international arms control regimes that have a bearing on the South African arms control system;
(b) structures established in terms of the law to implement conventional arms control in South Africa;
(c) classification and categorisation of conventional arms and related services; and
(d) procedures to be followed when handling different kinds of permit applications. These include registration permits, marketing permits, contracting permits, export permits, import permits, transit permits and end-user certificates.
In conducting all its work, the Directorate follows, and is guided by, these procedures.
QUESTION NO. 804
(Internal Question Paper No 14 – 2008)
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
(1) Whether the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) delegated the decision to issue permits; if so,
(2) whether minutes are kept of such decisions to delegate in respect of (a) who made the decision in each case to delegate, (b) when such decisions were made and (c) the basis on which each decision was made in the past 24 months; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
ANSWER
(1) As a general rule, the transfer of conventional arms takes place on a daily basis. For such transfers to take place, the transfers have to be authorised by the NCACC. In order to facilitate this authorisation, the NCACC has delegated authority to the Directorate: Conventional Arms to handle these transactions. The delegated authority of the Directorate is not exercised in a vacuum, but within the context of NCACC guidelines. Further, the delegated authority of the Directorate has to be exercised after taking into account inputs by the various review departments. The delegated authority of the Directorate is exercised in respect of all kinds of permits, save for the contracting permits that are only authorised by the NCACC. Within the Directorate, the permit signing powers are carried out by the Director of the Directorate and the Deputy Director.
(2) The authority delegated to the Directorate was assigned in writing in respect of all permits, except contracting permits. All permits issued by the Directorate are recorded and are presented to the NCACC on a monthly basis for ratification. The basis for the issuing of permits are the provisions of the relevant Act, guidelines of the NCACC and inputs of various departments. All records of issued permits and the associated details are kept by the Directorate.
QUESTION NO. 805
(Internal Question Paper No 14 – 2008)
Moulana M R Sayedali-Shah (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
(1) Whether the Government received a diplomatic note from the Chinese and/or Zimbabwean government as part of the application for a conveyance permit with regard to the weapons for Zimbabwe carried by the Chinese ship that docked in the Durban harbour in April 2008; if so, (a) who authorised the permit and (b) who signed off the granting of the permit;
(2) whether he consulted the President in this process; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether a quorum was obtained when the decision was taken to issue the conveyance permit for the shipment; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) what are the relevant details regarding the minutes kept of all meetings pertaining to the issuing of a conveyance permit to the Chinese shipment carrying weapons for Zimbabwe in respect of (a)(i) dates and (ii) times, (b) venues, (c) attendees and (d) decisions taken;
(5) whether the SA National Defence Force assisted with the refueling of the Chinese ship; if so, (a) how and (b) under whose order?
ANSWER
(1) As part of the transit permit application documentation, the NCACC (National Conventional Arms Control Committee) Directorate received a Diplomatic Note from the Zimbabwean Government, a copy of the Zimbabwean End User Certificate in respect of the consignment and a copy of a document from the Chinese Port Authority in respect of the consignment. After considering the documents, the Directorate consulted the various review departments, after which the matter was referred to the Chairperson of the NCACC for consideration and decision by the members of the NCACC. After due consideration, the NCACC authorised the Directorate to issue the permit. Subsequent to this authorisation, the Directorate issued the permit. The permit was signed by the delegated Deputy Director in the Directorate. It is worth mentioning though that the said Deputy Director signed the permit on specific instructions from the Director of the Directorate, who in turn was giving effect to the decision of the NCACC.
(2) The NCACC is an organ of state and has a full mandate in terms of the National Conventional Arms Control Act (Act 41 of 2002), to regulate the transfer of conventional arms in South Africa. The NCACC considers and decides on all matters before it on the basis of this mandate. This approach was the followed without exception when the Zimbabwean transit permit application was dealt with.
(3) As a matter of practice, all transit permits are dealt with by the Directorate on the basis of the delegated powers, the guidelines of the NCACC and the inputs of review departments. Where the Directorate is not certain, the Directorate seeks, as a general rule, the advice of the NCACC through the office of the Chairperson. This was the case in respect of the transit permit under focus. After the transit permit application had been brought to the attention of the Chairperson of the NCACC, the Chairperson consulted members of the NCACC. After this consultation, a decision was taken to authorise the permit.
(4) As indicated in response to question (3) above, no specific meeting was held by the NCACC to consider this matter. Normal consultation was conducted by the Chairperson after which a decision was made to issue the permit.
(5) This question should be directed to the Department of Defence as the SANDF falls under that Department.
QUESTION NO. 823
(Internal Question Paper No 14 – 2008)
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
(1) Whether his department will cease making allocations to the SA Local Government Association (Salga) since it has received three qualified reports from the Auditor-General in the past three financial years; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether his department has any plans in place to help Salga resolve its financial problems; if not, why not; if so, (a) what plans; (b) when will they be implemented, (c) how long will it take to implement them and (d) how much will it cost to implement them;
(3) what (a) were the total amounts of State allocations to Salga and (b) was Salga's actual expenditure in each of the past five financial years;
(4) whether Salga overspent its budget in each of the past five financial years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, by how much in each case;
(5) whether the overexpenditure was accounted for in each of the past five financial years; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
ANSWER
(1) No. SALGA is mandated by the 1996 Constitution, and by the Municipal Systems Act (2000) and the Organised Local Government Act (1997), to assist with the transformation of local government in South Africa in line with the values and vision upheld by the government. The allocations to SALGA are appropriated through the annual Appropriation Act which is voted for in Parliament.
(2) Yes. The department has plans in place (a) to review SALGA's funding model, together with the National Treasury and SALGA, (b) over the duration of the 2009 MTEC process, (c) will depend on the recommendations of the MTEC, (d) there will be no cost implications as the work is being done by the dplg, SALGA and the National Treasury.
(3) The information relating to allocations is available from the 2008 (Vote 29) Estimates of National Expenditure document, and the information relating to actual expenditure is available from the Annual Report of SALGA. These documents have been tabled in Parliament.
(4) No. SALGA has not overspent on its budget over the last five financial years. The table appearing below presents the net cash flow for the last five financial years. The position over the last five years is as follows:
June 2003 |
June 2004 |
June 2005 |
June 2006 |
June 2007 |
|
Actual Net Operating Result |
R 4 911.500 |
(R 2 549 043) |
(R 10 930 150) |
(R 63 120 913) |
R 1 899 245 |
Add: Non-cash Flow items |
|||||
Depreciation |
R 257 186 |
R 266 047 |
R 1 341 644 |
R 1 914 068 |
R 2 144 462 |
Provision for impairment of trade receivables |
- |
R 5 295 625 |
R 62 984 226 |
R 43 499 461 |
(R 18 372 282) |
Fair value adjustment |
- |
- |
- |
R 19 082 415 |
R 17 103 772 |
Actual adjustment Net Operating Results |
R 5 168 668 |
R 3 012 629 |
R 53 395 720 |
R 1 375 031 |
R 2 775 197 |
Budgeted Net Operating Results |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Variance |
+R 5 168 668 |
+R 3 012 629 |
+R 53 395 720 |
+ R 1 375 031 |
+R 2 775 197. |
(5) Falls away.
QUESTION NO. 832
(Internal Question Paper No 15 – 2008)
Dr R Rabinowitz (IFP) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
(1) Whether he will ensure that his department (a) monitors and (b) reduces its carbon footprint with immediate effect; if so, how will this be done;
(2) whether this will include the phasing out of glossy publications from all agencies or councils reporting to him; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) (a) what is the estimated cost of all such (i) reports and (ii) publications per annum in the case of these agencies and all other working documents of his department and (b) what kinds of (i) energy are being used in the offices of his department and (ii) energy saving measures are being implemented in these offices?
ANSWER
(1) (a) and (b) The Department of Public Works is leading the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Strategy in respect of all government buildings.
(2) The agencies or councils referred to report to Parliament, and not to the Minister.
(3) (a) (i) & (ii) Fall away. However, an amount of R 4,468,710 has been spent on all publications for the 2007/2008 financial year by the dplg.
(b) (i) Electricity.
(ii) Energy saving measures being implemented are the following:
1.1
· All lights in the dplg buildings, including parking areas, are to be switched off between 19h00 and 05h00. Lights in passages, lift lobbies and some lights at the foyer will not be switched off for security reasons. Timer switches will be installed on each floor to regulate electricity.
· All geysers will be switched off between 19h00 and 05h00.
· Air-conditioning systems in our buildings have been programmed to automatically switch off at 18h00 and switch on at 06h00.
· Staff members are to switch off all electrical appliances and equipment when not in use.
· Disciplinary steps will be taken against all staff members who fail to comply with the energy saving measures.
QUESTION NO. 850
(Internal Question Paper No 15 – 2008)
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
(a) How many (i) professionals and (ii) managers have been deployed under Project Consolidate in (aa) 2005, (bb) 2006 and (cc) 2007, (b) to how many of the 136 municipalities have they been deployed, (c) for how long have they been deployed, (d) what are their fields of expertise and (e) from where were they sourced?
ANSWER
(a) (i) and (ii) (aa), (bb) and (cc), and (b):
Project Consolidate Deployments |
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
2007/08 |
Number of professionals and managers deployed |
210 deployments |
359 deployments |
1 134 deployments |
Number of Project Consolidate (PC), municipalities |
69 municipalities |
105 municipalities |
268 municipalities (including all 139 PC municipalities). |
(c)The duration of deployment differs from one deploying agent to the next. Generally, deployments have ranged from one year to three years.
(d) Deployments have focused on the following skills areas:
- engineering;
- finance;
- town-planning;
- project management; and
- human resource development.
(e) Support for Project Consolidate has been mobilised from a range of stakeholders and partners, including business and professional organizations, state owned enterprises, non-governmental organizations, and development and donor agencies. Some of these stakeholders include the First National Bank, the Business Trust, AHI, IDT, INCA Capacity Building Fund, GTZ, KFW, DFID (UK), USAID, the South African Planning Institution (SAPI) and the Old Mutual Group.
All firearm licence applications received for the period 20042007 have been fully processed on the Enhanced Firearms Register System. Contributory factors such as outstanding documentation from applicants, safe inspections, availability of applicants for safe inspections result in a situation where a final decision could not be made on the outstanding applications during that specific year. As the outstanding information is received, the applications are considered and finalized.
QUESTION NO. 1159
(Internal Question Paper No 20 – 2008)
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
Whether his department has an anti-corruption unit to assist municipalities in the fight against corruption; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many people are involved in this unit, (b) what strategy to fight corruption has been developed by this unit, (c) what assistance have they had from municipalities and (d) what successes have they had in municipalities?
ANSWER
Yes, the Department has established a Chief Directorate which focuses on the implementation of anti-corruption measures within local government.
(a) Three Managers are driving the programme within the Chief Directorate.
(b) The Local Government Anti-Corruption Strategy was developed by the Chief Directorate in the year 2006 to fight corruption within municipalities.
(c) Municipalities are cooperating, and have been assisted with the development of systems, policies and procedures to prevent corruption. It should also be noted that both the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID), have provided support to the Department from 2004 and 2006, respectively, with the roll-out of a local government anti-corruption programme.
(d) The impact of the strategy has not been assessed as the strategy is still being rolled out within municipalities. However, regarding the raising of awareness within municipalities, the strategy has had an impact, as local communities are now exposing and reporting corruption, where it occurs.
QUESTION NO. 1161
(Internal Question Paper No 20 – 2008)
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
Whether his department has introduced any measures to assist municipalities in (a) collecting revenue and (b) spending their capital budgets; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
ANSWER
(a) The dplg is working with the National Treasury, SALGA, Provincial Departments of Local Government and Provincial Treasuries to provide financial management support, which includes tools and systems for revenue collection. Apart from the legislative measures embodied in the Municipal Systems Act and the Municipal Finance Management Act, the dplg has provided some municipalities with grant funding to address billing systems, data cleansing, development and the implementation of credit control policies. The dplg has also developed a model credit control policy and by-laws, in conjunction with SALGA. These are aimed at assisting municipalities with revenue management and collection.
With a view to supporting municipal revenue management, section 64(3) of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No. 56 of 2003), requires an accounting officer of a municipality to immediately inform the National Treasury of any payments for municipal tax or municipal services by government departments that are regularly in arrears for periods of more than 30 days. This provision assists in ensuring that such government departments are pressurised, through Provincial Treasuries and local government, to settle their outstanding accounts with municipalities.
(b) Regarding spending of the capital budgets, the dplg, in collaboration with the Development Bank of Southern Africa, has deployed technical and financial experts within municipalities. The experts include engineers deployed to support municipalities with project management and the implementation of capital projects. This facilitates the spending of capital budgets.
QUESTION NO. 1167
(Internal Question Paper No 20 - 2008)
Mr. M J Ellis (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
(1) (a) What was the total rand value of (i) hotel accommodation procured for his departmental officials and (ii) conferencing facilities hired by his department during period 1 October 2007 to 31 March 2008 and (b) in each case, what percentage was spent at establishments graded by the Tourism Grading Council:
(2) whether there are any barriers to making use of graded establishments; if not, why is the use of graded facilities not higher; if so, what are the relevant details?
ANSWER
The total Rand value of hotel accommodation procured and conferencing facilities hired, for the period 1 October 2007 to 31 March 2008, amounted to:
(1) (a) (i) Hotel accommodation: R 6.027 million
(ii) Conferencing facilities: R 2.250 million
The percentage spent at establishments graded by the Tourism Grading Council Is as follows:
(b) 1 % on 2 star hotels;
27% on 3 star hotels;
66% on 4 star hotels;
3% on 5 star hotels; and
3% on lodges, guest houses and tour operators.
(2) There were no barriers when making use of the graded establishments as 97% of expenditure is spent on graded hotels as indicated in (b) above.
QUESTION NO. 1205
(Internal Question Paper No 21 – 2008)
Mr M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
(a) What amount was owed to each local and district municipality, (b) how many debtors were (i) residential properties, (ii) commercial enterprises, (iii) government departments and (iv) other entities in respect of each of the local and district municipality, (c) what amounts have been outstanding for more than (i) 6, (ii) 12, and (iii) 24 months in each case as at 1 July 2008 and (d) what amount was owed to each local and district municipality for (i) rates, (ii) water, (iii) electricity, (iv) sewerage and (v) refuse during this period?
ANSWER
(a) The total amount owed to local and district municipalities as at the end of June 2008 stood at R18, 407,490 billion.
(b) According to the 2008 Local Government Budgets and Expenditure Review, 2003/04 – 2009/10, residential properties owe approximately 60% (R10,8 billion), government departments owe approximately 20% (R3,6 billion) and commercial enterprises and other entities owe approximately 20% (R3,6 billion).
(c) Of the total debt, R15 billion has been outstanding for over 90 days. Further details appear in the Table and in the Appendix hereto. Information per municipality is available on the National Treasury website – www.treasury.gov.za/legislation/mfma/media releases/section71 4th 0708
TABLE
Provincial Debt Aggregate: 2007/08
DEBTOR AGE ANALYSIS FOR ALL PROVINCES AS AT JUNE 2008 |
|||||
Province |
30 Days |
60 Days |
90 Days |
Over 90 Days |
TOTAL |
Eastern Cape |
427,313 |
133,947 |
78,376 |
2,472,393 |
3,112,029 |
Free State |
357,844 |
192,110 |
117,460 |
3,202,105 |
3,869,519 |
Gauteng |
3,003,286 |
1,014,796 |
690,043 |
17,085,904 |
21,794,029 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
1,111,143 |
297,242 |
209,099 |
3,988,935 |
5,606,419 |
Limpopo |
28,898 |
14,939 |
41,389 |
720,405 |
805,631 |
Mpumalanga |
179,964 |
65,753 |
60,891 |
1,642,721 |
1,949,329 |
Northern Cape |
100,270 |
25,869 |
21,982 |
627,849 |
775,970 |
North West |
189,515 |
89,105 |
79,603 |
1,999,469 |
2,357,692 |
Western Cape |
956,464 |
181,306 |
183,092 |
3,470,189 |
4,791,051 |
TOTAL (including Metros) |
R6,354,697 |
R2,015,067 |
R1,481,935 |
R35,209,970 |
R45,061,669 |
Debt owed to Metros |
R4,426,440 |
R1,279,187 |
R855,337 |
R20,093,213 |
R26,654,179 |
TOTAL (District & Local Munics) |
R1,928,257 |
R735,880 |
R626,598 |
R15,116,757 |
R18,407,490 |
Source: The National Treasury database: 2007/08
APPENDIX
Debtor Age Analysis of municipalities in all 9 provinces
(1) Eastern Cape
(2) Free State
(3) Gauteng
(4) KwaZulu-Natal
(5) Limpopo
(6) Mpumalanga
(7) Northern Cape
(8) North West
(9) Western Cape
QUESTION NO. 1233
(Internal Question Paper No 21 – 2008)
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
With regard to the White Paper on the System of Provincial and Local Government, (a) what amount has been (i) budgeted and (ii) spent on research papers or projects commissioned or to be commissioned, (b) what topics have been covered by these research papers and (c) when will these research papers be made available to the public?
ANSWER
(a)(i) The Department of Provincial and Local Government (dplg), has budgeted the following amounts for this process:
· 2007/8: R1,5 million;
· 2008/9: R1,5 million; and
· 2009/10: R2 million.
(ii) R6,023,787.74 (the full amount has been funded by donors).
(b) The following research papers appearing in tables 1 and 2 were commissioned by the dplg. They focuson the assessment of the state of local government, provincial government and cooperative governance, and also on specific sectors. There is also an overview paper summarising all the sector issues. A cross-cutting paper was also commissioned on capacity building.
QUESTION NO. 1234
(Internal Question Paper No 21 – 2008)
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
(a) What amount has been (i) budgeted and (ii) spent to assist the local government in the Democratic Republic of Congo and (b) on what were these funds spent?
ANSWER
(a) and (b) Since the 2005/06 financial year, the dplg has budgeted an amount of R280, 000, 00 to support the Democratic Republic of Congo with the process of decentralization. The amount spent during this period is R278, 931, 00. The specific items on which the money was spent are as follows:
Items |
Amount |
Flights |
R100,415.00 |
Accommodation |
R 90,374.00 |
Ground Transport |
R 17,015.00 |
Foreign Daily Allowance |
R 71,127.00 |
Total Expenditure |
R 278,931.00. |
The dplg also received an amount of R2, 000,000.00 in the 2005/06 financial year from the African Renaissance Fund (ARF) managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs, to support the implementation of the Agreement on Decentralization signed on 16 March 2006 between the Department of Provincial and Local Government and the Ministry of Interior, Decentralization and Security in the DRC. This amount was spent as follows:
Items |
Amount |
Professional and Special Services |
R 978,262.00 |
Translation and Transcription |
R 328,475.00 |
Transport and Subsistence |
R 557,635.00 |
Venues and Facilities |
R 117,731.00 |
Other expenditure |
R 17,897.00 |
Total Expenditure |
R 2,000,000.00. |
QUESTION NO. 1235
(Internal Question Paper No 21 - 2008)
Mr. W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
Whether his department has developed or intends developing a policy for free basic services of (a) sanitation and (b) refuse removal: if not, why not; If so, what are the relevant details?
ANSWER
(a) and (b) The Department has not developed, and has no intention of developing, a policy on free basic sanitation and free basic refuse removal.
The responsibility for the development of policies relating to free basic services lies with the respective sector departments. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry is in the process of developing the Free Basic Sanitation Policy and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism is in the process of developing the Free Basic Refuse Removal Policy. The role of the Department of Provincial and Local Government is to advise the respective sector departments on policy issues, and to coordinate and oversee the Implementation of free basic services.
QUESTION NO. 1897
(Internal Question Paper No 33- 2008)
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
(a) Which municipalities in each province had a municipal manager under suspension as at 31 October 2008, (b) for how long and (c) what was the main reason in each case?
ANSWER
The Information as requested is not readily available within the dplg. Provinces and Municipalities have been requested to provide this information. The Honourable member will be provided with a response as soon as the information is received
ANSWER
According to the 2003/04 Auditor General Report, only 95 of the 283 audits had been finalised by 30 April 2005. Of the 95 audited twenty seven were unqualified (39%). forty five were qualified (47%), three were disclaimers (3%), and ten had an adverse audit opinion (11 %).
The department has detailed information for the past three financial years (ie. 2004/06; 2005/06 & 2006/07). Details are attached as Annexure A.
(2) Detailed information on the nature of audit opinions is contained in the attached as Annexure B.
(3) Details on the audit analysis are attached as Annexure C. The interpretations is as follows:
(i) There has been a 1 % increase in the unqualified audit outcomes, comparing 2005/06 & 2006/07 audit periods.
(ii) Comparing the 2005/06 & 2006/07 audit period, the number of municipalities with qualified audit outcomes increased by 3%.
(iii)The number of municipalities with disclaimers reduced by 6% during the same period 2005/06 & 2006/07.
(iv) There has been a 1% decrease In the adverse audit opinion during the periods under review.
QUESTION NO. 1276
(Internal Question Paper No 22 – 2008)
Mr M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
With regard to each of the municipal managers suspended from office in each of the past three years up to 1 July 2008, (a) what are their names, (b) in which municipality do/did they serve, (c) why are they suspended, (d) how long have they been suspended and (e) what (i) is their salary and (ii) remuneration have they received during their suspension?
ANSWER
The Department of Provincial and Local Government, in collaboration with the provinces, is gathering the required information. The detailed answer to this question will be provided to the Honourable Member as soon as the required information has been collated.
QUESTION NO. 1277
(Internal Question Paper No 22 - 2008)
Mr M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial, Local Government:
What are the (a) educational qualifications. (b) number of years spent in local government. (c) number of months spent in the current position, by each (i) municipal manager, (ii) chief financial officer currently employed in each municipality?
ANSWER
The Honourable Member will note that information has been obtained from Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Limpopo and Western Cape provinces. The outstanding Information from Kwa Zulu Natal and North West province will be made available to the Honourable Member as soon as it has been received.
See the tables here:
http://www.pmg.org.za/docs/2008/questions/Q1277tables.pdf
http://www.pmg.org.za/docs/2008/questions/Q1277tables2.pdf
QUESTION NO. 907
(Internal Question Paper No 16 – 2008)
Mr I E Jenner (ID) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
(1) Whether his department is taking any steps to increase the delivering capacity of local authorities in respect of services and the provision of housing; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps;
(2) (a) which local authorities are receiving assistance to increase its delivering capacity and (b) with what result?
ANSWER
(1) Yes, the dplg has taken steps to increase the delivery capacity of municipalities in respect of infrastructure and service provisioning. Since the inception of the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) Programme, municipalities have been allowed to top-slice their MIG allocation (0,5% - 5%, but not exceeding R3,5 million), so that they may be able to establish Project Management Units (PMUs). As at the end of the previous national financial year (2007/08), 190 PMUs had been established.
In addition, in 2006 Government commenced with the deployment of technical, project management, financial and planning experts within municipalities through the Project Consolidate initiative. As at the end of the March 2008, support had been provided to 110 municipalities.
(2) (a) The municipalities receiving assistance to increase their delivery capacity are:
Province |
Municipality |
Expertise |
Eastern Cape |
Nelson Mandela Metro |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
Eastern Cape |
King Sabata Dalindyebo LM |
Project Manager (2)/ Technical Expert |
Eastern Cape |
King Sabata Dalindyebo LM |
Financial Expert |
Eastern Cape |
OR Tambo DM |
Project Manager (3) /Technical Expert (3) |
Eastern Cape |
OR Tambo DM |
Financial Expert |
Eastern Cape |
Koukamma LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Eastern Cape |
Blue Crane & Ndlambe LMs |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
Province |
Municipality |
Expertise |
Eastern Cape |
Cacadu DM |
Project Manager (2) /Technical Expert (2) |
Eastern Cape |
Sakhisizwe LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Eastern Cape |
Mamusa & Naledi LMs |
Financial Expert |
Eastern Cape |
Great Kei LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Eastern Cape |
Great Kei LM |
Financial Expert |
Eastern Cape |
Mbashe LM |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
Eastern Cape |
Mnquma LM |
Project Manager |
Eastern Cape |
Mbashe LM |
Financial Expert |
Eastern Cape |
Matatiele LM |
Planner |
Eastern Cape |
Matatiele LM |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
Eastern Cape |
Sakhisizwe LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Eastern Cape |
Sakhisizwe LM |
Financial Expert |
Free State |
Tokologo LM |
Financial Expert |
Free State |
Mathjabeng LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Free State |
Masilonyana LM |
Project Manager (2)/ Technical Expert (2) |
Free State |
Ngwathe LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Free State |
Xhariep DM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Free State |
Mohokare LM |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
Free State |
Kopanong LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Free State |
Kopanong LM |
Planner |
Free State |
Phumelela LM |
Project Manager (2) / Technical Expert (2) |
Free State |
Setsoto LM |
Project Manager (2) /Technical Expert (2) |
Free State |
Phumelela LM |
Financial Expert |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Umgungudlovu LM |
Project Manager (2) / Technical Expert (2) |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Sisonke DM |
Project Manager (2) / Technical Expert (2) |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Hlabisa, Indaka & Jozini LMs |
Financial Expert (2 per municipality) |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Hlabisa, Jozini & Umhlabuyalingana LMs |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
Province |
Municipality |
Expertise |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Ilembe LMs |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Nqutu & Umsinga LMs |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Indaka & Okhahlamba LMs |
Project Manager / Technical Expert |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Ugu DM |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Ingwe, Kwasani, Ntabanana & Emadlangeni LMs |
Planner |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Emadlangeni LM |
Financial Expert |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Uphongolo LM |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Uphongolo LM |
Planner |
Limpopo |
Lephalale LM |
Project Manager / Technical Expert |
Limpopo |
Greater Marble Hall & Lepelle- Nkumpi LMs |
Financial Expert |
Limpopo |
Mopane DM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Limpopo |
Maruleng LMs |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Limpopo |
Greater Tubatse LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Limpopo |
Lepelle Nkumpi LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Limpopo |
Mutale LM |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
Limpopo |
Sekhukhune DM |
Project Manager (2) / Technical Expert (2) |
Limpopo |
Sekhukhune DM |
Financial Expert |
Limpopo |
Aganang |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Limpopo |
Fetakgomo & Blouberg LMs |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
Limpopo |
Greater Giyani |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
Limpopo |
Ba-Phalaborwa LM |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
Limpopo |
Greater Marble Hall |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
Limpopo |
Lephalale & Thabazimbi LMs |
Financial Expert |
Limpopo |
Mopane DM |
Financial Expert |
Mpumalanga |
Bushbuckridge LM |
Project Manager |
Mpumalanga |
Bushbuckridge LM |
Planner |
Mpumalanga |
Bushbuckridge LM |
Project Manage (2) /Technical Expert (2) |
Mpumalanga |
Nkomazi LM |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
Mpumalanga |
Mkhondo LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Mpumalanga |
Mkhondo LM |
Financial Expert |
Mpumalanga |
Albert Luthuli LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Province |
Municipality |
Expertise |
Mpumalanga |
Albert Luthuli & Govan Mbeki LMs |
Financial Expert |
Mpumalanga |
Lekwa LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Mpumalanga |
Lekwa LM |
Planner |
Northern Cape |
Moshaweng LM |
Financial Expert |
Northern Cape |
Pokwane LM |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
Northern Cape |
Dikgatlong LM |
Project Manager (2) / Technical Expert (2) |
Northern Cape |
Siyancuma LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Northern Cape |
Siyanda DM |
Financial Expert (2) |
Northern Cape |
Siyanda DM |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
Northern Cape |
Karoo Hoogland |
Financial Expert |
North West |
Kgetleng Rivier LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
North West |
Moretele LM |
Financial Expert |
North West |
Moses Kotane LM |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
North West |
Merafong LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
North West |
Tswaing LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
North West |
Ventersdorp LM |
Financial Expert |
North West |
Naledi LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
North West |
Naledi & Mamusa LM |
Financial Expert |
North West |
Taung LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Western Cape |
Cederberg LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Western Cape |
Cederberg LM |
Financial Expert |
Western Cape |
Kannaland LM |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
Western Cape |
Hessequa LM |
Project Manager/Technical Expert |
Western Cape |
Oudtshoorn LM |
Financial Expert |
Western Cape |
Eden DM |
Financial Expert |
Western Cape |
Eden DM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Western Cape |
Oudtshoorn LM |
Financial Expert |
Western Cape |
Kannaland LM |
Financial Expert |
Province |
Municipality |
Expertise |
Western Cape |
Hessequa LM |
Financial Expert |
Western Cape |
Breedevalley & Witzenberg LMs |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Western Cape |
Theewaterskloof LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Western Cape |
Grabouw LM |
Project Manager/ Technical Expert |
Western Cape |
Overberg DM |
Project Manager / Technical Expert |
(b) Since the 2006/07 financial year, municipalities have demonstrated improved capacity to spend MIG funds due to the increased interventions such as the establishment of PMUs and their deployment in municipalities.
The Eastern Cape Province managed to increase its spending from R954 million in the 2006/07 financial year to R1,371 billion in the 2007/08 financial year. In the Free State expenditure improved by R467 million in the 2007/08 financial year. In the Gauteng Province expenditure improved from R782 million in the 2006/07 to R863 million in the 2007/08 financial year. Expenditure in KwaZulu-Natal improved from R1, 153 billion to R1, 358 billion. In Limpopo the expenditure increased from R699 million in the 2006/07 financial year to R901 million in the 2007/08 financial year. The Mpumalanga Province improved its expenditure by R176 million in the 2007/08 financial year. The Northern Cape managed to increase its expenditure from R98 million in the 2006/07 financial year to R138 million in the 2007/08 financial year. The expenditure in North West improved from R440 million to R596 million. However the expenditure in the Western Cape Province decreased by R9 million in the 2007/08 financial year.
QUESTION NO. 356
(Internal Question Paper No 8 – 2008)
Mr L Zita (ANC) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
(a) What is the total monetary value of procurements secured by all municipalities in each of the past five financial years and (b) who are the beneficiaries of government procurement of goods and services in terms of (i) racial groups, (ii) income categories and (iii) (aa) large and (bb) small business enterprises?
ANSWER
(a) The Department of Provincial and Local Government does not monitor municipal procurement as this is the responsibility of the National Treasury.
(b) Falls away.
QUESTION NO. 366
(Internal Question Paper No 8 – 2008)
Mr E W Trent (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
(1) Whether it is policy, in the interest of sound financial management, that all spheres of government must settle their debts within a specified time, e.g. 30 days, 60 days or 90 days; if not, why not; if so, what is time period for (a) national and (b) provincial government departments;
(2) whether any (a) national and (b) provincial government departments are in arrears of the specified time in respect of amounts owed to municipalities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what amounts are overdue for the specified period for (i) national and (ii) provincial government department;
(3) whether government departments are required to pay interest on overdue accounts; if so, what steps should be taken to ensure that they do so;
(4) whether the failure of national and provincial government departments to settle the amounts due to municipalities timeously have a negative effect on their ability to manage their financial affairs effectively; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what action (a) has he taken or (b) will he take to correct this unacceptable state of affairs;
(5) whether the failure of the national and provincial government departments to settle their debts to municipalities timeously could lead to unnecessary increases in rates and other service charges; if not, why not; if so, what action (a) will he take or (b) has he taken to prevent such increases?
ANSWER
(1) Yes.
(a) and (b): Section 38(1)(f) of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999), provides that the accounting officer of a national or provincial government department must settle all contractual obligations and pay all money owing, including intergovernmental claims, within the prescribed or agreed period.
Further, item 8.2.3 of National Treasury Regulations that were issued in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999), provides that all payments due to creditors must be settled within 30 days from the receipt of an invoice.
(2) Yes.
(i) and (ii): The National Treasury has been requested to provide the Department of Provincial and Local Government with this information, and it will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is received.
(3) In terms of section 64(2)(g) of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No. 56 of 2003), the accounting officer of a municipality is responsible for the management of the revenue of the municipality, and must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the municipality charges interest on arrears, except where the council has granted exemptions in accordance with its budget-related policies, and within a prescribed framework.
In terms of these provisions, government departments are required to pay interest on overdue accounts, unless otherwise exempted in terms of the provisions quoted above.
(4) Yes.
(a) and (b): As indicated above, the payment of debt owed to municipalities by national and provincial government departments is provided for in the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999). Also, section 64(3) of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No. 56 of 2003), requires the accounting officer of a municipality to immediately inform the National Treasury of any payments for municipal tax or municipal services by government departments that are regularly in arrears for periods of more than 30 days.
As the National Treasury is the custodian of the above pieces of legislation, the Department of Provincial and Local Government is in the process of ascertaining the following from the National Treasury:
§ compliance regarding the reporting of debt that is owed to municipalities by government departments, trading entities and constitutional institutions, in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999); and
§ compliance by the accounting officer of a municipality regarding the reporting to the National Treasury of any outstanding payments by any organ of state that is regularly in arrears for periods of more than 30 days, in terms of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No. 56 of 2003).
The Department of Provincial and Local Government intends making use of the responses from the National Treasury to develop a targeted approach to assist municipalities in recovering such outstanding debt.
(5) A general response in this regard cannot be provided as this will be informed by the magnitude of the debt that each municipality is owed by national and provincial government departments.
