Questions and Replies

Reply:

The question requires a closed session of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence as it relates to the security and movements of the VVIP.

Reply:

1. No luxury vehicles exceeding R600 000 were purchased by the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) in the 2014-15 to 2016-17 financial years. Twenty luxury vehicles were procured in the 2017-18 financial year, and two vehicles were procured in the 2018-19 financial year.

2. The total cost of the specified luxury vehicles in each specified financial year is as indicated in Enclosure 1.

3. The (a) make, (b) model and (c) quantity of each type of luxury vehicle is as indicated in Enclosure 1.

Enclosure 1

SER NO	FINANCIAL YEAR	NUMBER OF VEHICLES PROCURED
1	2014/15	NIL
2	2015/16	NIL
3	2016/17	NIL
4	2017/18	20
		VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL	COST	SERVICE/DIVISION
		Mercedes Benz V2500 7 Seated	R1, 027, 804. 00	Joint Operations Division
		Mercedes Benz V2500 7 Seated	R1, 027, 804. 00	Joint Operations Division
		Mercedes Benz V2500 7 Seated	R1, 027, 804. 00	Joint Operations Division
		Audi 6	R 631, 365.06	Joint Operations Division
		BMW 540i	R 831, 976. 80	Joint Operations Division
		BMW X5	R 916, 883. 50	SA Army
		BMW X5	R 916, 883. 50	SA Army
		BMW330D	R 635, 200. 00	SA Military Health Services
		BMW X5	R 947, 633. 50	SA Military Health Services
		BMW 540i	R 849, 526. 80	SA Military Health Services
		BMW750i	R 1, 683, 811. 04	Logistics Division
		BMW750i	R 1, 559, 340. 00	Logistics Division
		Audi Q7	R 964, 723. 11	Logistics Division
		Audi Q7	R 964, 723. 11	Logistics Division
		Audi Q7	R 964, 723. 11	Logistics Division
		Mercedes Benz V2500 7 Seated	R 812, 574. 00	Logistics Division
		Mercedes Benz V2500 7 Seated	R 812, 574. 00	Logistics Division
		Mercedes Benz V2500 7 Seated	R 812, 574. 00	Logistics Division
		Mercedes Benz V2500 7 Seated	R 812, 574. 00	Logistics Division
		BMW 540i	R 823, 326.80	Defence Intelligence Division
			R19, 023824.33
5	2018/19	2
		BMW520i	R 651, 862. 47	Defence Foreign Relations
		BMW540i	R 812, 563. 87	Defence Foreign Relations
			R 1, 464, 426. 34
		GRAND TOTAL	R20, 488, 250. 67

Reply:

(1)(a) An amount of Rm35, 963, 32 has already been spent against the projected Rm23.

(1)(b) Funding is done through reprioritisation within the departmental budget.

(1)(c) The allowance consists of Standby (R80.75), Danger (R15.58) and
Deprivation Allowances (R326.35) to the amount R12, 680.40. These allowance are taxable and therefore the members qualify for R8 084, 59 after tax depending on the member’s taxable income.

(1)(d) The allowances (Rm 14,5) are based on the number of deployed members multiplied by amounts stated in (1)(c). Of the Rm35,963, 32 , Rm4.5 will be paid for the purchase of showers and ablution facilities by the end of November and Rm4, 665,820, will be paid to the South African Air Force. Rm2,322,500 is for Fuel Oil and Lubricants (FOL) and Rm 9,975 for rations.

(2) The whole budget was spent as explained in (1)(a).

Reply:

1. The figures as indicated above are inaccurate. The expenditure on Project Thusano is as indicated in the table below per financial year:

Ser No	Financial Year	Amount Spent
	a	b
1	2015/16	R6 Million
2	2016/17	R144 Million
3	2017/18	R163 Million
4	2018/19	R261 Million
5	2019/20	R25 Million
	Total Expenditure	R599 Million

2. The total expenditure of R599 million, minus the planned expenditure of R229 million over five years on the initial contract terms equals to R370 million. This is an insignificant escalation compared to savings and recovered funds over five years.

3. It is estimated that the Department of Defence (DOD) will save R1, 9 billion, plus R192 million (10% inflation), that equals to R2.1 billion over the period of five years of the contract, excluding the costs of, amongst others:

a) labour;

b) reduced spares;

c) repair of components;

d) spray painting for the J Ops Division;

e) maintenance and repair at Special Forces;

f) support to internal and external operations;

g) maintenance and repair at Infantry School, and

h) training and qualifying of one-thousand-one-hundred-and-eighty-one (1181) apprentices.

4. The above mentioned calculations are based on R384 million that was saved in the FYs 2014/15 and 2015/16 of the initial contract and inclusive of the current contracted period.

5. Vocational and technical skills that have been developed over the past three years came with not only college-text book-theory, but along with excellent work ethic that is military-operational results driven; which cannot be found in any civilian institution. A feeder system to this initiative by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is the Military Skills Development System (MSDS) recruitment, whereby youth is trained and employed every year; therefore in this case the project has indeed, and continues to contribute towards national objectives of creating sustainable jobs whilst imparting unparalleled skills development with a unique twist of excellent military operational work ethics.

6. Members of Parliament are invited to visit Project Thusano workshops to equate recovered and savings by observation on the ground, especially in the Department’s preservation facilities in Walmansthall (Pretoria) and De Brug (Bloemfontein).

Reply:

1. The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans is well informed of the poor condition of facilities in the Thaba Tshwane military base in Centurion, which is a serious matter of concern to her. Cognisance must be taken that Thaba Tshwane was built on dolomite land, and with virtually no upgrade or renovations during the last two decades due to predominantly a lack of funds and a huge backlog of maintenance and repair, poses serious structural maintenance problems for both the Department of Defence (DOD) and Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI).

Buildings and land that the units occupy are managed and maintained by the DPWI, who is the custodian of state land and facilities and therefore responsible for the maintenance and repair of these facilities, however, partly the DOD is responsible for the failure to address poor maintenance of own properties and infrastructure, by not taking the initiative to repair its facilities on realising that DPWI is failing in its mandate. Repairs and renovations of sewer, storm water and roads, as well as sinkholes are in process to take place. A Facility Strategic Plan has been compiled with the Thaba Tshwane military area as one of the first priorities to be addressed. The Defence Works Formation is in the process to capacitate itself to be able to execute maintenance and repair work.

Reply:

On 27 November 2019, the North Gauteng High Court declared the report of the Public Protector (Report no 10 of 2017/18) unlawful and unconstitutional and declared that it has been reviewed and set aside in review proceedings brought by the Department of Defence. 

Reply:

Mental disorder (Mental Health Illness) per se manifest in a wide range of conditions that affect mood, thinking and behaviour. The defined main groups are mood disorders (depression or bipolar disorder), personality disorders, psychotic disorders, eating disorders, trauma-related disorders (post-traumatic stress disorder) and substance abuse disorders. Given the complexity of the development and later manifestation of such disorders it is not possible to quantify the numbers that are involved without deep analysis of patient history per incident.