QUESTION NO. 1638
(Internal Question Paper No 29 - 2008)
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government
(a) What amounts were made available to the Bushbuckridge Local Government municipality under the Municipal Infrastructure Grant programme In the (I) 2006-07, (ii) 2007-08 financial years and (Hi) during the period 1 April 2008 up to the latest specified date for which information is available. (b) what amounts were actually spent and (c) which projects was the grant spent in respect of each of these financial years?
ANSWER
a) The amounts made available to the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality under Municipal Infrastructure Grant in 2006/07, 2007/08 and 2008/09 (up to end of June 2008) are R91, 212 000, R98, 167 000 and R152, 700 000 respectively.
b) The amounts actually spent are R 91,212 000, R98. 167 000 and R16. 751 000 respectively.
c) The grant was spent on the following projects as shown In table 1, 2 and 3 below:
See the table here: http://www.pmg.org.za/docs/2008/questions/Q1638tables.pdf
QUESTION NO. 1641
(Internal Question Paper No 29 - 2008)
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
Whether the current service delivery backlogs is the planning base for delivery of basic services; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how many people have (i) a flush toilet, (ii) non-ventilated pit toilets, (iii) ventilated pit toilets, (iv) a bucket latrine, (v) chemical toilets, (vi) no sanitation, (vii) piped water, (aa) in their dwelling, (bb) in their yard, (cc) more than 200m away and (dd) less than 200m away, (viii) a borehole, (ix) no water, (x) prepaid electricity meters and (xi) metered electricity and (b) what percentage of the population is constituted by these figures in each case?
ANSWER:
Yes. The backlog as published by Statistics South Africa is used to inform resource allocation at a macro-scale. Further to this, each individual municipality defines its backlogs more specifically through the Integrated Development Planning (lOP) and infrastructure planning process. This is conducted in alignment with the relevant line department information and plans.
(a)
Category |
Households |
|
Number |
% |
|
(i) ) a flush toilet |
7,221,325 |
57.2% |
(ii) non-ventilated pit toilets |
2,587,202 |
20.5% |
(iii) ventilated pit toilets |
823,633 |
6.5% |
(iv) a bucket latrine |
244,282 |
1.9% |
(v) chemical toilets |
43,883 |
0.3% |
(vi) no sanitation |
3,360,108 |
26.6% |
(vii) piped water |
8,679,800 |
68.8% |
(viii) less than 200m from |
||
dwelling |
954,877 |
7.6% |
(ix)more than 200m from |
||
dwelling |
467,451 |
3.7% |
(x) a borehole |
335,984 |
2.7% |
(xi) no water |
1,621,620 |
12.9% |
(xii) prepaid electricity meters |
1,343,085 |
10.6% |
(xiii) metered electricity |
N/A |
N/A |
Source: STATSSA (Census 2001 & CS 2007) and DWAF
(b) According to the table above, about 57.2% households nationally have access to flush toilets. About 20.5% of the households nationally have access to non-ventilated pit toilets, 6.5% have access to ventilated pit toilets, 0.3% have access to chemical toilets and 1.9% have access to the bucket sanitation system. Nationally, a total number of 3,311,952 (26%) households are still without sanitation.
About 68.8% of the households nationally have access to piped water. A total number of 1,337,069 (11%) households are still without water. About 7.6% households travel less than 200 meters and 3.7% travel more than 200 meters from their dwelling to access water. A total number of 1,343,085 (10.6%) households have access to prepaid electricity meters.
QUESTION NO. 1642
(Internal Question Paper No 29 - 2008)
Mr. M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
What was the staff shortage in the fire brigade services in the dplg province in the past three years up to the latest specified date for which information is available?
ANSWER
The Information requested is not readily available within: the dplg. Provinces and municipalities have been asked to provide Information related to them. As soon as the required Information has been received, the Honourable Member will be provided with a response.
QUESTION NO. 989
(Internal Question Paper No 18 – 2008)
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
(1) (a) Which municipalities currently have financial managers' positions vacant, (b) how long has the posts been vacant in each municipality and (c) how many of these positions have (i) existed and (ii) been vacant in each of the past three years for which information is available;
(2) whether these vacancies have been budgeted for; if not, why not; if so, when will they be filled;
(3) whether there has been any increase in the number of these positions in the past three years; if so, (a) what are the reasons for this increase and (b) what are the further relevant details?
ANSWER
(1) (a) According to information collected by the dplg through the Provincial Departments of Local Government, thirty-four (34) municipalities are currently without CFOs. Some of the vacancies could not be filled due to ongoing legal processes, such as misconduct hearings and investigations. The information relating to each of the affected municipalities appears below:
Province |
Municipality |
Period of Vacancy |
Eastern Cape |
O.R. Tambo District Municipality |
16 months |
Gariep Local Municipality |
2 years |
|
Mhlontlo Local Municipality |
5 months |
|
Sakhisizwe Local Municipality |
2 months |
|
Camdeboo Local Municipality |
2 years |
|
Mbizana Local Municipality |
8 months |
|
Free State |
Naledi Local Municipality |
2 years |
Mohokare Local Municipality |
7 months |
|
Motheo District Municipality |
3 months |
|
Setsoto Local Municipality |
1 month |
|
KwaZulu-Natal |
Ulundi Local Municipality |
10 months |
Umuziwabantu Local Municipality |
8 months |
|
Nquthu Local Municipality |
4 months |
|
Umtshezi Local Municipality |
12 Months |
|
Maphumulo Local Municipality |
2 years |
|
Limpopo |
Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality |
2 months |
Polokwane Local Municipality |
2 years |
|
Mutale Local Municipality |
3 months |
|
Molemole Local Municipality |
7 months |
|
North West |
Maquassi Hills Local Municipality |
5 months |
Mamusa Local Municipality |
2 years, 6 months |
|
Ditsobotla Local Municipality |
2 months |
|
Lekwa Teemane Local Municipality |
4 years |
|
Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality |
5 months |
|
Northern Cape |
Siyanda Local Municipality |
1 month |
Siyancuma Local Municipality |
9 months |
|
Tsantsabane Local Municipality |
16 months |
|
Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality |
5 months |
|
Ubuntu Local Municipality |
11 months |
|
Nama-Koi Local Municipality |
4 years |
|
Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality |
5 months |
|
Western Cape |
Cape Agulhas Local Municipality |
7 months |
Eden District Municipality |
3 months |
|
Breede Valley Local Municipality |
12 months |
|
Oudtshoorn Local Municipality |
16 months |
(b) In some municipalities the positions have been vacant for more than two years, while in other municipalities the positions have been vacant for a period which is between 1 and 16 months.
(c) (i) & (ii) The department has requested the Provincial Departments of Local Government to provide the required information.
(2) The analysis of the 2007/08 budgets indicates that CFO positions existed and have been budgeted for. The engagement process with the provinces will result in the production of the CFOs vacancy report for the quarter ending September 2008, which will include target dates for the filling of the vacancies per municipality.
(3) (a) & (b) The dplg has requested the provinces to provide information in this regard. The information available in the dplg relates to the latest four quarters of the municipal financial year and reflects that the vacancy rate is as follows:
During July-Sept 2007, the vacancy rate was 17%, Oct-Dec 2007, was 19%, Jan-March 2008, was 18%, and April-June 2008, was 12%. On average there has been a 6% decrease in the vacancy rate in CFO positions in municipalities.
QUESTION NO. 1659
(Internal Question Paper No 29 - 2008)
Mr. M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
Whether any of the municipal authorities in each province spent its full budget in the (a) 2005-06; (b) 2006-07 and (c) 2007-08 financial years, if not (i) which municipal did no spent its full budget (ii) what amount was not spent in each case and (iii) what were the reasons for failing to spend the full budget in each case; if so, what are therelevant details?
ANSWER
(a) (b) (c)
o ~ x ... z ~ |
'1J ~ |
BUDGET SUMMARY FOR PROVINCES 2005106 - 2007/08 FINANCIAL YEARS |
- |
|||||||||
2005 - 06 |
2006 - 07 |
|||||||||
Province |
Spent Amount |
%of Spent Amt |
Unspent Amount |
%of unspent Amt |
Spent Amount |
%of Spent Amt |
Unspent Amount |
%of unspent Amt |
||
Eastern Cape |
9 605 821 |
96.3% |
387619 |
3.7% |
13084602 |
104.7% |
-589,746 |
-4.7% |
||
Free State |
4 91 878 |
95.7% |
221862 |
4.7% |
5 391 345 |
86.5% |
844,601 |
13.5% |
||
Gauteng |
3 7 527 959 |
97.7% |
892265 |
2.3% |
43091 570 |
99.6% |
173,687 |
0.4% |
||
KwaZuIu -Natal |
1 9 905 237 |
98.7% |
264,964 |
1.3% |
2 1 722 379 |
96.3% |
825,709 |
3.7% |
||
Limpopo |
4 238 002 |
93.6% |
287 388 |
6.4% |
3831711 |
73.1% |
1,407,378 |
26.9% |
||
Mpumalanga |
4 699 626 |
103.1% |
-143,425 |
-3.1% |
5215329 |
89.7% |
598,133 |
10.3% |
||
Northern Cape |
1 996 826 |
92.1% |
170,569 |
7.9% |
2 205 782 |
92.5% |
178,604 |
7.5% |
||
North West |
5 446 098 |
92.7% |
431,903 |
7.3% |
4 300 843 |
61.3% |
2,716,151 |
38.7% |
||
Western Cape |
1 6 695 272 |
92.6% |
1,342,879 |
7.4% |
1 8 148 002 |
88.5% |
2,357,450 |
11.5% |
||
Grand Total |
R 105,046,719 |
96.5% |
R 3.836,024 |
3.5% |
R116,991.563 |
93.2% |
R8,511,967 |
6.8% |
||
(a)(b)(c)......... continued
BUDGET SUMMARY FOR PROVINCES 2005/06 – 2007/08 FINACIAL YEARS |
||||
2007-08 |
||||
Province |
Spent Amount |
%of Spent Amt |
Unspent Amount |
%of unspent Amt |
Eastern Cape |
12 584 648 |
75.8% |
4,011,554 |
24.2% |
Free State |
6 371 755 |
84.8% |
1,139,523 |
15.2% |
Gauteng |
47 901 775 |
92.4% |
3,942,732 |
7.6% |
KwaZuIu -Natal |
24 182 478 |
96.4% |
915,450 |
3.6% |
Limpopo |
6 230 966 |
79.3% |
1,622,444 |
20.7% |
Mpumalanga |
5 525 860 |
68.3% |
2,566,653 |
31.7% |
Northern Cape |
2 419 884 |
91.3% |
231,824 |
8.7% |
North West |
5 202 659 |
79.3% |
1,359,733 |
20.7% |
Western Cape |
20 418 844 |
86.5% |
3,174,727 |
13.5% |
Grand Total |
R130,838,869 |
87.3% |
R3,174,727 |
12.7% |
(i) & (ii) All municipalities that have not spent their full budget and those that spent fully are reflected in the Annexure labelled Operating Expenditure and Capital Expenditure.
(iii) In the case where full budget was not spent, common reasons applicable to all municipalities relates to:
- Lack of capacity and skills to implement and manage capital projects
- Delays due to Technical reports and Environmental Impact Assessment affecting capital expenditure
- Fluctuating levels of vacancies impacting on the salaries and wages expenditure budget
QUESTION NO. 1323
(Internal Question Paper No 22 – 2008)
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
(1) Whether his department received the list of 21 recommendations made by the Harvard panel of international and local economists in its research papers on economic growth in South Africa, released in May 2008; if not, (a) why not and (b) when is it expected that the department will receive these recommendations; if so,
(2) whether his department has implemented or will implement any of these recommendations; if not, why not; if so, (a) which recommendations and (b) what are the timeframe for each recommendation to be implemented?
ANSWER
(1) Yes.
(a) and (b) Fall away.
(2) Yes.
(a) Recommendation 18, relating to the use of central bodies for the provision of services in municipalities with a low capacity.
(b) The timeframe extends over the period 2006 to 2011, in line with the 5 Year Local Government Strategic Agenda.
QUESTION NO. 213
(Internal Question Paper No 4 – 2008)
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
Whether any municipalities are currently under investigation by his department or the provincial governments; if so, (a) how many, (b) which municipalities, (c) why are they being investigated in each case and (d) how many of these municipalities have had forensic audits conducted?
ANSWER
According to the information provided by the following three provinces the situation regarding investigations which have been conducted, is as follows:
(a) (b) (c)
Province |
Number of Municipalities |
Names of Municipalities |
Reasons for Investigations |
Eastern Cape |
7 |
Kouga |
Land Sales and procedures applied |
Nkonkobe |
Procurement, asset management and MIG Projects |
||
Ukhahlamba |
Causes of the bankrupt state of the municipality |
||
Camdeboo |
Councillor remuneration |
||
Sundays River Valley |
Councillor remuneration |
||
Ingquza Hill |
Nepotism in the appointment of staff and procurement |
||
Alfred Nzo |
Irregular tender procedures |
||
Western Cape |
1 |
George Municipality |
Over a period of time complaints have been received from various sources regarding the conduct and the decisions of the George Municipality. The Provincial Minister of Local Government and Housing requested information on all issues from the municipal manager in terms of section 106 (1) (a) of the Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000). These issues have since been responded to by the municipality and some of them are currently being dealt with. |
Kwazulu- Natal |
35 |
Matatiele |
Matter finalised. The former Mayor repaid monies owing and the criminal/civil claim matters have been resolved out of court. |
Uthukela |
Department received an inadequate response and verification of implementation of recommendations in the forensic report indicated that no action had been taken by the Municipality. |
||
Imbabazane |
Council has partially implemented recommendations in forensic report. |
||
Nongoma |
Council has partially implemented recommendations in forensic report. |
||
Ubuhlebezwe |
Council has partially implemented recommendations in forensic report. |
||
Hibiscus Coast |
Matter finalised. All issues to be addressed through the internal audit function of the municipality. |
||
uMvoti |
Matter finalised. Disciplinary action instituted by council but official resigned prior to disciplinary hearing. Criminal case lodged. Civil recovery matter being pursued by individual whose house was sold. |
||
Impendle |
Council has partially implemented recommendations in the forensic report. Outstanding matters to be addressed through the intervention in terms of Section 139 of the Constitution already instituted by Cabinet as a result of non-performance by the municipality. |
||
Ulundi 1 |
Council has not addressed recommendations arising from the investigation report and matters remain outstanding. |
||
Ezinqoleni 1 |
Council has partially addressed recommendations arising from the investigation report and certain matters remain outstanding. |
||
Mtubatuba |
Matter finalised. Council has implemented recommendations in the forensic report. |
||
Umzinyathi |
The municipality has partially addressed recommendations arising from the investigation report and certain matters remain outstanding. |
||
Newcastle 1 |
Matter finalised. Specific disciplinary action taken against officials and councillors. |
||
Umgungundlovu 1 |
The municipality has not addressed recommendations arising from the investigation report and certain matters remain outstanding. |
||
Uthungulu (Ntambanana) |
Matter finalised. The Councillor was removed from office and a criminal case lodged. |
||
Umtshezi |
Matter finalised. Council has implemented recommendations in forensic report. |
||
Richmond |
Matter finalised. The Municipality has implemented recommendations in forensic report. |
||
Ilembe 1 |
Submission of the report was pending as a result of a court case and the report required amendment. Report is to be referred to council. |
||
Umuziwabantu |
The municipality has partially addressed recommendations arising from the investigation report and certain matters remain outstanding. |
||
Newcastle 2 |
The municipality has not addressed recommendations arising from the investigation report and certain matters remain outstanding. |
||
Ezinqoleni 2 |
Investigation underway. |
||
Ulundi 2 |
Investigation underway. |
||
Ilembe 2 |
No formal response has been received from the municipality. |
||
Umkhanyakude |
The municipality has partially addressed recommendations arising from the investigation report. |
||
Mkhambathini |
Investigation report referred to the Municipality. |
||
Msunduzi |
The municipality has not addressed recommendations arising from the investigation report and certain matters remain outstanding. |
||
Dannhauser |
Final investigation report to be forwarded to municipality within the next two weeks. |
||
Utrecht |
Section 139 intervention instituted and administrator and special panel appointed by MEC have assumed responsibility to implement the recommendations contained in report. Final reports from intervention teams expected within two weeks. |
||
Umlalazi |
Field work finalised. Final investigation report expected in two weeks. |
||
Umgungundlovu Review of PWC Report |
The municipality has not addressed recommendations arising from the investigation report and certain matters remain outstanding. |
||
Umgeni |
Field work finalised. Final investigation report expected in two weeks. |
||
Amajuba & Umzinyathi District and Newcastle Municipalities (Uthukela Water) |
Matters being addressed through a Section 139 intervention already initiated at the parent municipalities of Amajuba, Umzinyathi and Newcastle Municipalities. There was also a report to the Portfolio Committee. |
||
Edumbe |
Field work finalised. Final investigation report expected in two weeks. |
||
Zululand District |
New investigation. Field work commenced and investigation underway. |
||
Various Municipalities: Free Basic Electricity |
Field work finalised. Final investigation report expected in two weeks. |
(d) The Province of the Eastern Cape has indicated that there are 3 municipalities that in which forensic audits were conducted, and the Province of KwaZulu-Natal has indicated that all the investigations which had been conducted were forensic in nature. No forensic audits were conducted in the Western Cape.
The member will be provided with the outstanding information once it is received from the other six provinces.
25 December 2008 - Question:Minister of Home Affairs
MPs to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Reply:
QUESTION 1817
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 17 October 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 31 of 2008
Mr C M Lowe (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
Whether any disciplinary action was taken against officials in her department (a) in
(i) 2005, (ii) 2006 and (iii) 2007 and (b) during the period 1 January 2008 up to
30 September 2008; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) how many instances of disciplinary action occurred, (ii) what was the rank/position of each official against whom disciplinary action was taken, (iii) what was the transgression and (iv) what disciplinary action was taken?
NW2612E
REPLY
(a)(i) Yes.
(a)(ii) Yes.
(a)(iii) Yes
(b)(i) A total of 594 instances of disciplinary action occurred in the period
01 January 2008 to 30 September 2008.
(b)(ii) Rank / position of each official – please note that the ranks / positions are stated together with the number of officials in that specific rank against which disciplinary action was taken. As per the table below:
Rank / position |
Number of officials |
Senior Administrative Officers |
42 |
Vetting Officer |
1 |
Senior Administration Clerks |
113 |
Senior Immigration Officers |
10 |
Senior Provisioning Administrative Officer |
1 |
Administration Clerks |
125 |
Senior Legal Administrative Officer |
1 |
Security Officers |
13 |
Refugee Reception Officers |
8 |
Quality Assuror |
1 |
Provisioning Administrative Officers |
8 |
Legal Administrative Officers |
2 |
Information Technology Specialists |
2 |
Immigration Officers |
149 |
Interns |
3 |
Grounds man |
1 |
Foreign Mission Co-ordinator |
1 |
Fingerprint Comparers |
35 |
Drivers |
4 |
Deputy Directors |
6 |
Control Security Officers |
2 |
Client Service Consultant |
1 |
Cleaners |
11 |
Chief Immigration Officers |
18 |
Casual Workers |
4 |
Assistant Directors |
12 |
Administrative Officers |
7 |
Senior Personnel Officer |
1 |
Chief Administration Clerks |
4 |
Chief Training Officer |
1 |
Control Immigration Officers |
3 |
Data Typist |
1 |
National Youth Service Participant |
1 |
Principle Communications Officer |
1 |
Secretary |
1 |
Total |
594* |
(b)(iii) The transgressions – as per the table below. Please note that the number of a specific instance/s is only stated:
Transgression |
Number of officials |
Assault |
15 |
Disrespect and abusive behaviour |
33 |
Aiding and abetting and corruption |
209 |
Theft |
10 |
Fraud / false statements |
67 |
Unauthorised absence / abscondment |
98 |
Discrimination against fellow employees |
0 |
Damage to / loss of State property |
8 |
Unauthorised use of Government vehicles |
56 |
Dereliction of duty |
94 |
Absenteeism / abscondment |
45 |
Total |
635* |
* More than one transgression by official in some cases, hence the difference in totals.
(b)(iv) The disciplinary action taken. Please note that only the number of actions taken is stated:
· Dismissals: 196
· Suspension without salary: 44
· Demotions: 3
· Written Warnings: 196
· Cases withdrawn /
found not guilty / not finalised: 196
QUESTION 843
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 30 May 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 15 of 2008
Mr M H Hoosen (ID) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(1) What (a) is the total number of refugee applications pending and (b) steps are being taken to address the backlog;
(2) how many applications have been (a) approved and (b) rejected in the past financial year;
(3) whether her department receives any revenue to support refugees; if so, (a) from whom and (b) what amounts have been received?
NW1531E
REPLY
(1)(a) A total number of 89 584 refugee applications were pending as on 31 March 2008.
However, not all of these constitute a backlog, but are pending applications which are being dealt with, at our permanent office.
(1)(b) The Department of Home Affairs implemented the Refugee Backlog Project to address the pending asylum applications and refugee applications which were submitted before 1 July 2005. This project ended in February 2008, and all applications for political asylum, which were lodged before 1 July 2005, have successfully been dealt with by the Backlog Project. Cases which were not finalised are cases where the applicants appealed against the decisions of the Refugee Status Determination Officers. The backlog project was successful, and it has, now, been closed.
Applications are, currently, being dealt with by the five permanent Refugee Reception Offices, following the appointment of 190 additional staff members (between the five centres), in addition to the existing staff members. The newly appointed Centre Managers, Operations Managers, Refugee Status Determination Managers, and Refugee Reception Managers will ensure that applications for asylum and refugee status are being dealt with swiftly and responsibly.
To improve efficiency, the Department has identified the status determination process of asylum seekers and refugees, as one of the Department's priorities, within the Turnaround Project. The Department is currently piloting the "Refugee and Deportation (RaD) Integrated System in this regard.
(2)(a) A total of 1617 applications were approved during the past financial year (2007/08) – i.e refugee status was granted in terms of section 24 of the Refugees Act, 1998 (Act No 130 of 1998).
(b) A total number of 5661 applications were rejected during the 2007/08 financial year.
(3) (a) & (b) No.
QUESTION 595
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 28 March 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 11 of 2008
Mr C M Lowe (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(a) What are the key criteria identified by her departmental turnaround team necessary to be met in order to meet the objectives of the turnaround strategy, (b) on what basis was each of these key criteria identified, (c) on what date was the turnaround strategy first implemented, (d) what is the progress to date in respect of each key criterion and (e) by what date will all the objectives have been met so that her department will begin to function efficiently and effectively in all key service delivery and operational areas?
NW1280E
REPLY
The following key criteria were identified:
Improved service delivery which will be customer focused.
The reduction of fraud and corruption.
A much improved and more effective management of risks.
Improved turnaround times for key enabling documents.
Effective operations encompassing people, processes, infrastructure and technology.
Improved organisational alignment.
The selection of the turnaround criteria factored in the key findings of the Ministerial Support and Intervention Task team which was appointed in June 2006 to analyse the root causes of the problems in Home Affairs, and subsequently, made recommendations. In addition, a diagnostic exercise was undertaken in the Department and extensive interviews were conducted to identify key issues and success criteria for the Turnaround.
Phase 1 (one) of the Turnaround was initiated on the 01 June 2007, and encapsulated the design of a new Vision, and defining an Operational Model for the Department, as well as, the Roadmap for the Turnaround. Phase 1 (one) was completed in December 2007, and Phase 2 (two) began in January 2008.
At this stage, it is not possible to assess the progress to date with regards to each set criteria, as the Department has, only, now, embarked on the Piloting and Implementation Phase of the Turnaround Project (Phase 2). This process follows the initial defining of the new Vision and Operating Model of the Department, as well as, the Roadmap for the Turnaround Project.
However, a number of Phase 1 Quick Win initiatives had a significant impact on
the key criteria. These included:
A Track and Trace system for Identity Documents (ID) was implemented, enabling the Department to identify key bottleneck areas in the process, and giving citizens access to the status of their ID applications.
A first line Contact Centre was established to support the existing second line service centre to improve service delivery.
Critical path backlogs were eliminated in fingerprint verification, and turnaround times improved from an average of 27 days to 4 days.
More than 400 front office officials working with Identity Document (ID) applications have been trained on quality assurance. A single courier service has been put in place for the pick up, and delivery of IDs, and applications between front offices, and the head office. This resulted in an improvement in the time it takes to dispatch an application from an average 20 days to 10 days. This figure is set to decline further as implementation progresses in Phase Two.
A new Late Registration of Birth process was developed to minimise fraud in the late registration process. More than 300 front office officials were trained in the new process.
A large account unit was set up to expedite issuing of permits focusing on scarce skills.
(e) The Turnaround Project, a complex task, which typically takes three to five years in many big organisations, is expected to be completed by 2011. It is anticipated that 55% to 65% of the Turnaround effort will be implemented by the end of 2009.
QUESTION 596
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 28 March 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 11 of 2008
Mr C M Lowe (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
Whether her department has made any special budget allocation for the implementation of the turnaround strategy; if not, (a) why not and (b) how will the funds required be sourced; if so, (i) what is the total amount budgeted for the turnaround strategy in each province or region, (ii) how many (aa) individual and (bb) company consultants and/or agencies have been appointed to carry out the (aaa) research on and (bbb) implementation of the turnaround strategy, (iii) what is the total cost of the turnaround strategy to date and
(iv) how much has been expended on outside agents and consultants?
NW1281E
REPLY
(a) No specific budget is allocated to the Turnaround Project, as its work is integrated in the Strategic Plan of the Department. All amounts for the work done in the Turnaround Project are covered in the baseline of the Department's Budget.
The National Treasury has also made a special allocation of R 300 000 000 per annum for specific Turnaround Projects. This is held on commission by the Treasury, and was made available to the Department of Home Affairs on motivation.
(b)(i)The Department has now budgeted a total amount of R1,126,621,000 for the Turnaround Project – please see the tables given at (b)(iv) for a comprehensive breakdown of this amount, which indicates that the amount will be utilised during the 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11 financial years. The amount budgeted for, includes the total cost of the Turnaround Project for the Department's Head Office, as well as, all its Provinces.
(b)(ii)(aa) & (bb). A total number of 107 consultants from the consulting firms Fever Tree Consulting and A.T. Kearney were employed.
(b)(iii) The total expenditure incurred by the Department in respect of the Turnaround Project (as on 31 March 2008) amounts to R148.061 million.
(b)(iv) A breakdown of the expenditure as per the tables below:
Description |
Budget Allocation (million) |
Expenditure as at 31-03-2008 (million) |
Budget Allocation (million) |
Total Budget (million) |
Total Expenditure as at |
||
2007/08 |
2008/09 |
2009/10 |
2010/11 |
||||
Consultants |
R147,310 |
R146,022 |
R255,305 |
R64,104 |
- |
R466,719 |
R146,022 |
DHA |
R34,719 |
R2,039 |
R55,346 |
R246,591 |
R323,246 |
R659,902 |
R2,039 |
Total |
R182,029 |
R148,061 |
R310,651 |
R310,695 |
R323,246 |
R1,126,621 |
R148,061 |
QUESTION 597
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 28 March 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 11 of 2008
Mr C M Lowe (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
Whether her department paid for the travel and car hire and any other related costs for a certain person (name furnished) on or about 30 May 2006, 1 and 2 July 2006; if so, (a) in what capacity was the said person employed by her department, (b) why did this person incur these costs and (c) what was the total cost to her department of the expenditure incurred?
NW1282E
REPLY
Yes. The Department paid for the costs for the 30th May and 1st of July 2006 only. The person was offering voluntary service to the Department.
To cover her travel expenses while assisting the Deputy Minister with communication and speech writing services.
R 7 737.60
QUESTION NO.: 598 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 28 March 2008
Dr J T Delport (DA) to ask the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development:
(1) What is the current staff vacancy rate in the Directorate of Special Operations (DSO) at each (a) salary and (b) occupation level;
(2) whether there has been an increase in the number of staff resigning from the DSO since the announcement that it would be disbanded by June 2008; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether there are any plans in place for the prosecutors and forensic investigators who are currently part of the DSO but who will not be transferred to the SA Police Service after the disbanding of the DSO; if not, why not; if so, what plans?
NW1283E
REPLY
(1) The vacancy ratein the Directorate of Special Operations (DSO as at 30 July 2008 is as follows:
(a) Vacancy rate according to salary bands:
SALARY BAND |
NO OF POSTS |
NO FILLED |
VACANCY RATE % |
Lower Skilled (Levels 1 – 2) |
0 |
0 |
0% |
Skilled (Levels 3 – 5) |
18 |
17 |
6% |
Highly Skilled Production (Levels 6 – 8) |
148 |
108 |
27% |
Highly Skilled Supervision (Levels 9 – 12) |
481 |
346 |
28% |
Senior Management (Levels 13- 16) |
74 |
43 |
42% |
721 |
514 |
29% |
(b) The vacancy rate according to occupational levels:
OCCUPATIONS |
NO OF POSTS |
NO FILLED |
VACANCY RATE % |
Administrative Related |
73 |
64 |
12% |
Advocated |
104 |
57 |
45% |
Client Information Clerks (switchboard) |
1 |
1 |
0% |
Communication and Information Related |
2 |
0 |
100% |
Finance and Economics Related |
1 |
0 |
100% |
General and Special Investigators* |
432 |
319 |
26% |
Head of Department/CEO |
1 |
0 |
100% |
Library mail and related clerks |
3 |
3 |
0 |
Logistic Support Personnel |
8 |
5 |
38% |
Messengers/Porters |
8 |
8 |
0% |
Other Administrative Related Clerks |
1 |
0 |
100% |
Other Information Technology |
1 |
0 |
100% |
Prosecutors |
5 |
1 |
80% |
Protection Services |
9 |
9 |
0% |
Public Relations |
1 |
1 |
0% |
Secretaries |
9 |
4 |
56% |
Senior Managers** |
62 |
43 |
31% |
721 |
514 |
29% |
* Includes Trainee and Assistant Forensic Accountants
** Includes DDPP's and Forensic Accountants
(2) Resignations at the DSO have remained at an average of 3.5 per month for the months before and after the announcement but since April 2005, it has risen to an average of 5 per month.
(3) A plan on these matters is not yet finalised and discussions are ongoing.
QUESTION 882
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 30 May 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 15 of 2008
Ms H Weber (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(1) (a) How many burglaries have occurred in her department's offices throughout the country in each of the past five years up to the latest specified date for which information is available, (b) how many (i) identity documents, (ii) passports,
(iii) computers and (iv) other equipment were stolen during such burglaries, (c) what was the total cost incurred by her department as the result of the burglaries and
(d) what is the total amount spent by her department on office security in each of these years;
(2) whether any of her department's officials were implicated in these burglaries; if so, (a) how many and (b) at which offices were they based;
(3) whether her department has taken any action against the implicated officials; if not, why not; if so, what action?
NW1573E
REPLY
(1)(2(3) The Department has had a series of burglaries in some of its offices, around the country, in the past, which caused so much inconveniences. The information, the Honourable Member is looking for, requires an enduring process of accessing information, spanning so many years that may require the extensive use of resources, so dearly required for the critical advancement of the challenges, and the undertaking of the immediate tasks of the Department.
QUESTION 633
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 9 May 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 12 of 2008
Mr L W Greyling (ID) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
Whether the spouses of foreign persons with critical skills recruited to come to work in the Republic of South Africa are themselves allowed to seek work in South Africa; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, under what conditions?
NW1319E
REPLY
Currently, the spouse of a recruited foreign person with critical skills does not automatically qualify for a work permit, but is allowed to seek work in the Republic of South Africa. However, as is the case with all other foreign nationals, an application for a work permit must be submitted at the nearest Regional office of the Department in the Republic of South africa (RSA) (or South African Embassy, or High Commission in their country of origin).
Having recognised that this has a potential to negatively affect the recruitment of much needed scarce skills, we intend to consider a review of this legal position as part of the immigration policy review process.
QUESTION 1208
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 1 August 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 21 of 2008
Ms H Weber (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(1) Whether her department has taken any steps to establish whether companies, small businesses and other employers employ illegal immigrants; if so, for each of the past five years up to the latest specified date for which information is available, how many (a) employers have been found to be employing illegal immigrants and (b) illegal immigrants were employed in each case; if not,
(2) whether her department intends taking such steps; if not, why not; if so, when;
(3) whether they were fined; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW1949E
REPLY
(1), (2) and (3) Yes. The Chief Directorate: Inspectorate is responsible for immigration law enforcement. This unit continues to conduct inspections of companies and businesses on a regular basis to ensure that employers do not employ illegal foreigners. The table below reflects information on each province for the past five financial years and also the fines imposed:
Province |
Year |
Number of employers |
Amount Fined |
Number of illegal foreigners |
Amount fined |
Kwazulu Natal |
2003/04 |
2 |
R2000 |
1 |
R500 |
2004/05 |
1 |
R1000 |
0 |
0 * |
|
2005/06 |
2 |
R7000 |
0 |
0 * |
|
2006/07 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
2007/08 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
5 |
R10000 |
1 |
R500 |
|
Mpumalanga |
2003/04 |
1 |
R14000 |
1 |
R1500 |
2004/05 |
2 |
R3000 |
1 |
R1500 |
|
2005/06 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
2006/07 |
10 |
R15000 |
2 |
R3000 |
|
2007/08 |
2 |
R6000 |
2 |
R3000 |
|
Total |
15 |
R38000 |
6 |
R9000 |
|
Eastern Cape |
2003/04 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2004/05 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
2005/06 |
2 |
R5000 |
1 |
R2500 |
|
2006/07 |
2 |
R5000 |
1 |
R1000 |
|
2007/08 |
5 |
R17500 |
1 |
R2500 |
|
Total |
9 |
R27500 |
3 |
R6000 |
|
Western Cape |
2003/04 |
4 |
R12000 |
2 |
R2700 |
2004/05 |
4 |
R7500 |
1 |
R1500 |
|
2005/06 |
4 |
R10000 |
1 |
R2000 |
|
2006/07 |
5 |
R30000 |
4 |
R10000 |
|
2007/08 |
15 |
R86800 |
2 |
R5000 |
|
Total |
32 |
R146 300 |
10 |
R21200 |
|
Northern Cape |
2003/04 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2004/05 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
2005/06 |
2 |
R2000 |
0 |
0 * |
|
2006/07 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
2007/08 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
2 |
R2000 |
0 |
R0 |
|
North West |
2003/04 |
8 |
R19200 |
8 |
R4000 |
2004/05 |
10 |
R20000 |
6 |
R5000 |
|
2005/06 |
10 |
R41500 |
9 |
R6300 |
|
2006/07 |
8 |
R24000 |
4 |
R3000 |
|
2007/08 |
9 |
R11000 |
5 |
R3800 |
|
Total |
45 |
R115700 |
32 |
R22100 |
|
Free State |
2003/04 |
1 |
R5000 |
1 |
R500 |
2004/05 |
4 |
R6000 |
2 |
R2000 |
|
2005/06 |
5 |
R15500 |
4 |
R4000 |
|
2006/07 |
4 |
R24500 |
2 |
R4000 |
|
2007/08 |
1 |
R2500 |
1 |
R1000 |
|
Total |
15 |
R53500 |
10 |
R11500 |
|
Gauteng |
2003/04 |
16 |
R33200 |
9 |
R3100 |
2004/05 |
10 |
R27000 |
6 |
R2800 |
|
2005/06 |
23 |
R6300 |
23 |
R4600 |
|
2006/07 |
67 |
R31100 |
52 |
R26000 |
|
2007/08 |
10 |
R10000 |
9 |
R4500 |
|
Total |
126 |
R107600 |
99 |
R41000 |
|
Limpopo |
2003/04 |
7 |
R38300 |
5 |
R7000 |
2004/05 |
12 |
R22500 |
7 |
R4500 |
|
2005/06 |
16 |
R26100 |
7 |
R7000 |
|
2006/07 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
2007/08 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
35 |
R86900 |
19 |
R18500 |
* Please note: No fines were imposed on illegal foreigners, as the illegal foreigners involved were directly deported. Section 32(2) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No 13 of 2002) states that any illegal foreigner shall be deported.
QUESTION NO 1237
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 15 September 2006
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 30 - 2006
Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
Whether any cases of financial misconduct have occurred in her department in the 2004-05 financial year; if so, what are the relevant details?
N1640E
REPLY:
Yes. A total of seven employees have been dismissed for financial misconduct in the 2004/2005 financial year.
The nature of the financial misconduct in respect of the dismissed employees:
- Misappropriation of State funds;
- Failure to bank or declare revenue monies collected; and
- Inflation of subsistence and travel claims
The Ranks, Offices and dates of dismissals:
1) Rank: Senior Administration Clerk
Office: Directorate: Identity Documents: Pretoria
Date of dismissal: 07 July 2004.
2) Rank: Immigration Officer
Office: Pontdrift Port Control Office(Limpopo)
Date of dismissal: 02 November 2004.
3) Rank: Senior Administration Clerk
Office: Regional Office: Umgungundlovu (Kwazulu-Natal)
Date of dismissal: 28 October 2004.
4) Rank: Administration Clerk
Office: Regional Office: Bethlehem (Free State)
Date of dismissal: 22 December 2004.
5) Rank: Immigration Officer
Office: Cape Town Regional Office (Western Cape)
Date of dismissal: 28 June 2004.
6) Rank: Senior Administration Clerk
Office: Polokwane Regional Office (Limpopo)
Date of dismissal: 27 August 2004.
7) Rank: Administration Clerk
Office: Wynberg District Office (Western Cape)
Date of dismissal: 15 December 2004.
QUESTION 1482
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 29 August 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 25 of 2008
Mr C M Lowe (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
How many posts were there for (a) counter staff, (b) supervisors and (c) management at each office in KwaZulu-Natal as at 25 August 2008?
NW2226E
REPLY
The number of posts relating to Civic Services were available at each office in the Kwazulu-Natal Province on 25 August 2008 – as per the table below:
Office |
Counter Staff |
Supervisors |
Management |
Amajuba Regional Office (R/O) |
43 |
13 |
16 |
Chatsworth District Office (D/O) |
23 |
5 |
1 |
Commercial Road D/O |
43 |
11 |
1 |
Dundee D/O |
12 |
4 |
0 |
Empangeni D/O |
30 |
9 |
1 |
Eshowe D/O |
17 |
4 |
1 |
Estcourt D/O |
11 |
3 |
0 |
Ethekwini D/O |
61 |
21 |
4 |
Greytown D/O |
2 |
0 |
0 |
Howick D/O |
0 |
2 |
0 |
Ingwavuma Service Point (S/P) |
17 |
5 |
1 |
Ixopo D/O |
17 |
5 |
1 |
Jozini D/O |
15 |
5 |
1 |
Kokstad D/O |
22 |
6 |
1 |
Kwadukuza D/O |
22 |
7 |
1 |
Kwamashu D/O |
8 |
2 |
0 |
Ladysmith D/O |
34 |
10 |
1 |
Maphumulo D/O |
8 |
2 |
0 |
Mbazwana S/P |
16 |
5 |
1 |
Melmoth D/O |
10 |
1 |
1 |
Mpumalanga D/O |
8 |
1 |
0 |
Mtubatuba D/O |
26 |
7 |
1 |
Ndwedwe R/O |
51 |
15 |
3 |
New Hanover D/O |
8 |
1 |
1 |
Ngotshane D/O |
13 |
1 |
1 |
Nkandla D/O |
10 |
3 |
0 |
Nongoma D/O |
10 |
2 |
0 |
Nquthu D/O |
8 |
2 |
0 |
Phoenix D/O |
26 |
7 |
1 |
Pinetown D/O |
43 |
11 |
1 |
Prospecton D/O |
27 |
7 |
1 |
Richmond D/O |
10 |
3 |
0 |
Scottburgh D/O |
27 |
8 |
1 |
Tongaat D/O |
25 |
7 |
1 |
Ugu R/O |
49 |
15 |
3 |
Umbumbulu D/O |
8 |
2 |
0 |
Umgungundlovu D/O |
16 |
11 |
3 |
Umlazi D/O |
37 |
11 |
3 |
Umsinga D/O |
14 |
6 |
1 |
Uthungulu R/O |
53 |
15 |
3 |
Vryheid D/O |
27 |
7 |
1 |
Zululand R/O |
25 |
2 |
1 |
TOTAL |
932 |
264 |
58 |
The following number of posts relating to Immigration Services in the Kwazulu-Natal Province as at 25 August 2008 – as per the table below:
Office |
Counter Staff |
Supervisors |
Managers |
Ethekwini D/O |
24 |
5 |
3 |
Ugu R/O |
16 |
4 |
1 |
Umgungundlovu D/O |
15 |
4 |
1 |
Uthungulu R/O |
20 |
5 |
1 |
Amajuba R/O |
12 |
16 |
6 |
Golela PCO |
18 |
6 |
1 |
Kosi Bay PCO |
8 |
3 |
0 |
Onverwacht Port Control Office (PCO) |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Durban Harbour PCO |
12 |
3 |
0 |
King Shaka Airport PCO |
18 |
2 |
2 |
Sani Pass PCO |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Boesmansnek PCO |
3 |
1 |
0 |
TOTAL |
154 |
51 |
15 |
QUESTION 1483
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 29 August 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 25 of 2008
Mr C M Lowe (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
How many posts were there for (a) counter staff, (b) supervisors and (c) management at each office in the Western Cape as at 25 August 2008?
NW2227E
REPLY
The number of posts relating to Civic Services at each office in the Western Cape Province as at 25 August 2008 – as per the table below:
OFFICE |
COUNTER STAFF |
SUPERVISORS |
MANAGERS |
Cape Town Regional Office (R/O) |
124 |
38 |
4 |
Wynberg District Office (D/O) |
44 |
13 |
1 |
Bellville D/O |
62 |
21 |
1 |
Cape Town International Airport |
51 |
12 |
1 |
Cape Town Harbour |
11 |
3 |
0 |
Cape Town Refugee Reception Office |
16 |
9 |
1 |
Paarl R/O |
34 |
11 |
2 |
Worcester D/O |
19 |
7 |
1 |
Stellenbosch D/O |
6 |
2 |
0 |
Malmesbury D/O |
22 |
7 |
1 |
Vredendal D/O |
8 |
2 |
0 |
George R/O |
35 |
15 |
2 |
Knysna D/O |
11 |
2 |
0 |
Beaufort West D/O |
14 |
5 |
0 |
Oudtshoorn D/O |
12 |
3 |
0 |
Khayelitsha R/O |
38 |
17 |
2 |
Caledon D/O |
24 |
8 |
1 |
Mitchell's Plain D/O |
21 |
6 |
1 |
Nyanga D/O |
32 |
7 |
1 |
TOTAL |
584 |
188 |
19 |
The following number of posts relating to Immigration Services in the Western Cape Province as at 25 August 2008 – as per the table below:
OFFICE |
COUNTER STAFF |
SUPERVISORS |
MANAGERS |
Cape Town International Airport |
90 |
9 |
2 |
Cape Town R/O |
40 |
4 |
1 |
Cape Town Harbour |
10 |
3 |
0 |
Khayelitsha R/O |
14 |
3 |
1 |
George R/O |
15 |
3 |
1 |
Paarl R/O |
15 |
3 |
1 |
Malmesbury D/O |
5 |
1 |
0 |
TOTAL |
189 |
26 |
6 |
QUESTION 1484
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 29 August 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 25 of 2008
Mr C M Lowe (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
How many posts were there for (a) counter staff, (b) supervisors and (c) management at each office in Mpumalanga as at 25 August 2008?
NW2228E
REPLY
The number of posts relating to Civic Services at each office in the Mpumalanga Province as at 25 August 2008 – as per the table below:
Office |
Counter Staff |
Supervisors |
Management |
Nelspruit Regional Office (R/O) |
13 |
6 |
2 |
Barberton District Office (D/O) |
5 |
2 |
1 |
Hazyview D/O |
7 |
3 |
1 |
Komatipoort D/O |
6 |
2 |
1 |
Lydenburg D/O |
4 |
1 |
1 |
Mhala D/O |
9 |
6 |
1 |
Nkomazi D/O |
5 |
3 |
1 |
White River D/O |
5 |
2 |
1 |
Witbank R/O |
36 |
16 |
2 |
Middelburg D/O |
19 |
6 |
1 |
Belfast D/O |
5 |
2 |
0 |
Kwamhlanga D/O |
10 |
4 |
1 |
Mdutjana D/O |
18 |
7 |
1 |
Mkobola D/O |
9 |
3 |
0 |
Ermelo R/O |
23 |
8 |
2 |
Piet Retief D/O |
5 |
3 |
1 |
Evander D/O |
22 |
7 |
1 |
Bethal D/O |
8 |
2 |
1 |
Standerton D/O |
6 |
2 |
0 |
Volksrust D/O |
5 |
2 |
0 |
TOTAL |
220 |
87 |
19 |
The following number of posts relating to Immigration Services in the Mpumalanga Province as at 25 August 2008 – as per the table below:
OFFICE |
COUNTER STAFF |
SUPERVISORS |
MANAGERS |
Nelspruit R/O |
10 |
4 |
1 |
Witbank R/O |
10 |
1 |
0 |
Middelburg D/O |
2 |
0 |
0 |
Siyabuswa D/O |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Lydenburg D/O |
2 |
0 |
0 |
Hazyview D/O |
2 |
0 |
0 |
White River D/O |
2 |
1 |
0 |
Nkomazi D/O |
2 |
0 |
0 |
Komatipoort D/O |
5 |
0 |
0 |
Barberton D/O |
2 |
1 |
0 |
Lebombo Port Control Office (PCO) |
41 |
2 |
0 |
Mananga PCO |
6 |
2 |
0 |
Jeppes Reef PCO |
10 |
2 |
0 |
Josefsdal PCO |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport PCO |
9 |
2 |
0 |
Mhala D/O |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Ermelo R/O |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Piet Retief PCO |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Bethal D/O |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Secunda D/O |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Oshoek PCO |
31 |
1 |
0 |
Waverley PCO |
2 |
1 |
0 |
Nerston D/O |
4 |
2 |
0 |
Emahlathini D/O |
4 |
1 |
0 |
Mahamba PCO |
10 |
4 |
0 |
TOTAL |
164 |
29 |
1 |
QUESTION 1485
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 29 August 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 25 of 2008
Ms H Weber (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
How many posts were there for (a) counter staff, (b) supervisors and (c) management at each office in Eastern Cape as at 25 August 2008?
NW2229E
REPLY
The number of posts relating to Civic Services at each office in the Eastern Cape Province as at 25 August 2008 – as per the table below:
Office |
Counter Staff |
Supervisors |
Management |
King Williams Town Regional Office (R/O) |
24 |
15 |
2 |
Zwelitsha Service Point (S/P) |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Alice District Office (D/O) |
12 |
5 |
1 |
Fort Beaufort S/P |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Middledrift S/P |
3 |
2 |
0 |
East London D/O |
26 |
10 |
1 |
Keiskammahoek D/O |
11 |
6 |
0 |
Mdantsane D/O |
9 |
5 |
0 |
Peddie D/O |
8 |
4 |
0 |
Queenstown R/O |
31 |
12 |
2 |
Whittlesea S/P |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Cofimvaba D/O |
16 |
5 |
1 |
Tsomo S/P |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Cradock D/O |
12 |
5 |
1 |
Middleburg S/P |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Ngcobo D/O |
13 |
4 |
1 |
Cala S/P |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Elliot S/P |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Lady Frere D/O |
10 |
5 |
0 |
Port Elizabeth R/O |
33 |
15 |
2 |
Clearly Park D/O |
14 |
4 |
1 |
Graaff Reinet D/O |
8 |
4 |
1 |
Grahamstown D/O |
12 |
5 |
1 |
Port Alfred S/P |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Humansdorp D/O |
12 |
5 |
1 |
Motherwell D/O |
20 |
6 |
1 |
Somerset East D/O |
6 |
3 |
0 |
Uitenhage D/O |
17 |
5 |
1 |
Mthatha R/O |
31 |
18 |
2 |
Mqanduli S/P |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Butterworth D/O |
12 |
7 |
1 |
Ngqamakhwe S/P |
4 |
1 |
0 |
Centane Thusong D/O |
2 |
1 |
0 |
Qumbu D/O |
10 |
4 |
1 |
Tsolo S/P |
4 |
1 |
0 |
Willowvale D/P |
17 |
6 |
1 |
Dutywa S/P |
4 |
1 |
0 |
Elliotdale S/P |
2 |
1 |
0 |
Mount Frere R/O |
22 |
10 |
2 |
Mt Ayliff S/P |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Aliwal North D/O |
6 |
3 |
0 |
Burgersdorp D/O |
6 |
3 |
0 |
Mount Fletcher D/O |
6 |
3 |
1 |
Maluti S/P |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Matatiele S/P |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Sterkspruit D/O |
14 |
6 |
1 |
Lusikisiki R/O |
21 |
8 |
2 |
Flagstaff S/P |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Bizana D/O |
14 |
5 |
1 |
Libode D/O |
14 |
5 |
1 |
Ngqeleni S/P |
4 |
1 |
0 |
Port St Johns D/O |
12 |
5 |
1 |
Ntabankulu D/O |
8 |
4 |
0 |
TOTAL |
551 |
231 |
31 |
The following number of posts relating to Immigration Services in the Eastern Cape Province as at 25 August 2008 – as per the table below
OFFICE |
COUNTER STAFF |
SUPERVISORS |
MANAGERS |
King William's Town R/O |
21 |
5 |
2 |
East London D/O |
16 |
4 |
0 |
Queenstown D/O |
21 |
6 |
1 |
Engcobo D/O |
2 |
1 |
0 |
Port Elizabeth R/O |
12 |
5 |
1 |
Graaf Reinett D/O |
4 |
1 |
0 |
Grahamstown D/O |
6 |
2 |
0 |
Butterworth D/O |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Mount Fletcher D/O |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Sterkspruit PCO |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Lusikisiki PCO |
16 |
5 |
1 |
Mthatha R/O |
19 |
5 |
1 |
Couga PCO |
16 |
5 |
0 |
Telebridge PCO |
10 |
1 |
0 |
Qachasneck PCO |
10 |
1 |
0 |
Ramatisilo PCO |
6 |
1 |
0 |
Ongeluksnek PCO |
6 |
1 |
0 |
TOTAL |
180 |
46 |
6 |
QUESTION 1486
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 29 August 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 25 of 2008
Ms H Weber (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
How many posts were there for (a) counter staff, (b) supervisors and (c) management at each office in Northern Cape as at 25 August 2008?
NW2230E
REPLY
The number of posts relating to Civic Services at each office in the Northern Cape Province as at 25 August 2008 – as per the table below:
Office |
Counter Staff |
Supervisors |
Management |
Kimberley Regional Office (R/O) |
49 |
22 |
2 |
De Aar District Office (D/O) |
15 |
6 |
1 |
Prieska D/O |
10 |
4 |
0 |
Jan Kempdorp D/O |
8 |
3 |
0 |
Upington R/O |
43 |
18 |
2 |
Kuruman D/O |
24 |
10 |
1 |
Postmasburg D/O |
13 |
5 |
1 |
Springbok R/O |
23 |
10 |
2 |
Pampierstad D/O |
12 |
6 |
0 |
Calvinia D/O |
13 |
5 |
1 |
TOTAL |
210 |
89 |
10 |
The following number of posts relating to Immigration Services in the Northern Cape Province as at 25 August 2008 – as per the table below:
OFFICE |
COUNTER STAFF |
SUPERVISORS |
MANAGERS |
Kimberley R/O |
17 |
6 |
1 |
Upington R/O |
22 |
6 |
1 |
Springbok D/O |
12 |
4 |
1 |
De Aar D/O |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Kuruman D/O |
11 |
3 |
0 |
Alexander Bay Port Control Office (PCO) |
7 |
1 |
0 |
Sendelingsdrift PCO |
2 |
1 |
0 |
Vioolsdrift PCO |
17 |
5 |
0 |
Onseepkans PCO |
2 |
1 |
0 |
Nakop PCO |
17 |
7 |
0 |
Rietfontein PCO |
2 |
1 |
0 |
Gemsbok PCO |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Twee Rivieren PCO |
2 |
1 |
0 |
Middelputs PCO |
2 |
1 |
0 |
McCarthy's Rest PCO |
2 |
1 |
0 |
TOTAL |
123 |
40 |
3 |
QUESTION 1487
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 29 August 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 25 of 2008
Ms H Weber (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
How many posts were there for (a) counter staff, (b) supervisors and (c) management at each office in Limpopo as at 25 August 2008?
NW2231E
REPLY
The number of posts relating to Civic Services at each office in the Limpopo Province as at 25 August 2008 – as per the table below:
Office |
Counter Staff |
Supervisors |
Management |
Giyani Regional Office (R/O) |
12 |
3 |
2 |
Tzaneen District Office (D/O) |
17 |
6 |
1 |
Phalaborwa D/O |
12 |
3 |
1 |
Thohoyandou R/O |
27 |
4 |
2 |
Vuwani D/O |
12 |
5 |
1 |
Dzanani D/O |
14 |
5 |
1 |
Elim D/O |
13 |
6 |
1 |
Malamulele D/O |
12 |
4 |
1 |
Makhado D/O |
20 |
6 |
1 |
Mutale D/O |
13 |
4 |
1 |
Musina D/O |
6 |
2 |
1 |
Mokopane R/O |
27 |
4 |
2 |
Lephalale D/O |
12 |
3 |
1 |
Modimolle D/O |
8 |
2 |
0 |
Tauyatwala D/O |
3 |
0 |
0 |
Thabazimbi D/O |
6 |
0 |
0 |
Polokwane R/O |
28 |
6 |
2 |
Bochum D/O |
9 |
3 |
0 |
Seshego D/O |
3 |
0 |
0 |
Mankweng D/O |
7 |
2 |
0 |
Lebowakgomo D/O |
50 |
12 |
1 |
Molemole D/O |
7 |
3 |
1 |
Groblersdal D/O |
6 |
3 |
1 |
Sekhukhuni Hospitals |
25 |
9 |
0 |
TOTAL |
349 |
95 |
21 |
The following number of posts relating to Immigration Services in the Limpopo Province as at 25 August 2008 – as per the table below:
QUESTION 1488
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 29 August 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 25 of 2008
Mr T D Lee (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
How many posts were there for (a) counter staff, (b) supervisors and (c) management at each office in Gauteng as at 25 August 2008?
NW2232E
REPLY
The number of posts relating to Civic Services at each office in the Gauteng Province as at 25 August 2008 – as per the table below:
Office |
Counter Staff |
Supervisors |
Management |
Brakpan District Office (D/O) |
19 |
6 |
1 |
Nigel D/O |
22 |
6 |
1 |
Kempton Park D/O |
30 |
9 |
1 |
Benoni D/O |
19 |
6 |
1 |
Springs Regional Office (R/O) |
45 |
14 |
2 |
Boksburg D/O |
24 |
2 |
1 |
Germiston R/O |
31 |
4 |
2 |
Akasia R/O |
25 |
6 |
2 |
Centurion D/O |
10 |
3 |
1 |
Alberton D/O |
23 |
3 |
2 |
Edenvale D/O |
17 |
3 |
2 |
Cullinan D/O |
14 |
5 |
1 |
Mabopane D/O |
18 |
2 |
1 |
Soshanguve D/O |
10 |
3 |
1 |
Garankuwa D/O |
25 |
7 |
1 |
Pretoria R/O |
88 |
16 |
2 |
Johannesburg R/O |
20 |
20 |
2 |
Alexandra D/O |
4 |
4 |
0 |
Market Street D/O |
4 |
9 |
0 |
Randburg D/O |
14 |
6 |
0 |
Sandton D/O |
6 |
3 |
1 |
Randfontein R/O |
9 |
12 |
2 |
Carletonville D/O |
5 |
4 |
1 |
Krugersdorp D/O |
5 |
6 |
1 |
Soweto R/O |
9 |
9 |
1 |
Roodepoort D/O |
17 |
7 |
1 |
Vereeniging R/O |
19 |
11 |
2 |
Heidelberg D/O |
4 |
2 |
0 |
Sebokeng D/O |
4 |
2 |
1 |
Vanderbijlpark D/O |
11 |
4 |
1 |
Total |
551 |
194 |
35 |
The following number of posts relating to Immigration Services in the Gauteng Province as at 25 August 2008 – as per the table below:
OFFICE |
COUNTER STAFF |
SUPERVISORS |
MANAGERS |
Springs R/O |
18 |
3 |
2 |
Benoni D/O |
4 |
1 |
0 |
Kempton Park D/O |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Nigel D/O |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Daveyton D/O |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Tembisa D/O |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Brakpan D/O |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Carletonville D/O |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Krugersdorp D/O |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Soweto R/O |
5 |
2 |
1 |
Vereeniging R/O |
8 |
1 |
1 |
Germiston R/O |
16 |
3 |
1 |
Alberton D/O |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Boksburg D/O |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Edenvale D/O |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Randburg D/O |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Randfontein D/O |
40 |
2 |
2 |
Roodepoort D/O |
2 |
1 |
0 |
Marabastad D/O |
24 |
5 |
2 |
Akasia R/O |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Pretoria R/O |
10 |
6 |
1 |
Johannesburg R/O |
19 |
3 |
0 |
Lanseria Airport |
8 |
1 |
0 |
O R Tambo International Airport |
161 |
17 |
4 |
Crown Mines Refugee Reception Office |
34 |
52 |
9 |
TOTAL |
388 |
109 |
24 |
QUESTION 1489
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 29 August 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 25 of 2008
Mr T D Lee to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
How many posts were there for (a) counter staff, (b) supervisors and (c) management at each office in North West Province as at 25 August 2008?
NW2233E
REPLY
Due to the fact that the Department of Home Affairs has separated its Civic Services and Immigration Services as part of its Turnaround Project, the following number of posts relating to Civic Services were available in the North West Province on 25 August 2008 – as per the table below:
North West Province |
|||
Office |
Counter Staff |
Supervisors |
Management |
Mmabatho Regional Office |
22 |
6 |
9 |
Molopo District Office |
14 |
2 |
5 |
Lehurutshe District Office |
9 |
2 |
3 |
Ganyesa District Office |
9 |
3 |
2 |
Taung District Office |
14 |
4 |
4 |
Vryburg District Office |
7 |
3 |
4 |
Rustenburg Regional Office |
20 |
6 |
8 |
Mankwe District Office |
5 |
3 |
4 |
Madikwe District Office |
7 |
4 |
2 |
Brits District Office |
10 |
2 |
4 |
Garankuwa District Office |
7 |
2 |
5 |
Mabopane District Office |
8 |
4 |
3 |
Moretele District Office |
15 |
3 |
2 |
Klerksdorp District Office |
17 |
5 |
7 |
Lichtenburg District Office |
12 |
3 |
4 |
Atamelang District Office |
6 |
2 |
2 |
Potchefstroom District Office |
8 |
2 |
3 |
Wolmaranstad District Office |
2 |
0 |
1 |
TOTAL |
192 |
56 |
72 |
Due to the fact that the Department of Home Affairs has separated its Civic Services and Immigration Services as part of its Turnaround Project, the following number of posts relating to Immigration Services were available in the North West Province on
25 August 2008 – as per the table below:
OFFICE |
COUNTER STAFF |
SUPERVISORS |
MANAGERS |
Mafikeng |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Mafikeng RRO |
5 |
2 |
1 |
Mmabatho |
20 |
5 |
1 |
Klerksdorp |
20 |
5 |
1 |
Rustenburg |
20 |
5 |
1 |
Brits |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Moretele |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Lehurutse |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Vryburg |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Ganyesa |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Potchefstroom |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Makopong |
6 |
1 |
0 |
Bray |
6 |
1 |
0 |
Makgobistad |
6 |
1 |
0 |
Derdepoort |
6 |
1 |
0 |
Swartkopfontein |
12 |
4 |
0 |
Kopfontein |
24 |
7 |
0 |
Ramatlabana |
24 |
7 |
0 |
Skilpadshek |
24 |
7 |
0 |
TOTAL |
203 |
52 |
5 |
QUESTION 1490
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 29 August 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 25 of 2008
Mr T D Lee (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
How many posts were there for (a) counter staff, (b) supervisors and (c) management at each office in Free State Province as at 25 August 2008?
NW2234E
REPLY
The number of posts relating to Civic Services at each office in the Free State Province as at 25 August 2008 – as per the table below:
Office |
Counter Staff |
Supervisors |
Management |
Bloemfontein Regional Office (R/O) |
49 |
14 |
2 |
Botshabelo District Office (D/O) |
16 |
5 |
1 |
Zastron D/O |
8 |
2 |
1 |
Koffiefontein D/O |
8 |
2 |
1 |
Taba Nchu D/O |
11 |
4 |
1 |
Phuthaditjhaba R/O |
49 |
14 |
2 |
Bethlehem D/O |
24 |
8 |
1 |
Harrismith D/O |
8 |
2 |
1 |
Sasolburg D/O |
12 |
5 |
1 |
Welkom R/O |
40 |
14 |
2 |
Kroonstad D/O |
17 |
4 |
1 |
Bulfontein D/O |
10 |
3 |
1 |
TOTAL |
252 |
77 |
15 |
The following number of posts relating to Immigration Services in the Free State Province as at 25 August 2008 – as per the table below:
OFFICE |
COUNTER STAFF |
SUPERVISORS |
MANAGERS |
Ficksburg Bridge Port Control Office (PCO) |
33 |
12 |
1 |
Maseru Bridge PCO |
42 |
12 |
1 |
Caledonspoort PCO |
20 |
4 |
0 |
Van Rooyenshek PCO |
13 |
4 |
0 |
Monantsapas PCO |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Pekabrug PCO |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Sepapushek PCO |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Makaleng PCO |
3 |
1 |
0 |
Phuthaditjhaba D/O |
14 |
4 |
1 |
Bethlehem D/O |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Bloemfontein R/O |
19 |
5 |
1 |
Botshabelo D/O |
5 |
1 |
0 |
Welkom R/O |
19 |
5 |
1 |
Kroonstad D/O |
5 |
1 |
0 |
TOTAL |
187 |
53 |
5 |
QUESTION 1004
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 13 June 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 18 of 2008
Ms H Weber (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(1) (a) What are the reasons for her department not releasing a report submitted to her office by a team of immigration experts assessing the huge backlogs in processing applications for asylum-seekers, (b) what is the total cost for the (i) compilation of the report and (ii) remuneration to members of the team who wrote the report and (c) how many times did the team meet to discuss or elaborate on the report;
(2) whether she will release the report; if not, why not; if so, when?
NW1742E
REPLY
(1)(a) As far as I know, there was never any report to be published, as this was a Backlog Project. The Exit Report was prepared, and submitted by the Backlog Managers appointed and trained by the Department, with the aim of eradicating the backlog in asylum applications, accumulated since 1998, and not to "assessing the huge backlogs in processing applications for asylum-seekers" as suggested.
In essence, the Exit Report, so compiled by the Backlog Managers, was purely an administrative report, intended for in-house use; and, therefore, cannot be published.
It is also important to note that the writers of the Exit Report were not a team of Immigration experts. They were, instead, appointed by the Department to assist in eliminating the accumulation of pending asylum applications by means of approvals and rejections, through an adjudication process, for the duration of the project. In order to achieve that, the Department provided them with training in "Refugee Status Determination and Immigration matters".
(b)(i) No additional costs were incurred for the report, as its compilation was completed within the allotted budget for the Backlog Project.
(ii) The total cost was R9 179 552.25. This was the amount paid in salaries to the Backlog Managers for the duration of the project (May 2005 to March 2008).
(c) Project members met regularly to discuss challenges, and progress made. However,
the last three (3) months of the project were basically dedicated to the compilation of
report, and the closure of the project.
(2) With reference to the response given in (1)(a) above, the report is intended for
Internal use. Besides, there are lessons learnt in the project which are also vital for improving processes, and service delivery, such as file census, file audit, file management system, segregation of dormant files from active ones, etc.
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 20 June 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 19 of 2008
Ms H Weber (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(1) (a) what were the reasons for the correct procedures not being followed in awarding tenders to four IT firms to modernise the identification system and (b) what are
(i) the full names of the tender committee members responsible for the allocation of those tenders and (ii) their designations;
(2) whether any action will be taken against those found to have not followed the correct procedures in awarding the tenders; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW1775E
REPLY
(1) and (2) It needs to be clarified that there is no report that has ever found any tender for the Department of Home Affairs to have been awarded without following correct procedures. It is also not clear from the question which specific tender the Honourable Member is referring to. A number of tender relating to the identification system have been issued and/or awarded in the department. These include the HANIS tender, the Smart ID card tender and the Who-Am-I-Online tender.
With regard to the Who-Am-I-Online tender, I have taken a decision to refer the concerns raised by Members of the Home Affairs portfolio Committee regarding the process and the costs to the Office of the Auditor-General who currently dealing with this matter. A report in this regard is still not yet available.
QUESTION 1043
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 20 June 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 19 of 2008
Ms H Weber (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(a) When was the Large Account Initiative, created to assist companies with large requirements of foreign skills, set up, (b) how many companies are part of this Large Account Initiative, (c) how many skilled foreign nationals have been recruited and (d) what is the breakdown of the foreign skills acquired since the initiative was established?
NW1777E
REPLY
(a) The first phase of Large Account Initiative (LAI) which serviced 4 (four) pilot companies,\ started in July 2007.
(b) Apart from the initial 4 pilot companies, an additional 23 (twenty three) companies
were selected on the 15th of May 2008.
(c) To date, a total number of 1810 skilled foreigners have been recruited by the initial 4 piloted companies.
(d) The foreign skills which were acquired consisted of the following: (i) Mining Engineers, (ii) Artisans, (iii) Specialized Engineering skills for the Construction Industry and (iv) Industrial Engineers.
QUESTION 1044
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 20 June 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 19 of 2008
Ms H Weber (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(1) (a) When will the recently-announced division of her department into separate civics and immigration service units be implemented, (b) how will the two new units be structured and (c) what amount (i) was budgeted, (ii) was allocated and (iii) has already been spent in dividing the department into these two units;
(2) whether there will be any staff retrenchments or job losses resulting from this restructuring; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the
(a) relevant details and (b) reasons for these retrenchments;
(3) whether any new jobs will be created by the division of the department into the civics and immigration services units; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how many?
NW1778E
REPLY
(1)(a) The Department is in the process of implementing the new structure, including the division between Civic Services and Immigration Branch.
(b) These units will be structured according to the Vision and Design structure that was presented, and approved by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) on 11th of April, and by the Minister of Home Affairs on 16 April 2008.
(c) (i)(ii)(iii) No separate budget was allocated to this particular part of the re-organisation.