The suicide incidence is a problematic aspect. Suicides are classed as unnatural deaths and is therefore reverts to the state coroner for final classification. The cause of death coding is vague with most capturing indicated as “death unspecified”

All members have access to the full spectrum of clinicians in managing mental disorders. The SAHMS does have management and defusing programmes in place to render care after traumatic incidents and after every deployment. As mental health presents, more frequently than not, differently in individual, each individual group programmes are not commonly used.

Given the complexity of the clinical environment under discussion it would be prudent to do a complete study to be able to answer the question.

Reply:

a) Engagements between the Department of Defence and National Treasury are taking place to address the funding challenges of the SANDF in general. Capabilities will gradually come to a grinding stop if both State Owned Entities like Denel and the DOD are not adequately resources to fulfil on their various mandates. The decision to stop flying will be determined by airworthiness and aviation safety considerations. The SAAF has qualified personnel that monitor and certify aircraft airworthiness and safety.

Reply:

 

a) The information requested in part (a) of this question refers to SANDF capabilities and can only be disclosed in a closed session of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.

(b) Underfunding has a direct effect on:

1. Denel Aeronautics losing key personnel
2. The continual degradation of maintenance and repair capability and capacity has a pronounced effect on the Air Transport Fleet of the SAAF.
3. Inability to fully fund all maintenance contracts has direct effect on survival of local industry like Denel ito the Maintenance and Repair Organisation (MRO) of the C130
4. SAAF not fully funded to operate aged and new fleet

 

Reply:

The question requires a closed session of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence as it relates to the ability of the Defence Force to execute its Constitutional mandate.

Reply:

(1) The SANDF received a report of complaints from some community members of Phongolo in KZN with allegations of illegal house raids and searches that were conducted by members of the SANDF. The allegations central issue was the fact that the SANDF conducted the house raids illegally without the SAPS and or search warrants and are also alleged to have ill-treated some community members during the raids. The affected community members opened criminal cases at the local Police Station and laid charges of illegal conduct, theft and assault by these SANDF members.

(a) The SANDF duly responded by conducting an internal investigation and verifying these allegations and community complaints. The internal investigation found the allegations to be true and the complaints of the community members to be genuine.

(b) The SANDF will allow the legal process to take its course as per the criminal cases currently in the hands of the SAPS. The SANDF has already commenced with the internal Military Disciplinary processes on those involved and those found responsible will be dealt with accordingly and to ensure that such unbecoming conduct does not happen again.

The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, and the SANDF, unreservedly condemns this unbecoming conduct by these members and condemns it in the strongest terms. This is not how we conduct our business and, we as the organisation charged with the responsibility to protect and defend the people of South Africa, tender our sincere apologies to the affected community members as well as to the entire community of the area of Phongola.

We can assure the citizens of this country that the SANDF members deployed to conduct operations are given the necessary training on all aspects relevant to their tasks during the conduct of operations. Furthermore, continuous training is conducted on the conduct and discipline expected of all members of the SANDF. We will not allow a few members to tarnish the good work done by the bulk of our dedicated and disciplined members.

As a consequence of this incident, the Minister of Defence has directed the CSANDF to ensure that effective disciplinary actions are undertaken against those found to have been responsible. Furthermore, the CSANDF is to ensure that effective measures are put in place to prevent similar incidents in future.

Reply:

The information requested relates to the operations on the ground of the SANDF troops deployed in the Western Cape and can only be disclosed in a closed session of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence due to its security sensitive nature.

Reply:

1. The prevention of the SANDF capabilities from declining further is entirely dependent on the budget allocation of the Defence Force, which has been decreasing at an alarming rate over the years with a negative impact of the entire capabilities.

2. The Defence Review 2015 has been developed has been developed with a plan to arrest the decline of the SANDF but unfortunately no funding has been received to attend to the declining capabilities of the SANDF.

3. The Defence Review 2015 is the defence policy document which has all the tenants of the requirements of the Defence Force. The defence has become progressively unsustainable in terms of declining defence allocations and have reached a point where the Republic must decide on the kind of Defence Force it wants and can afford.

Reply:

Total spend:

	2017-18	2018-19
Cleaning	R 7,407,245	R 5,251,498
Security	R 8,146,346	R 1,833,180

Refer below for details.

Reply:

(a) Section 11 of the Defence Act, 2002 (Act No 42 of 2002), read with section 52(1) of the Act, makes provision for a uniformed member of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to serve in the regular force after reaching the statutory retirement age of 60 years for a period up to the age of 65 years on a contract. On 1 June 2016, the President extended the term of service of General Shoke for a period of 5 years.

(b) A regular force member.

(c) 31 May 2021

(d) Section 202(1) of the Constitution provides as follows: “The President as head of the national executive is Commander-in-Chief of the defence force, and must appoint the Military Command of the defence force”. Section 13(1) of the Defence Act, 2002 (Act No 42 of 2002), provides that the President must appoint the Chief of the South African National Defence Force (CSANDF).

Reply:

Section 11 of the Defence Act, 2002 (Act No 42 of 2002), read with section 52(1) of the Act, makes provision for a uniformed member of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to serve in the regular force after reaching the statutory retirement age of 60 years for a period up to the age of 65 years on a contract.

Reply:

1. No I have not commissioned a new Defence Review.

2. We have concluded that the Defence Review 2015 is, and remains, the National Policy on Defence and it should not be withdrawn. The bulk of the Defence Review 2015 remains valid and appropriate even though it was predicated on a steady-stream of improving defence allocation.3. 

3. Furthermore, we have concluded that I, as the Executive Authority responsible for Defence, must engage strongly with Cabinet and Parliament on the ever-declining defence allocation.

(a) This must include discussion, debate and resolution on the “Level of Ambition” that South Africa wants, including the shape and size of the Defence Force.

(b) The emerging security risks, contingencies and priorities that we require the Defence Force to be prepared for.

(c) The concomitant defence capabilities that we must fund and support.

Reply:

(a – c) No. The acquisition of main equipment to replace the aging fleet in the South African Air Force is inextricably linked to the budget allocation. There is currently no funding on the SCAMP to initiate the process for the acquisition process or to procure the replacement of the ageing fleet.