(2) The intention of this re-organisation is not to reduce capacity. On the contrary, between 2000 and 3000 vacancies need to be filled in the next five years. The intention is to capacitate the organisation, in the best way possible, so that the Department of Home Affairs can meet its performance obligations to the South African public.
(3) Civic Services is expected to grow with approximately 1 700 employees, in five (5) years, while the National Immigration Branch/Immigration Services is expected to grow with approximately 1000 employees, in five (5) years, as well.
QUESTION 1271
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 8 August 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 22 of 2008
Dr R Rabinowitz (IFP) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
Whether her department pays for the printing costs of the annual reports of all agencies, councils and commissions reporting to her; if not, who pays for the printing of these annual reports; if so, what were the associated costs of this in each year from 1994 to 2008?
NW1236E
REPLY
No. The Department of Home Affairs is only responsible for paying printing costs for its own Annual Report and that of the Government Printing Works, as its annual performance is incorporated in the Department of Home Affairs' Annual Report. Printing costs of the Annual Reports for entities reporting to me, i.e. the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the Film and Publication Board (FPB) are paid by themselves as budgeted for in their own budget allocations.
The Department of Home Affairs:
Unfortunately, records reflecting the printing costs regarding the Department's Annual Report are only available from the 2001/02 financial year – as per the table below:
Financial year Printing costs Number of copies
2001/02
Reprint R44,706,02
R28,309,79 1800
1000
2002/03 R92,952,00 6000
2003/04 R118,070,94 3000
2004/05 R141,802,21 3000
2005/06 R169,555,60 5000
2006/07 R257,062,20 5000
2007/08 R275,973,80 3000
QUESTION 354
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 7 March 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 8 of 2008
Dr S-B Huang (ANC) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(1) Whether she and her Deputy Minister are monitoring her department's turnaround strategy that was launched in 2007; if not, why not; if so, what benchmarking mechanisms are being used in this regard;
whether this is bearing any fruit; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW957E
REPLY
(1) Yes. On a lower level, there is an Executive Committee (EXCO) that oversees the work done by the workstreams, and once in a month, the Deputy Minister, and myself get updated, and subsequently, give strategic direction, at a political level, by way of a Steering Committee (STEERCO) meeting on all matters pertaining to the Turnaround. Notwithstanding, the flash reports that are given to me on a weekly basis.
(2) Immense progress, thus far, is commendable. We have been able to realise the Turnaround plan through the 55 projects that have been set up. As we speak, the restructuring and the migration plan of the Department is being implemented.
QUESTION 1094
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 20 June 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 19 of 2008
Mr C M Lowe (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(1) Whether her department (a) kept records as required by the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999, and (b) reported any incidents of losses through
(i)criminal conduct, (ii) unauthorised expenditure, (iii) irregular expenditure or
(iv) fruitless and wasteful expenditure in the 2007-08 financial year; if not, why not;
if so,
(2) whether any action has been taken against the offending officials; if not, why not; if so, in each category, (a) how many officials (i) were dismissed, (ii) were suspended and (iii) had other sanctions imposed on them and (b) what amounts were involved;
(3) whether there were any disciplinary cases pending on 31 March 2008; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW1833E
REPLY
(1)(a) to (b)(iv) As per the table below:
Incident |
Disciplinary steps taken/criminal proceedings |
2007/08 |
An official procured goods and services for private use |
The department has since charged the official with additional 62 cases of fraud and found guilty and dismissed. The money will be recovered from his pensions. |
9 |
An official procured goods and services for private use |
The department has since charged the official with additional 62 cases of fraud and found guilty and dismissed. The money will be recovered from his pensions. |
2 |
An official procured goods and services for private use |
The department has since charged the official with additional 62 cases of fraud and found guilty and dismissed. The money will be recovered from his pensions. |
24 |
An official procured goods and services for private use |
The department has since charged the official with additional 62 cases of fraud and found guilty and dismissed. The money will be recovered from his pensions. |
42 |
Rendering of catering services without obtaining relevant orders and authorisation from Procurement services |
Explanatory information was obtained from the affected offices and the expenditure will have to be regularised. |
8 |
Accommodation of newly appointed officials without following proper procurement processes |
The matter is under investigation |
31 |
The Chief Directorate: Communication Service made use of Service Provider: Monitoring South Africa for media monitoring and reporting without following normal procurement procedures where bids needed to be invited. |
The department is still in the process of finalising the case to determine liability and the Official responsible for this action. |
498 |
TOTAL |
614 |
(2) (a) For the financial year 2007/2008, 53 officials were involved in financial misconduct.
(i) 21 officials were dismissed for financial misconduct.
(ii) 25 officials were suspended.
(iii) 15 officials had other sanctions imposed on them:
13 officials had only Final Written Warnings imposed on them and;
2 officials had Final Written Warning plus Suspension Without Salary
2 officials were found not guilty.
1 official resigned.
(b) A total amount of R965 885.20 was involved. Please note that in some instances the amounts are not specified.
(3) 14 cases are still pending finalisation. (1) Yes, my Department has kept records, in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999 of losses incurred through criminal conduct, unauthorized expenditure, irregular expenditure and fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
(2) Action was taken against the relevant offending officials found guilty.
(a) With regard to the instances of financial misconduct for the period 2007-08, the following action was taken against officials in my Department:
(i) 4 were dismissed;
(ii) 9 were suspended; and
(iii) 21 had other sanctions imposed on them. Regarding officials that are found to have been liable for the losses, the State Attorneys offices have been briefed to recover the losses from them. Such matters are subject to ongoing litigation.
(b) The process of determining the actual amounts lost takes time. In most cases, the initial figures are estimates but once the investigation is completed, the amounts are generally accurate.
(3) There were 230 cases outstanding at the end of the 2007/08 financial year. To date, 112 of these matters have been finalised.
QUESTION 976
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 30 May 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 15 of 2008
Mr L B Labuschagne (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(1) Whether her department has conducted an energy audit to determine its (a) use of energy and (b) opportunities for reduction of energy use; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether her department has any plans to reduce energy consumption; if not, why not; if so, what plans;
(3) whether her department has made any material reduction in energy use since
1 January 2008; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW1660E
REPLY
(1)-(3 The Department has disengaged geyser installations, and has, further, requested officials
to, no longer, use portable bar heating systems. As part of the contingencies to deal with load shedding (power-cuts), the Department has installed 11 Gensets and Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) at state owned buildings. The rollout of this to all Department of Home Affairs Regional Offices is led by the Department of Public Works (DPW).
The energy savings audits, previously done by DPW, at all the offices of the Department of Home Affairs will, subsequent to its findings, issue recommendations on further energy savings methods, as well as, energy saving devices that must be installed at the various offices of the Department.
QUESTION 429
DOF PUBLICATION: Friday, 14 March 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 9 of 2008
Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
Whether she will introduce an e-identity document; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW1033E
REPLY
I will be introducing a Smart ID Card, in the course of the 2008/09 financial year, which is considered to be compatible to the needs of our society. A pilot project is scheduled for the end of December 2008, and a full rollout will commence towards the end of December 2009.
QUESTION 706
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 9 May 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 12 of 2008
Ms H Weber (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(1) Whether her department makes use of private security firms; if so, how much money was spent on such firms in 2007;
(2) whether these firms are used on a contractual basis; if so, (a) how many contracts did her department take out in this regard in 2007, (b) with which firms were these contracts taken out, (c) for what specific purpose was each contract taken out and (d) what was the value of the contract in each case;
(3) why is there a need for her department to use a private security firm as opposed to state security?
NW1403E
REPLY
(1) Yes. A total amount of R29,339,473,87 was spent on private security firms in the 2007/08 financial year.
(2) Yes. (a) A total of ten (10) contracts were in place during 2007.
(b) Khulani Fidelity Security Services (Most Khoza Security Services), Double Barrel Security Services, Motheo Security Services, M2M Security Services, SSE Security CC, Davidson Security Services, P S Legal Protection Security Services, Cheetah Security Services, Naphtronics Security Services and Bagale Security Services.
(c) The contracts were for the provision of guard duties, cash-in-transit facilities and armed response services.
(d) The following amounts were paid to each of the respective service providers:
· Khulani Security Services R 26,882,623,98
· Most Khoza Security Services R4,860,75
· Double Barrel Security Services R1,875,563,08
· Motheo Security Services R31,686,20
· M2M Security Services R27,000,00
· SSE Security Services R91,618,20
· Davidson Security Services R110,238,00
· P S Legal Security Services R6,666,93
· Cheetah Security Services R43,638,06
· Bagale Security Services R95,006,10
· Naphtronics Security Services R176,122,57
· Fidelity Security Services R450,00
(3) The utilisation of private security companies is necessitated by the fact that the Department currently does not have the internal capacity to provide security, at all of its offices, in all nine (9) Provinces. However, the Department has appointed nineteen (19) new Security Officers during the 2007/08 financial year. Ten (10) of these officers are, currently, stationed at the Department's Head Office, and the remaining nine (9) (Control Security) officers, have, each, been deployed to the Provinces.
Based on different appraisals and audits that have been conducted by both the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the South African Police Service (SAPS), it is more cost effective, at this point, in time, for the Department to outsource physical security. By outsourcing physical security, the Department only needs to pay for services provided by a private security guard, which is, in all instances, far less than the salary, and benefits to be paid to an appointed official, in a financial year.
QUESTION 740
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 16 May 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 13 of 2008
Mr J Selfe (DA) to ask the Minister Home Affairs:
(1) Whether her department's office in Wynberg, Cape Town is experiencing staff shortages; if so, (a) for how long have the staff shortages persisted, (b) what have the implications been for the delivery of services to the public as a result of such staff shortages and (c) what steps is her department taking to alleviate the shortages;
(2) whether the Wynberg office currently conforms to her department's vision of providing a world class service; if not, what steps is her department taking to ensure conformity?
NW1427E
REPLY
(1) Yes. (a) Staff shortages have been experienced over the past two financial years.
(b) Long queues are evident due to the shortage of frontline staff members.
(c) The following steps were taken and are still in force:
· Staff members, including a deployed Assistant Director, stationed in the Office of the Provincial Manager: Western Cape, as well as, staff members in the offices of the Regional Managers regularly assist when queues are reported to be long.
· Four (4) Queue Managers were appointed with effect from
27 April 2008 to focus on client relations and queue management.
· Three (3) new staff members (appointed at the Regional Office: Khayelitsha) assumed duty at the Wynberg office on Monday, 19 May 2008.
· Members of the National Youth Service were also deployed to the Wynberg office to assist with queue management.
· Five (5) new staff members (appointed at the District Office: Bellville) will also assume duty at the Wynberg office once their appointments have been finalised.
· The Directorate: Human Resource Administration at the Department's Head Office is also investigating ways to further expedite the advertisement of vacant posts.
(2) No. At the moment, the Wynberg office does not conform to the Department's vision of providing a world-class service. However, as part of the Turnaround Project, the Department will address the shortcomings of this office, and it forms part of the offices that have to be refurbished.
The Department of Home Affairs is, further, in the final stages, of finalising its new structure which will cluster Provinces into zones. The proposed separation of Civic Services and National Immigration Services in the Department will address the needs of the Department and its Regional – and District Offices which will minimise capacity constraints.
QUESTION 519
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Thursday, 20 March 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10 of 2008
Mr C M Lowe (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
Whether her department has a national data base containing the records, including fingerprints, of all persons who have applied for an identity document; if not, (a) why not and (b) what plans are envisaged to address this matter; if so, (i) what is the nature of the information recorded on the data base, (ii) what steps are planned to ensure that every person applying for refugee or residence status have such information recorded on the data base and (iii) what arrangements have been made to share the information with other agencies like the SA Police Service?
NW1161E
REPLY
(a) Yes. A full set of fingerprints in respect of every South African citizen who applies for a South African identity document is kept on the Home Affairs National Identification System (HANIS). The HANIS System further makes provision for the integration with other Information Systems of the Department, such as the new Refugee System.
(b)(i) The nature of the information that is recorded on the database is as follows:
The identity document number of the applicant or South African citizen.
A full set of fingerprints of the applicant or South African citizen.
A photograph of the applicant or South African citizen.
Demographic data of the applicant or South African citizen, such as surname, full names, date and place of birth, residential, as well as, postal address and the applicant's status, with regard to South African citizenship.
(b)(ii) The Department of Home Affairs has acquired a new Refugee System, and it is currently being piloted by the Department for capturing asylum seekers or approved refugees, and their fingerprints will also be stored in HANIS.
(b)(iii) The SA Police Service has access to the information from the database in electronic, as well as, hardcopy format. In addition, there are three members of the SA Police Service attached to the Criminal Record Centre, and these three members are permanently stationed at the New Co-Operation Building in Pretoria, and they have easy access to any information on the Department's data basis.
QUESTION 768
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 16 May 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 13 of 2008
Mr M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
In respect of each of the past five years up to and including 2007, (a) how many posts existed at the Electoral Commission, (b) how many of these posts were vacant, (c) for how long was each of these posts vacant, (d) what amount was allocated by her department for the operation of this Commission and (e) what amount was actually spent?
NW1457E
REPLY
(a)(b) & (c) The information is not readily available or determinable. However, statistics on
the number of posts and vacancies, as at the last day of the relevant financial
year, are given in the Commission's annual reports to Parliament for the fina-
ncial years ending in March 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Similar statistics
were not given in the annual report for the year ending March 2007, as the
Commission's structures were under review, and thus, in a state of flux, at
that time. Comparable statistics will be included in this year's (2008) annual
report.
(d) & (e) The Department of Home Affairs does not allocate funds to the Electoral
Commission. Parliament votes for the Electoral Commission, and the
amount voted appears on the Home Affairs vote as a transfer amount. The
annual amounts voted by Parliament for the Commission are to be found in
the yearly budgets submitted by the Minister of Finance, and approved by
Parliament. The amounts received by the Commission as income, and spent
in each financial year can be found in the Commission's Annual Reports to
Parliament containing the Commission's financial statements, and the Auditor
-General's reports on those financial statements.
QUESTION NO.: 769 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 16 MAY 2008
Mr M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development:
In respect of each of the past five years up to and including 2007, (a) how many posts existed at the Human Rights Commission, (b) how many of these posts were vacant, (c) for how long was each of these posts vacant, (d) what amount was allocated by her department for the operation of this Commission and (e) what amount was actually spent?
NW1458E
REPLY
Details of the vacant posts at the South African Human Rights Commission for the past five years as well as the budget allocated by my Department for the operation of this office are indicated in the table below:-
Year |
Total Establishment |
Total Nr of Funded Posts |
Total Nr of filled Posts |
Total Nr of Vacant Funded Posts |
Total Funds Available |
Total Spent |
2002/03 |
85 |
85 |
85 |
0 |
27,401,000 |
28,201,016 |
2003/04 |
114 |
114 |
95 |
19 |
32,728,000 |
29,458,174 |
2004/05 |
120 |
120 |
106 |
14 |
37,653,000 |
38,827,409 |
2005/06 |
138 |
138 |
108 |
30 |
41,774,000 |
42,392,847 |
2006/07 |
135 |
135 |
104 |
31 |
49,220,000 |
45,574,082 |
The table below indicates the period which each vacant post remained unfilled:-
TOTAL NUMBER OF POSTS |
DESCRIPTION OF POSTS |
VACANT FROM |
TO |
New and Vacant positions 2004 (19) |
|||
1 |
Education Officer: Mpumalanga Provincial Office |
February 2004 |
March 2005 |
1 |
Legal Officer: Mpumalanga Provincial Office |
February 2004 |
March 2005 |
1 |
Admin Secretary: Mpumalanga Provincial Office |
February 2004 |
April 2005 |
1 |
Provincial Manager: Mpumalanga Provincial Office |
February 2004 |
March 2005 |
1 |
Housekeeper: Mpumalanga Provincial Office |
February 2004 |
March 2005 |
2 |
PAIA Researchers x2 |
April 2004 |
August 2004 |
5 |
ESR Researchers x 5 |
May 2004 |
September 2004 |
1 |
Deputy Director: Equality |
May 2004 |
October 2004 |
1 |
Deputy Director: Media & Communications |
June 2004 |
December 2004 |
1 |
Legal Officer |
July 2004 |
September 2004 |
1 |
Secretary: PEPUDA |
July 2004 |
October 2004 |
1 |
Legal Secretary |
July 2004 |
September 2004 |
1 |
Legal Practitioner |
August 2004 |
December 2004 |
1 |
Deputy Director: Administration |
October 2004 |
March 2005 |
19 |
|||
New and Vacant positions 2005 (14) |
From |
To |
|
1 |
Head of Programme: Finance & Administration |
January 2005 |
May 2005 |
1 |
Head of Programme : Legal Services |
March 2005 |
November 2005 |
1 |
Legal Officer |
March 2005 |
August 2005 |
1 |
Legal Officer |
March 2005 |
August 2005 |
1 |
Deputy Director: PAIA |
March 2005 |
August 2005 |
1 |
Legal Officer |
March 2005 |
Abolished |
1 |
Legal Officer |
April 2005 |
Abolished |
1 |
Deputy Director:PEPUDA |
April 2005 |
November 2005 |
1 |
Deputy Director: Media & Communications |
April 2005 |
October 2005 |
1 |
Researcher:PEPUDA |
April 2005 |
December 2005 |
1 |
Researcher ESR |
May 2005 |
Abolished |
1 |
Deputy CEO: Operations |
May 2005 |
August 2006 |
1 |
Deputy Director: Finance |
July 2005 |
December 2005 |
1 |
Legal Practitioner |
November 2005 |
July 2006 |
14 |
|||
New and Vacant positions 2006 (30) |
From |
To |
|
1 |
Deputy Director: ESR |
January 2006 |
Abolished |
1 |
Communications Officer |
January 2006 |
Upgraded |
1 |
PA to CEO |
February 2006 |
August 2006 |
1 |
Education Officer: Northern Cape Provincial Office |
January 2006 |
September 2006 |
1 |
Provincial Manager: Eastern Cape Provincial Office |
February 2006 |
January 2007 |
1 |
Education Officer |
March 2006 |
September 2006 |
1 |
Legal Officer |
March 2006 |
September 2006 |
1 |
Admin Secretary: Free State Provincial Office |
March 2006 |
August 2006 |
1 |
Employee Relations Manager |
April 2006 |
May 2006 |
1 |
Head of Programme: Human Resources |
April 2006 |
August 2006 |
1 |
Provincial Manager: North West Provincial Office |
April 2006 |
September 2006 |
1 |
Legal Officer: North West Provincial Office |
April 2006 |
June 2007 |
1 |
Administrative Secretary |
April 2006 |
June 2007 |
1 |
Office Assistant |
April 2006 |
January 2008 |
1 |
Deputy Director: Child rights |
April 2006 |
June 2007 |
1 |
Deputy Director: HIV/AIDS |
April 2006 |
September 2006 |
1 |
Deputy Director: Older persons |
April 2006 |
September 2006 |
1 |
Deputy Director: Non-nationals |
April 2006 |
September 2006 |
1 |
Legal Officer |
April 2006 |
September 2006 |
1 |
Compliants Administrator |
July 2006 |
October 2006 |
1 |
Legal Assistant |
July 2006 |
October 2006 |
1 |
Secretary |
July 2006 |
July 2006 |
1 |
Education Officer: Northern Cape Provincial Office |
July 2006 |
Outstanding |
1 |
Legal Officer |
April 2006 |
June 2007 |
1 |
Head of Programme: NACHRET |
August 2006 |
April 2007 |
1 |
Human Resources Practitioner |
August 2006 |
September 2006 |
1 |
Legal Practitioner |
September 2006 |
February 2007 |
1 |
Education Officer: Mpumalanga Provincial Office |
November 2006 |
July 2007 |
1 |
Education Officer: Western Cape Provincial Office |
November 2006 |
June 2007 |
1 |
Education Officer |
March 2006 |
July 2006 |
30 |
|||
New and Vacant positions 2007 (31) |
From |
To |
|
1 |
Admin Assistant: Human Resources |
July 2007 |
August 2007 |
1 |
Chief Internal Auditor |
April 2007 |
November 2007 |
1 |
Parliament: Administrator |
April 2007 |
November 2007 |
1 |
Deputy Director: Disability |
April 2007 |
September 2007 |
1 |
Deputy Director: Crime & Human Rights |
April 2007 |
September 2007 |
1 |
Deputy Director: Business & Human Rights |
April 2007 |
September 2007 |
1 |
Archivist |
April 2007 |
September 2007 |
1 |
IT Help Desk Administrator |
April 2007 |
September 2007 |
1 |
Deputy Director: Equality |
April 2007 |
November 2007 |
1 |
Office Manager |
April 2007 |
September 2007 |
1 |
Senior Researcher |
April 2007 |
September 2007 |
1 |
Head of Programme: Finance |
April 2007 |
September 2007 |
1 |
Senior Assistant Accountant |
April 2007 |
October 2007 |
1 |
Head of Programme: Human Resources |
May 2007 |
November 2007 |
1 |
Deputy Director: E-Learning |
July 2007 |
December 2007 |
1 |
Provincial Manager: Eastern Cape |
July 2007 |
Outstanding |
1 |
Researcher Parliament |
July 2007 |
December 2007 |
1 |
Provincial Manager: Western cape Provincial Office |
July 2007 |
Outstanding |
1 |
Provincial Manager: Mpumalanga Provincial Office |
August 2007 |
Outstanding |
1 |
Head of Programme: Legal Service |
November 2007 |
December 2007 |
1 |
Administrative Secretary |
November 2007 |
February 2008 |
1 |
Administrative Secretary |
November 2007 |
February 2008 |
1 |
Head of Programme: Research |
November 2007 |
June 2008 |
1 |
Travel & Events Manager |
November 2007 |
January 2008 |
1 |
Legal Officer- Northern Cape Provincial Office |
November 2007 |
Outstanding |
1 |
Legal Assistant |
November 2007 |
Abolished |
1 |
Records Clerk |
November 2007 |
April 2008 |
1 |
Human Resources Manager |
November 2007 |
Outstanding |
1 |
Accounts Clerk |
November 2007 |
April 2008 |
1 |
Deputy Director: Monitoring and Evaluation |
October 2007 |
Abolished |
1 |
Education Officer: Northern Cape Provincial Office |
May 2008 |
January 2008 |
31 |
QUESTION 770
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 16 May 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 13 of 2008
Ms H Weber (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(a) What is the total daily cost for running the Lindelani Immigration Centre, (b) how many people is the centre legally allowed to host, (c) how many illegal immigrants are currently (i) hosted and (ii) daily fed by the centre, (d) how many staff members at the centre are employed by her department, (e) how many posts are vacant at the centre, (f) how long have they been vacant, (g) when are these posts going to be filled and (h) how much has been budgeted to fill them?
NW1459E
REPLY
(a) The total daily cost of running the Lindela centre is calculated as the average number of illegal foreigners which were detained – per day – over a calendar month. The Department is then charged R105.00 per day to detain one illegal immigrant.
(b) 4004.
(c)(i) As on the morning of 20 May 2008, a total number of 2205 illegal immigrants were hosted at the centre.
(ii) As on the morning of 20 May 2008, a total number of 2205 illegal immigrants were fed by the centre, but the total varies during the course of the day because of new admissions and deportations.
(d) Fifty eight (58) staff members are currently employed at the centre.
(e) There are currently 15 vacant posts.
(f) As per the table below:
Job title description |
Post status description |
Post date |
Vacant date |
Salary level |
Immigration Officer |
Vacant |
2004-03-01 |
2008-02-11 |
5 |
Immigration Officer |
Vacant |
2004-03-01 |
2007-12-01 |
6 |
Immigration Officer |
Vacant |
2004-03-01 |
2008-04-01 |
6 |
Immigration Officer |
Vacant |
2004-03-01 |
2008-04-04 |
6 |
Immigration Officer |
Vacant |
2006-03-16 |
2008-05-01 |
6 |
Immigration Officer |
Vacant |
2006-03-16 |
2006-03-16 |
6 |
Immigration Officer |
Vacant |
2006-03-16 |
2006-03-16 |
6 |
Immigration Officer |
Vacant |
2006-03-16 |
2006-03-16 |
6 |
Control Immigration Officer |
Vacant |
2007-09-28 |
2007-09-28 |
8 |
Control Immigration Officer |
Vacant |
2008-04-01 |
2008-04-01 |
8 |
Assistant Director: Immigration services |
Vacant |
2006-03-16 |
2006-03-16 |
10 |
Senior Administration Clerk |
Vacant |
2008-03-10 |
2008-03-10 |
5 |
Senior Administration Clerk |
Vacant |
2007-08-01 |
2007-08-01 |
5 |
Senior Administrative Officer |
Vacant |
2007-09-01 |
2007-09-01 |
8 |
Assistant Director: Administration |
Vacant |
2006-01-01 |
2006-01-01 |
9 |
(g) The Department is in the process of finalising a new structure, which will address capacity at this specific office, as well as, all other offices of the Department.
(h) A total amount of R1,190,775,20 has been budgeted to fill all the vacant positions after the finalisation of the new structure.
QUESTION 231
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Monday, 25 February 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4 of 2008
Mr M Swart (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
Whether her department is currently making use of the services of an international task team to assist with its turnaround strategy; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how many persons are employed by the task team, (b) what is the annual cost of the task team, (c) what mandate was given to this task team, (d) in what section are they employed, (e) for how long will her department still use the task team, (f) what is the estimated future cost of the task team and (g) why are (i) local consultants not being used and (ii) highly paid officials in her department unable to perform the turnaround tasks now being done by these consultants?
NW696E
REPLY
(1) No. The team of consultants in the Department cannot be viewed as an "international
task team", as overseas consultants, in the team, constitute a negligible number.
A total number of 107 consultants are currently being utilised.
For a comprehensive breakdown of all costs associated with the Turnaround Project, please refer to the tables below:
Description |
Budget Allocation (million) |
Expenditure as at 31-03-2008 (million) |
Budget Allocation (million) |
Total Budget (million) |
Total Expenditure as at |
||
2007/08 |
2008/09 |
2009/10 |
2010/11 |
||||
Consultants |
R147,310 |
R146,022 |
R255,305 |
R64,104 |
- |
R466,719 |
R146,022 |
DHA |
R34,719 |
R2,039 |
R55,346 |
R246,591 |
R323,246 |
R659,902 |
R2,039 |
Total |
R182,029 |
R148,061 |
R310,651 |
R310,695 |
R323,246 |
R1,126,621 |
R148,061 |
(c) The mandate of the turnaround project is to transform the Department into a modern, efficient, cost-effective service organisation responsive to the needs of South African citizens, residents and visitors to our country
(d) The consultants are deployed in all the Branches and Business Units of the Department.
(e) It is anticipated that the consultants will be utilised until the end of the 2009/10 financial year.
(f) Please see the table as mentioned in point (b) above.
(g)(i) & (ii) The minority of international consultants, in the team, merely complements the majority of the local consultants, in conjunction with the Departmental staff, on a daily basis, on all the projects, as project sponsors, team leads, or team members, with their wealth of international experience on Home affairs related matters.
QUESTION NO. 237
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 25 FEBRUARY 2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 4)
Mr M Swart (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
Whether the Chief Financial Officer of her department received a performance bonus in 2007; if so, (a) how much and (b) why was the performance bonus awarded?
NW702E
REPLY:
Yes.
(a) R20,274.03.
(b) For his performance as evaluated by the Accounting Officer when measured against a set of pre-determined indicators.
QUESTION 1103
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 27 June 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 20 of 2008
Dr R Rabinowitz (IFP) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(1) Whether she will ensure that her department (a) monitors and (b) reduces its carbon footprint with immediate effect; if so, how will this be done;
(2) whether this will include the phasing out of glossy publications from all agencies or councils reporting to her; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) (a) what is the estimated cost of all such (i) reports and (ii) publications per annum in the case of these agencies and all other working documents of her department and (b) what kinds of (i) energy are being used in the offices of her department and (ii) energy saving measures are being implemented in these offices?
NW1230E
REPLY
(1) (a) & (b) Yes. The Department of Home Affairs is committed to the implementation of the Programme of Energy Efficient Measures in National Government Buildings, as approved by Cabinet, which includes the monitoring and reduction of the use of energy by National Departments. We are currently working on a plan in this regard. The finalised plan will be costed and implemented.
(2) This is dependent on the plan that will be implemented.
(3)(a)(i) & (ii) As per the table below:
Department of Home Affairs:
Financial year |
Costs |
Number of copies |
2001/02 Reprint |
R44,706,02 R28,309,79 |
1800 1000 |
2002/03 |
R92,952,00 |
6000 |
2003/04 |
R118,070,94 |
3000 |
2004/05 |
R141,802,21 |
3000 |
2005/06 |
R169,555,60 |
5000 |
2006/07 |
R191,244,30 |
5000 |
2007/08 |
R R275,973,80 |
3000 |
(3)(b)(i) The Department of Home Affairs utilises electricity supplied by Eskom through the various local municipalities, as it does not have its own source of energy.
(3)(b)(ii) The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) did not embark on a specific energy savings audit. However, the matter was raised with the Department of Public Works (DPW) who is enrolled to do energy savings audits at offices of all National Departments, including all the offices of the Department of Home Affairs. DPW will, subsequent to its findings, issue recommendations on energy saving methods, as well as, energy saving devices that must be installed at the various offices of the Department.
Whilst we await the DHA audit report, we have as an interim measure done the following to address energy saving:
- Discontinued with the installation of geysers
- Requested officials to no longer use portable bar heating systems
As part of our contingencies during load shedding (power-cuts), the Department has installed 11 power generators and uninterrupted power supply at state owned buildings. Further rollout to our Regional Offices will be led by DPW.
Film and Publication Board (FPB):
(3)(a)(i) & (ii) The annual cost of publications, including the Annual Report, is estimated at about R190,000,00. These are necessary and unavoidable publications for the benefit of the public, such as schools and community organisations.
(3)(b)(i) As the FPB does not have its own source of energy, it is utilising electricity supplied by Eskom through the various local municipalities
(3)(b)(ii) The FPB embarked on standard energy saving methods, which include that electrical equipment are switched off when not in use, to use electrical lighting only where and when necessary, utilisation of energy saving light bulbs and to ensure that electricity in all offices are switched off after hours.
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC):
(3)(a)(i) Three (3) reports at a total cost of R199,818,64 in the 2007/08 financial year.
(3)(a)(ii) Twenty three (23) publications, which included manuals, pamphlets, flyers, banners, programs, modules, folders and brochures at a total cost of R999,545,42 in the 2007/08 financial year.
(3)(b)(i) Electricity – with standby diesel generators in a limited number of cases.
(3)(b)(ii) - All non-essential electrical equipment such as lights and air-conditioners are switched-off after working hours.
- The IEC uses electronic communication as its prime means of communicating, both internally and externally. This includes working documents, newsletters and the like. Large amounts of paper are thus saved.
- The IEC embarked on a program in 2007 to plant a tree at every school it uses as a voting station as a means of reducing its carbon footprint. The cost is being covered by donations and staff contributions.
QUESTION 1144
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 27 June 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 20 of 2008
Mr C M Lowe (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
Whether any function was organised to mark the occasion of the delivery of her budget vote in 2008; if so, (a) what total amount was spent on this function, (b) from which budget was the money allocated, (c) what amount was spent on (i) food and refreshments,
(ii) venue, (iii) entertainment, (iv) staff and (v) transport and (d) how many persons were invited to attend this function?
NW1882E
REPLY
(a) Yes. An amount of R67 650 00 was spent on the function.
(b) The money was allocated from the Department's budget.
(c)(i) R67 650.00.
(ii)(iii)(iv)(v) No extra amount of money was spent.
(d) One Hundred and Fifty (150) people were invited.
QUESTION 468
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 14 March 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 9 of 2008
Mr C M Lowe (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(1) With reference to the scarce skills and work permit quotas schedule appearing as a link to her department's website, what are the reasons for (a)(i) chartered accountants, (ii) management accountants, (iii) cost accountants and
(iv) accounting technicians not listed as scarce on the schedule and (b)(i) doctors, (ii) nurses and (iii) other health care professionals not listed as scarce under the health professionals category;
in respect of each of the three most recent financial years for which information is available, how many applications (a) for work permits had been (i) received,
(ii) approved and (iii) successfully placed in terms of permanent employment and (b) considered as having a scarce skill had been (i) received, (ii) successfully registered on the site and (iii) successfully placed in terms of permanent employment?
NW1108E
REPLY
The Department of Home Affairs does not determine the professional categories and occupational classes which are deemed to be scarce and critical or the applicable quotas, but mainly facilitates the issuing of quota work permits to foreigners in these professional categories or occupational classes. For this reason, a national list of scarce skills (Master Skills List) has been developed through collaboration by key Departments (Education, Home Affairs, Labour, and Trade and Industry) in order to provide a concrete picture of skills shortages that have been identified as contributory to blocking economic growth and development.
(2) The following breakdown of information available:
(a) During the period 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006:
(i) 12 765 applications for work permits were received; and
(ii) 12 582 applications for work permits were approved.
During the period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007:
27 997 applications for work permits were received; and
26 917 applications for work permits were approved.
During the period 1 April 2007 until 31 March 2008:
20 824 applications for work permits were received; and
18 584 applications for work permits were approved.
(b) During the period 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006:
(i) 339 quota work permit applications were received; and
(ii) 285 quota work permits were approved.
During the period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007:
942 quota work permits applications were received; and
661 quota work permits were approved.
During the period 25 April 2007 until 31 March 2008:
1191 quota work permit applications were received; and
1133 quota work permits were approved.
(2)(a) (iii) and (2)(b)(iii) Work permits are temporary residence permits and are issued for temporary employment and not permanent employment. With regard to general- and intra company transfer work permits, foreigners have secured employment prior to applying for work permits, which means that they have been placed successfully. In so far as quota work permits are concerned, foreigners are required to provide proof of having secured employment in the respective professional category or occupational class within 90 days after having entered the RSA.
QUESTION 1800
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 17 October 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 31 of 2008
Mr C M Lowe (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
With regard to her reply to Question 889 on 10 October 2008, how many of the 1831 vacancies (a)(i) were filled by the end of the 2007-08 financial year and (ii) are still vacant and (b) by when will her department fill all the vacancies?
NW2595E
REPLY
(a) (i) The 1831 vacancies referred to were vacant as at 10 May 2008.This was before the implementation of the new organisational structure that was approved in January this year.A total of 474 positions were filled since 10 May 2008. However, the Department of Home Affairs has started with the implementation of its newly approved structure with effect from 01 June 2008 and 809 critical positions were identified for filling.
(ii) All the critical identified positions (809) are still vacant. A total of 417 vacant positions have already been advertised. Another 476 vacant positions will be advertised soon.
(b) The Department envisages to fill all remaining vacancies by the end of January 2009.
QUESTION 1800
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 17 October 2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 31 of 2008
Mr C M Lowe (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
With regard to her reply to Question 889 on 10 October 2008, how many of the 1831 vacancies (a)(i) were filled by the end of the 2007-08 financial year and (ii) are still vacant and (b) by when will her department fill all the vacancies?
NW2595E
REPLY
(a) (i) The 1831 vacancies referred to were vacant as at 10 May 2008.This was before the implementation of the new organisational structure that was approved in January this year.A total of 474 positions were filled since 10 May 2008. However, the Department of Home Affairs has started with the implementation of its newly approved structure with effect from 01 June 2008 and 809 critical positions were identified for filling.
(ii) All the critical identified positions (809) are still vacant. A total of 417 vacant positions have already been advertised. Another 476 vacant positions will be advertised soon.
(b) The Department envisages to fill all remaining vacancies by the end of January 2009.
24 December 2008 - Question:Minister of Housing
MPs to ask the Minister of Housing
Reply:
QUESTION NO.: 1444
Mr A C Steyn (DA) is to ask the Minister of Housing as follows:
(1) (a) What was the total cost to the State of consultants used by her
department in the (i) 2005-06; (ii) 2006-07 and (iii) 2007-08 financial years, (b) what are the names of the consultants used, (c) for what purpose were they used and (d) what was the reason for preferring to use consultants instead of hiring persons with the necessary skills?
(2) Whether any former employees of her department have been employed as consultants in the abovementioned financial years; if so (a) why and (b) why did each person leave her department?
Reply:
(1)(a)(i) The total cost to the State of consultants used by the department in the 2005-06 financial years amounted to R 16 597 564.46;
(ii) The total cost to the State of consultants used by the department in the 2006-07 financial years amounted to R21 495 726-96; and
(iii) The total cost to the State of consultants used by the department in the 2007-08 financial year amounted to R 29 464 653-47.
(b)(i) Consultants appointed in 2005-06:
Name of Consultant |
Purpose of appointment |
CSIR - Boutek |
Conduct feasibility study into the development of a mechanism to support alternative technologies and indigenous knowledge systems in rural context. |
Shikanda Event Management cc |
To organize a National Housing research seminar for the Department of Housing. |
Strategic Alter Management |
Development of a detailed policy and implementation guidelines for housing assistances to Households affected by death of Guardians / Parents and the protection of Assets Financed by HSS . |
V3 Consulting Engineers |
Assist with the determining the capacity requirements for the National department of Housing as well as the Provincial Housing Departments. |
Nkonki Incorporated |
Development of a detailed policy and implementation manual on variation of subsidy amount to cater for extraordinary development. Conditions and the special housing requirements of categories beneficiaries. |
Manto Management (Pty) Ltd |
Validation of the housing waiting lists in the country, their development processes and the consolidation thereof. |
KPMG Service |
Development of a comprehensive monitoring evaluation and impact assessment system for the National Department of Housing. |
Africon Engineering International |
Development of a comprehensive monitoring evaluation and impact assessment system for the National Department of Housing. |
Procurement Dynamics (Pty) Ltd |
Investigation of the impact of client payment processes on small/ micro and medium contractors. |
Nkonki Incorporated |
Finalizing of registration process towards achieving a National Housing demand database in the Western Cape, City of Cape Town. |
Consultants appointed in 2006/07:
Name of Consultant |
Purpose of appointment |
EDTECH Consulting |
To Conduct Housing Consumer Education Train the Trainer as part of the Housing Consumer Education {HOE} – Rollout to Provinces and Municipalities. |
T.L. Consulting |
To Manage the implementation of the housing Consumer Education Programme. |
Nomkhitha Gys ans & Associates Development Consultants |
For finalizing the registration / confirmation process towards achieving a national housing demand database in the Western cape City of Cape Town. |
Kago Local Government Consulting |
Conduct Train-the-Trainer on Sanitation, Health and Hygiene Programme: |
Richard Tomlinson |
For converting the National Housing Code into new policy and implementation guidelines for sustainable housing development. |
Khuthulani Cleaning Services |
Rendering of cleaning services for one year. |
Bergstan SA |
Conduct a study into the State of Social Economic, Ethnic, Citizenry and Racial Integration in residential areas. |
Focused Approach Management Urban Dynamics Gauteng Inc. |
Appointment of a service provider: task directive for the first phase of a back office delivery turn around plan for the National Department of Housing. |
Consultants appointed in 2007/08:
Name of Consultant |
Purpose of appointment |
Bergstan SA |
To undertake a study into the State of Social Economic, Ethnic, Citizenry and Racial Integration in Resettlement Areas. |
Tiso Coaching Services |
To workshop Councilors in terms of the Home Loan and Mortgage Disclosure Act 2000 (Act No. 63 of 2000) |
Development Works |
Development of the Rollout Strategy for Housing Chapters of Integrated Development Plans |
Oryx Media Products |
Develop and implement a Communication Strategy to influence and raise awareness in the NS Gateway Project |
Graham Paddock and Associates |
Assist with the completion of the remaining work on Sectional Titles Management Bills and Community Schemes Ombud Service Bills. |
Ashira Consulting |
Do an investigation of insurance cover for subsidy house |
Kayamandi Informatics (Pty) Ltd |
To mediate between communities in conflict over housing development in Ekhuphumeleni in Phillipi in the Western Cape Province |
Centre for Conflict Resolution |
Conduct training on Housing Consumer Education and Housing Policy and Legislation for the N2 Gateway Project |
T L Consulting |
Undertake a benchmarking initiative on corporate policies of public agencies and develop a full suite of corporate policies for the Housing Development Agency Ltd in preparation for its eventual establishment and operation |
I Selepe Consulting |
Perform DOH Risk Management Services |
Ernst & Young |
Do an evaluation of the reporting on the advance tranch payments made to municipalities to implement approved projects linked to subsidies |
Hlaniki Investment Holding and Wits Business School |
Conduct training for elected Councilors |
Dynamics Maserumule Incorporated |
Assist with legal advisory services |
Urban Dynamics |
Appointment of a service provider: task directive for the first phase of a back office delivery turn around plan for the National Department of Housing. |
(c) See above.
(d) The appointment of consultants was necessitated by the specialised nature of the specific assignments. These assignments required special expertise for a defined period. Such projects furthermore did not warrant the appointment of persons on a permanent basis on the structure of the Department as it would not have been cost effective.
2. No former employees of the department were employed as consultants during the financial years: 2005/ 06; 2006/07 and 2007/08.
QUESTION NUMBER 1520
Mr A C Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Housing:
(1) Whether she has been informed of a letter being distributed in the name of a certain person (details furnished); if so,
(2) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
Please find the following statement that was issued by the MEC for Local Government and Housing: North West on 11 August 2008, responding to this matter.
"Confiscation of houses a hoax
11 August 2008
The North West Department of Developmental Local Government and Housing has dismissed the fraudulent declaration signed by a fictitious "Hon Richard Molefe" purportedly in his capacity as Minister for Local Government and Housing as a hoax.
The deceitful "declaration" dated 31 July 2008 is fraudulently written on the letterhead of the North West Provincial Legislature and circulated in Klerksdorp. It alleges that according to New Statue Law 34/217 of 2008, 5 000 houses and or townhouses to the value of between R1.2 million in Tlokwe, Matlosana and Rustenburg Local Municipalities are to be confiscated from white house owners and transferred to previously disadvantaged groups.
There is no Hon Richard Molefe in the North West Provincial Legislature, in the National Assembly, National Council, Council of Provinces and in other provincial legislatures throughout South Africa. The quoted Statue Law does not exist and the "declaration" is not even in the prescribed format or gazetted as required by law. The hoax is a dishonourable, mischievous product of desperate elements wishing to stir unnecessary anxiety, discontent and tension within the targeted communities.
In dismissing the circulated document as a hoax, the MEC for Developmental Local Government and Housing, Howard Yawa said. "The Department has no intention to confiscate any houses or townhouses or infringe on the rights of citizens to property. The hoax is a disingenuous farce that undermines our constitutional democracy."
The department urges any person with information as to the origin of the document or its distributors to report the matter to the police. Residents are also urged to be vigilant and demand identification from any person claiming to be an official executing the declaration and report the person to the police."
QUESTION NO. 824
WRITTEN REPLY
Mr A C Steyn, MP (DA) to ask the Minister of Housing:
Whether any economically sustainable communities have been developed over the past fourteen years through the RDP housing; if not, why not; if so (a) how many, (b) where are they located and (c) how was their sustainability measured.
Reply
The concept of economically sustainable communities was only adopted in relation to the Comprehensive Plan for the Establishment of Sustainable Human Settlements (Breaking New Ground) introduced in 2004 and therefore has no bearing on the RDP housing programmes.
QUESTION NO.: 563
Mr A C Steyn (DA), MP to ask the Minister of Housing:
(a) Which provinces made use of the Operational Expenditure Budget in support of the implementation of National and Provincial Housing Programmes,
(b) What amounts were disbursed against this facility in each province in the (i) 2006-07 and (ii ) 2007-08 financial years,
(c) What are the names of the consultants appointed,
(d) What was their total remuneration in each financial year,
(e) What are the details of the projects they were involved in, and
(f) What is the value received by the provincial department by their employment?
RESPONSE:
For 2006/07 financial year 5 provinces, namely Eastern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and Western Cape made use of the Operational Capital Budget. With respect to 2007/08 all provinces in exception of Limpopo have made use of Operational Capital Budget.
The amount disbursed by the provinces are as follows:
Provinces |
06/07 Expenditure R'000 |
0 7/08 Expenditure R'000 |
Eastern Cape |
21,246 |
29,746 |
Free State |
7,628 |
17,676 |
Gauteng |
- |
46,944 |
Kwazulu Natal |
- |
535 |
Limpopo |
- |
- |
Mpumalanga |
4,349 |
14,496 |
Northern Cape |
1,413 |
1,294 |
North West |
- |
19,092 |
Western Cape |
11,552 |
3,626 |
Total |
46,188 |
133,409 |
Question no: 564
Mr A C Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Housing:
(a) How many Cuban technical advisors were involved in the co-operation programme between her department and Cuba's Ministry of Construction in the (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08 financial years, (b) which provinces were they employed in, (c) how many were employed in each province and (d) what are the details of the projects they were and are involved in in respect of (i) value, (ii) number of units and (iii) expected completion dates?
Reply:
(i) In 2006/07 fifty seven (57) Technical advisors were employed by provinces.
(ii) In 2007/ 08- fifty seven (57) Technical advisors were employed in provinces.
Cuban technical advisors were employed in provinces as follows:
Province |
Number of Cuban advisors employed in provinces |
Eastern Cape Mpumalanga Free State Limpopo Kwazulu Natal Western Cape North West |
9 12 5 7 10 12 5 |
(d) (i) Cuban engineers and architects are recruited by provinces to provide technical support in housing projects implemented by provinces. It is a known fact that, currently the country is experiencing shortage of skills in almost all sectors. The construction industry is facing similar challenges more especially with the i nfrastructure investment by government and the looming big event like the 2010 World Cup the demand for skills remain high. Government is competing with the private sector for the limited skills available and with the incentives that the private sector offers, skilled people are easily lured to the private sector, and that leaves the public sector with the challenge to implement its programmes without adequate capacity. The challenge is even compounded/ increased by the fact that housing programmes are being implemented in rural areas where very few professionals are interested in providing their services. The Cuban technical advisors are recruited to address skills shortage and to fill the void where their services are mostly required especially in rural areas. Cuban advisors have provided invaluable service by imparting skills and knowledge to officials at provincial and municipal level, communities, NGO's and students who participated in housing projects as part of their experiential learning.
(ii) Cuban technical advisors were involved in projects as follows:
Province |
NO of projects they were involved in |
Houses/Units completed |
Houses/ Units under construction |
Eastern Cape |
102 |
2208 |
37 952 |
Kwazulu Natal |
24 |
1 760 |
1 300 |
North West |
19 |
3 700 |
545 |
Nothern Cape |
6 |
700 |
1000 |
Mpumalanga |
27 |
2 532 |
2 967 |
Free State |
24 |
1 760 |
1 300 |
Western Cape |
20 |
847 |
779 |
(iii) The Cuban technical advisors are employed in the provinces for a fixed three year period. Due to the fact that housing projects are implemented in phases, in many instances when they enter or leave South Africa after their contracts have expired, projects are at various stages of development.
QUESTION No. 887
Mr E W Trent (DA) to ask the Minister of Housing:
(1) Whether there has been a comprehensive physical inspection of housing projects by the various Provincial Authorities and/or her department to quantify accurately the number of houses with building defects; if not; why not; if so, in each province (a) how many units require repair work and (b) what is the total estimated cost thereof;
(2) whether any contracts have been rewarded for the repair of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses; if so, in each province (a) how many contracts, (b) what is the total number of units involved and (c) what is the estimated cost thereof;
(3) Whether there has been a comprehensive survey in each province to establish the number of persons who have taken occupation of their RDP houses, but have not yet received the deed of transfer, if not, why not; if so, how many of these transfers have been outstanding for a period (a) less than three months, (b) between three to six months, (c) between six to twelve months and (d) longer than 12 months;
(4) Whether there is a plan in place to rectify the situation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply
(1) Yes, Provincial Housing Departments did initiate a process to determine the number of housing units with building defects. Various methodologies such as surveys and requests for beneficiary applications were utilised to determine the projects and number of units with defects that have to undergo rectification. The services of the NHBRC are utilised to ensure that the same contractor who initially built the units, is not appointed to do the rectification and that contractors appointed adhere to the necessary requirements.
In terms of the information received from the Provincial Housing Departments, the Rectification Programme has been implemented in all nine provinces. Detail of the status quo in each Province is set out in the table below:
Province |
Number of units |
Total estimated costs - R' million |
Status |
Eastern Cape |
19 953 |
99,7 |
Currently 150 units are at various stages of completion. |
Free State |
- |
- |
In a process of appointing a service provider to do a survey to identify the number of units to be rectified. |
Gauteng |
3 440 |
N/A |
Rectification process in progress |
KwaZulu-Natal |
839 |
N/A |
Rectification process in progress |
Limpopo |
2000 |
N/A |
Rectification process in progress |
Mpumalanga |
9 701 |
N/A |
Survey has been done and the appointment of contractors for the first 300 units is receiving attention through the normal procurement process |
Northern Cape |
1341 |
12,4 |
Currently 554 housing units have been rectified and the balance is in process. |
North West |
600 |
2,3 |
Programme is still in the planning stage and a contractor has not yet been appointed. |
Western Cape |
2473 |
82,4 |
Applications has been received for 2705 and are in process of being evaluated. |
(2) The following provinces have already appointed contractors, namely: Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and Western Cape.
PROVINCE |
HOW MANY CONTRACTS |
TOTAL NUMBER OF UNITS INVOLVED |
ESTIMATED COST R' MILLION |
Eastern Cape |
26 |
5,145 |
99,7 |
Mpumalanga |
3 |
N/A |
|
Northern Cape |
1 |
1341 |
12,4 |
Western Cape |
6 |
2473 |
82,4 |
(3) Yes, various initiatives have been undertaken or are in the process to verify whether beneficiairies ocuppying their houses have received deed of transfer. Details of the status quo in the various Provinces are as follows:
Eastern Cape:
The survey is under way. A service provider has been appointed to conduct a door to door verification exercise of all people that received a subsidised house. The objective of the survey is to verify whether the occupant is the approved owner of the property and whether he/she has received a title deed. The survey only commenced in April 2008 and has not yet been finalised. Some of the transfers have been outstanding for longer than twelve months due to certain municipalities not having finalised the township establishment process.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Housing Department is in the process of appointing town planning experts to assist with the fast-tracking of the township establishment process in projects where this is an inhibiting factor. The latter projects have been identified. The Provincial Department is also currently beefing up its contract management capacity to assist municipalities to deal with slack conveyancers. In terms hereof, monthly meetings are held with the relevant municipalities and their conveyancers to iron out issues that have blockages.
Gauteng:
The Gauteng Provincial Housing Department has appointed a service provider, namely Servcon to undertake an audit of occupation of the housing subsidy scheme houses. Servcon has been instructed by the Provincial Housing Department to visit houses built by the province and ascertain whether the approved beneficiary is in occupation of the house. Servcon established to date that 25 053 beneficiaries are in occupation of their housing subsidy scheme house but have not received their title deeds. The Provincial Housing Department has mandated Servcon to regularize instances where the beneficiaries have not received their title deeds and to ensure that these beneficiaries are registered at the Deeds Office.
Limpopo:
According to a survey conducted, a total number of 10 473 beneficiaries have taken occupancy of subsidised houses without deeds of transfer being issued. The Provincial Department is planning to register 3000 of these properties during the current financial year, 4000 in 2009/10 and the balance of 3475 in the 2010/2011 financial year.
Mpumalanga:
The Provincial Housing Department is aware of the occupants of subsidised houses without title deeds. Problems are being experienced with registering title deeds because most of the townships were not proclaimed and developments are located in rural areas. As a result, conveyancers are struggling to register deeds. The Provincial Housing Department has initiated a process to proclaim all townships in order to be able to register title deeds which will assist in preventing beneficiaries from selling subsidised houses unlawfully. A service provider has been appointed to take the necessary steps and some documentation has already been submitted to the Office of the Registrar of Deeds.
Northern Cape
A total number of 2628 beneficiaires without title deeds was identified during an investigation in October 2007. Of this number 1136 registrations have already taken place and the particulars of the other have been forwarded to the relevant conveyancers for the necessary attention. Investigations are continuing and the number of registrations is updated every two weeks.
Western Cape
The Western Cape Provincial Housing Department has commenced with some surveys in this regard but no information is yet available of the extent or number of beneficiaries that occupy subsidised housing units which are not yet transferred to their names.
(4) As indicated in paragraph (3) above, most Provinces have already put some initiatives in place to address this matter. In addition, the National Department of Housing is also in the process of considering various options in this regard to assist Provincial Housing Departments in their efforts.
QUESTION NO.: 636
Mrs P de Lille (ID) to ask the Minister of Housing as follows:
(1) How many employees in her department are currently (i) under investigation for fraud related to housing subsidies and ancillary matters and (ii) being prosecuted for fraud (iii) have owned up to fraud and have been spared prosecution provided that money that has misappropriated, is paid back, (b) what steps have been taken to eliminate fraud con cerning housing subsidies and (c) with what success?
Reply:
None
I can imagine the glee with which the Honourable Member asked the question. Here are the facts:
No employees in my department are under investigation because no corruption or fraud has taken place IN the department, but unearthed when an audit was done and civil servants across government had made false submissions and thereby procured housing subsidies. NOT ONE of these civil servants was from the Department of Housing. NOT ONE.
In my Budget Vote on 28 May 2008, I reported back to Parliament on a matter referred to the department by the Auditor-General from his review of the period 1999 to 2004, where government employees from various levels of government, had fraudulently claimed subsidy housing. The Department of Housing monitors the subsidy scheme in the same way as National Treasury monitors the Persal salary payment system.
The National Department of Housing does not administer subsidies, it only monitors the system.
(b) This is what I delivered in my Budget Vote address on 28 May 2008:
"The SIU embarked on a massive forensic data analytical investigation and identified 31259 potentially irregular housing subsidy transactions awarded to government employees nationally. The SIU has begun the process of prosecuting and finalising criminal cases against the corrupt officials in different Provinces around the country. 29 cases have already been finalised with sentences including the payment of the value of the houses. The total amount of debt we expect to recover is R6 827,036.30. A cash amount of R1 103,772.00 has been paid back. The SIU will make recommendations to the Department in order to curb future systematic or opportunistic abuse of the Housing Subsidy System.
"It is envisaged that two hundred (200) cases will be placed on the court roll in the new financial year. The prosecution of fraudulent beneficiaries will have a significant impact in terms of deterrence and promoting a culture of legal obedience."
QUESTION NO: 332
Mr S.J. Masango, (D.A), to ask the Minister of Housing:
As the latest specified date for which information is available,
(a) How many units of the N2 Gateway development were occupied
(i) in total; and
(ii) by individuals who had been on the Cape Town housing list.
(b) What is the current estimated date of completion of the project; and
(c) What constraints remain in meeting the target date?
Reply
(a) (i) As of 17th June 2008, the total number of units occupied in the N2 Gateway Project is as follows:
Rental Units: Joe Slovo Rental Units 705
Total 705
Ownership units: Delft Symphony Precints 4 and 6 1061
Delft 7 – 9 150
New Rest 150
1361
(ii) Of the 1361 houses handed over, 429 beneficiaries were backyarders and 932 from informal settlements who are all from the City's waiting list..
(b) The N2 Gateway Project is a project which seeks to test the appropriateness of the "Breaking New Ground" Comprehensive Plan for the delivery of sustainable and integrated Human Settlements.
The current status of the project:
Delft Symphony |
6242 serviced sites. Serviced site for the construction of 350 rental units. |
Complete Complete. |
Delft 7-9 |
3908 serviced sites Serviced site for the construction of 845 rental units. |
Complete |
New Rest |
1154 serviced sites. |
To be completed Dec 2008 |
Joe Slovo 3 |
1545 serviced sites. |
Date unknown as we await outcome of court action. |
Boystown |
1308 serviced sites. |
Unknown |
HOUSES
Joe Slovo Rental Housing |
705 units |
Complete |
Delft Symphony Precinct 4 & 6 |
2374 |
To be completed Aug 2008 1061 occupied. |
Delft Symphony Precinct 1& 2 |
1850 |
To be completed Jun 2009 |
Delft Symphony Social Rental |
350 |
To be completed Jun 2009 |
Delft Symphony Precinct 3 & 5 |
1333 |
To be completed Jun 2009 |
Delft 7-9 |
3908 |
To be completed Dec 2008 150 occupied. |
Delft 7-9 Social Rental |
845 (up to 3 storeys) |
To be completed Jun 2009 |
New Rest (contractor Built) |
620 |
To be completed Feb 2009 150 occupied. |
New Rest (PHP) |
535 |
To be completed Jun 2009 |
Boystown |
1308 |
To be completed Mar 2010 |
Joe Slovo 2 |
43 ( affordable houses by others) |
December 2008. |
Joe Slovo 3 |
1545 |
Date unknown as we await outcome of court action. |
The above upon completion will realise 15,416 housing opportunities. Whilst it was originally the intention to deliver 23,178 housing opportunities this figure continues to increase as a result of inward migration and is estimated to be now closer to 30,000. It follows, therefore, that a further 15,000 housing opportunities will have to be made available. This will form part of the next process, which has already been initiated, of identifying and acquiring land to be able to meet this growing demand which then will define the project completion date.
(c) Other than the land shortages experienced in the whole of the Cape Town region, the other constraints remaining in meeting the target for the completion of the project are as follows:
· Illegal invasions
· Labour challenges
· Protest actions
QUESTION 1014
Mr A C Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Housing:
(1) Whether her department (a) has kept records as required by the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999, and (b) has reported any incidents of losses through (i) criminal conduct, (ii) unauthorised expenditure, (iii) irregular expenditure or (iv) fruitless and wasteful expenditure during the 2007-08 financial year; if not, why not; if so,
(2) whether any action has been taken against the offending officials; if not, why not; if so, in each category, (a) how many officials (i) were dismissed, (ii) were suspended and (iii) had other sanctions imposed on them and (b) what amounts of money were involved;
(3) whether there were any disciplinary cases pending on 31 March 2008; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. (a) Yes
(b) Yes
2. Yes
(a) (i) One (1) dismissal for theft
(ii) None
(iii) One written warning
Four final written warnings
(b) A total of R32 328-12 for all cases
4. Yes, one (1) case is pending. It was found that the official negligently mismanaged state finances.
QUESTION NO.: 1253
Mr AC Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Housing:
§ What amount was spent by officials of her Department on
(a) Hotel Accommodation
(b) restaurants expenses and
(c) travel costs.
(i) in the 2007 -08 financial year and
(ii) during the period 1 April 2008 up to the latest specified date for which information is available?
REPLY
The Department has constitutional and statutory responsibilities towards the Portfolio Committee and other Parliamentary structures, whenever their presence is required. In the period under question, the department has appeared before Parliament structures no less than 51 occasions. The staff attends Minmec meetings, which is also a statutory requirement. A departmental team is permanently based in the Eastern Cape, acting on a Cabinet instruction for a special intervention. In addition, the officials of the Department of Housing are responsible to regularly travel to all nine provinces to check on progress made with the implementation of housing projects, meet with Provincial Housing Departments. These responsibilities of the National Department of Housing means that officials would travel and sometimes stay overnight in hotels and that costs would be incurred.
Total expenditure incurred during 2007/08 on hotel accommodation, restaurants and travel costs amounted to R 27 754 161.46
DOMESTIC |
FOREIGN |
(a)(i) Accommodation R 5 762 905.68 (b)(i) Daily allowance and incidental costs R 639 594.95 (c)((i) Travel costs R 16 916 483.88 Total R 23 318 984.51 |
(a)(i) Accommodation R 2 005 885.54 (b)(i) Daily allowance and incidental costs R 291 068.15 (c) (i) Travel costs R2 138 223.26 Total R4 435 176.95 |
Total expenditure incurred from 1 April 2008 to 05 August 2008 on hotel accommodation, restaurants and travel costs amounted to R 10 159 539.93. The amount comprises:
DOMESTIC |
FOREIGN |
(a)(ii) Accommodation R 1 888 273.70 (b)(ii) Daily allowance and incidental costs R 253 359.41 (c)(ii) Travel costs R 6 046 885.52 Total R 8 188 518.63 |
(a)(ii) Accommodation R 1 592 478.48 (b)(ii) Daily allowance and incidental costs R 122 075.98 (c)(ii) Travel costs R 256 466.84 Total R 1 971 021.30 |
QUESTION NO: 1275
Mr P J Groenewald (FF) to ask the Minister of Housing:
(1) What amount did her department (a) budget and (b) spend on the construction of new houses in North West in the (i) 2004-05, (ii) 2005-06, (iii) 2006-07 and (iv) 2007-08 financial years and (c) in what areas was this money spent;
(2) Whether there was any over- or under spending of the budget; if so, what were the reasons for this in each case;
(3) Whether any problems are mentioned in the project reports of the various project managers in North West; if so, (a) what are these problems and (b) what corrective steps are being taken in each case;
(4) Whether she will make a statement on the matter?
REPLY
1 The following amounts were granted to the North West province for the (i)2004/05; (ii) 2005/06; (iii) 2006/07 and 2007/08 financial years:
Financial year |
Total Funds available R'000 |
Amount spent R'000 |
2004/05 |
513 737 |
371 933 |
2005/06 |
609 795 |
615 412 |
2006/07 |
699 915 |
696 544 |
2007/08 |
875 178 |
*785 516 |
* The figure for the 2007/08 financial year is in the process of being audited due to the fact that the audit report has not been issued as yet.
(c) The funds were reported to have been spent in the following housing programmes:
1. Project-Linked Subsidies |
7. Developer Driven Individual Subsidy |
2. Consolidated Subsidies |
8. Individual subsidies |
3. Institutional Programme |
9. Extended Benefit Scheme |
4.Hostel Upgrading Programme |
10.Social Housing Prorgramme |
5. Rural housing Programme |
11.Integrated Human Settlement Programme |
6. Peoples Housing Process Programme |
12. Operational Capital Programme |
QUESTION NO: 904
Mr A C Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Housing:
(1) Whether her department makes use of private security firms; if so, how much money was spent on such firms in 2007;
(2) whether these firms are used on a contractual basis; if so, (a) how many contracts did her department take out in this regard in 2007, (b) with which firms were these contracts taken out, (c) for what specific purpose was each contract taken out and (d) what was the value of the contract in each case;
(3) why is there a need for her department to use a private security firm as opposed to state security?
Reply
(1) No
(2) Not applicable
(3) Not applicable
QUESTION NO: 904
Mr A C Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Housing:
(1) Whether her department makes use of private security firms; if so, how much money was spent on such firms in 2007;
(2) whether these firms are used on a contractual basis; if so, (a) how many contracts did her department take out in this regard in 2007, (b) with which firms were these contracts taken out, (c) for what specific purpose was each contract taken out and (d) what was the value of the contract in each case;
(3) why is there a need for her department to use a private security firm as opposed to state security?
Reply
(1) No
(2) Not applicable
(3) Not applicable
QUESTION No. 1905
Mr S J Masango (DA) to ask the Minister of Housing:
(1) Whether, with reference to her reply to oral Question 102 on 12 March 2008, the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality and the Eastern Cape Provincial Housing Department has provided her with the relevant information; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply
(1) Yes. Funding for the work was approved by the Council, tender documents were prepared, and the tender process was followed. The site was handed over to the successful contractor on 21 November 2008. Although the contractor managed to be on site with all the necessary equipment, he failed to comply with Occupation and Health Safety Regulations. The contractor is currently in the process of putting the necessary procedures and processes in place to ensure compliance with the relevant regulations and will commence with actual repairs by the middle of January 2009.
QUESTION 1945
Mr A C Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Housing:
In each of the past five years up to and including 1 November 2008, (a) how many houses has her department built in each province, (b) how many provincial departments of housing have underspent their budgets, (c) how many housing projects (i) are currently under way, (ii) were completed and (iii) were suspended and (d) what is the total cost of all (i) houses that her department has built and (ii) suspended housing projects?
REPLY
The National Department of Housing has delivered a total number of houses completed and in process of completion as follows:
(a)
(b) h
NNote: Housing delivery information for the month of October and November 2008 is in the process of being finalised.
(b)
Provinces |
2004/05 |
2005/2006 |
2006/2007 |
2007/2008 |
2008/2009 |
No. of PHDs with under-expenditure of more than 5% |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
Pending |
(b) The number of housing projects:
(i) that are currently under way:
Province |
Total |
EC |
127 |
FS |
221 |
GP |
676 |
KZ |
182 |
LP |
317 |
MP |
371 |
NC |
87 |
NW |
170 |
WC |
346 |
Total |
2,467 |
(ii) that were completed:
Province |
Total |
EC |
29 |
FS |
111 |
GP |
105 |
KZ |
65 |
LP |
66 |
MP |
82 |
NC |
59 |
NW |
23 |
WC |
162 |
Total |
732 |
(iii) that were suspended:
There are no projects that the National Department of Housing is aware of that have been suspended.
(c) The total cost of:
(i) houses that the department has built:
R29,6 billion has been expended over the 5 year period to 01 November 2008.
Year |
Total (R '000) |
2004/05 |
R 4,481,638 |
2005/06 |
R 5,014,231 |
2006/07 |
R 6,495,433 |
2007/08 |
R 8,219,794 |
2008/09 |
R 5,462,632 |
Total |
R 29,673,728 |
(ii) suspended housing projects:
Nil - There are no projects that the National Department of Housing is aware of that have been suspended.
QUESTION 1633
Dr R Rabinowitz to ask the Minister of Housing:
1. Whether a tender was issued for the supply of solar water geysers in the two projects in Alexandria (names furnished), if not, why not; if so, (a) which companies responded to the tender, (b) what were their tenders in each case, (c) to whom was the tender awarded (d) what was the cost (i) per item or per geyser and (ii) per geyser installed and (e) how many geysers were installed,
2. Whether there is an ongoing service component to the awarded contract; if not, why not, if so, what does it comprise;
3. Whether it includes the training of persons in the community; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY
1. According to the Eastern Cape Department of Housing, as well as the Ndlambe Municipality, none of the housing projects in that municipality contain solar water geysers due to the fact that the housing subsidy does not provide for the installation of geysers in subsidized houses. A tender in this regard was therefore never issued.
2. Not applicable
3. Not applicable
QUESTION NO. 1070
Mr A C Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Housing:
(1) Whether any members of her department are currently suspended on full pay; if so, (a) how many, (b) at what rank level, (c) in which management areas and (d) for how long have they been on suspension
(2) what was the cost to her department of salaries paid to members suspended on full pay in respect of each of the past three financial years up to and including the 2007-08 financial year?