Reply:

The Guide for Members of the Executive, dated 8 June 2019, distinguishes between private and administrative offices of the Executive.

a) R58 895 425

b)

Remuneration per annum at specified salary level	Salary level	Job title	Qualification	Job description
1251183	L 14	Chief of Staff	Bachelor of Social Science	Managing staffing and administration in the Ministry, as well as external and internal operations for the Minister/Ministry
1073202	L 13	Private Secretary	Masters in Business Administration	Manage the diary of the Minister, travel bookings and submissions
1073202	L 13	Medial Liaison Officer	Bachelors Degree	Spokesperson for the Minister
1269960	L 14	Community outreach officer	Matric / 15 years experience working in Ministries of Home Affairs, Correctional Services and Defence	Manages special Ministerial projects and stakeholder management
895272	L 12	Assistant appointment secretary	Matric / 15 years experience working in Ministries of Home Affairs, Correctional Services and Defence	Assist with the diary and bookings of the Minister
537432	L10	Secretary/receptionist	Matric / 17 years experience working in Ministries of Home Affairs, Correctional Services and Defence	Fulfil secretarial and receptionist duties
1105641	L13	Portfolio Coordinator	National Diploma: Public Relations	A post created for Ministers responsible for more than one portfolio – in this instance Defence and Military Veterans; including the following entities/Boards Armscor; Castle Control Board; Reserve Force Council; Defence Force Service Commission

Reply:

CASTLE CONTROL BOARD

1)(a)(ii): (aa) 2016/2017 – R 19 768.57

(bb) 2017/2018 – R 0.00

(cc) 2018/2019 – R 0.00

(2)(b): for (i) 2016/2017 – R 12 768.57 (Independent Newspapers) and

R 7 000.00 (Ruben Richards Foundation)

(ii) 2017/2018 – nothing spent

(iii) 2018/2019 – nothing spent

(2)(c): for (i) 2016/2017 – nothing spent

(ii) 2017/2018 – nothing spent

(iii) 2018/2019 – nothing spent

MILITARY OMBUD

The Office of the Military Ombud incurred the following expenditure:

Ser No	Description	FY2016	FY2017	FY2018
	a.	b.	c.	d.
1.	Advertisements: Recruitment	R360000.00	-	R480000.00
2.	Marketing Adverts	-	-	-

DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY VETERANS

1 (a) Advertising Spent for Department of Military Veterans:

(aa) In 2016–17 was R 3 715 781, 51

(bb) In 2017-18 was R 2 626 847, 19

(cc) In 2018–19 was R 2 463 573, 20

REPLY:

DEFENCE FORCE SERVICE COMMISSION

1.  (a)(ii): (aa) 2016/17 – Nothing spent

(bb) 2017/18 – nothing spent

(cc) 2018/19 – nothing spent

2. (b): (i) 2016/17 – Nothing Spent

(ii) 2017/18 – Nothing spent

(iii) 2018/19 – Nothing Spent

3. (c): (i) 2016/17 – Nothing spent

(ii) 2017/18 – Nothing spent

(iii) 2018/19 – Nothing spent

 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

Costing of Advertorials, Publications, Awareness Campaigns

2016

350 Years of the Castle of Goodhope: A year-long commemoration of the History of the Castle.

Armed Forces Day - Port Elizabeth: February 21, 2016

Recruitment

R4,878,248.93

2017

Centenary of the sinking of the SS Mendi (100 Years)

Armed Forces Day – Durban/Pietermaritzburg: February 21, 2017

MSDS Recruitment

R8, 539,139.24

2018

Minister of Defence Budget speech 2018

United Nations Peacekeepers Day

Return of the SS Mendi Bell

Centenary of Battle of Squarehill (100 Years)

Armed Forces Day – Kimberley: February 21, 2018

Notices – July 2018

Calling on Nominees for Defence Force Service Commission

R4, 547,874.00

2019

Minister of Defence Budget Speech 2019

Armed Forces Day – Cape Town: February 21 2013

Notices – Repeat May 2019

Calling on Nominees for the Defence Force Service Commission

R7,941.180.43

Reply:

CASTLE CONTROL BOARD:

Question 613 (a)(ii): for (aaa) 2017/2018

(aa) Cleaning – nothing spent

(bb) Security – nothing spent

(cc) Gardening services – nothing spent

(a)(ii): for (bbb) 2018/2019

(aa) Cleaning – nothing spent

(bb) Security – nothing spent

(cc) Gardening services – nothing spent (kindly note that a service provider was appointed on 1 March 2019 through a Department of Defence process and funding at the cost of

 

DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY VETERANS

REPLY

a) (i) During 2017/18 and 2018/19 financial years, the Department of Military Veterans (DMV) spent R2 887 000.00 on Security Services utilizing a service provider named Red Alert. The Department did not utilize a service provider for both cleaning and gardening services.

(aaa) During 2017/18 financial year, DMV spent R1 448 000.00 on security services – service provider called Red Alert

(bbb) During 2018/19 financial year, DMV spent R1 439 000.00 on security services – service provider called Red Alert

(b) and (c) as per the below table, total amount paid per service provider per year is indicated

Services Provided	FY2017/18	FY2018/19	Service Provider
Cleaning	Nil	Nil	No service provider
Security	R1 448 000.00	R1 439 000.00	Red Alert
Gardening Services	Nil	Nil	No service provider

 

MILITARY OMBUD

The Office of the Military Ombud incurred the following expenditure:

 

Ser No	Description	FY2017/18	FY2018/19
	a.	b.	c.
1.	Cleaning Services	R214,310.58	R253,275.66
2.	Security Services (Property)	-	R93,150.00
3.	Gardening Services	-	-

 

 

DEFENCE FORCE SERVICE COMMISSION

REPLY

(a) (ii): (aa) 2016/17 – Nothing spent

(bb) 2017/18 – Nothing Spent

(cc) 2018/19 – Nothing Spent

b)         Nothing

c)         Nothing

                       

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

REPLY:

1. The Logistics Division (Directorate Procurement Management) obtained the data from State Information Technology Agency (SITA), through the office of Director Budget Control (DBC) at the Finance Management Division (FMD). Transactions paid by cash account system (CAS) are excluded, as neither the Finance Management System (FMS) nor any other system in the Department of Defence (DOD) makes provision for the retrieving/obtaining of such information. The amount spent by the DOD on (aa) cleaning, (bb) security and (cc) gardening services in the (aaa) 2017/18 and (bbb) 2018/19 financial years is as indicated in Appendix A. The amount that was paid to each service provider for to provide each specified service is indicated in Appendix B and the total amount that was paid to each of the service providers is as indicated in Appendix C.

ARMSCOR

REPLY

Reply:

a) The department didn’t host any event related to the 2019 budget vote

b) No gifts were distributed.

Reply:

1. (a) The duration of the employment was decided upon following consultation with all relevant stakeholders.

(b) The Presidential Minute and the letters sent to Parliament indicated the employment of a total of 1320 soldiers, but for operational reasons the commanders can utilise the number of soldiers required at any given time during the operation.

(c) On allowances and operational support.

2. No

(a) and (b) through a reprioritisation with the existing budget allocation of the Department.

Reply:

1. The United Nations reimbursement is based on actual strength of personnel on the ground and the serviceability of equipment deployed. If a vehicle is not serviceable during Contingent Own Equipment (COE) inspection, a penalty is levelled against the vehicle and the would be drivers and supporting staff of the vehicle also. (For example serviceability of the vehicle can be questioned as a result of a missing mirror or fire extinguisher).

2. To date claims made to the United Nations amount to RM840 that includes flying hours, manpower and amunitionThe following depicts the comparable re venue amounts for the past five financial years:

Ser No	Year	Paid	Refund
a	b	c	d
01.	2014	1 155 767 612	356 088 658
02.	2015	1 035 291 166	451 096 017
03.	2016	985 927 629	887 227 546
04.	2017	886 945 063	509 547 709
05.	2018	820 494 657	320 612 050

Reply:

1. a (i) No additional costs were incurred since the start of the name review process because information briefs and guidelines provided for the process, were issued during the normal scheduled meetings with SA Army Formations and Units. Furthermore, detailed instructions and guidelines were also issued as part of the normal processes in the SA Army.