Reply
(1) No
(2) 2005/06 R0
2006/07 R385 554.47
2007/08 R630 875.79
QUESTION NO 961
Mr. A C Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Housing:
(1) Whether her department has conducted an energy audit to determine its (a) use of energy and (b) opportunities for reduction of energy use; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) Whether her department has any plans to reduce energy consumption; if not, why not; if so, what plans;
(3) Whether her department has made any material reduction in energy use since 1 January 2008; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY
(1) Yes; the department engaged the services of Electro Sense to undertake an energy audit during March 2008. The outcome of the Audit indicates that the department complies with the Department of Minerals Energy requirements as far as the fittings is concerned The report highlights that there is a need to switch off lights when not in use and that all magnetic and or cold start electronic ballasts must be retrofit to the more efficient warm electronic ballasts as well as changing inefficient incandescent lamps to compact fluorescent lamps and/ or lower wattage incandescent lamps, of which these amount to only 73 units as the other units are energy efficient.
(2) Yes. The department is implementing a plan which indicates time to switch off lights and which areas are to be lit up. Energy efficient bulbs and fittings have been fitted to the buildings. Further process of sourcing the lighting retrofit and sensor installation is currently underway.
(3) The department has made concerted efforts to comply with the energy efficiency measures as it has outlined above however, it is too soon to can proclaim a substantive reduction in energy usage.
QUESTION NO.: 742
Mr A.C Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Housing:
(1) Whether there have been any instances where certificates of occupations, rather than the title deeds, have been used as the basis for the sale of low-cost houses; If so (a) what is the extent of this problem and (b) what action has been taken to address this problem;
(2) Whether any persons who had purchased a house under such circumstances have subsequently lost (a) the house and (b) the purchase amount; If not, what is the position in this regard; If so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1)(a) No
(1)(b) Not applicable
(2)(a) Not applicable
(2)(b) Not applicable
QUESTION NO.: 749
Mr AC Steyn (DA) asks the Minister of Housing:
As the latest specified date for which information is available, whether, any action has been taken against developers for failure to deliver on their contracts; if not, why not, if so
(a) What action; and
(b) Against whom?
Reply
Yes
Action has been taken against developers as follows:
Limpopo Province
Legal actions have been taken against three developers who had not complied with the specifications.
Mpumalanga
The services of two contractors were terminated and taken over by a new contractor. Additional penalties were changed for missing items and quality problems.
QUESTION NUMBER 756
Mr S J Masango (DA) to ask the Minister of Housing:
Whether the position of Chief Operations Officer currently held by a certain person (name furnished) was advertised internally and externally; if not, why not; if so, (a) when was the position advertised, (b) in which newspapers, (c) what were the requirements and qualifications for the position; and (d) – (i) how many people were short-listed and (ii) what are their (aa) names and (bb) qualifications
REPLY
Yes
(a) Sunday, 21 October 2007
(b) Sunday Times, City Press and Rapport
(c) (i) Proven strategic management and planning abilities as well as
administrative and organisational skills; Experience in international co-operation and inter departmental relations; Ability to maintain sound interpersonal relations; Knowledge of administrative procedures applicable to the Public Service; In-depth knowledge of the housing environment, pertaining specifically to the development of housing legislation and policy; A clear understanding of the political, socio-economic environment and unwavering commitment to customer care; Proven skills in both written and verbal communication at a high level will be strong recommendations; Understanding of broader transformation issues; Knowledge of Government finances and the PFMA would be and advantage; Ability to work under pressure; Refine knowledge and understanding of inter-governmental relations.
(ii) An appropriate three-year Bachelor's degree/diploma or equivalent qualification plus proven relevant experience.
(d) (i) No applicants were short-listed for the post due to the fact that the incumbent of the post of Deputy Director-General: Delivery Support was transferred to the post of Chief of Operations.
Not applicable – see (d) (i)
(aa) Not applicable
(bb) Not applicable
QUESTION NO. 1104
Dr R Rabinowitz (IFP) to ask the Minister of Housing:
1. Whether she will ensure that her department (a) monitors and (b) reduces its carbon footprint with immediate effect; if so, how will this be done;
2. Whether this will include the phasing out of glossy publications from all agencies or councils reporting to her; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
3. (a) what is the estimated costs of all such (i) reports (ii) publications per annum in the case of these agencies and all other documents of her department and (b) what kinds of (i) energy are being used in the offices of her department and (ii) energy saving measures are being implemented in these offices?
REPLY
The response below applies to the National Department of Housing and, the following Housing Institutions – National Home Builders Registration Council; National Housing Finance Corporation; Rural Housing Loan Fund; Servcon; NURCHA; Thubelisha and Social Housing Foundation.
(1a) The National Department of Housing currently monitors and evaluates the impact of National Housing Policies, Programmes and Projects. There are currently no specific mechanisms in place for the monitoring of the carbon footprint as pertains to the national Department of Housing and it's Housing Institutions.
(1b) In view of the growing importance of the issue of managing national carbon footprints globally, the Department will have to consider the role of the Monitoring & Evaluation unit in investigating the problem. This action will also lead to the need to consult with other relevant Departments such as the Departments of Environment Affairs and Tourism, as well as Minerals and Energy and others in order to develop collaborative strategies regarding carbon footprints.
Once this consultation and processes have been completed, my Department may be in a position to develop and provide all relevant entities with guidelines on how to conserve energy and promote a healthy environment.
2. The Department and the Housing Institutions that report to the Minister of Housing primarily produce non-glossy publications aimed at imparting information to all stakeholders in the housing sector. Among these are factual Z-fold pamphlets that inform beneficiaries of housing access criteria and existing housing programmes.
Currently the only glossy publications produced are Annual Reports/Reviews which are statutorily required for 'tabling' to Parliament (750 copies per entity and the Department).
As part of the investigation and development of a strategy to manage the issue of reducing the Departmental carbon footprint, the unit tasked with this function will be required to make recommendations on the development of environmentally friendly strategies in terms of energy audits at construction sites, recycling programmes and, production alternatives.
Currently the Department and some of the entities are already applying environmentally friendly strategies that contribute to the conservation of the environment. Among these are:
· the use of environmentally friendly paper for the production of Annual Reports;
· the reduction of the full copy print runs to meet the requirements for Parliamentary 'tabling' quotas and;
· extensive use of alternative methods such as DVD's and, the Website.
In addition to the Website smaller hard copy quantities of the summarised version of the report will be produced to cut down on the impact on the environment.
· availing in-house documents and reports in electronic format for employees to read on their Computers instead of printing hard copies.
(3a)
(i) Estimated costs for Annual Reports are R1 251 558.00
(ii) Estimated costs for Publications per annum are R765 000.00
The costs tabulated in these figures account for bulk multi-lingual (11 languages) printing of publications (and exceeds the six languages of the National Language Framework) aimed at reaching the primary target markets in their own mother tongue languages. This is especially the case with the national Department which also supplies Provinces and Municipalities with copies for on-going local distribution.
(3b)
(i) Energy used in the offices is electricity supplied by Eskom or the Local Municipalities within which organisations operate.
(iii) Energy saving measures implemented include:
· Electricity:
i. Switching off unused lights during the day as well as all lights at the end of the working day.
ii. Replacing conventional light bulbs with energy saving light bulbs.
iii. Switching off computers when not in use as well as removing screen savers from computer screens.
iv. Unplugging cellular phone chargers when not in use.
v. Connecting several officers to fewer printers.
vi. Severely limit the number of Colour printers available for staff use.
vii. Conversion of air conditioners to individual operation controls instead of being centrally operated.
viii.
· Paper:
i. Produce, distribute and store press cuttings electronically.
ii. Electronic editing/comments for Draft documents.
iii. Double sided printing.
iv. Re-cycle used paper via re-cycling bins and, printing drafts on used paper.
v. Electronic stock control, orders and receipt issuing;
vi. Electronic presentation and distribution of 'Presentations' at meetings;
vii. Printing of limited quantities of in-house Newsletters which are also accessible on the Website/Intranet;
viii. Limited bulk printing of official Stationary (eg. letterheads, fax sheets, invitations, cards etc.) – the template/master copies are available from the Intranet for individual downloading;
ix. All staff have access (at own Desk or Library) to the Intranet where they can access official documents to read or print if necessary.
x. Reduction of the number of publication subscriptions.
· Others:
i. Encourage staff to share cars when attending the same meetings;
ii. Promotion of teleconferencing to avoid travel to meetings.
While these energy saving measures are not exhaustive, the entities and the Department will continue to explore alternative methods for environmentally friendly ways of doing business and, develop campaigns to conscientise employees on the need to save energy at work and at home.
QUESTION NO.: 1145
Mr AC Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Housing:
Whether any function was organised to mark the occasion of the delivery of the minister's budget vote in 2008; If so,
a) What total amount was spent on this function,
b) From which budget was the money allocated
c) What amount was spent on
i. Food and refreshments
ii. Venue
iii. Entertainment
iv. Staff and
v. Transport
a) How many persons were invited to attend this function?
REPLY
Yes,
a) R0
b) ABSA Bank sponsored the event
c) Expenditure was as follows
i. Not applicable
ii. Not applicable
iii. Not applicable
iv. Not applicable
v. Not applicable
d) 200 guests, including the Honourable Steyn. And as a point of general information: a great deal of fun was had by all!
QUESTION NO.: 493
Mr I E Jenner (ID) to ask the Minister of Housing:
In respect of the 20061. Whether her Department or any institutions falling under her Department are currently experiencing any shortages in qualified personnel; if not what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what is the extent of the shortages in each category of specialized work, including in respect of qualified (i) project managers, (ii) electricians, (iii) architects, (iv) plumbers, (v) accountants and (iv) other skilled specialised workers and (b) what steps are being taken to rectify these shortages?
REPLY
A.
The budgeted cost, actual cost and unit cost in respect of the Statutory and other Entities reporting to the Department were as follows:
THUBELISHA HOMES
Thubelisha Homes is currently being wound down and shortages should be seen against this background.
B. SOCIAL HOUSING FOUNDATION (SHF)
The SHF is currently being wound down and shortages should be seen against this background.
C. SERVCON HOUSING SOLUTIONS
(a) Servcon Housing Solutions is not experiencing any shortages in skilled staff, since well created positions have been successfully filled
D. NATIONAL URBAN RECONSTRUCTION HOUSING AGENCY (NURCHA)
(a) Nurcha is not experiencing any shortages in skilled staff.
E. RUARAL HOUSING LOAN (RHLF)
(a) RHLF does not experience any staff shortages in qualified personnel. All the approved job positions of RHLF are filled in line with the capacities of the size of the institution as required.
F. NATIONAL HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION (NHFC)
(a) The NHFC does experience skills shortages, as follows:
· Institutional Level
The expansion of the NHFC's mandate has included restructuring of the Corporation's structure to align it with the changed mandate and direction. The restructured organization necessitated new competencies to ensure that the new demands of the mandate were fulfilled. This meant additional capabilities at institutional level, to ensure that institutional interventions such as skills audit, leadership capability assessment are undertaken. The NHFC engaged well equipped partners to assist in this regard. The result from both processes was an implementation of the recommendations which are currently underway.
· Individual Level
The changes, also meant that the Corporation needed to acquire new capabilities (human, process, and technology) in order to ensure delivery of its new mandate.
Priority to the resourcing of the Corporation was given to the internal candidates who were adequately skilled to fulfill the demands of the newly established roles. Where there was a need to go externally because of inadequate competencies, there was a deliberate effort to ensure mentoring of the internal resources through shadowing. This was deliberate in order to beef up the internal competencies and to preserve jobs.
The challenges are experienced in the recruitment of specialized financial skill e.g. Turnaround Specialist, Enterprise Wide Risk Management and Actuarial skills, which skills are requisite in the financial industry which NHFC is in. The NHFC has drafted a retention strategy which is aimed at ensuring that its mission critical employees are retained.
G. NATIONAL HOME BUILDERS REGISTRATION COUNCIL (NHBRC)
(a) NHBRC is experiencing staff shortages in respect of engineers as there is a general shortage of technical skills in South Africa in particular Engineering, Finance and scientific fields as espoused by our Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA's). NHBRC has lost some of its recruited engineers since the beginning of 2007/08 financial year to organizations that offer far higher salaries. Whilst some of the positions have been filled, the NHBRC presently has to fill vacant positions of Structural Engineers.
(b) The NHBRC is taking measures to recruit engineers from India, Cuba and to use the Presidential database in identifying engineers who can be recruited. NHBRC has introduced a programme of adopting schools by providing financial assistance to Grade 12 students and encouraging them to pursue engineering and IT fields.
Learnerships and internship programmes have been introduced within the NHBRC to increase capacity and to expose young South Africans to the environment. Bursaries are also given to matriculants who have attained excellent results and pursuing the field of engineering e.g. 17 students were offered bursaries and are studying at various institutions.
QUESTION NO.: 1769
Mr A C Steyn (DA) is to ask the Minister of Housing as follows:
Whether any disciplinary action was taken against officials in her department (a) in (i) 2005, (ii) 2006 and(iii) 2007 and (b) during the period 1 January 2008 up to30 September 2008; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) how many instances of disciplinary action occurred, (ii) what was the rank/position of each official against whom disciplinary action was taken, (iii) what was the transgression and(iv) what disciplinary action was taken?
REPLY
(a) Yes, there has been disciplinary action taken against certain officials in my department. The following disciplinary action was taken against the employees in 2005, 2006, and 2007 respectively.
(i) 2005
Instances |
Position |
Transgression |
Disciplinary Action |
Sanction |
First Offender |
Deputy Director |
1.Nepotism 2. Contravention of the Code of Conduct of the Public Service 3. Wasteful and fruitless expenditure |
Disciplinary enquiry was held against the employee |
The employee was found guilty of all the charges and sanction of Final Written Warning was awarded. |
(ii) 2006
Instances |
Position |
Transgression |
Disciplinary Action |
Sanction |
First Offender |
Senior Secretary |
Insolence and Insubordination Theft and / or unlawful removal and use of departmental property Theft or dishonesty Falsification of Records |
Disciplinary enquiry was held against the employee |
The employee was found guilty of all the charges and sanction of Dismissal was awarded |
(iii) 2007
Instances |
Position |
Transgression |
Disciplinary Action |
Sanction |
First Offender |
Secretary |
Fraud |
Disciplinary enquiry was held against the employee |
The employee was found guilty and sanction of dismissal was awarded. |
First Offender |
Senior Secretary |
Breach of Administrative Process |
Progressive discipline applied to the employee |
Sanction of written warning was awarded |
(b) During the period 01 January 2008 to 30 September 2008
Instances |
Position |
Transgression |
Disciplinary Action |
Sanction |
Second Offender |
Messenger/Driver |
Theft |
Disciplinary enquiry was held against the employee |
The employee was found guilty and sanction of demotion and Final Written Warning was awarded. |
First Offender |
Librarian |
Theft |
Disciplinary enquiry was held against the employee |
The employee was found guilty and sanction of demotion and Final Written Warning was awarded |
First Offender |
Senior Administrative Officer |
Theft |
Disciplinary enquiry was held against the employee |
The employee was found guilty and sanction of Final Written Warning was awarded. The employee was also referred to Employee Health and Wellness Programme for Counseling. |
01 December 2008 - Questions: Minister of Education
MPs to ask the Minister of Education
Reply:
QUESTION 1844
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 24/10/2008
(INTERNAL QESTION PAPER 32-2008)
Mrs D van der Walt (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(1) In respect of each province, (a) how many public schools are there, (b) how many of these schools do not have (i) classrooms, (ii) toilets (iii) fences, (c) how many posts for (i) maths and (ii) science teachers are vacant, (d) how many such teachers are needed to meet the current demand, (e) how much has her department spent to produce such teachers in each of the past fours years up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (f) what is the current teacher/ pupil ratio in public schools in each province,
(2) whether this figure improved in comparison to the same in 2004, if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details? NW2636E
REPLY
1(a)
Table 1: Number of public schools
Provinces |
Schools |
Eastern Cape |
5,686 |
Free State |
1,614 |
Gauteng |
1,989 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
5,783 |
Limpopo |
4,023 |
Mpumalanga |
1,873 |
North West |
1,730 |
Northern Cape |
602 |
Western Cape |
1,451 |
Total |
24,751 |
Source: EMIS School Realities, 2008
1 (b) (i)
Table 2: Number of schools using facilities of other schools, as at 29 July 2008.
Source: NEIMS
1 (b) (ii)
Table 3: Operational schools without sanitation facilities, as at 29 July 2008
Province |
Schools |
Eastern Cape |
527 |
Free State |
55 |
Gauteng |
6 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
169 |
Limpopo |
75 |
Mpumalanga |
72 |
North West |
73 |
Northern Cape |
5 |
Western Cape |
22 |
Total |
1,004 |
Source: NEIMS
Note: These schools also include the platoon schools. These schools will be provided with sanitation either by provincial education departments or the DWAF programme.
1 (b) (iii)
Table 4: Operational schools without fencing or fencing in poor condition, as at 29 July 2008.
Province |
Schools |
Eastern Cape |
1,132 |
Free State |
146 |
Gauteng |
64 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
359 |
Limpopo |
364 |
Mpumalanga |
407 |
North West |
125 |
Northern Cape |
18 |
Western Cape |
108 |
Total |
2,723 |
Source: NEIMS
1 (c & d) I refer the Honourable Member to the answers I have already provided to questions NA 1560 (12 September 2008), NA 849 (30 May 2008), and NCOP 6 (26 February 2008).
1 (e)
Table 5: Funza Lushaka bursars and costs :
Year |
Bursars |
Rands |
2007 |
3,360 |
110 528 265 |
2008 |
4,974 |
164 466 668 |
1(f)
Table 6: Teacher/pupil ratio in public schools
Province |
Learner-Educator Ratio (Teacher/Pupil Ratio) |
|
State-paid and SGB-paid educators |
State-paid educators |
|
Eastern Cape |
31.7 |
33.5 |
Free State |
28.9 |
30.4 |
Gauteng |
32.4 |
36.4 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
32.5 |
34.5 |
Limpopo |
31.2 |
32.1 |
Mpumalanga |
31.6 |
33.0 |
North West |
29.8 |
31.4 |
Northern Cape |
29.8 |
31.7 |
Western Cape |
30.0 |
35.7 |
National |
31.4 |
33.7 |
Source: EMIS School Realities 2008
2.
Table 7: Projects completed by provincial departments from 2005 to July 2008.
Province |
Number of classrooms completed |
Schools provided with sanitation |
Schools provided with fences |
Eastern Cape |
412 |
396 |
101 |
Free State |
132 |
197 |
6 |
Gauteng |
199 |
33 |
24 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
4,818 |
1,158 |
101 |
Limpopo |
3,494 |
1,672 |
17 |
Mpumalanga |
657 |
1,178 |
4 |
North West |
975 |
261 |
124 |
Northern Cape |
92 |
20 |
5 |
Western Cape |
1,122 |
65 |
32 |
Total |
11,901 |
4,980 |
414 |
Source: NEIMS
Note: Since 2007 DWAF has provided another 67 schools with sanitation. The EU donor programme has also funded 141 new classrooms, sanitation for 27 schools and fencing for 9 schools.
Table 8: The teacher/pupil ratio in public schools in each province in 2005
Province |
Learner Educator Ratio (Teacher/Pupil Ratio) |
|
State-Paid and SGB -Paid Educators |
State-Paid Educators |
|
Eastern Cape |
33.0 |
34.8 |
Free State |
29.4 |
30.6 |
Gauteng |
31.6 |
36.7 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
34.3 |
36.7 |
Limpopo |
34.1 |
34.7 |
Mpumalanga |
33.5 |
35.4 |
North West |
31.1 |
32.4 |
Northern Cape |
31.9 |
34.2 |
Western Cape |
31.5 |
37.2 |
National |
32.8 |
35.2 |
Source: EMIS School Realities 2005.
Note: In 2005 the teacher/learner ratio in public schools was 35.2, while the current teacher/learner ratio in public schools is 33.7. This translates into 15,582 additional educators. There were 362,478 state-paid educators in public schools in 2005, while in 2008 there are 378,060 state-paid educators.
QUESTION 1846
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 24/10/2008
(INTERNAL QESTION PAPER 32-2008)
Mr GR Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(1) Whether her department is investigating the incident that occurred on 17 September 2008 at Xolobeni Junior Secondary School where members of the SA Police Service are alleged to have administered corporal punishment to learners; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details,
(2) whether the principal of the school will be removed if he/she is found to have been complicit in the incident; if not, why not; if so, what are relevant details;
(3) whether her department will offer counselling services to the affected learners, if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) whether she will visit the school to assure learners that the matter is being dealt with and it will not recur; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2638E
REPLY:
(1) The Eastern Cape Education Department's preliminary report indicates that there are differences of fact and opinion in the statements made by the members of SAPS and the principal of the school. SAPS members say they searched for dangerous weapons and in the process forced those who resisted against the wall. The principal says the learners were beaten because they were violent and did not take instructions from him. The provincial authorities are conducting further investigations.
(2) The principal will be removed if he is found to be in contravention of the relevant legislation governing educators and schools.
(3) The Department will offer counselling services if there is a need to do so. However, a circuit manager visited the school on 24 October 2008 where she had an open session with the learners. There were no indications of traumatized learners unless they were absent from school on that day.
(4) I have delegated officials to visit the school.
QUESTION 1849
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 24/10/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 32-2008)
Ms M Smuts (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(i) In respect of each province (a) what is the total number of (i) public schools as defined in the South African Schools Act, Act 84 of 1996 and (ii) Further education and training institutions as defined in the Further Education and Training Act, Act 98 of 1998 and (b) how many (i) public schools and (ii) FET institutions have computer laboratories or facilities for learners, (aa) with (bb) without internet connection,
(2) Whether any schools are making use of the facilities or assistance of Sentech (Pty) Ltd or the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA); if not, why not; if so, which school in each province?
(3) Whether she has taken any steps to (??) electronic communications by these schools and institutions; if not, why not; if so, what steps? NW2641E
REPLY:
(1)
Table 1: Schools with computer laboratories and internet connections
Public Schools |
FET Colleges |
|
Total Number |
24 751 |
50 |
Institutions with computer laboratories or facilities for Teaching and Learning |
3 366 |
50 |
Institutions with Internet Connections |
1 768 |
50 (There is a mix of campuses/college that have internet, and data is not available for those that do not) |
(2) Only 3 schools in South Africa currently receive services from Sentech (Pty). Mpumalanga has procured the services of Sentech (VSAT) to connect all secondary and combined schools (525) in the province. No implementation has yet taken place. In 2007/8 the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) provided 241 computer laboratories/cyberlabs in schools. The majority of these schools are in under-serviced areas. USAASA is currently installing 20 computer laboratories/cyberlabs as part of the APEX 3 Project (FOSAD ISAD Dinaledi Connectivity Project).
(3) We communicate with schools, teachers and learners both through the post and digitally. In particular, we make use of the Thutong portal (www.thutong.org.za) to communicate with schools, teachers and learners on various topics, for example, matric examinations.
Additional information
Table 1: Data on provincial distribution of ICT facilities
Province |
Total number of Schools |
Number of schools with computer rooms 1 |
Number of schools with Internet connectivity2 |
Number of schools with electronic communication abilities3 |
EC |
5686 |
275 |
72 |
784 |
FS |
1614 |
290 |
199 |
219 |
GT |
1989 |
668 |
374 |
1601 |
KZN |
5783 |
583 |
239 |
247 |
LP |
4023 |
237 |
24 |
171 |
MP |
1873 |
119 |
31 |
952 |
NC |
1730 |
286 |
92 |
200 |
NW |
602 |
265 |
17 |
600 |
WC |
1451 |
643 |
720 |
720 |
Total |
24751 |
3366 |
1768 |
5494 |
1 EMIS 2008 Annual survey of schools
2 ICT in Education Audit conducted by SITA 2007/8
3 Provincial Departments of Education, as supplied to National for 2007/8
Table 2: SENTECH in Schools
Province |
Total number of Schools |
Number of schools that are making use of SENTECH services4 |
Notes |
EC |
5686 |
1 |
NEPAD e-School from the ORACLE Consortium |
FS |
1614 |
1 |
NEPAD e-School from the ORACLE Consortium |
GT |
1989 |
0 |
Gauteng OnLine (GOL) schools were serviced through a 3-year contract with Sentech. The contract was not renewed. GOL's connectivity has subsequently been placed in a bigger Gauteng network by GSSC that made use of iBurst. |
KZN |
5783 |
1 |
A project school installed by the DOC as part of their Cyberlab project |
LP |
4023 |
0 |
|
MP |
1873 |
525 |
Mpumalanga has procured the services of SENTECH VSAT to connect all secondary and combined schools in the province. No implementation has yet taken place. |
NC |
1730 |
0 |
|
NW |
602 |
0 |
|
WC |
1451 |
0 |
|
Total |
24751 |
3 (+525) |
4 Information provided by ICT Provincial Representatives on the ICT Inter-Provincial Working Group
Table 3: USAASA in schools
Province |
Total number of Schools |
Number of schools that have facilities provided by USAASA5 |
EC |
5686 |
41 |
FS |
1614 |
20 |
GT |
1989 |
2 |
KZN |
5783 |
43 |
LP |
4023 |
36 |
MP |
1873 |
37 |
NC |
1730 |
23 |
NW |
602 |
29 |
WC |
1451 |
10 |
Total |
24751 |
241 |
QUESTION 809
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23/5/2008 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 14-2008)
Mr C G Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(1) Whether race is a factor used when determining salary scales in education; if not, what is the cause of salary disparities between educators of different races who have the same (a) qualifications and (b) employment experience; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether her department has taken any steps to deal with these disparities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NWS74E
REPLY
(1) No, race no longer plays a role in determining teacher salaries. However, many African teachers were poorly qualified in the apartheid period and only upgraded their qualifications after 1994, and they may be paid less than other teachers who entered the profession with better qualifications to begin with. It is, therefore, possible for individuals with the same qualification and number of years of teaching experience to earn different salaries.
(2) Yes, the Department has made a concerted effort to overcome this problem through a number of collective agreements reached with the unions in the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC). The following agreements recognised the qualifications of educators upgrading their qualifications from the lowest levels (former Department of Education and Training qualifications).
· ELRC Collective Agreement 3 of 1996: agreement on a three- year condition of service adjustment package for educators, which introduced the broad-banding salary system;
· ELRC Collective Agreement 4 of 1997: conditions of Service adjustment package for educators;
· ELRC Collective Agreement 5 of 2002: recognition of improved REQV;
In addition, further agreements were reached:
ELRC Collective Agreement 2 of 2005: salary progression for the period 01 July 1996 to 30 June 2002 addressed the backlogs due to a lack of salary progression;
- ELRC Collective Agreement 5 of 2006: improved career pathing for qualified post level educators and accelerated pay progression for all educators on applicable salary levels.
Most recently, the ELRC Collective Agreement 1 of 2008 on the Occupation Specific Dispensation for Educators, which was signed on 3 April 2008, provides for an investigation of the implementation of all these previous agreements by 30 September 2008. If it is found that matters that were to be addressed by the previous collective agreements were not fully addressed or have not been properly implemented, then a proposal will be made to correct these anomalies.
QUESTION 810
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23/05/12008 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 14-2008)
Mr G G Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
Whether her department in implementing inclusive education in all schools, has ensured that (a) there are enough educators who have been trained to facilitate the teaching of children with different learning disabilities, (b) classrooms have been made accessible to learners with physical disabilities and (c) the availability of transport for children with disabilities has been properly arranged; if not, how do children with disabilities access education; if so, what are the relevant details?
NWI500E
REPLY
(a) No, we do not have as many trained teachers to implement inclusive education as we would like, but we have been training teachers. In the 2006/7 financial year the Department trained 2,300 educators and district personnel on the Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS) strategy and as well as on curriculum adaptation. Since April 2008 a further 800 educators and district officials have been trained. Training on SIAS, curriculum adaptation and assessment guidelines will be extended incrementally to educators in the mainstream.
Some barriers to learning, such as visual and hearing impairments, require that educators receive specialised training. In 2007 the Department, assisted by the Stockholm Institute of Education, trained 50 educators for learners with low vision and 39 educators to deal with hearing impairments. The same training will be conducted during 2008, this time bringing in local experts to work alongside the Swedish experts.
The Department is refining assessment guidelines for learners experiencing various barriers to learning including those that are disabled.
(b) Infrastructural adaptation is advanced in 10 of the 30 primary schools selected to become full-service schools in our pilot project. Physical infrastructure planners in the various provinces have been involved in the process to ensure that future construction of schools, classrooms and toilets, follows the guidelines/criteria for making schools accessible to all.
(c) The 397 special schools receive, as part of their budget allocation, subsidies for learner transport. The funding is intended for the purchase of school buses, the subsidisation of learner transport and for maintenance. The Department has made a bid to Treasury for an additional allocation in the 2008 MTEF allocation to strengthen learner transport for learners in special and full-service schools. In situations where learner transport is not a viable and cost-effective option, the Department makes hostel accommodation available.
QUESTION 849
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 30/05/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 15-2008)
Mrs D van der Walt (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(1) Whether all secondary schools have (a) qualified science teachers and (b) equipped science laboratories; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case;
(2) what steps are being taken to ensure that these teachers can teach science to the learners?
NW1539E
REPLY
(1) (a) No, all secondary schools do not have qualified science teachers. According to a survey undertaken in 2007, 814 of the 4,588 schools offering Physical Sciences reported a shortfall.
The Department has a database of unemployed teachers that includes 734 Mathematics and Physical Sciences teachers. The teachers on the database are local unemployed teachers, retired teachers, teachers who have taken the voluntary-severance package and teachers from other countries. Provinces and schools are able to recruit teachers from this database.
(1) (b) No, secondary schools do not all have science laboratories. According to the National Education Infrastructure Management System (NEIMS), the percentage of schools without laboratories dropped from 75% in 1996 to 60% in 2006. Provinces are continuing to build laboratories from their equitable share allocation for infrastructure.
(2) The Department and the provincial departments are responding in a number of ways.
First, provinces provide equipment to all schools in the system. These include conventional equipment, as well as micro-science kits and small-scale equipment. The micro-science kits are more suitable for schools without laboratories. In addition, the Department has trained subject advisors on doing practical work using "everyday materials". These are materials that can be found in the environment and do not need to be purchased by schools. Subject advisors train teachers in clusters in the provinces on this work.
Second, the Department has provided all dinaledi schools with teacher support packs. These packs contain equipment for Physical Sciences and also serve as mobile laboratories. Relevant practical work that is essential to the understanding of scientific concepts can be done in classrooms as well as outside the classroom.
Third, provinces began providing 100 hours of training to teachers in dinaledi schools in 2006. These teachers are in the last year of their programme, a year in which mentors mentor teachers on their content knowledge.
Fourth, in February and May 2008, a total of 109 subject advisors in Physical Sciences were trained by experts from universities on content and practical work. Each subject advisor received a CD, which contained all the written materials and PowerPoint presentations. This will strengthen the support that subject advisors give to teachers in the classroom. Subject advisors train teachers in clusters in the provinces on this content and practical work.
Fifth, provinces use subject advisors, who have been trained by the Department and universities, to train teachers in all subjects during school holidays and on week-ends. To date, 4,824 Physical Sciences teachers have been trained in the provinces.
Sixth, provinces offer teachers bursaries to study the Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE) specializing in Physical Sciences. In 2006, 1,277 teachers enrolled for the ACE. This cohort will be graduating this year. To date R13,8 million has been awarded in bursaries.
Last, the Department has provided additional material – content framework, subject assessment guidelines, learning programme guidelines, examination guidelines, study mates – to support the teaching and learning of Physical Sciences.
QUESTION 856
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 30/05/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 15-2008)
Mrs D van der Walt (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(1) Whether Afrikaans-speaking students may apply for the funza lushaka bursary scheme; if not, (a) what is the position in this regard and (b) how many applications of such students were nevertheless received; if so, how many of these students received bursaries;
(2) whether she will review the criteria of this bursary scheme as a matter of urgency to allow for students of all languages to apply and qualify; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW1547E
REPLY
(1) Yes, Afrikaans-speaking students can apply for funza-lushaka bursaries. We do not know how many bursaries have been awarded Afrikaans-speaking students, but as seven of the twenty-two higher-education institutions use Afrikaans as a medium of instruction we can assume that there are a considerable number of Afrikaans-speaking beneficiaries (see table 1).
Table 1: Funza Lushaka bursaries at Afrikaans-medium universities, 2007, 2008
University |
Bursary allocation |
Bursary allocation |
Number of bursaries awarded 2008 |
University of Stellenbosch |
R 7,200,000 |
R 10,800,000 |
274 |
University of the Western Cape |
R 4,000,000 |
R 6,000,000 |
150 |
University of Pretoria |
R 7,200,000 |
R 10,800,000 |
270 |
University Johannesburg |
R 7,200,000 |
R 10,800,000 |
199 |
University of the Free State |
R 7,200,000 |
R 10,800,000 |
279 |
North West University |
R 7,200,000 |
R 10,800,000 |
219 |
UNISA |
R 6,000,000 |
R 8,000,000 |
472 |
Total |
R46,000,000 |
R 68,000,000 |
1,863 |
(2) The Department of Education reviews the priority areas for the bursary scheme annually and will do so again this year. The policy encourages students of all languages to apply.
QUESTION 891
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 30/05/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 15-2008)
Mr G G Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
Whether her department is planning to schedule an extra five weeks of schooling after the World Cup in 2010 to assist learners to catch up for the time lost as a result of the closure of schools during the World Cup; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1583E
REPLY
No, we have no plans to schedule an extra five weeks of school. The draft school calendar for 2010, which has been published for comment, has the same number of school days as any other year.
This is in compliance with national policy, which requires that there should be between 195 and 200 school days per year.
Therefore, there is no need for any catch-up days to be scheduled.
QUESTION 892
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 30/05/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 15-2008)
Mr G G Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
How many (a) qualified grade R educators have been trained to deal with grade R material in each of the past three years up to the latest specified date for which information is available, (b)(i) Grade R schools are currently operating across the country and (ii) what is the breakdown by province and (c)(i) Grade R children have graduated from these schools in each of the past three years and (ii) are currently enrolled in these schools?
NW1584E
REPLY
(a) There are 15,966 grade R educators teaching grade R this year, and provinces have trained all of them on the curriculum. We are currently conducting an audit of grade R educators to gather detailed information on the status of their qualifications.
(b) (i) There are currently 13,941 schools offering grade R.
(ii)
Table 1: Number of ordinary schools offering grade R by province |
|||||
Province |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|
Eastern Cape |
3,031 |
3,018 |
3,483 |
4,207 |
|
Free State |
394 |
426 |
481 |
508 |
|
Gauteng |
958 |
1,022 |
1,118 |
1,164 |
|
KwaZulu-Natal |
2,118 |
2,585 |
3,189 |
3,423 |
|
Limpopo |
2,045 |
2,223 |
2,107 |
2,221 |
|
Mpumalanga |
364 |
635 |
792 |
911 |
|
Northern Cape |
159 |
191 |
220 |
254 |
|
North West |
265 |
406 |
440 |
568 |
|
Western Cape |
683 |
709 |
650 |
685 |
|
Total |
10,017 |
11,215 |
12,480 |
13,941 |
Sources: SNAP Survey Databases, conducted on the 10th school day, as published in: Education Statistics in South Africa at a Glance in 2005; Education Statistics in South Africa 2006; School Realities 2007; School Realities 2008.
Public primary schools offer grade R if they have space or as soon as the provincial education department is able to provide the infrastructure required to offer grade R. Community-based sites also offer grade R. In terms of the Norms and Standards for Grade R, these sites have to register with the provincial education department as Independent Schools. This will ensure that they receive support, and will also allow the Department of Education to keep accurate statistics on the sites and learners catered for in these sites.
(c) (i) We do not know the number of grade R learners who move into grade 1, but unless there is a particular reason for holding a child back all grade R learners progress to grade 1. We are in the process of establishing a national tracking system for all learners from grade R to 12. This will provide us with accurate information on the learners in the system, including the number who progress from one grade to the next each year.
(c) (ii)
Table 2: Number of grade R learners in ordinary schools, by province, from 2005 to 2007 |
|||
Province |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
Eastern Cape |
105,231 |
106,045 |
112,889 |
Free State |
18,449 |
20,046 |
22,429 |
Gauteng |
41,073 |
48,774 |
49,931 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
79,276 |
95,802 |
118,884 |
Limpopo |
86,015 |
90,748 |
93,030 |
Mpumalanga |
14,171 |
23,897 |
34,962 |
North West |
9,737 |
13,663 |
16,143 |
Northern Cape |
6,598 |
7,682 |
8,423 |
Western Cape |
32,389 |
33,614 |
30,834 |
National |
392,939 |
440,271 |
487,525 |
Sources: SNAP Survey Databases, conducted on the 10th school day, as published in: Education Statistics in South Africa at a Glance in 2005; Education Statistics in South Africa 2006; School Realities 2007.
QUESTION 1555
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 12/09/2008
(INTERNAL QESTION PAPER 27-2008)
Mrs D Van Der Walt (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(1) Whether any employees of the Education Labour Relations Council were found to have acted irregularly, resulting in fraudulent expenditure of R2 905 676, as identified by Auditor-General's March 2008 report; if so, (a) how many and (b) what are their positions in the Council;
(2) Whether any legal action was taken against those employees; if not, why not; if so, what action?
NW2300E
REPLY:
(1) Yes, a forensic audit implicated two ELRC employees in fraud and bribery. They are a Senior Manager: Dispute Prevention and Resolution Services and a Dispute Resolution Case Management Administrator.
(2) The ELRC dismissed the senior manager on 2 August 2007 and the administrator resigned on 15 August 2007. The matter was handed to the police for investigation. The case number is Lyttelton 37/04/2008 and Captain Johann van Staden is the investigating officer. He has forwarded the matter to the National Prosecuting Authority, but no decision has yet been taken on prosecution.
QUESTION 1558
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 12/09/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 27-2008)
Mr GG Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(1) Whether any schools had not had their full complement of textbooks delivered to them by 30 June 2008; if so, (a)(i) which schools and (ii) which provinces and (b) what caused these shortages;
(2) Whether any steps have been taken to (a) ensure all textbooks are delivered and (b) prevent the same problem from developing next year; if not, why not; if so, what steps in each case?
REPLY:
(1) Yes, by 30 June 2008 some high schools had not received all their textbooks. The DoE does not have a comprehensive audit of all these schools. However, between 50% and 75% of pupils in grades 10 and 11 had Mathematical Literacy and Mathematics textbooks, while 90% pupils in grade 12 had textbooks in a sample survey of 184 schools.
Mathematical Literacy
Grade 10 |
Grade 11 |
Grade 12 |
||||||
Enrolment |
NT* |
% |
Enrolment |
NT |
% |
Enrolment |
NT |
% |
15 628 |
4 419 |
28 |
11 998 |
2 853 |
24 |
8 859 |
565 |
6 |
*No Textbook
Mathematics
Grade 10 |
Grade 11 |
Grade 12 |
||||||
Enrolment |
NT* |
% |
Enrolment |
NT |
% |
Enrolment |
NT |
% |
19 914 |
8 553 |
43 |
12 946 |
3 624 |
28 |
10 647 |
1 179 |
11 |
*No Textbook
(2) The DoE interacts on a regular basis with publishers through the Publishers' Association of South Africa (PASA) and the African Publishers' Association (APA) and provinces. Provinces are responsible for textbook supply in their respective provinces.
For further particulars in answer to this part of the question, can I draw your attention to my answer to oral question 446 (13 November 2007). I attach it here for your convenience.
QUESTION 1561
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 12/09/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 27-2008)
Mrs D Van der Walt (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
How many schools in each province did not have (a) sanitation, (b) water, (c) electricity, (d) science laboratories, (e) sports fields, (f) kitchen facilities for the preparations of meals as at the latest specified date for which information is available?
NW2306E
REPLY
(a) Sanitation
Province |
Schools without sanitation facilities as at March 2007 |
Projects completed by provincial depts. 2007/08 |
Completed by DWAF 2007/08 |
Projects planned for 2008/09 by provincial depts |
Planned by DWAF 2008/09 |
Planned by provincial depts. 2009/10 |
Planned by DWAF 2009/10 |
Eastern Cape |
579 |
70 |
19 |
242 |
115 |
0 |
442 |
Free State |
95 |
80 |
38 |
35 |
75 |
90 |
28 |
Gauteng |
6 |
17 |
0 |
28 |
28 |
5 |
46 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
167 |
321 |
0 |
200 |
77 |
200 |
132 |
Limpopo |
75 |
81 |
0 |
34 |
26 |
186 |
91 |
Mpumalanga |
72 |
80 |
0 |
21 |
20 |
71 |
143 |
North West |
73 |
50 |
0 |
40 |
15 |
50 |
53 |
Northern Cape |
8 |
27 |
1 |
7 |
54 |
25 |
0 |
Western Cape |
22 |
0 |
6 |
3 |
13 |
0 |
0 |
Total |
1,097 |
726 |
64 |
610 |
423 |
627 |
935 |
Source: Department of Education's National Education Infrastructure Management System (NEIMS), as assessed at 30 September 2007.
b) Water
Province |
Schools without water facilities as at March 2007 |
Projects completed by provincial depts. 2007/08 |
Completed by DWAF 2007/08 |
Projects planned for 2008/09 by provincial depts |
Planned by DWAF 2008/09 |
Planned by provincial depts. 2009/10 |
Planned by DWAF 2009/10 |
Eastern Cape |
1119 |
102 |
21 |
60 |
115 |
0 |
771 |
Free State |
298 |
44 |
56 |
54 |
62 |
90 |
191 |
Gauteng |
0 |
17 |
0 |
28 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
607 |
394 |
0 |
393 |
239 |
300 |
408 |
Limpopo |
350 |
103 |
0 |
34 |
58 |
186 |
257 |
Mpumalanga |
140 |
90 |
10 |
11 |
33 |
36 |
206 |
North West |
48 |
5 |
0 |
50 |
10 |
50 |
45 |
Northern Cape |
6 |
82 |
41 |
4 |
95 |
0 |
|
Western Cape |
0 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Total |
2,568 |
837 |
90 |
674 |
521 |
762 |
1878 |
Source: Department of Education's National Education Infrastructure Management System (NEIMS), as assessed at 30 September 2007.
(b) Electricity
Province |
Schools without electricity supply as at March 2007 |
Projects completed by provincial depts. 2007/08 |
Completed by DME 2007/08 |
Projects planned for 2008/09 by provincial depts |
Planned by DME 2008/09 |
Planned by DME 2009/10 |
Eastern Cape |
1,206 |
101 |
334 |
240 |
140 |
391 |
Free State |
270 |
20 |
30 |
39 |
51 |
51 |
Gauteng |
13 |
2 |
0 |
28 |
1 |
0 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
1,586 |
80 |
260 |
1,139 |
257 |
0 |
Limpopo |
323 |
29 |
182 |
0 |
118 |
0 |
Mpumalanga |
243 |
1 |
67 |
110 |
70 |
|
North West |
93 |
24 |
11 |
26 |
32 |
0 |
Northern Cape |
23 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
15 |
8 |
Western Cape |
2 |
8 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
Total |
3,759 |
265 |
887 |
1,587 |
684 |
450 |
Source: Department of Education's National Education Infrastructure Management System (NEIMS), as assessed at 30 September 2007.
(c) Science laboratories
Province |
Schools without laboratories |
Projects planned for 2008 |
Eastern Cape |
2,862 |
12 |
Free State |
248 |
9 |
Gauteng |
188 |
52 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
1,540 |
54 |
Limpopo |
1,260 |
4 |
Mpumalanga |
526 |
64 |
North West |
485 |
0 |
Northern Cape |
126 |
0 |
Western Cape |
183 |
0 |
Total |
7,418 |
195 |
Source: Department of Education's National Education Infrastructure Management System (NEIMS), as assessed at 30 September 2007.
(d) Sports fields
Province |
Schools without sport facilities |
Projects planned for 2008 |
Eastern Cape |
394 |
0 |
Free State |
681 |
0 |
Gauteng |
293 |
27 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
1,870 |
0 |
Limpopo |
315 |
0 |
Mpumalanga |
112 |
297 |
North West |
128 |
0 |
Northern Cape |
115 |
0 |
Western Cape |
172 |
0 |
Total |
4,080 |
324 |
Note: Sports facilities, for use by schools and communities, are provided for under the Municipal Infrastructure Grant to local government.
Source: Department of Education's National Education Infrastructure Management System (NEIMS), as assessed at 30 September 2007.
(e) Kitchen facilities are only included for primary schools participating in the National School Nutrition programme, 191 projects are planned for 2008/09, made up of :
Free State - 77
KwaZulu Natal - 50
Mpumalanga - 64
Source: Department of Education's National Education Infrastructure Management System (NEIMS), as assessed at 30 September 2007.
QUESTION 1588
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 12/09/2008
(INTERNAL QESTION PAPER 27-2008)
Mr LB Labuschagne (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
Whether provision is made for the temporary appointment of experts in the fields of computer science and mathematics in the absence of a formal diploma in education; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2336E
REPLY:
The Personnel Administration Measures (PAM) provide for the temporary appointment of unqualified teachers in a number of subjects. The Measures also provide for the temporary appointment of qualified teachers without specifying a subject to teach. Therefore, it is possible to appoint unqualified teachers to teach mathematics and computer science. However, qualified teachers have first preference, and first entrants into the profession in particular.
QUESTION 1590
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 19/09/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 28-2008)
Mrs van der Walt (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(i) Whether options for a mechanism to accommodate indigent children in better equipped schools have been developed ; if so, what options;
(2) Whether any progress has been made in any of selecting these options for implementation; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so , (a)what are the relevant details and (b) when is it anticipated to be implemented? NW2307E
REPLY:
(1) We accommodate poor children in "better equipped schools" through the system of fee exemptions. The school funding norms provide a full exemption to parents who earn less than ten times the school fee, and a progressive scale of partial exemption to parents who earn less than thirty times the school fee. This policy has not changed and should be enforced in all schools. It should also be noted that the award of fee exemptions should be dealt with after, and separate from, any decision to admit a child to a school.
(2) We accept that a school should not carry the full burden of fee exemptions. Various policy options have been explored, and a draft proposal developed for amendments to the funding norms. The proposal will follow the usual consultative processes before any final decision is made.
QUESTION 621
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 9/05/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 12-2008)
MrW D Spies (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Education:†
What is the (a) demographic composition in (i) percentages and (ii) numbers of the (aa) University of the Free State, (bb) University of Pretoria, (cc) University of Stellenbosch, (dd) University of Johannesburg, (ee) North West University, (ff) Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, (gg) Tshwane University of Technology (Pretoria West campus) and (hh) Tshwane University of Technology (excluding Pretoria West campus) and (ii) University of South Africa and (b) what is the language preference at each of these universities?
NW1205E
REPLY:
(a) The Department of Education captures statistical data about the higher education system at the institutional level in the Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS). Below is the latest audited data for the institutions for which information is requested.
Table 1: Headcount enrolments by Race and Gender in 2006
Total – male and female headcount |
African |
Coloured |
Indian |
White |
Total |
||||
Institution |
Nr |
% |
Nr |
% |
Nr |
% |
Nr |
% |
Nr |
University of the Free State |
12 531 |
51.9 |
1 525 |
6.3 |
586 |
2.4 |
9 490 |
39.3 |
24 132 |
University of Pretoria |
20 421 |
44.3 |
766 |
1.7 |
1 762 |
3.8 |
23 173 |
50.2 |
46 122 |
University of Stellenbosch |
2 447 |
11.2 |
3 233 |
14.7 |
439 |
2.0 |
15 824 |
72.1 |
21 943 |
University of Johannesburg |
27 738 |
64.7 |
1 199 |
2.8 |
2 179 |
5.1 |
11 767 |
27.4 |
42 883 |
North West University |
22 412 |
57.9 |
1 220 |
3.2 |
616 |
1.6 |
14 288 |
36.9 |
38 536 |
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University |
14 477 |
59.7 |
2 966 |
12.2 |
624 |
2.6 |
6 178 |
25.5 |
24 245 |
Tshwane University of Technology |
43 947 |
85.4 |
617 |
1.2 |
427 |
0.8 |
6 455 |
12.5 |
51 446 |
University of South Africa |
131 197 |
57.7 |
14 151 |
6.2 |
22 580 |
9.9 |
59 209 |
26.0 |
227 137 |
Female headcount |
African |
Coloured |
Indian |
White |
Total |
||||
Institution |
Nr |
% |
Nr |
% |
Nr |
% |
Nr |
% |
Nr |
University of the Free State |
7 309 |
54.2 |
1 019 |
7.6 |
245 |
1.8 |
4 918 |
36.5 |
13 491 |
University of Pretoria |
12 190 |
47.0 |
434 |
1.7 |
907 |
3.5 |
12 399 |
47.8 |
25 930 |
University of Stellenbosch |
1 154 |
10.2 |
1 839 |
16.3 |
224 |
2.0 |
8 081 |
71.5 |
11 298 |
University of Johannesburg |
15 174 |
65.7 |
729 |
3.2 |
1 126 |
4.9 |
6 076 |
26.3 |
23 105 |
North West University |
14 541 |
61.0 |
753 |
3.2 |
361 |
1.5 |
8 189 |
34.3 |
23 844 |
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University |
8 366 |
63.3 |
1 669 |
12.6 |
320 |
2.4 |
2 861 |
21.6 |
13 216 |
Tshwane University of Technology |
23 897 |
89.3 |
264 |
1.0 |
144 |
0.5 |
2 453 |
9.2 |
26 758 |
University of South Africa |
72 998 |
56.8 |
8 200 |
6.4 |
13 603 |
10.6 |
33 789 |
26.3 |
128 590 |
Male headcount |
African |
Coloured |
Indian |
White |
Total |
||||
Institution |
Nr |
% |
Nr |
% |
Nr |
% |
Nr |
% |
Nr |
University of the Free State |
5 222 |
49.1 |
506 |
4.8 |
341 |
3.2 |
4 572 |
43.0 |
10 641 |
University of Pretoria |
8 231 |
40.8 |
332 |
1.6 |
855 |
4.2 |
10 774 |
53.4 |
20 192 |
University of Stellenbosch |
1 293 |
12.1 |
1 394 |
13.1 |
215 |
2.0 |
7 743 |
72.7 |
10 645 |
University of Johannesburg |
12 564 |
63.5 |
470 |
2.4 |
1 053 |
5.3 |
5 691 |
28.8 |
19 778 |
North West University |
7 871 |
53.6 |
467 |
3.2 |
255 |
1.7 |
6 099 |
41.5 |
14 692 |
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University |
6 111 |
55.4 |
1 297 |
11.8 |
304 |
2.8 |
3 317 |
30.1 |
11 029 |
Tshwane University of Technology |
20 050 |
81.2 |
353 |
1.4 |
283 |
1.1 |
4 002 |
16.2 |
24 688 |
University of South Africa |
58 199 |
59.1 |
5 951 |
6.0 |
8 977 |
9.1 |
25 420 |
25.8 |
98 547 |
(b) The councils of public higher education institutions determine the language policies of individual institutions within the context of the official language-policy framework. While English and Afrikaans are currently the only mediums of instruction in higher education, the language-policy framework promotes multi-lingualism. Below are the official languages of teaching and learning at the undergraduate level at the universities for which information is requested.
Table 2. Languages of Learning and Teaching
Institution |
Language of Teaching and Learning |
University of the Free State |
Afrikaans and English |
University of Pretoria |
Afrikaans and English |
University of Stellenbosch |
Afrikaans |
University of Johannesburg |
Afrikaans and English |
North West University |
Afrikaans and English |
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University |
Afrikaans and English |
Tshwane University of Technology |
English |
University of South Africa |
Afrikaans and English |
QUESTION 625
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 07/08/09
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 07-2009)
Dr WG James to ask the Minister of basic Education:
What are the relevant details pertaining to the (a) budget allocated for and (b) actual expenditure with regard to (i) salaries, (ii) travel, (iii) accommodation, (iv) printing done and (v) other operations of the Ministerial Committee on Transformation and Social Cohesion and the Elimination of Discrimination in Public Higher Education Institutes? NW710E
REPLY:
The release of the report of the Ministerial Committee on Transformation and Social Cohesion and the Elimination of Discrimination in Public Higher Education Institutes has provided an opportunity for the country to evaluate the extent to which our higher education institutions have transformed. Not unexpectedly the report also raises a number of challenges that our government has to address.
(a) The operational budget of the Directorate Institutional Support and Sector Liaison was used to support the work of the committee.
(b) Members of the committee were not paid salaries, but were compensated for their time in line with Treasury Regulations. In this regard, an amount of R467, 324.00 was paid to members of the committee. In addition, all travel and accommodation costs were arrangements were made in terms of Departmental policy. On conclusion of the investigation, 300 copies of the report were printed and distributed to all institutions, higher education stakeholders and interested parties. The total cost of producing the report was R71, 527.52 which includes gazetting.
QUESTION 628
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 9/05/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 12-2008)
Mrs C M Dudley (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Education:
(a) By what legal mechanism will the proposed National Schools Pledge be implemented and (b) what legal obligation will be placed on (i) principals, (ii) teachers and (iii) learners in this regard;
whether the pledge will affect private schools; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
whether she or her department will invite any public comment with regard to the pledge; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW1310E
REPLY:
The question you raise has emerged from a number of submissions as part of the process of public comment. After considering all the public comments on the proposed Pledge, I will decide on the mechanism (legal or otherwise) to follow.
No decision has been taken in this regard.
The proposed National Schools Pledge was published for public comment on 22 February 2008 in Government Gazette No 278. The closing date of 20 March 2008 was subse quently extended to 15 May 2008 to provide sufficient time for all interested parties to comment.
QUESTION 631
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 9/05/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 12-2008)
Mrs C Dudley (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Education:
(1) Whether she recently made a statement with regard to the re-opening of teacher training colleges; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) (a) where will these teacher training colleges be located, (b) what plans are in place with regard to (i) implementation, (ii) human resources and (iii) specialised skills that are needed to realise the project, (c) what timeframes are envisaged and (d) how can stakeholders and people with skills needed to accomplish this make an input?
NW1317E
REPLY:
I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I provided to Question 584, which dealt with this specific question. I also commented on teacher colleges in my Budget Vote speech on the 15 May 2008, and I attach what I said here for her convenience.
"Expanding teacher training
One of our emerging challenges is the need to respond to the decline in the number of qualified school teachers. Specific gaps exist in the foundation phase and in scarce skills subjects such as Maths, Sciences and Technology.
Our first response was the introduction of nationally funded bursaries for students in these fields. We expect graduation numbers to grow each year. However, we now believe that these efforts need to be supported by a significant growth in numbers and by an expansion in the capacity of university faculties responsible for teacher training. All but one of our universities offer initial and in-service teacher training in faculties, colleges and schools of education.
We are considering various options in order to expand the numbers.
There have been calls for the re-opening of teacher training colleges. Given that many college sites became our new very vital FET colleges we need to devise innovative strategies for responding to more and better teacher training. I hope to return to the house later this year to set out the department's proposal for expanded provision. We think it important to retain the higher education role in qualifying teachers. We also acknowledge the accuracy of the ANC's call for urgent and focused attention on strategies for admitting increased numbers and for supporting them to be quality teachers for our schools."
QUESTION 634
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 9/05/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 12-2008)
Mr M H Hoosen (ID) to ask the Minister of Education:
Whether the levels of literacy and numeracy attained by learners upon completion of their primary school education (grade 7) is satisfactory; if not, (a) why not and (b) what steps has her department taken to improve this situation?
NW1320E
REPLY:
National systemic evaluations, conducted by the Department in 2001 and 2004, revealed low levels of reading abilities across the country. The results of the Progress in International Reading and Literacy Study (PIRLS), released in November 2007, found that learners in our schools do not read at the appropriate level in relation to their grades and in terms of their age.
Various reasons were provided for this:
Lack of access to books in homes, at school and in community
Low levels of literacy among the parents
Ineffective teaching practices
I have responded to these findings through the following initiatives:
On the 18 March 2008 I launched the Foundation for Learning Campaign, a four-year programme to improve the reading, writing and numeracy skills and abilities of all South African children. The Campaign has provided teachers and schools with clear directives on expected levels of learner performance. The focus will be on primary schooling – starting with the Foundation and Intermediate Phases – so that learners acquire and sustain a solid foundation for learning. All primary schools will be expected to increase average learner performance in Literacy / Language and Numeracy / Mathematics to no less than 50% - indicating an improvement of between 15% - 20% - in the 4 years of the campaign.
The Department has also focused on providing resources to all schools. In the past three years we have provided over 11,000 primary schools with exciting story books, written in all official languages of South Africa towards establishing classroom libraries. Through the USAID-funded Ithuba Writing Project, we are distributing 2.3 million locally authored books in the different official languages to schools. All 2.3 million books should be in our schools by the end of the financial year.
Two years ago, I initiated a Drop All and Read Campaign, which welcomed Grade R and 1 learners into education with their own branded bags containing a selection of books that they can read for themselves or that parents and caregivers can read to them. At the heart of the campaign is that in our homes and in our schools children should be able to pick up books that they can read for enjoyment.
We continue to supply schools with reference materials, which have included bilingual dictionaries. We have also provided all schools with:
the National Reading Strategy document which outlines activities and approaches to promote and develop the reading skills of our learners; and
a Teacher's Handbook entitled Teaching Reading in the Early Grades to assist teachers on methods, approaches and activities to improve their teaching of reading.
A Toolkit for Teachers was developed containing both reading resources as well as guides for teachers; 1;000 of these have been sent to pilot schools countrywide to increase support for the teachers in their teaching of reading.
The Department has developed an Early-Grade Reading Assessment instrument, which is currently being used by teachers in selected districts to help us monitor progress in the different schools. The instrument is currently in use for Sepedi, Xitsonga,Tshivenda, IsiXhosa and English and during the course of this year the tool will be developed in the remaining five languages.
The implementation of the National Policy Framework for Teacher Education and Development will also address the issue of teacher development and ensure that through the IPET and CPTD programmes teachers are trained to teach effectively.
To monitor whether learners are improving competency, the Department is establishing baseline data on learners' achievement in literacy and numeracy in the early grades. As part of the Foundations for Learning, primary school learners will be assessed annually using standardized tests to monitor their progress against the established baseline.
QUESTION 1249
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 01/08/2008
(INTERNAL QESTION PAPER 21-2008)
Mr G G Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
What amount was spent by officials of her department on (a) hotel accommodation, (b) restaurant expenses and (c) travel costs (i) in the 2007-08 financial year and (ii) during the period 1 April 2008 up to the latest specified date for which information is available?
NW1996E
REPLY:
The following amounts were spent:
2007-08 |
April - July 2008 |
|
a) Hotel accommodation |
R26,136,869 |
R11,334,297 |
b) Restaurant expenses |
R4,100,829 |
R1,027,639 |
c) Travel costs |
R43,007,845 |
R17,783,808 |
Total |
R73,245,543 |
R30,145,744 |
These amounts include all costs for visits abroad, in-country travelling and meetings, workshops and conferences with provincial education departments and education stakeholders. The restaurant expenditure is for meals and food during these occasions.
QUESTION 1481
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 29/08/2008
(INTERNAL QESTION PAPER 25-2008)
Mr G G Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
Whether her department has any mechanisms in place to punish learners who repeatedly engage in anti-social behaviour such as bullying, physical or sexual assaults or any other behaviour that threatens the well-being of other learners and/or teachers; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2225E
REPLY:
Yes, the South African Schools Act (Act 84 of 1996) requires school governing bodies and school management teams to establish and implement codes of conduct for learners in all educational settings. Codes of conduct for learners are negotiated commitments on the part of all learners and parents to abide by set rules so that effective teaching and learning can take place undisturbed. This implies a commitment from educators to establish discipline as a positive, learning process. In terms of section 8(4) of the Schools Act, learners are obliged to comply with the code of conduct. Section 8(5) makes provision for due process, including a fair hearing before a learner may be suspended by the school governing body or expelled by the provincial head of department. Section 9 prescribes two kinds of suspension: (i) as a correctional measure for a period of up to a week, or (ii) pending a decision from the provincial education department as to whether the learner is to be expelled from the school. These processes should be followed in all cases, including anti-social behaviour as described in the question. Schools may act immediately in such cases to ensure the safety of other learners and/or teachers and have been encouraged to do so.
QUESTION 1020
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13/06/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 18-2008)
Mr GG Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(1) Whether her department has (a) kept records as required by the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999, and (b) reported any incidents of losses through (i) criminal conduct, (ii) unauthorised expenditure, (iii) irregular expenditure or (iv) fruitless and wasteful expenditure during the 2007-08 financial year; if not, why not; if so,
(2) whether any action has been taken against the offending officials; if not, why not; if so, in each category, (a) how many officials (i) were dismissed, (ii) were suspended and (iii) had other sanctions imposed on them and (b) what amounts of money were involved;
(3) whether there were any disciplinary cases pending on 31 March 2008; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW1758E
REPLY:
1)(a) Yes.
(b) (i) No.
(b) (ii) No.
(b) (iii) Yes.
(b) (iv) No.
(2) (a) There was irregular expenditure during the 2006/07 financial year. Three officials from the Department collaborated to evade financial procedures and failed to follow the stipulated tender process. The DoE finalized the investigation into the matter during the 2007/08 financial year and the offending officials have been dismissed.
(2) (b) The sum involved was R1 230 587.74.
The Department acquired a new quotation from another service provider and discovered that the same service could be rendered for R450 000.00 less. The R450 000.00 is being recovered in equal amounts of R150 000.00 from each of the three officials.
(3) No disciplinary cases were pending on 31 March 2008.
QUESTION 1298
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 08/08/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION 22-2008)
Mr G G Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(1) a) How many temporary teachers are currently employed in each province, b) for how long has each teacher been appointed and c) what are the reasons for each teacher not being employed permanently;
(2) Whether her department has taken any steps to reduce the number of temporary teachers by making them permanent employees; if not, why not; if so, what steps?
NW 2036E
ANSWER:
(1) (a and b) In July 2008 there were 31,949 temporary teachers employed by provincial education departments. One in three temporary teachers was employed in KwaZulu-Natal.
Table 1: Temporary teachers in each province by years of service
Province |
>2yrs |
2-3 yrs |
4-5 yrs |
6-10 yrs |
11-15 yrs |
16-20yrs |
>20 yrs |
Total |
EC |
4,065 |
871 |
7 |
40 |
79 |
2 |
2 |
5,066 |
FS |
2,441 |
83 |
4 |
17 |
102 |
142 |
262 |
3,051 |
GP |
2,115 |
33 |
12 |
6 |
18 |
19 |
11 |
2,214 |
KZN |
10,436 |
256 |
84 |
130 |
647 |
93 |
31 |
11,677 |
LP |
2,083 |
49 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
2,141 |
MP |
1,245 |
151 |
44 |
14 |
181 |
176 |
148 |
1,959 |
NC |
897 |
17 |
3 |
14 |
34 |
20 |
10 |
995 |
NW |
713 |
97 |
8 |
24 |
401 |
169 |
101 |
1,513 |
WC |
3,328 |
5 |
3,333 |
|||||
Total |
27,323 |
1,557 |
162 |
255 |
1,462 |
622 |
568 |
31,949 |
Source: Persal (July 2008)
(1) (c) In the case of the 27,323 (86%) temporary teachers who have been in service for under two years, the reason is that they fill substantive posts that are in the process of being filled through the advertisement of vacancy lists. In regard to the remaining 4,626 (14%), I have directed the DoE to establish why they have been employed in such a capacity for over 2 years.
(2) Yes, under labour law (section 6B of the Employment of Educators Act that came into effect in 2005), no temporary educator can be employed in the same substantive and vacant post for more than two years. The employment of temporary teachers is best understood in the context of the annual process followed to determine the number of posts available to each school.
· Every provincial education department finalizes its post-provisioning consultations by 1 September and provides each school with final staff establishments by 30 September.
· In September school principals verify staff establishments and inform PEDs whether teachers will retire or resign from their posts during the final part of the year.
· This information informs the process of appointment of teachers to vacant posts at the beginning of a new academic year.
· The appointment process is normally in the form of requested internal and cross transfers, placement and absorption of educators additional to establishment, or the selection of temporary educators (new entrants, and those with a break in service).
· In a new year PEDs adjust the staff establishments of schools after a proper analysis of the 10th day snap survey. Temporary educators are then appointed on fixed contracts (1 January – 31 December) as required.
· PEDs finalize a list of all educator vacancies by 30 April of each year. If a teacher has been employed on a temporary contract for more than 2 years, any new contract must be converted from temporary to permanent. This measure only applies if an educator is in a substantive and vacant post and is qualified to teach in the learning areas/grades specified.
· This conversion from temporary to permanent must be supported by the School Governing Body (SGB), with the approval of the Head of Department, and is implemented by 1 July of each year.
· The rest of the vacancies are advertised in an open vacancy list for filling on 1 January of the next school year.
· There will always be temporary educators employed in schools. However, at any given time temporary educators should not make up more than 10% of total educator posts in a PED.
A recent DoE presentation to the Education PC in the National Assembly on 27 May 2008 indicated that there are currently 433,280 posts of which 62,616 are vacant. The percentage of vacant posts (that may or may not be occupied by temporary teachers) was 15.5% in 2006 and 14.5% in 2008.
Table 2: Educator posts and vacancies, 2006-2008
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|||||||
Province |
Number of posts |
Number of Vacancies |
% |
Number of posts |
Number of Vacancies |
% |
Number of posts |
Number of Vacancies |
% |
EC |
75,744 |
11,769 |
15.5 |
70,608 |
6,640 |
9.4 |
70,007 |
7,330 |
10.5 |
FS |
27,690 |
4,368 |
15.8 |
27,764 |
3,737 |
13.5 |
28,644 |
3,401 |
11.9 |
GP |
51,724 |
6,106 |
11.8 |
58,793 |
3,737 |
6.4 |
60,035 |
8,748 |
14.6 |
KZN |
85,213 |
10,912 |
12.8 |
93,324 |
6,847 |
7.3 |
93,174 |
13,550 |
14.5 |
LP |
70,307 |
10,930 |
15.5 |
73,516 |
15,797 |
21.5 |
66,542 |
12,560 |
18.9 |
MP |
34,053 |
6,922 |
20.3 |
40,853 |
7,101 |
17.4 |
41,882 |
7,958 |
19.0 |
NW |
38,291 |
7,784 |
20.3 |
27,355 |
176 |
0.6 |
27,583 |
1,727 |
6.3 |
NC |
7,925 |
1,150 |
14.5 |
9,759 |
1,049 |
10.7 |
10,718 |
1,727 |
16.1 |
WC |
33,924 |
6,099 |
18.0 |
31,134 |
4,938 |
15.9 |
34,695 |
5,615 |
16.2 |
Total |
424,871 |
66,040 |
15.5 |
433,106 |
50,022 |
11.5 |
433,280 |
62,616 |
14.5 |
Note: "The above vacancies are not entirely vacant. They are occupied by temporary educators " |
Source: DoE presentation to the PC on Education, 27 May 2008.