(ii) The process was funded from the normal command and control budget without any additional costs allocated for the name review process.

b. It is estimated that the total cost to implement the approved Name Review Process will be Rm8. This includes new insignia beret/cap badges, colours as well as other requirements for example signage etc. This objective is currently one of the many lower priority unfunded objectives of the SA Army. The implementation of the Name Review Process will be phased in over a three-year period, as and when funds become available.

2. This is not a higher priority expense compared to the expense of increased troops and resources deployed to our land borders and the replacement of essential SANDF equipment. That is why this objective is currently indicated as unfunded. It will be phased in over a three-year period as and when funds become available.

This objective must be seen as a transformational imperative that is long outstanding. Although it cannot be phased in immediately due to budget constraints, just the mere fact that these new names have been approved in principle will contribute to unit cohesion and ensure that the rich and diverse military history of South Africa is now reflected in a balanced way. It was the aim of the name review process to address this omission in a sensible and innovative manner, without any additional costs, where in stakeholders were consulted over the past 5 years.

Reply:

We are not able to quantify information on the future related to official trips for both the Minister and the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. All the international trips are undertaken as per invitation from host countries and serve a specific purpose in relation to the responsibilities and/or tasks assigned to the Executive Authority by the President of the Republic of South Africa.

Reply:

1. (a) A Joint Multinational Board of Inquiry (BOI) was convened where the representatives of the respective countries involved will investigate the shooting incident. The agreed upon target date for the completion of the BOI is 30 July 2019. The normal legal process will be followed thereafter to ensure that the findings will be implemented.

(a) As this matter is sub judice at this stage, till the completion of the BOI, this question cannot be answered, but it needs to be mentioned that all members will be dealt with in accordance with the findings and recommendations of the BOI.

(b) With the SANDF agreeing to convene a Multinational Board of Inquiry to investigate the incident, it demonstrates the intention to be completely transparent and not to cover up any wrongdoing on the side of the SANDF members that resulted in the sad incident. This approach is believed to contribute and to ensure continued good relations between the two countries.

Reply:

S/No	5G Network	Service Provider/s	Monetary Value	Remarks
	a.	b.	c.	d.
1	The current and future plans to roll out a 5G Network, a terms used to reference the next generation of high- speed mobile networks. She has been informed of the potential risks to humans when the specified technology is turned into use of weapons; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details.	None	None	The Department of Defence (DOD) is not rolling out nor planning to roll out any cellular network technologies including 5G in the foreseeable future. Currently the DOD is only a user of the cellular systems and services through Telkom, Vodacom, MTN, and Cell C.
				The custodian of the roll out of 5G network resides in the Department of Telecommunications & Postal Services and thus that department is responsible for the total scope of the threat assessment, risk management and related counter measures across the entire scope of the network sphere in the entire country”.
2	Whether she has any plans in place to ensure that the technology will not be used against the Republic’s civilians; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the plans?	None	None	The DOD is aware of the identified dangers and risks pertaining to the 5G technology roll-out. It is the DOD policy to invest only on tested and matured technologies that are safe in accordance to international best practices.

Reply:

(a) According to the Department of Defence policies on Leave of Absence; (i.e. DODI/PERS/18/2000 Edition No: 3A and DODI/POL&PLAN/00036/2001 Edition No 2) a member has 36 working days normal sick leave in a three-year cycle where after a member is entitled to temporary and permanent incapacity leave. The previous sick leave cycle started on 01 January 2016 and ended on 31 December 2018. A total of 5 290 DOD officials were on extended periods of sick leave over the period 01 January 2018 to 31 December 2018.

(b) The estimated cost of the extended sick leave for the reporting period is R123 110 000.

 

Reply:

(a) (i) The strength for the FY2019/20 of the Department of Defence (DOD) is 74,901. The strength at 30 June 2019 was 74,053. The vacancy rate at 30 June 2019 was 848 (military and civilian).

(b) The military posts will be filled in January 2020 with the annual Military Skills Development Intake and the civilian posts are advertised and filled according the Department of Public Service and Administration processes.

 

Reply:

1. (a) The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans has under her custodianship seven thousand one hundred and fifteen buildings, fifty eight properties (land portions) and one hundred and forty six facilities.

More work is being done to determine the value and the purpose for which each one is used.

 

Reply:

No. We would be in a position to conduct an investigation upon receipt of a formal complaint.

Reply:

1. (a) One, in 2018

(b) Eight Hundred and Seventy Thousand Seven Hundred and Six Rand Eighty Five Cents (R870 706.85).

2. (a) Nil, as parties are still negotiating on possible settlement.

(b) Nil, same as sub-paragraph (a).

3. No, as the matter is sub judicae

Reply:

a) The Department of Military Veterans supports all military veterans associations as represented in the South African National Military Veterans Association (SANMVA). The Gunners Association is represented by the Council of Military Veterans Organisation (CMVO) which is part of SANMVA, and therefore has not withdrawn any support.

b) The Ministry of Defence and Military Veteran has not withdrawn any support and therefore there are no reasons to specify.

Reply:

660 (1&2) (a)(i) (ii)(aa) (bb)(aaa)(aaaa) - 1 April 2016 until 31 March 2017

Weapons	Manufacture	Any other lethal objects	Action taken
	Type	Calibre	Stolen	Lost
a	b	c	e	f	g
Pistol	Star	9mm	None	One (1)	Kroonstad Legsato on 04/09/2018 awaiting trial date
Pistol	Z88	9mm	One (1)	None	Bloemfontein Court for trial on 30/04/2019
Rifle	R 4	5.56mm	None	One (1)	Member was found guilty in Military Court sentence to 12 Months in Detention Barracks
Launch Grenades	Hand Grenades	40mm	Thirty Six (36)	None	Two members was found guilty and sentence for 42 years in prison
Uzi Machine Guns	Uzi Machine Guns	9mm	Four (4)	None	Two members was found guilty and sentence for 42 years in prison The person that bought the weapons was sentence to One (1) year in prison
Rifle	R 5	5.56mm	One(1)	None	Case docket still under investigation
Pistol	Z88	9mm	One(1)	None	The accused was found guilty and received a fine of R 4000.00 and 2 years imprisonment suspended for a period of 3 years.
Rifle	R 4	5.56mm	One(1)	None	The member was found guilty and was fined R 5000.00.
Rifle	R 4	5.56mm	None	Three (3)	On 13 August 2018 Accused No1 was found guilty for the theft of firearm and was sentence for two years. Accused No2 and 3 were found guilty on Negligent Loss of Negligent and sentence to repay the value of the firearm.
Pistol	Z88	9mm	None	One(1)	Case docket still under investigation
Rifle	R 4	5.56mm	None	Four(4)	Case docket still under investigation
Pistol	Z88	9mm	None	Six (6)	Case docket at Pretoria Regional Court for decision.
Pistol	Clock	9mm	None	One(1)	The accused was found guilty and fined of R 2000.00

660 (1&2) (b)(i)(ii)(aa)(bb) (aaa)(aaaa) - 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017

Ammunition	Manufacture	Any other lethal objects	Action taken
	Type	Calibre	Stolen	Lost
a	b	c	e	f	g
Small calibre ammunition	R 4	5.56mm	Two Thousand Seven Hundred (2700) Rounds	None	Still under investigation for Sec 204 Application
Small calibre ammunition	R 4	5.56mm	Thirty (30) Rounds	None	Case still under investigation
Small calibre ammunition	R 4	5.56mm	Three Thousand (3000) Rounds	None	Case trail date is 07/05/2019 at Krugersdorp Magistrate Court
Small calibre ammunition	R 4	5.56mm	One thousand one hundred and Seventy Three (1173) Rounds	None	Accused was charged and case post phoned until 04 April 2019.

660 (1&2) (a)(i) (ii)(aa) (bb)(aaa)(bbbb) - 1 April 2017 until 31 March 2018

Weapons	Manufacture	Any other lethal objects	Action taken
	Type	Calibre	Stolen	Lost
a	b	c	e	f	g
Pistol	Baretta	9mm	Three (3)	None	Pistols circulated on CAS.
Rifle	R 4	5.56mm	None	One(1)	Member found guilty in Military Court and was fined R1000.00 (One Thousand Rand)
Rifle	R 5	5.56mm	None	One (1)	Case docket at Bloemfontein Legsato on 09/11/2017 awaiting trial date.
Rifles	R 4	5.56mm	Six (6)	None	On 06 August the six accused was found not guilty at Cape Town Legsato
Pistol	Sig Sauer	9mm	One(1)	None	Case docket investigation finalised handed over to Legsato Langebaan on 19 March 2019
Pistol	Star	9mm	One(1)	None	Member was found guilty and discharged from the SANDF.
Pistol	Baretta	9mm	One (1)	None	Member will appear in court on the 08 April 2019.
Pistol	Z88	9mm	One (1)	None	The firearm was recovered still under investigation the two(2) civilian members that was involved was sentence to Five(5) years imprisonment.
Rifle	R 4	5.56mm	Three (3)	None	Case docket still under investigation
Rifle	R 4	5.56mm	One (1)	None	Case docket still under investigation
Pistol	Clock Pistol	9mm	None	One(1)	Accused was found guilty and fined R 3000.00 (Three Thousand Rand.)
Rifle	R 4	5.56mm	None	One(1)	Case docket to Court for decision.
Rifle	R 4	5.56mm	One(1)	None	Docket at Court suspect send for psychological evaluation.
Rifle	R 5	5.56mm	None	One(1)	Case referred back to IO for further instructions to be executed from Prosecutor at Pretoria Regional Court
Rifle	R 5	5.56mm	None	Two(2)	Case docket still under investigation
Pistol	Z88	9mm	None	Two(2)	Case docket still under investigation
Small calibre ammunition	R 5 Rifle Ammunition	5.56mm	Hundred and Fifty Five (155) Rounds	None	Awaiting report from Welkom SAPS.
Small calibre ammunition	LMG Rifle Ammunition	7.62mm	Four (4)Rounds	None	Awaiting report from Welkom SAPS.
Small calibre ammunition	R 4 Rifle ammunition	5.56mm	Sixty (60) Rounds	None	On 06 August the six accused was found not guilty at Cape Town Legsato

660 (1&2) (a)(i) (ii)(aa) (bb)(aaa)(bbb) - 1 April 2018 to current date

Weapons	Manufacture	Any other lethal objects	Action taken
	Type	Calibre	Stolen	Lost
a	b	c	e	f	g
Pistol	Star	9mm	Two(2)	None	Case still under investigation.
Pistol	Star	9mm	One (1)	None	Case still under investigation
Pistol	Z 88	9mm	None	One(1)	Weapon was recovered no suspect case still under investigation
Rifle	R 4	5.56mm	None	Three(3)	Case still under investigation.

660 (1&2) (b)(i)(ii)(aa)(bb) (aaa)(bbb) - 1 April 2018 to current date

Ammunition	Manufacture	Any other lethal objects	Action taken
	Type	Calibre	Stolen	Lost
a	b	c	e	f	g
Small calibre ammunition	Z88	9mm	Seven (7) Rounds	None	Case docket still under investigation
Small calibre ammunition	R4	5.56mm	None	Two Hundred and Ten (210) Rounds	Undetected not enough evidence found for prosecution
Small calibre ammunition	R4	5.56mm	Hundred and Twenty (120) Rounds	None	One member was found guilty Discharge from the SANDF
Small calibre ammunition	R 4	5.56mm	None	Two Hundred and Ten (210) Rounds	Case reopened against one member for further investigation

Reply:

I am not in a position to respond to this question as there are no details furnished with regards to the company referred to in the Parliamentary Question.

Reply:

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

1) Tender briefings held in 2018 are as follows:

(a) Simons’ Town Procurement Service Centre – 60 tender briefings.

(b) Central Procurement Service Centre – 69 tender briefings.

2) All briefings were compulsory.

DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY VETERANS

The Department of Military Veterans had no tender briefings held in 2018.

OFFICE OF THE MILITARY OMBUD

The office of the Military Ombud did not hold any tender briefings in 2018.

ARMSCOR

Armscor held 10 tender briefings in 2018. One (1) was a published tender bid with a compulsory bidders briefing and nine (9) bids were published with non-compulsory bidders’ briefings.

DFSC

The DFSC did not hold any tenders briefings in 2018.

CASTLE CONTROL BOARD

The Castle Control Board (CCB) did not hold any tenders briefings in 2018

Reply:

(1) The total costs relating to the activities and exercises of the 2019 Armed Forces Day cannot be disclosed currently as the Department is busy with reconciliation of all the expenses related to the Armed Forces Day.

(2) Environmental studies are conducted by our environmental division and environmental officials of the local authorities where the event will take place, and we always abide by the stringent bi-laws of each given municipality on environmental matters.

Reply:

(a) All SANDF capabilities were utilised.

(b) From various units of the SANDF in the country

(c) The total costs relating to the activities and exercises of the 2019 Armed Forces Day cannot be disclosed currently as the Department is busy with reconciliation of all the expenses related to the Armed Forces Day.

(d) In 2012, the former President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency JG Zuma declared the 21 February of every year as Armed Forces Day which coincide with the sinking of the SS Mendi 101 years ago.

The proclamation has since seen the defence force holding this celebration of Armed Forces Day and commemoration of the tragic sinking of the SS Mendi.

In addition, this event is also used to test the ability of the SANDF to mobilise and move equipment and manpower to defend the country from any position in accordance to the doctrine.

Reply:

The SANDF is the result of the successful integration of statutory and non-statutory forces during the 1990’s.  It is one of the best examples of integration in South Africa following our liberation struggle and those who integrated undertook to defend the country and sacrifice their lives in the ultimate confirmation of patriotism.  I will therefore not provide a response that seeks to break the SANDF down into individual components, whereas the SANDF represents a unified force and a unified South Africa. 

Reply:

We do not have any former Ministers or Deputy Ministers for the time periods requested as the current appointees hold their portfolios since before the dates mentioned in the question.