According to the ELRC's study of teacher mortality in 2005, there was a monthly average of 61,206 temporary teachers in 1997 and 34,110 in 2003. The main reason offered for this 44% (27,096) decline in the number of temporary teachers between 1997 and 2003 was "an ongoing process of appointing temporary educators as permanent during the period under review and a trend for advertised permanent posts to be filled with temporary educators".[1] The ELRC mortality study was based on an extensive review of Persal records.
There has been an 11% (2,161) decline in the number of temporary teachers between 2003 (34,110) and 2008 (31,94
QUESTION 1299
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 08/08/2008
(INTERNAL QESTION PAPER 22-2008)
Mr G G Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(1) (a) How many teachers currently employed by her department have not been trained in the National Curriculum Statement in each province and b) what are the reasons for these teachers not receiving required training;
(2) Whether her department has taken any steps to ensure that these teachers receive the required training in the future; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW 2037E
REPLY:
(1) The DoE does not employ teachers. The provincial departments of education employ teachers and are responsible for teacher training.
(2) The DoE is responsible for training provincial subject advisers and monitoring provincial curriculum workshops. Over a number of years the DoE has conducted curriculum workshops in all 8 learning areas and 29 subjects. In most provinces subject advisers train teachers, but in some provinces the training is outsourced to tertiary institutions or other service providers. Curriculum workshops are not compulsory. Teachers at all public schools are invited to attend curriculum workshops and provincial departments indicate that most teachers attend training.
QUESTION 921
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 6/06/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 16-2008)
Mr G G Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(1) Whether her department has conducted an energy audit to determine its (a) use of energy and (b) opportunities for reduction of energy use; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether her department has any plans to reduce energy consumption; if not, why not; if so, what plans;
(3) whether her department has made any material reduction in energy use since 1 January 2008; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW1611E
REPLY
(1) (a and b) No, the DoE has not conducted an energy audit, but the Department of Public Works is in the process of conducting an energy audit at the Department of Education. Details will be made available as soon as the report is available.
(2) Yes, Eskom, Government and other stakeholders have joined forces to conserve energy. The DoE is implementing the following actions:
Lights should be switched on only when necessary and must be switched off when leaving the office;
- Optimal use of natural light, such as the opening of curtains, must be encouraged;
- Office equipment, such as PCs, printers and copiers, should be switched off when not in use and prior to leaving the office;
- The use of hot water should be limited to essential services and only the required amount of water should be boiled;
- Officials are encouraged to use the stairs as often as possible, especially if they are located on the 1st or 2nd floors;
- Air conditioners and heaters should be used only when necessary.
(3) The DoE is waiting for an energy audit report from the Department of Public Works. QUESTION NO. 922 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 16 of 2008
QUESTION 931
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 6/06/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 16-2008)
Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
How many (a) applications for places were (i) received and (ii) accepted at each of the specified medical-training universities or colleges and institutions and (b) individuals graduated from each specified facility in each of the most recent seven years for which information is available? NW1621E
REPLY
(i) Applications received for the MBCHB in 2008
South African IDZs can differentiate themselves from other competing zones
In the region and other developing economies and create an enabling
environment to attract investors;
IDZs can develop automated cargo control capabilities which will result in significant reduction in cumbersome administrative requirements for both SARS and companies located in the IDZS;
All critical government departments and agencies would .be required to participate in a One-Stop-Shop arrangement to facilitate the requirements of companies based in the IDZs. An inclusive stakeholder management approach can be developed to
increase accountability and ownership for thelDZ programme.
QUESTION 663
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 9/05/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 12-2008)
Mr G G Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(1) Whether any teacher or facilitator has been (a) charged with and/or (b) convicted of any crimes against any learner in (i) 2005, (ii) in 2006, (iii) in 2007 and (iv) during the period 1 January 2008 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, (aa) how many in each case, (bb) who were they and (cc) at which school did each such teacher or facilitator work;
(2) Whether any such teachers or facilitators (a) are still employed or (b) have been re-employed by her department since their conviction; if so, (i) who are they, (ii) at which schools do they currently teach and (iii) what were they convicted of?
NW1354E
REPLY:
SUMMARY
(1 and 2) The South African Council for Educators (SACE) reports that for the period 2005 to 2007 there were twenty cases involving unprofessional conduct towards learners. Sixteen cases related to unprofessional sexual conduct towards learners, and all were found guilty and dismissed. In four cases the educators were found guilty of assault, and two were dismissed while the other two were fined and continue to be in the employ of their respective provincial education department. SACE is still consolidating statistics for the first quarter of 2008. The names of educators cannot be disclosed, as decisions on some of these cases are challenged through judicial processes.
2005
REF |
Name of School |
OFFENCE |
SANCTION |
020/05-AKF |
Uxolo High (WC) |
Assault |
Dismissal |
040/05-AKF |
Westville Primary (WC) |
Assault |
Dismissal |
043/05-AKF |
Imperial Primary (WC) |
Sexual Assault |
Dismissal |
061/05-AKF |
Dysseldorp Secondary (WC) |
Sexual Harassment |
Struck off |
089/05-AKF |
Esangweni High (WC) |
Sexual Harassment |
Dismissal |
090/05-AKF |
Murraysburg Intermediate (WC) |
Indecent Assault |
Struck off |
099/05-AKF |
Oude Molen Technical High (WC) |
Sexual Molestation |
Struck off |
2006
REF |
Name of School |
OFFENCE |
SANCTION |
006/06-RIK |
Newell High (EC) |
Sexual Assault |
Not Registered |
008/06-MT |
Retlakgona Primary (NW) |
Rape |
Dismissed by DOE |
030/06-MT |
Inkwenkwezi Secondary (WC) |
Theft and Assault |
Final Written warning and three months suspension without pay |
041/06-MT |
Macassar Primary (WC) |
Sexual Assault |
Dismissed by the DOE |
043/06 |
Jurie Hayes (WC) |
Sexual Assault |
Dismissed by the DOE |
082/06-RIK |
Alafang Secondary (GP) |
Sexual Assault |
DOE found accused guilty and a 2 months suspension without pay was imposed |
084/06-RIK |
Lamontville High (KZN) |
Sexual Relationship |
Dismissal |
M168/2006 |
Bartimea School: deaf & blind (FS) |
Assault |
Struck Off |
087/06-RIK |
Sastri Park Secondary (KZN) |
Sexual Assault |
Dismissed by the DOE |
2007
Ref |
Name of School |
Offence |
Sanction |
019/07-AKF |
Masiyile Secondary School (WC) |
Sexual Relationship |
Struck Off |
081/07-MT |
Houtbay High School (WC) |
Indecent Assault |
Struck Off |
M50/2007 |
Dikagkeng High School (FS) |
Sexual harassment |
Dismissed |
M44/2007 |
Navalsig High School (FS) |
Assault |
Incomplete |
QUESTION 1631
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 19/09/2008
(INTERNAL QESTION PAPER 28-2008)
Mr LB Labuschagne (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
How long does it take to approve a new post establishment at a school?
NW2406E
REPLY
Education MECs approve post establishments on a yearly basis. Preliminary establishments are provided to schools in October of each year and final establishments before the end of the school year for implementation in January of the next school year.
QUESTION 1055
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 20/06/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 19-2008)
Dr SM van Dyk (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
How many (a) white students have been turned down for bursaries at state accredited and subsidised technikons and universities in the past three financial years and (b) other students did in fact qualify for such bursaries in the past three financial years?
NW1790E
REPLY:
a) The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides financial aid to students, but does not keep a record of bursary applications it turns down.
b). Below is a list of white students who were granted NSFAS loans and Funza Lushaka bursaries for the last 3 years.
Number of funded white students, 2005-07 |
|||
Year |
Donor |
Donor Type |
White Student Count |
2005 |
ASSET |
NGO - Recovered Money |
1 |
2005 |
COMMUNICARE |
Private Sector Conduit |
3 |
2005 |
DE Teacher Education (Ringfenced) |
State |
376 |
2005 |
Department of Agriculture Bursaries |
State |
21 |
2005 |
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION |
State |
1861 |
2005 |
Department of Labour Disability Fund |
State |
95 |
2005 |
Eastern Cape Premiers Office Scholarships |
Provincial Government |
20 |
2005 |
Eastern Cape Provincial Government |
Provincial Government |
3 |
2005 |
MEDUNSA Recovered Funds |
Institution Recovered Funds |
1 |
2005 |
NGO-STUDIETRUST |
NGO - Recovered Money |
14 |
2005 |
Rhodes University Council |
Institution |
52 |
2005 |
Rhodes University Recovered Funds |
Institution Recovered Funds |
2 |
2005 |
Tshwane University of Technology |
Institution |
4 |
2005 |
UCT UG Recovered Funds |
Institution Recovered Funds |
2 |
2005 |
UNISA Post Graduate Fund |
Institution |
5 |
2005 |
Univ Pretoria |
Institution |
54 |
2005 |
University of Cape Town |
Institution |
15 |
2005 |
University of Johannesburg |
Institution |
2 |
2005 |
University of KZN |
Institution |
3 |
2005 |
University of South Africa |
Institution |
3 |
2005 |
University of the Western Cape |
Institution |
3 |
2005 |
Wits University Post Graduate Recovery |
Institution Recovered Funds |
4 |
2005 |
Wits University Under Graduate Recovery |
Institution Recovered Funds |
3 |
2006 |
ASSET |
NGO - Recovered Money |
1 |
2006 |
CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY |
Institution |
1 |
2006 |
COMMUNICARE |
Private Sector Conduit |
2 |
2006 |
DE Teacher Education (Ringfenced) |
State |
354 |
2006 |
Department of Agriculture Bursaries |
State |
21 |
2006 |
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION |
State |
1615 |
2006 |
Department of Labour Disability Fund |
State |
102 |
2006 |
Durban University of Technology |
Institution |
4 |
2006 |
Eastern Cape Premiers Office Scholarships |
Provincial Government |
26 |
2006 |
Eastern Cape Provincial Government |
Provincial Government |
3 |
2006 |
METALLON TEACHING SCHOLARSHIP |
Private Sector Conduit |
2 |
2006 |
NGO-STUDIETRUST |
NGO - Recovered Money |
8 |
2006 |
Rhodes University Council |
Institution |
49 |
2006 |
Rhodes University Recovered Funds |
Institution Recovered Funds |
8 |
2006 |
Tshwane University of Technology |
Institution |
4 |
Year |
Donor |
Donor Type |
White Student Count |
2006 |
UCT UG Recovered Funds |
Institution Recovered Funds |
1 |
2006 |
UNISA Post Graduate Fund |
Institution |
6 |
2006 |
Univ Pretoria |
Institution |
117 |
2006 |
University of Cape Town |
Institution |
21 |
2006 |
University of KZN Gap Funding |
Institution |
15 |
2006 |
University of South Africa |
Institution |
11 |
2006 |
University of the Western Cape |
Institution |
2 |
2006 |
UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND - PG |
WITS University |
6 |
2007 |
CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY |
Institution |
2 |
2007 |
COMMUNICARE |
Private Sector Conduit |
1 |
2007 |
COMMUNICARE HAND OVER |
Private Sector Conduit |
1 |
2007 |
DE Teacher Education (Ringfenced) |
State |
242 |
2007 |
Department of Agriculture Bursaries |
State |
16 |
2007 |
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION |
State |
1507 |
2007 |
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - FET |
State |
255 |
2007 |
Department of Education: Funza Lushaka Bursary |
State |
757 |
2007 |
Department of Labour Disability Fund |
State |
93 |
2007 |
Department of Social Work |
SATI |
16 |
2007 |
Eastern Cape Premiers Office Scholarships |
Provincial Government |
34 |
2007 |
Eastern Cape Provincial Government |
Provincial Government |
10 |
2007 |
Eastern Province Provincial Government Recovered |
Provincial Government |
1 |
2007 |
METALLON TEACHING SCHOLARSHIP |
Private Sector Conduit |
2 |
2007 |
NGO-STUDIETRUST |
NGO - Recovered Money |
9 |
2007 |
Rhodes University Council |
Institution |
24 |
2007 |
Rhodes University Recovered Funds |
Institution Recovered Funds |
2 |
2007 |
Tshawane University of Technology 100% loan |
Institution |
2 |
2007 |
UCT UG Recovered Funds |
Institution Recovered Funds |
2 |
2007 |
UNISA Post Graduate Fund |
Institution |
5 |
2007 |
Univ Pretoria |
Institution |
72 |
2007 |
Universit of Pretoria Recovered Funds |
Institution Recovered Funds |
13 |
2007 |
University of Cape Town |
Institution |
17 |
2007 |
University of KZN |
Institution |
1 |
2007 |
University of KZN Gap Funding |
Institution |
15 |
2007 |
University of South Africa |
Institution |
5 |
2007 |
University of the Western Cape |
Institution |
1 |
2007 |
Wits University Under Graduate Recovery |
Institution Recovered Funds |
2 |
QUESTION 705
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 9/05/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 12-2008)
Mr G G Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(1) Whether her department makes use of private security firms; if so, how much money was spent on such firms in 2007;
(2) Whether these firms are used on a contractual basis; if so, (a) how many contracts did her department take out in this regard in 2007, (b) with which firms were these contracts taken out, (c) for what specific purpose was each contract taken out and (d) what was the value of the contract in each case;
(3) Why is there a need for her department to use a private security firm as opposed to state security? NW1402E
REPLY:
Yes, the Department only uses one private security firm, whom the Department paid R411,426 in 2007.
Yes
(a) One
(b) Bushindo Business Enterprise
(c) Access control and patrol duties
(d) R411 426.00 for 2007
(3) The Department employs Bushindo Business Enterprise to protect one of the buildings that the DoE currently rents to accommodate its expanding staff. In 2009 the Department will move to a new building that is being constructed in terms of a PPP agreement . Part of the security services will then be provided in terms of this agreement. Thus, the current staff complement of the Department will be sufficient to provide the remaining security services that will be required. The appointment of additional security staff at this stage would lead to their redundancy once we occupy the new building.
COMPILER: MR J VISSER
EXTENTION: X5439
QUESTION 744
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16/05/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 13-2008)
Mr G G Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(a) What was the name of each private, secondary school that registered learners for matric exams in 2008, (b) in which (i) province and (ii) district is it located, (c) how many learners from each school were registered to write matric in 2008 and (d)(i) passed matric and (ii) received matric exemption in 2007?
NW1431E
REPLY:
In 2008 there are 21,677 private-school candidates registered to write the senior certificate. In 2007, 14,364 private-school candidates passed the senior certificate exam, and 5,869 passed with endorsement.
In 2008 there are 8,174 private-school candidates registered to write the Independent Examinations Board exam. In 2007, 7,034 private-school candidates passed the exam, and 5,663 passed with endorsement.
The details are provided in the two lists attached, one for private schools writing the senior certificate, and the other for private schools writing the Independent Board examinations.
QUESTION 1699
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26/09/2008
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 29-2008
Mr G G Boinamo to ask the Minister of Education:
In respect of the 2006-07 and 2007-08 annual reports of her department and the annual reports of each statutory and other entity reporting to her, (a) what was the (i) budgeted cost, (ii) actual cost and (iii) unit cost of each annual report and (b) how many copies of each were (i) produced and (ii) distributed?
NW2479E
Table 1: Annual report costs
PUBLIC ENTITY |
i) Budgeted cost of the Annual Report |
ii) Actual cost of the Annual Report |
iii) Unit cost of each Annual Report |
|||
2006/07 R |
2007/08 R |
2006/07 R |
2007/08 R |
2006/07 R |
2007/08 R |
|
Department of Education |
360 000 |
376 200 |
159 354 |
204 328 |
159,35 |
136,21 |
South African Council for Educators (SACE) |
60 000 |
90 000 |
64 824 |
131 141 |
21,61 |
87,42 |
Council on Higher Education (CHE) |
70 000 |
68 000 |
64 198 |
67 043 |
64,20 |
67,04 |
National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) |
70 000 |
77 000 |
62 433 |
70 725 |
41,62 |
47,15 |
Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) |
159 949 |
198 913 |
157 555 |
151 050 |
105,04 |
100,70 |
Umalusi |
70 000 |
80 000 |
59 433 |
77 292 |
29,72 |
38,65 |
South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) |
150 000 |
220 000 |
172 637 |
258 461 |
43,16 |
86,15 |
Table 2: Annual report copies printed and distributed
Public Entity |
i) How many copies were produced? |
ii) How many copies were distributed |
||
2006/07 |
2007/08 |
2006/07 |
2007/08 (distribution to date) |
|
Department of Education |
1 000 |
1 500 |
900 |
1 000 |
SACE |
3 000 |
1 500 |
2 900 |
1 500 |
CHE |
1 000 |
1 000 |
800 |
950 |
NSFAS |
1 500 |
1 500 |
1 412 |
1 462 |
ELRC |
1 500 |
1 500 |
1 400 |
1 450 |
Umalusi |
2 000 |
2 000 |
1 700 |
1 750 |
SAQA |
4 000 |
3 000 |
4 000 |
3 000 |
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN TO ORAL REPLY
QUESTION 220
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26/06/09
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 04-2009)
Mr GR Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
How much capital expenditure has been devoted to the construction of university residences in each of the past 15 years, (b) how much has been spent on maintenance of existing residences in each of these years and (c) what are the current (i) occupation rates for student and (ii) management capacity in residences in each university;
Whether his department will conduct an audit of university residences; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW267E
REPLY:
The Department of Higher Education and Training will, during 2010, be undertaking a study of student housing in the public higher education system. The study will focus on the system's need for additional student housing, and on the ways in which expansion could be financed. The Department will draw on lessons learned from the 2010/11 to 2011/12 residence expansion process funded by government, institutions and the private sector. The implementation of these expansion plans will lead to the number of student housing places rising by 7 000 by the 2011 academic year, from the current total of 100 000. This expansion programme includes provision for the major renovation of 2 000 existing residence places, primarily in smaller rural universities.
Yes and relevant details are provided above (referred to -1).
QUESTION 1758
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 10/10/2008
(INTERNAL QESTION PAPER 30-2008)
Mr G G Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
Whether her department has any (a) training programmes for grade R teachers and (b) public awareness programmes aimed at encouraging parents to register learners for grade R programmes in public schools; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2546E
REPLY:
(a) Yes, the DoE has training programmes for grade R teachers. Most teachers are being trained as part of the NPDE programme. Some provinces have made agreements with institutions of higher learning in their areas to provide training programmes for the teachers. All current teacher development initiatives include grade R practitioners.
(b) Yes, the multi-media information campaigns conducted every year to remind parents to register their children (for all grades) for the next academic year includes grade R learners.
QUESTION 1423
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 22/08/ 2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 24-2008)
Mr GG Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(1) Whether her department commenced with implementing the policy to offer indigenous languages in all the schools; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) when and (b) in which grades;
(2) Whether her department has taken into account the difficulty of introducing indigenous languages to older learners; if not why not; if so, what steps has her department taken to deal with these difficulties? NW2163E
REPLY:
(1) Everyone has the right to be taught in the official language of their choice at a public educational institution "where this is reasonably practicable". The Language in Education Policy (1997) specifies that it is "reasonably practicable" to teach in a preferred language if there are at least 40 primary or 35 secondary learners in a particular grade who request it at a particular school. Parents who believe this right is not being promoted and fulfilled should approach, in the first instance, the school governing body, which sets a school's language policy. If they do not feel sufficiently accommodated, parents should then contact the relevant local education authority.
Schools offer the 11 official and 14 other languages as subjects at three different levels: home language, first additional language and second additional language. With the agreement of the provincial department of education, schools determine what languages should be offered at what level, based on demand from parents. Again, parents must ensure that their preferences are made known to the school through the governing body. I encourage all schools to offer at least one African language as part of their curriculum. In fact, most schools in South Africa offer an African language as a subject in both the GET and FET phases, but it is not as yet a compulsory requirement.
(2) Yes. Learners cannot begin a new language as a subject in the FET phase (post Grade 9). Learners must have taken a language in the GET phase in order to offer that language for matric. It should also be noted that in order to be offered as a subject, any language must comply with all the requirements set out in national policy regarding the outcomes and literature requirements. Any language must be determined as policy before a school may offer it for certification purposes.
QUESTION 1424
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 22/08/ 2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 24-2008)
Mr GG Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(1) Whether by spending more funds to expand the Further Education and Training (FET) colleges, her department intends replacing matric with FET qualifications, if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) What steps her department has taken to ensure that schools continue to aim for high matric pass rates?
NW2164E
REPLY:
(1) No, the NC (V) qualification for colleges will not replace the matric qualification. Young people have a choice of two qualifications in the FET learning pathway. Both college and matric qualifications serve important but different purposes. The matric qualification will continue to provide a general education for students wishing to pursue an academic career. The NC (V) qualification provides an opportunity for young people to begin their education and training in a given vocational specialization as early as possible. It also allows those with general academic qualifications, such as the matric, to access the vocational specializations should they choose to do so.
The NC (V) qualifications require that students:
· Have a clear understanding of the career pathway he/she wishes to follow
· Demonstrate a level of personal maturity to benefit from the workplace orientation of the qualification
· Engage in both theoretical learning as well as integrated application of skills in preparation for the workplace
The increased expenditure in colleges is motivated by two essential factors. The first is the historical under-funding of FET colleges, which dates back to the former Technical Colleges era. The second is the need to reposition these colleges to respond appropriately to the new and emerging skills demands in the labour market. The responsibility to provide simulated learning environments, for example, is a considerable cost driver in this sector.
(2) The Department of Education has developed a plan to support schools and the Grade 12 learners who will be writing the National Senior Certificate examination in November 2008. As part of this process, the Department introduced a variety of interventions to support the readiness of schools for these examinations. The interventions included the following:
- Subject adviser and teacher training
- The development of Learning Programme Guidelines, which provide guidelines on teaching each subject in Grades 10, 11 and 12. These include 40 week programmes to provide guidance on coverage, pace and sequence for delivering the curriculum
- Subject Assessment Guidelines which indicate the types and nature of the assessment tasks to be developed
- The development of catalogues of approved textbooks for grades 10, 11 and 12
- The provision of textbooks to grade 10, 11 and 12 learners
- The development of examination exemplars for Grades 10, 11 and 12 by the Department's examination panel
- The publication and distribution of examination exemplars in Study Mate and Studie Pel, in each of 33 weeks from March to October 2008
- The development and distribution of a book of Exemplar Maths and Maths Literacy Papers for grades 10, 11 and 12 funded by Old Mutual
- Saturday classes
- Winter schools
- The National Strategy for Learner Attainment which provides specific support for schools that achieved under 60% pass rate in the Senior Certificate.
These interventions are intended to support schools achieve good pass rates in the National Senior Certificate examinations.
QUESTION 1425
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 22/08/ 2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION 22-2008)
Mr GG Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(1) Whether her department has taken any steps to prevent learners from falling pregnant; if not, why not; if so, what steps;
(2) Whether these numbers have decreased since the introduction of these steps; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are relevant details?
NW2165E
ANSWER:
(1) Government recognizes that schoolgirl pregnancy is a social issue that causes anxiety for learners, teachers and schools. The Measures for the Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy, which the Department published in 2007 and distributed to all schools, provides guidelines for dealing with schoolgirl pregnancies. These guidelines focus on prevention, emphasizing the importance of sex education, HIV/Aids education and peer education among pupils, but also offer practical steps to take when schoolgirls become pregnant. The guidelines aim to educate and assist learners to understand and exercise their rights and responsibilities in relation to pregnancy. In support of the guidelines, the Department is developing materials to assist teachers in dealing with the complexities of schoolgirl pregnancy at school. The Department will publish the first edition of a series of support materials in late September 2008. The guidelines complement preventative programmes emphasizing abstinence amongst school-going youth, such as the Life Orientation curriculum, HIV and AIDS peer education programmes, the Girls' Education Movement clubs, and human rights and values education programmes of the Department focusing on responsibilities and positive lifestyle choices.
(2) It is too early to measure the impact of the guidelines on the reduction of learner pregnancy at school. However, the Department is investigating the current data and research available on teenage and schoolgirl pregnancy. The results of this research will be available in early 2009.
QUESTION 1447
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 22/08/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 24-2008)
1447 Mrs D van deer Walt (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
(1) (a) What was the total cost to the state of consultants used by her department in the (i) 2005-06, (ii) 2006-07, (iii) 2007-08 financial years; (b) what are the names of the consultants used; (c) for what purpose were they used; (d) what was the reason for preferring to use consultants instead of hiring persons with the necessary skills?
(2) Whether any former employees of her department have been employed as consultants in the above-mentioned financial years; if so, why; why did each such person leave her department?
NW2191E
REPLY:
(1) (a)
Table 1: Total costs of consultant contracts
2005/06 |
2006/07 |
2007/08 |
R 72,883,130.00 |
R 5,736,558.02 |
R 7,960,135.85 |
Note: These totals reflect the ceiling amounts of contracts at date of appointment. Each contract allows for a specific timeframe for the completion of the task and payments to the service providers, which could be interim payments based on the progress, or only paid in total after the completion of the task. The NEIMS contract with Deloitte Consulting largely accounts for the high expenditure in 2005/6.
1. (b and c)
Table 2: Consultants and projects
Names |
Purpose used for |
(b) |
(c) |
2005-06 |
|
Deloitte Consulting |
Assisted with the creation of a National Education Infrastructure Management Survey and Database. |
Sizanang Centre |
Produced the "Education Financial Tool", and assisted in the utilization of the Tool in the production of medium and long term expenditure plans. |
Link Community Development |
Assisted with the development of School Financial Guidelines. |
Paul Musker & Associates |
Reviewed national, regional and international literature and analysed information on incentives for teachers in primary schools, as well as the development of a comprehensive report. |
2006-07 |
|
Namela Projects |
Conducted a transport study that would inform DoE's undertaking of education dynamics in relation to accessibility of schools. |
Dishumelani Business Enterprises |
Assisted with Whole School Development Intervention. |
Khulisa Management |
Conducted an EMIS sample survey. |
M Power Learning & Development |
Assisted with the pilot project to train Master Teachers in Grade 10-12 Mathematics and Physical Science. |
Centre for Research in Politics of Language, University of Pretoria |
Conducted research on the implications of translating Senior Certificate question papers into all the official African languages. |
O.M.A. |
Assisted with internal auditing activities. |
Bosele Management Consulting (BMC) |
Assisted with the "Women in and into Management" project. |
Leonie Tiearney |
Assisted with tracking the performance of cohorts on first time entries in tertiary institutions. |
Ahmed Essop |
Assisted in finalizing performance indicators for the National Plan on Higher Education. |
Bridging Executive Development |
Assisted with Organizational Development. |
Unleash Potential Unlimited |
Assisted with the monitoring and evaluation of the Innovative Management Project. |
Prof Brahm Fleisch |
Assisted with the analyses of Provincial Education Strategic Plans. |
Regenesys Manager |
Assisted with the compilation of a National Report on Education Management, Governance and Development. |
Prof Brahm Fleisch |
Assisted with the analysis of annual performance plans. |
Class Act Educational Services |
Refined the IQMS based on 6 provinces and 3 schools per province. |
HSRC |
Classified towns and determined distances between schools and towns. |
Wits Education Policy Unit |
Assisted with the "Home Education Project". |
2007-08 |
|
IC Blue Consulting |
Assisting with the re-development of the DoE's website. |
Singizi Consulting |
Revise existing National Human Resource Development (NHRD) Strategy 2001, into a second version. |
Khulisa Management Services |
Evaluate, review and refine Whole School Evaluation (WSE) instruments, developing a framework for aligning information from the criteria descriptions, ratings, interview schedules and questionnaire pilot, and report on these instruments. |
Pauline Malhaela & Associates |
Delivery of Advanced Certificate in Education: School Leadership Field Test. |
Mind Pool |
Assist DoE in the development of an Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) – Audio visual training at schools. |
OMA Chartered Accountants |
Assisted with internal audit activities. |
SAB&T |
Administrative management of the mass literary campaign of the DoE – Kha Ri Gude |
(d) The reason for preferring to use consultants instead of hiring persons with the necessary skills is that the professional expertise of consultants is required for specific projects for a short duration of time. Once the project is finalised, their services are no longer required. The process of creating posts, advertising, short listing, interviewing and appointing candidates for a short contract period is subsequently avoided. Furthermore, few candidates are prepared to accept short-term contract appointments.
(2) Three former employees of the Department have been contracted as consultants or are employed by consulting companies appointed by the DoE, in the following financial years:
2005-06 - Ms Helen Perry (Sizanang Centre)
2006-07 - Mr Ahmed Essop
2007-08 - Mr Bobby Soobrayan (Singizi Consulting)
After leaving the DoE, they became employees of the respective companies that were awarded the bids in the three cases. They left the DoE on their own accord either by resigning or by departmental transfer and promotion as in the case of Mr Soobrayan. He thereafter left the public servi
QUESTION 1509
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 05/09/ 2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 26-2008)
Mr LB Labuschagne (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
Whether any consideration has been given to revising the current quintile system of funding schools by basing it on the composition of the learner body rather than the geographic location of a school; if not; why not; if so what are the relevant details?
NW 2251E
REPLY:
Yes, I have asked my department to review the current quintile system for school funding. The current quintile system, introduced in 2006, requires provinces to assign each school a poverty score based on the relative poverty of the community in which each school is located. Provinces then assign each school to a quintile according to a national poverty distribution table, so that poor schools in different provinces receive equal school allocations. However, the Head of Department in each province has the discretion to adjust the quintile ranking of a school. The departmental review will include consultations with all stakeholders before we release any proposals for public comment.
QUESTION 1536
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 12/09/2008
(INTERNAL QESTION PAPER 27-2008)
MS C. Dudley (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Education:
(1) Whether her Department has received queries or concerns from Grade 12 pupils regarding examination forms which they have been asked to sign which refer to "Senior Certificate without University Entrance"; if so what are the relevant details?
(2)(a) What are the relevant details regarding university entrance criteria which make it necessary to refer to "Senior Certificate without University Entrance" and;
2(b)(i) what information is available that can be used to assist Grade 12 pupils and concerned parents; and (ii) how can this information be accessed?
REPLY
(1) The DoE has received no queries of this kind from grade 12 learners.
2 (a) In addition to satisfying the requirements for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) candidates must meet the following minimum requirements for admission to Higher Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor degrees offered at higher education institutions:
(i) Higher Certificate: a National Senior Certificate with a minimum of 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the Higher Education Institution as certified by Umalusi, the Council for General and Further Education and Training
Diploma: a National Senior Certificate with an achievement rating of 3 (Moderate Achievement, 40% - 49%), or better in four recognized NCS subjects excluding Life Orientation.
Bachelor's Degree: a National Senior Certificate with an achievement rating of 4 (Adequate Achievement, 50% - 59%) or better in four subjects chosen from a NCS designated subject list.
(2) (b)(i) Provinces have publicised the National Senior Certificate qualification through circulars, posters and flyers and other media. Furthermore, Higher Education South Africa (HESA) published the "Guide to Entry Into Higher Education" 2007 version and the "Plan Your Future" summary guide on Higher Education (HE) admission requirements, translated into English, Afrikaans isiXhosa, Isis Zulu and Sesotho. All these documents have been distributed to schools, circuit districts/ regional and circuit offices.
(2) (b)(ii) Over and above the provincial circulars, flyers and posters and other media broadcasts, the information is also available on the Department of Education and National Information Service for Higher education (NiSHE) websites. This information is also available at all provincial offices, districts, circuits and schools.
The Matriculation Board website address is: www.hesa-enrol.ac.za
QUESTION 567
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28/03/2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 11-2008)
Mr G G Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
In respect of each of the past five years, what was the (a) total capital expenditure estimates for her department at (i) national, (ii) provincial and (iii) local level and (b) amount (i) budgeted and (ii) actually spent at each level?
NW1250E
REPLY:
The Department of Education's capital expenditure budget is for the national level only.
(a) Total capital expenditure estimates and (b) amount budgeted and spent
Financial year |
Budget |
Spent |
R'000 |
R'000 |
|
2002/03 |
57 962 |
13 687 |
2003/04 |
53 182 |
51 871 |
2004/05 |
13 373 |
7 134 |
2005/06 |
18 175 |
14 109 |
2006/07 |
9 501 |
5 459 |
QUESTION 1851
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 24/10/2008
(INTERNAL QESTION PAPER 32-2008)
Adv PS Swart (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:
How many (a) public schools as defined in the SA Schools Act, Act 84 of 1996 and (b) public further education and training (FET) institutions as defined by the Further Education and Training Act, Act 98 of 1998 benefited (i) in 2006, (ii) in 2007 and (iii) during the period 1 January 2008 up to the latest specified date for which information is available from the e-rate as contained in section 73 of the Electronic Communications Act, Act 36 of 2005? NW2644E
REPLY:
(a) There are no schools currently benefiting from the e-rate.
(b) There are 9 FET colleges in KwaZulu-Natal (Coastal, Esayidi, Mnambithi, Mthashana, Majuba, Thekwini, Umgungundhlovu, Elangeni, Richtek FET colleges) and 1 in the Eastern Cape (Port Elizabeth FET College) benefitting from the e-rate in 2008.