Reply:

1. I have not been informed by the Commission that evidence has been or will be led.

2. In 2009, in response to Parliamentary question 1661, I confirmed that I am a founding member of Dyambu and that I have always declared this in the Register of Members’ Interests. I further indicated that I have not received any dividends from Dyambu and that I have declared such in either the public or private part of the Register of Members’ Interests over the years. I have continued to declare same in both the Parliamentary register, as well as the Register of Member’s Interests of the Presidency.

Reply:

The Department of Military Veterans does not disburse grants to military veterans.

Reply:

(1) Yes; the National Codification Bureau employed contractors between year 2015, 2016, and 2018 respectively. The total amount of contractors employed is 71.

a) The persons specified are currently utilised as codifiers since they were all trained for the codification environment.

b) No; the positions were not advertised since in line with the provision of the Department of Defence Instruction C PERS NO 89/99 the advertisement of contract positions within the Department of Defence is not regulated.

c) Contracted members qualification in various fields are as follows:

i. Honours (1)

ii. National Diploma (18)

iii. N4 (2)

iv. N5 (1)

v. N6 (3)

vi. Matric (46)

d) Salary Lev 7 (47), Salary lev 8 (23) and Salary Lev 9(1).

e) The appointment of contract workers took place in the following dates:

i. 01 October 2015 – 37 casual workers were appointed.

ii. 01 April 2016 – 3 casual workers were appointed.

iii. 01 February 2018 – 31 casual workers were appointed.

f) The Chief of the Division approved all appointments of contract workers.

(2) Seven (7) are related to already retired military veterans and 3 are related to active members of the Department of Defence.

Reply:

Ser no	ICT Systems Upgraded or Updated	Service Provider/s	Monetary Value	Remarks
	a.	b.	c.	d.
1	Upgrade the DOD IBM Central Computing Platforms at the DOD Secondary- and Primary Data Centres.	SITA & IBM	Rm 35,803	Activity initiated during 2017 and completed mid-2018.
2	Procurement of a Hyper Converged Infrastructure for the DOD Secondary- and Primary Data Centres.	SITA and IT Agility	Rm 77,640	A three year contract with effect from the FY 2018/19.
3	Upgrade the DOD VMAX Storage Disk and communication switches for the DOD Secondary- and Primary Data Centres.	SITA and EMC	Rm 40,660	Activity initiated during 2017 and completed mid-2018.
4	Upgrading of the DOD Bankserv System.	SITA, Paytech, Koponong and Vivid Technologies	Rm 1.876	Initiated in 2016 and commissioned Aug 18.
5	Upgrading of the DOD Active Directory System.	SITA, XON and Microsoft SA	Rm 92,684	Requirement registered 19 Aug 14 and project completed 06 Aug 18.
6	The upgrading of the DOD National Telecommunication Back Bone Infrastructure.	XON	FY 2018/19-Rm 66.3      FY 2019/20-Rm 115,3         FY 2020/21-Rm 113,768 FY 2021/22-Rm 119 392	A four year contract with effect from the Financial Year 2018/19.

2.         What is the (a) name of the company that is currently responsible for the maintenance of the IT systems of (i) her department and (ii) entities reporting to her and (b) monetary value of the contract?

 

REPLY:

See attached Appendix

Reply:

1. Please find herewith the written reply as follows:

a. Question a: What number of cooperation agreements does the SA National Defence Force have with defence forces of other nations?

Answer: Since 1994, the Department of Defence, on behalf of the South African Government has entered into 101 x binding international agreements with 63 x foreign governments, 1 x multilateral organisation (UN) and 1 x trilateral agreement (RSA, Mozambique, Tanzania) in terms of Section 231(3) of the Constitution of the RSA, No 108 of 1996 and which are currently all in force.

b. Questions b and c: What are the names of the specified countries and what are the details of each of the agreements?

Answer: (See below)

					2
Serial No	Country / Org		Type of Agreement	Date Signed	Duration
1	Algeria	Agreement – Cooperation in the Field of Defence	Def Coop	22 Sep 00	10 yrs – extended for a further period
2	Angola	Protocol – Defence cooperation	Def Coop	17 Feb 05	5 yrs – automatically renewed unless terminated
3	Argentina	Agreement – Exchange of Information on Maritime Traffic	Exchange of Maritime Info	30 Aug 91	Open-ended
4	Argentina	MOU – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	20 Nov 10	Open-ended
5	Argentina	Additional Protocol – Protection of Classified Information exchanged between the Parties within the Framework of Defence Cooperation	Protection of Class Info	20 Nov 10	Open-ended
6	Argentina	Agreement – Peacetime Cooperation between their Respective Navies	Def Coop	Oct 97	Open-ended
7	Australia	Agreement – Reciprocal Protection of Classified Information of Defence Interest	Protection of Class Info	11 May 00	Review after every 5 yrs
8	Belarus	Agreement – Military-Technical Cooperation	Def Coop	29 Sep 06	5 yrs – automatically extended for 5 yrs periods
9	Belgium	Agreement – Military Partnership	Def Coop	28 Feb 06	Open-ended
10	Benin	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	24 Jun 08	Open-ended
11	Botswana	Technical Arrangement – Military Health Services Cooperation	Def Coop	2 Mar 11	Open-ended
12	Brazil	Agreement – Cooperation in Defence Related Matters	Def Coop	4 Jun 03	Open-ended
13	Bulgaria	Agreement – Cooperation in the Fields of Defence and Defence Technology	Def & Tech Coop	Jul 97	5 yrs – automatically remain in force after expiration
14	Burundi	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	11 Aug 11	5 yrs – automatically remains in force after expiration
15	Central African Republic	MOU – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	31 Dec 12	5 yrs – extended for successive 5 yrs period
16	Chile	MOU – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	11 Oct 06	5 yrs – automatically renewed
17	Rep of Congo (Brazzaville)	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	14 Apr 08	6 yrs – renewed automatically unless terminated
18	Cuba	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	10 Jan 12	Open-ended
19	Czech Republic	Arrangement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	9 Nov 99	Open-ended
					3
Serial No	Country / Org	Name of Agreement	Type of Agreement	Date Signed	Duration
20	DRC	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	18 Jun 04	3 yrs – renewed automatically unless terminated by either party
21	DRC	MOU – Practical Assistance to the Government of the DRC on the Integration of the Armed Forces of the DRC in accordance with the Terms of the Defence Cooperation Agreement signed between them	Project Coop	18 Jun 04	3 yrs – renewed automatically
22	Ecuador	MOU – Defence-Industrial Cooperation	Def Ind Coop	3 Nov 11	Open-ended
23	Egypt	Protocol – Intelligence Cooperation	Int Coop	24 Jan 00	5 yrs – automatically renewed
24	Equatorial Guinea	Agreement – Cooperation on Defence and Security	Def Coop	16 Feb 04	In force unless terminated by either Party
25	Equatorial Guinea	Status of the SANDF Personnel and Associated Equipment present in the Territory of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea	SOFA	26 Jun 14	5 yrs – automatically renewed
26	Ethiopia	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	13 Feb 09	In force for period of 6 yrs – thereafter automatically renewed for 6 more yrs
27	Finland	MOU – Cooperation in the Fields of Defence Research, Development, Production and Procurement of Defence Equipment and Industrial Cooperation	Def Ind Coop	29 Nov 13	10 yrs
28	France	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	28 May 98	Open-ended
29	France	Security Agreement – Exchange of Classified Information in the Field of Defence	Protection of Def Related Info	31 Jul 01	Open-ended
30	Germany	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	4 Oct 96	Open-ended
31	Germany	Agreement – Cooperation in the Fields of Naval Defence Economy and Naval Technology	Def Coop	11 Sep 97	5 yrs – continue for successive periods of 1 yr
32	Germany	MOU – Exchange of Medical Personnel	Exchange of Personnel	13 Oct 96	Open-ended
33	Germany	Agreement – Conditions for the Reciprocal Provision of Support for Information and Working Visits	Bilateral Supp	23 Feb 98	Open-ended
34	Germany	Agreement – Reciprocal Provision of Health Care to Military Personnel in the Military Attaché Service	Bilateral Supp	23 Feb 98	Open-ended
					4
Serial No	Country / Org	Name of Agreement	Type of Agreement	Date Signed	Duration
35	Germany	Agreement – Cooperation in the Field of Defence Economy and Defence Technology	Def Ind Coop	25 Jun 99	5 yrs – continue for successive period of 1 yr
36	Germany	MOU – Joint Execution of Helicopter Cross Deck Operations within the Scope of Maritime Cooperation	Trg Coop	29 Jan 03	Open-ended
37	Germany	Agreement – Provision of Equipment Aid	Bilateral Supp	5 Apr 02	Open-ended
38	Germany	Specific Arrangement – Training of Members of the RSA Armed Forces at Bundeswehr Facilities as Part of Military Training Assistance	Trg coop	12 Aug 02	Open-ended
39	Gabon	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	2 Nov 06	Automatically renewed after 5 yrs
40	Ghana	Agreement – Defence Training and Technical Cooperation	Def Coop	6 Oct 00	5 yrs – automatically renewed for further periods of 5 yrs
41	Guinea-Bissau	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	8 Aug 07	Open-ended
42	India	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	27 Sep 00	3 yrs – automatically renewed
43	India	Agreement – Supplies of Defence Equipment	Def Inc Coop	11 Dec 03	Open-ended
44	India	MOU – Training of SAN Personnel by the Indian navy	Trg Coop	8 Jun 06	Open-ended
45	Indonesia	MOU – Cooperative Activities in the Field of Defence	Def Coop	17 Mar 08	5 yrs – automatically renewed for another term
46	Iran	MOU – Cooperation in the Field of Defence	Def Coop	13 Dec 16	5 yrs – automatically renewed for another term
47	Italy	Agreement – Cooperation in the Field of Defence and Defence Equipment	Def & Def Equip Coop	12 Feb 18
48	Kuwait	MOU – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	15 Jul 02	5 yrs – automatically extended for successive terms of 2 yrs
49	Malawi	MOU – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	25 Feb 08	5 yrs – renewed automatically unless terminated
50	Malaysia	MOU – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	12 Nov 96	Open-ended
51	Malaysia	Agreement – Governing the Exchange and Protection of Classified Information in the Field of Defence	Protection of Class Info	26 Jun 97	Open-ended
52	Mali	Agreement – Defence and Technical Cooperation	Def & Def Ind Coop	3 May 05	Automatically renewed after 5 yrs for another 5 yrs
					5
Serial No	Country / Org	Name of Agreement	Type of Agreement	Date Signed	Duration
53	Mozambique	MOU – Conduct of Combined Maritime Patrols within the Territory of the Republic of Mozambique	Bilateral Supp	1 Jun 11	1 yr – automatically renewed unless terminated
54	Mozambique	Agreement – Establishment of a Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security	Establishment of bilateral structure	20 Nov 07	Open-ended
55	Namibia	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	10 Jun 97	Open-ended
56	Netherlands	Agreement – Status of Military and Civilian Personnel of their Department / Ministry of Defence Present in Each Other's Territory for Activities related to Military Cooperation	SOFA	8 Jun 07	Open-ended
57	Niger	MOU – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	25 Oct 17	Open-ended
58	Nigeria	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	7 May 13	Open-ended
59	Oman	MOU – Military Cooperation	Def Coop	13 Mar 12	5 yrs – automatically extended for a period of 5 yrs
60	Pakistan	MOU – Defence and Defence-Industrial Cooperation	Def & Def Ind Coop	27 Mar 17	5 yrs – automatically renewed for another term
61	Pakistan	Agreement – Peacetime Cooperation between their Respective Navies	Def Coop	26 Jan 98	Subject to biennial (2 yrs) revision
62	Peoples Republic of China (PRC)	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	11 Dec 01	10 yrs – extended automatically for successive terms of 2 yrs
63	Poland	Agreement – Industrial, Technological and Commercial Cooperation within the Scope of the Military Industries	Def Ind Coop	19 Sep 99	5 yrs – automatically be extended for indefinite period
64	Qatar	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	19 May 16	5 yrs – may be extended for further period of 5 yrs
65	Romania	MOU – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	7 May 03	5 yrs – automatically extended for periods of 1 yr at a time
66	Russian Federation	Agreement – Protection of Classified Defence and Defence-Industrial Related Information	Protection of Class Def & Def Ind Info	18 Mar 05	Open-ended
67	Russian Federation	Agreement – Defence Intelligence Cooperation (No Classified Information)	Def Int Coop	27 Jun 00	Open-ended
68	Russian Federation	Agreement – Military-Technical Cooperation	Mil Tech Coop	26 Nov 95	Open-ended
69	Russian Federation	Agreement – Cooperation between the two Ministries of Defence	Def Coop	14 Jul 95	5 yrs – automatically extended for a new period of 5 yrs
					6
Serial No	Country / Org	Name of Agreement	Type of Agreement	Date Signed	Duration
70	Russian Federation	Agreement – Reciprocal Protection of Intellectual Property Rights Used and Established in the Course of Bilateral Defence-Industrial Cooperation	Protection of Intellectual Property Rights	15 May 13	Open-ended
71	Senegal	MOU – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	20 Apr 08	Open-ended
72	Singapore	Agreement – Military Cooperation	Def Coop	10 Nov 97	Open-ended
73	Singapore	Agreement – Status of Singapore Forces Deployed in the RSA	SOFA	23 Oct 98	Open-ended
74	Slovak Republic	Protocol on Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	Jul 97	Open-ended
75	South Sudan	MOU – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	30 Jan 18	Open-ended
76	Spain	MOU – Field of Defence Material	Def Ind Coop	22 Oct 97	10 yrs – automatically extended for similar periods
77	Spain	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	19 Apr 07	Open-ended
78	Sweden	MOU – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	2 Jun 00	Open-ended
79	Sweden	General Security Agreement – Exchange of Classified Information	GSA	2 Jun 00	Shall be reviewed jointly by Parties within 10 yrs after effective date
80	Tanzania	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	12 Jun 99	Open-ended
81	Tunisia	MOU – Military Cooperation	Def Coop	6 May 05
82	Uganda	MOU – Cooperation in Defence	Def Coop	9 Nov 12	Open-ended
83	UK	Arrangement – Mapping and Survey Cooperation and the Exchange of Geographic Materials	Exchange of Def Related Info	2 Aug 12	Open-ended
84	UK	General Security Arrangement – Protection of Classified Information Exchanged for the Purpose of Defence Cooperation, Production, Research and Procurement between the two Countries	GSA	2016	5 yrs
85	UK	MOU – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	8 Nov 07	Open-ended
86	UK	Bilateral Arrangement- Hydrographic Offices	Project Coop	18 Nov 96	Open-ended
87	UK	Supplementary Arrangement – Provision of Support during Exercises, Training and Operations	Bilateral Supp	2 Aug 04	Open-ended
88	UK	Administrative Arrangement – Exchange of Air force Officers	Trg Coop	18 Mar 97	Open-ended
89	Ukraine	Agreement – Military-Technical Cooperation	Mil-Tech Coop	19 Jul 95	Open-ended
90	UN	MOU – Contributing Resources to the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) (now MONUSCO)	SOFA	24 Sep 01	Valid for duration of MONUSCO
					7
Serial No	Country / Org	Name of Agreement	Type of Agreement	Date Signed	Duration
91	UN	MOU – SAAF Aviation Unit to MONUSCO	SOFA	29 Mar 12	Valid from 2006 for duration of MONUSCO
92	United Arab Emirates (UAE)	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	14 Nov 11	Open-ended
93	USA	Exchange of Notes – Provision of Excess Defence Articles	Def Coop	23 Oct 95	Open-ended
94	USA	Agreement – Security Measures for the Protection of Classified Military Information (GESOMIA)	Protection of Class Def Related Info	20 Nov 98	5 yrs – automatically extended annually
95	USA	Exchange of Notes – Administrative and Technical Status of Visiting Forces	SOFA	10 Jun 99	Open-ended
96	USA	Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA)	Def Ind Coop	8 May 01	10 yrs – automatically extended annually
97	USA	Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement- Geospatial-Intelligence	Exchange of Class Def Related Info	Mar 13
98	USA	Agreement – Defence Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation Project (RDT&E)	Def Ind Coop	14 Apr 16	Open-ended
99	Vietnam	MOU – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	9 May 06	Open-ended
100	Zambia	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	2012	5 yrs – may be renewed for further period of 5 yrs
101	Zimbabwe	MOU – Defence Training, Technical Cooperation and Technological Transfer	Def Coop	3 Dec 10	Open-ended
102	Zimbabwe	Agreement – Defence Cooperation	Def Coop	21 Feb 96	Open-ended
	TRILATERIAL
103	RSA – Mozambique – Tanzania	MOU – Maritime Security Cooperation	Trilateral Coop	13 Dec 11	1 yr – automatically renewed

* Note: "MOU" means Memorandum of Understanding

"SOFA" means Status of Forces Agreement

"GSA" means General Security Agreement / Arrangement

Reply:

There is no entity and/or department reporting to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans that borrowed any amount from any entity in the People’s Republic of China

Reply:

Due to security sensitivity on this question, the response thereto can only be disclosed in a Closed Session of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence

Reply:

1. (a) The basis of the increase can be summarised as follows:

(i) The redress of unjustifiable wage gaps between people doing the same job or work that is similar. This parity project was initiated as a result of the new Labour Law amendments on equal pay for same or similar work or work of equal value. In so doing Armscor followed the prescribed Gazetted Regulations.

(ii) It is also attributable to the internal promotions across the organisation in line with the corporate Promotion Practice.

(iii) There was also the filling of vacancies that were vacant in the previous financial year.

(iv) During the last six financial years the Discovery medical premiums increased at an average of 9.1% per annum.

(v) There was insourcing of contractors from across the organisation.

(vi) The annual increases of 7.5% contributed to the total amount.

(vii) Lastly Voluntary Severance Packages for about 30 employees were paid to those who opted to leave the organisation

1. (b) Salary increases were justified in the sense that Armscor needed to comply with legislation as well as ensuring that the organisation remains competitive and is able to attract and retain the highly sought after skills that are necessary in ensuring that it delivers work of superior quality.

These increases were projected and budgeted for. Armscor has also adopted a strict policy in filling vacancies that are critical to the operations of the organisation by optimising the utilisation of these resources hence deriving huge operational savings as depicted in the pie chart below. These savings amounted to R22,4m in total.

1. (c) Armscor is of the view that there is a correlation between the internal targets and core functions of the organisation. For example, acquisition targets relating to the turnaround times for placing orders formed part of the corporate score card.

QUESTION 2

(2) Whether Armscor utilised reserve funds to fund the increase in employee salaries;

RESPONSE

Armscor did not utilise reserves to fund salary increases; as stated these were projected and absorbed in the cost savings with the exception of voluntary severance packages which were provided for in the reserves.

QUESTION 3

(3) what are the relevant details of the (a) salary increases of Armscor employees since 1 April 2018, including a detailed breakdown of (i) salary increases and bonuses for senior management service employees and (ii) any other benefits for employees such as free hunting trips and the Cape Town Jazz Festival, (b) basis for the increases and (c) source fund(s) from which the increases will be funded? NW3299E

3 (a)

SUMMARY OF SALARY INCREASES
Category	2017/18	2018/19
Executives	7.5	6.2
Snr Management	7.5	6.5
Middle Management	7.5	7.75
Professionals	7.5	7.75
Skilled Workers	7.5	7.75
General Workers	7.5	7.75

SALARY BREAKDOWN
DIRECT PERSONNEL COSTS PER FINANCIAL YEAR 2017/18 TO 2018/19
Financial Year	2017/18	2018/19
Top Management (EXCO Members) incl. CEO	16 637 652.88	17 667 041.01
EM/Head of Departments	24 625 317.08	26 067 719.19
Snr Management	75 873 769.26	76 396 300.53
Middle Management	397 773 481.19	420 516 743.11
Specialist	202 950 419.05	229 424 405.86
Semi Skilled	184 121 076.93	186 819 269.59
General Workers	41 472 291.72	45 671 529.3
Total	4 008.11	1 002 563 008.59

3 (a) (i) Group Executives received bonuses of 10% of annual package and the rest of employees received bonuses of 8% of total annual package which on average amounted to an equivalent of a month’s additional salary.

(ii) There were no additional benefits offered to employees.

3.(b) The increases were due to:

1. Normal annual salary increments.
2. Compliance with legislation.
3. Escalation of medical aid costs.
4. Compliance with internal policies.
5. Financial sustainability initiative as approved by the Board (Voluntary Severance Package).

3 (c) The source of the funds for the salary increases were normal budget provisions.

Reply:

I have attended events organised by the Hindu community to mark their Diwali, a Hindu Festival, wherein members of the Gupta family attend as part of the members of the Hindu society.

These invitations have always been extended to Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and the Business community long before I even assumed the responsibility of being the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans.