Questions and Replies
12 May 2020 - NW398
Van Minnen, Ms BM to ask the Minister of Finance
What action does he intend to take in accordance with section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, to support and strengthen the capacity of the Madibeng Local Municipality’s financial management in view of the fact that its current liabilities exceed its assets (details furnished)?
Reply:
The Provincial Executive Council (EXCO) in the North West province has resolved to intervene in Madibeng by invoking Section 139 of the MFMA to impose a financial recovery plan in the municipality due to persistent material breach of its obligations and failure to provide basic services or to meet its financial commitments. As a result, National Treasury in collaboration with the North-West Provincial Treasury will be assisting the municipality to prepare a financial recovery plan aimed at improving financial management in Madibeng. Critical to this process is to also impose appropriate changes to the municipality’s budget and revenue raising measures, budget parameters, set spending limits and revenue targets that will give effect to this recovery plan.
In addition, National Treasury assessed the Madibeng’s 2019/20 MTREF budget and it was found to be unfunded and unsustainable. Consequently, National Treasury advised the municipality to revise the budget to ensure that its expenditure is within the realistic revenue to be collected and to develop a financial plan outlining how it will improve its unfunded position to a funded budget. To this effect, National Treasury will support the Provincial Treasury to closely monitor the implementation of the financial recovery plan and the budget plan of Madibeng in order to improve financial management in this municipality.
Capacity building and training programmes conducted by both national and provincial treasuries
Following the invocation of section 100 (1)(a) of the Constitution in the North West Province, a directive was issued by the Minister of Finance to improve Supply Chain Management (SCM) in the North West province and National Treasury developed a SCM learnership programme to improve and turn around SCM processes in municipalities. This programme is aimed at rebuilding and renewing trust in municipal services through training of SCM officials. As a result, five SCM practitioners of Madibeng LM have been enrolled in this programme. Madibeng is also a recipient of the finance management grant, administered by the National Treasury, which is intended to strengthen capacity in the financial management of a municipality. The municipality has appointed eight interns in the Budget and Treasury Office (BTO) to support the implementation of the financial management reforms.
The North West Provincial Treasury in partnership with the National Treasury, provided numerous training on financial management reforms and budgeting to municipal officials. Recently, an intensive five-day workshop was conducted to provide further training on budget, financial reporting and revenue management to municipal officials.
12 May 2020 - NW379
Shivambu, Mr F to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether he intends to introduce legislation that will allow the National Treasury to deduct monies owed to Eskom by (a) municipalities and (b) government departments; if not, why not; if so, what is the envisaged date for introducing the specified legislation?
Reply:
No, the Finance Minister does not intend to introduce legislation of such a nature for the following reasons:
- The fiscal system has been designed to give autonomy to the spheres of government hence it is a decentralised fiscal system according to the Constitution of South Africa. In our view this system shifts accountability to where it belongs. Through this system, reforms regarding revenue and expenditure functions are transferred from central government. Having said this, the Constitution, Chapter 13, clearly states that nationally raised revenue must be equitably shared between the three spheres of government. Furthermore, it allows for a treasury control mechanism through punitive action against those guilty of transgression of this arrangement. Introducing new legislation contrary to the prescripts and spirit of the Constitution is not acceptable.
In addition, this question betrays a fundamental misunderstanding of the way electricity is paid for in South Africa. Electricity users must pay for the electricity they use. In the case of customers supplied with electricity by municipalities, this means that users (including businesses and households) must pay the municipality for the electricity they use, and the municipality must in turn pay Eskom for the bulk electricity that they have purchased to sell on to their customers. National Government does not make transfers to municipalities to enable them to pay for electricity bought by municipal distribution customers. So it is not clear what source of funding the questioner is suggesting that funds should be deducted from and transferred directly to Eskom.
In line with the autonomy given to municipalities, the Accounting Officers is responsible for exercising prudent financial management at the institution, this is captured in section 60 and 61 of the Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No. 56 of 2003) (MFMA). Similarly, Section 38(1)(c) of the PFMA states that the Accounting Officers of departments are responsible for the monies due by the department.
Creating an opportunity that take away the responsibility of the respective sphere of government will open the door for any creditor to approach national government for direct payment which is will be unmanageable especially in cases were disputes may arise as is the case of Eskom and some municipalities as well as municipalities and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
12 May 2020 - NW406
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)(a) What is the total budget allocated to each provincial education department for the 2020-21 financial year and (b) will the specified budget allocations be conditional; (2) whether the spending of the allocated budgets will be monitored; if not, why not; if so, what are the further relevant details?
Reply:
(1)(a) Table 1 is displaying the total budget allocated to each provincial education department for the 2020-21 financial year:
(1)(b) Part of the total budget allocated to each provincial education department, includes specific purpose allocations (conditional grants) which must be met. These conditions are stipulated in the annual Division of Revenue Bill/Act.
(2) The reporting requirements specified in sections 32 and 40(4) of the PFMA, and also in the annual Division of Revenue Act (DoRA), requires that expenditure and revenue information for all programmes, including conditional grants, be provided each month to the Provincial Treasuries and the National Treasury for monitoring and evaluation purposes. This information is also used by Parliament and the Provincial Legislatures for monitoring purposes. Failure to provide this information is not only illegal and grounds for the sanctions under the Act to take effect, but also reflects poor management.
12 May 2020 - NW399
Van Minnen, Ms BM to ask the Minister of Finance
What steps will he take in accordance with section 154(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, to address the financial issues of the Lekwa Teemane Local Municipality (details furnished)?
Reply:
The Provincial Executive Council (EXCO) in the North West Province has resolved to intervene in Lekwa-Teemane by invoking Section 139 of the MFMA to impose a financial recovery plan in the municipality due to persistent material breach of its obligations and failure to provide basics services or to meet its financial commitments. As a result, National Treasury in collaboration with the North-West Provincial Treasury will be assisting the municipality to prepare a financial recovery plan aimed at improving financial management in Lekwa-Teemane. Critical to this process is to also impose appropriate changes to the municipality’s budget and revenue raising measures, budget parameters, set spending limits and revenue targets that will give effect to this recovery plan.
In addition, National Treasury assessed the Lekwa-Teemane’s 2019/20 MTREF budget and it was found to be unfunded and unsustainable. Consequently, National Treasury advised the municipality to revise the budget to ensure that its expenditure is within the realistic revenue to be collected and to develop a financial plan outlining how it will improve its unfunded position to a funded budget. To this effect, the National Treasury will support the Provincial Treasury to closely monitor the implementation of the financial recovery plan and the budget plan of Lekwa-Teemane with the aim of improving the financial management in this municipality.
Capacity building and training programmes conducted by both National and Provincial Treasuries
Following the invocation of section 100 (1)(a) of the Constitution in the North West Province, the directive was issued by the Minister of Finance to improve Supply Chain Management (SCM) in the North West province and National Treasury developed a SCM learnership programme to improve and turn around SCM processes in municipalities. This programme is aimed at rebuilding and renewing trust in municipal services through training of SCM officials. As a result, two SCM practitioners of Lekwa-Teemane LM have been enrolled in this programme. Lekwa-Teemane is also a recipient of the finance management grant, administered by the National Treasury, which is intended to strengthen capacity in the financial management of a municipality. The municipality has appointed four interns in the budget and treasury office (BTO) to support the implementation of the financial management reforms.
The North West Provincial Treasury in partnership with the National Treasury, provided numerous training on financial management reforms and budgeting to municipal officials. Recently, an intensive five-day workshop was conducted to provide further training on budget, financial reporting and revenue management to municipal officials.
12 May 2020 - NW404
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Whether any investigation was launched into the conduct of a certain person (details furnished), in relation to the unlawful deposits the specified municipality made with the VBS Mutual Bank; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether any disciplinary proceedings were instituted against the specified person; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Yes. The North West Provincial Treasury facilitated an investigation of the Municipality’s investments with VBS by certain person (details furnished). The final report is in possession of the North West Provincial Treasury.
2. The certain person (details furnished) is no longer in the employ of the Municipality. Therefore disciplinary proceedings cannot be instituted against her. A criminal case was open with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI/Hawks) with the case reference: DPCI HO 6/01/2019.
06 December 2019 - NW582
Ndlozi, Dr MQ to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Whether a certain person (name furnished) was requested to conduct a workshop for the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) management; if so, (a) was the specified person paid, (b) what amount was the specified person paid and (c) in what capacity was the specified person invited to conduct the workshop; (2) whether the specified person attended the PIC workshop conducted for the PIC management; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether he has found that the inclusion of a certain person (name furnished) presents a conflict of interest, noting the person’s previous responsibilities and proximity to the specified person who conducted the workshop?
Reply:
The Public Investment Corporation did not request a certain person (name furnished) to conduct a workshop for the PIC.
The rest of the question falls away.
06 December 2019 - NW1407
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Finance
With reference to (a) certain items (details furnished) in the period 1 April 2017 up to 31 March 2018 and (b) certain other items (details furnished) in the period 1 April 2018 to 30 September 2018 on the Schedule of Specialised Audit Services’ Investigations and Performance Audits dated 26 October 2018 received from the National Treasury, in each case, what are the details of the (i) purpose of each investigation and audit and (ii)(aa) findings and (bb) recommendations?
Reply:
(i) The details of purpose of investigation or specialised performance audit conducted is reflected as the title of each report, as listed in Annexure A of Parliamentary Question 3072, dated 26 October 2018, as attached.
(ii) (aa) The details of findings are contained in the detailed reports of the organ of state concern and should be required from the relevant organisation.
(iii) (bb) The details of recommendations are contained in the detailed reports of the organ of state concern and should be required from the relevant organisation.
03 December 2019 - NW1274
Shivambu, Mr F to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Whether a certain person (name furnished) is an employee of a certain company (name furnished); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what date was he employed, (b) was the position advertised and (c) on what date was the post advertised; (2) whether the board of the specified company played any role in the appointment of the specified person; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what role did the board play and (b) will he furnish Mr N F Shivambu with the minutes of the board deliberations and decisions?
Reply:
1. The certain person (name furnished) is an employee of a certain company (name furnished) within the Corporate Affairs Department. He was first employed as a Consultant from 01 August 2016 to March 2018. He was appointed as an Investor Relations Specialist on 02 April 2018. The position was advertised internally on the 7th of March 2018.
The certain person (name furnished) was seconded for a period of one year to the Ministry of Public Entities (DPE) to assist with skills development in that Ministry. A formal secondment agreement was entered into between the PIC and DPE. The DPE also reimbursed the certain company (name furnished) for a certain person’s services. The said agreement expired on 31 July 2019.
2. The appointment of employees to positions within the certain company rests with management. The appointment of a certain person was initiated and concluded by the certain company management. The Board of the certain company had no role in the appointment of a certain person (name furnished), first as a Consultant and later to the position of Investor Relations Specialist.
27 November 2019 - NW81
Gardee, Mr GA to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether, with reference to the reply of the former Minister of Finance to question 1086 on 19 May 2016, he has since learnt of any senior officials in the National Treasury and Finance Ministry that had met with any members of the Gupta family from 1 January 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, in each specified case, (a) what are the names of the persons who were present at each meeting, (b)(i) on what date and (ii) where did each such meeting take place and (c) what was the purpose of each meeting?
Reply:
As replied by the former Minister of Finance to question 1086 on 19 May 2016, the Minister of Finance is not aware of any senior officials in the National Treasury and Finance Ministry having had a meeting with any members of the Gupta family from 1 January 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available.
The Minister of Finance is aware, as replied to question 3498 on 16 November 2018, that the current Director-General of National Treasury in his then position as the Chief of Staff: Ministry of Finance provided support capacity to the then Minister of Finance in a meeting requested and attended by Mr. Anil Ambani. At that meeting, was accompanied by one of the Gupta brothers who was then present during the meeting. The meeting details are as follows:
a) Anil Ambani, Pravin Gordhan, Dondo Mogajane and one of the Gupta brothers
b) (i) One Sunday morning around June 2010
(ii) Villa Sterne Tshwane
c) The purpose of the meeting was for Mr. Ambani from the Reliance group of companies in India to meet with the Minister of Finance as he was an international investor and was considering a possible MTN transaction.
25 November 2019 - NW1362
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether the National Treasury did business with certain (a) persons, (b) companies and (c) trusts (names and details attached) (i) in each of the past five financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2019; if so, (aa) on what date(s) did the National Treasury do business with the specified persons, companies and trusts and (bb) what was the (aaa) nature and (bbb) monetary value of each business arrangement?
Reply:
(a)(b)(c)(i)(ii) No
25 November 2019 - NW1526
Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of Finance
(a) What was the total cost of travel incurred by the National Treasury in bringing officials of the National Treasury to a joint meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation on (i) 29 October 2019 and (ii) 5 November 2019 and (b) what number of officials from the National Treasury were present at each of the specified meetings?
Reply:
a) The travel costs for the National Treasury official who attended the joint Portfolio Committee meetings on (i) 29 October 2019 was R14 536.72 via Pietermaritzburg (the official had a meeting at the Msunduzi Local Municipality on the 28th October and travel arrangements were made for him to catch a flight from Pietermaritzburg to Cape Town) and (ii) 5 November 2019 was R8 224.22.
b) Only one (1) official attended both meetings..
25 November 2019 - NW1408
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Finance
With reference to (a) certain items (details furnished) during the period 1 April 2017 up to 31 March 2018 and (b) another certain other item (details furnished) during the period 1 April 2018 to 30 September 2018 on the Schedule of Specialised Audit Services’ Investigations and Performance Audits dated 26 October 2018 received from the National Treasury, in each case, what are the details of the (i) purpose of each investigation and audit and (ii)(aa) findings and (bb) recommendations?
Reply:
i) The details of purpose of investigation or specialised performance audit conducted is reflected as the title of each report, as listed in Annexure A of Parliamentary Question 3072, dated 26 October 2018, as attached.
(ii) (aa) The details of findings are contained in the detailed reports of the organ of state concern and should be required from the relevant organisation.
iii) (bb) The details of recommendations are contained in the detailed reports of the organ of state concern and should be required from the relevant organisation.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NUMBER: 3072 [NW3436E]
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26 OCTOBER 2018
OFFICE OF ACCOUNTANT-GENERAL: Specialised Audit Services’ Investigations and performance audits
Reporting Period: 1 April 2017 until 30 September 2018
No |
Nature of assignment |
Organ of state |
Report title |
Period completion |
(i) Financial Year: 1 April 2017 until 31 March 2018 |
||||
1. |
Forensic Investigation |
Richmond Municipality |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
June 2017 |
2. |
Forensic Investigation |
Disobotla Local Municipality |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
June 2017 |
3. |
Forensic Investigation |
Department of Women |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
September 2017 |
4. |
Forensic Investigation |
National Department of Transport |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
September 2017 |
5. |
Forensic Investigation |
Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements |
Irregularities in Land Acquisition |
September 2017 |
6. |
Forensic Investigation |
Eastern Cape Department of Social Development |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
September 2017 |
7. |
Forensic Investigation |
Northern Cape Department of Health |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities – (WTSO Medical Suppliers) |
September 2017 |
8. |
Forensic Investigation |
Northern Cape Department of Health |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities – (Dr. Dithebe Medical & Dental Suppliers) |
September 2017 |
9. |
Forensic Investigation |
Mnquma Local Municipality |
Municipal Corruption |
September 2017 |
10. |
Forensic Investigation |
Moses Kotane Local Municipality |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
September 2017 |
11. |
Forensic Investigation |
Independent Police Investigative Directorate |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
December 2017 |
12. |
Forensic Investigation |
OR Tambo District Municipality |
Fraudulent Payments |
December 2017 |
13. |
Forensic Investigation |
Bushbuck Ridge Municipality |
Fraudulent Payments |
December 2017 |
14. |
Forensic Investigation |
Department of Arts & Culture |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
December 2017 |
15. |
Forensic Investigation |
Eastern Cape Office of the Premier |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
December 2017 |
16. |
Forensic Investigation |
Eastern Cape Office of the Premier |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
December 2017 |
17. |
Forensic Investigation |
Eastern Cape Office of the Premier |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
December 2017 |
18. |
Specialized Performance Audit |
National Treasury |
OAG- Operational Plan 2018/19 Phase 1 |
December 2017 |
19. |
Forensic Investigation |
Council for Geoscience |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
December 2017 |
20. |
Forensic Investigation |
Limpopo Department of Transport |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
December 2017 |
21. |
Forensic Investigation |
Northern Cape Department of Health |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities – Gopolang |
December 2017 |
22. |
Forensic Investigation |
Northern Cape Department of Health |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities – Adcarden |
December 2017 |
23. |
Forensic Investigation |
Northern Cape Department of Health |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities – CQW |
December 2017 |
24. |
Forensic Investigation |
National Treasury |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities – RT5 |
December 2017 |
25. |
Forensic Investigation |
City of Matlosana Local Municipality |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
December 2017 |
26. |
Specialized Performance Audit |
Bergrivier Local Municipality |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
March 2018 |
27. |
Forensic Investigation |
Eastern Cape Office of the Premier |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities – mobile classrooms |
March 2018 |
28. |
Forensic Investigation |
Eastern Cape Office of the Premier |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities – mobile classrooms |
March 2018 |
29. |
Forensic Investigation |
Eastern Cape Office of the Premier |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities – school furniture |
March 2018 |
30. |
Specialized Performance Audit |
National Treasury |
OAG Operational Plan |
March 2018 |
31. |
Performance Audit |
Government Pensions Administration Agency |
Supply Chain Management unit Review |
March 2018 |
32. |
Specialized Performance Audit |
Government Pensions Administration Agency |
Supply Chain Management unit establishment |
March 2018 |
33. |
Specialized Performance Audit |
Government Pensions Administration Agency |
Supply Chain Management policies and Procedure Manual |
March 2018 |
34. |
Specialized Performance Audit |
Government Pensions Administration Agency |
Supply Chain Management Process and Procedures |
March 2018 |
35. |
Specialized Performance Audit |
Government Pensions Administration Agency |
Supply Chain Management unit Performance Management |
March 2018 |
36. |
Forensic Investigation |
Kimberley Mental Hospital |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
March 2018 |
37. |
Forensic Investigation |
Eastern Cape Department of Social Development |
Financial Mismanagement – ECDC Centers |
March 2018 |
38. |
Forensic Investigation |
Eastern Cape Department of Social Development |
Financial Mismanagement – Co-operatives |
March 2018 |
39. |
Forensic Investigation |
Northern Cape Department of Health |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities - Afrollah |
March 2018 |
40. |
Forensic Investigation |
Independent Police Investigative Directorate |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
March 2018 |
41. |
Forensic Investigation |
Independent Police Investigative Directorate |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities – Financial Analysis |
March 2018 |
42. |
Forensic Investigation |
Department of Trade and Industry |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities – Employment Creation Fund |
March 2018 |
43. |
Forensic Investigation |
Limpopo Department of Cooperative Governance |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
March 2018 |
44. |
Forensic Investigation |
Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities – Dr Beyers Naude Municipality |
March 2018 |
45. |
Forensic Investigation |
National Treasury |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities –RT50 |
March 2018 |
46. |
Forensic Investigation |
Moses Kotane Local Municipality |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities – ICT Continuous Contract |
March 2018 |
(II) Financial Year: 1 April 2018- 30 September 2018 |
||||
1. |
Forensic Investigation |
Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements |
Fraud & Corruption - |
June 2018 |
2. |
Forensic Investigation |
National School of Government |
Conflict of Interest |
June 2018 |
3. |
Forensic Investigation |
Department of Women |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities – Phase 2 |
June 2018 |
4. |
Specialized Performance Audit |
Department of Trade & Industry |
Irregular Administering of Employment Creation Fund |
June 2018 |
5. |
Forensic Investigation |
Passenger Rail Agency South Africa (PRASA) |
PPP Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
June 2018 |
6. |
Forensic Investigation |
National Treasury – Government Technical Advisory Center (GTAC) |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities – Appointment |
June 2018 |
7. |
Forensic Investigation |
Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety & Liaison |
Irregular Transfer of Grant Funding by RTMC |
June 2018 |
8. |
Forensic Investigation |
Eastern Cape Department of Social Development |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
June 2018 |
9. |
Forensic Investigation |
Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) |
Review of Forensic Investigation Reports |
September 2018 |
10. |
Specialized Performance Audit |
Bergrivier Local Municipality |
Audit of Completeness of Pre-paid electricity sales – Phase 2 |
September 2018 |
11. |
Forensic Investigation |
National Treasury |
Irregular appointment of service providers on the RT25 (mSCOA) by Municipalities. |
September 2018 |
12. |
Forensic Investigation |
Limpopo Department of Health |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
September 2018 |
13. |
Forensic Investigation |
Modimolle Local Municipality |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
September 2018 |
14. |
Forensic Investigation |
National Treasury |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
September 2018 |
15. |
Forensic Investigation |
North West Department of Rural Environment & Agriculture Development |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
September 2018 |
16. |
Forensic Investigation |
Amathole District Municipality |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities |
September 2018 |
17. |
Forensic Investigation |
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality |
Supply Chain Management Irregularities – IPTS (phase 4) |
September 2018 |
25 November 2019 - NW1401
Hill-Lewis, Mr GG to ask the Minister of Finance
In view of his reply to question 934 on 9 October 2019, (a) what then is the justification of retaining the e-tolls project and (b) why is the fact that there is no money owed that is directly ascribable to the Gauteng Freeway Improvement District not supported by abolishing e-tolls?
Reply:
As explained in the reply to question 934, financing the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) is done on a corporate finance basis and not a project finance basis. Borrowing for toll roads are done on the basis that there is a revenue stream to finance the debt. A significant portion of the South African National Roads Agency’s existing debt was to finance the upgrade of roads on GFIP and it requires a revenue stream to finance it, so e-tolls cannot be abolished without a revenue stream to finance existing commitments.
25 November 2019 - NW1071
Ndlozi, Dr MQ to ask the Minister of Finance
With reference to the statement made by the National Treasury Deputy Director-General, Mr Ismail Momoniat, in a meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance held on 7 September 2019, where he said that the SA Revenue Service needs an intrusive unit to deal with illicit financial flows of money, (a) what are the details of the nature of the unit that he was referring to, (b) on what legislative provisions will the establishment of the unit be based and (c) how will the work of the unit be different from the work done by the intelligence services?
Reply:
I want to refer the Honourable Member to the submission made by the National Treasury in its submission to the Nugent Commission on 29 August 2018, which I fully endorse: “Enforcement powers that are also intrusive are necessary for any tax collection agency. Whilst most taxpayers seek to comply, there are cases of taxpayers who are less cooperative when declaring income or have a clear incentive to withhold key facts about the nature of income-generating activities of the person or business. In such cases it is necessary for SARS to have intrusive enforcement capacity to deal with such evasion.” (“Tax Policy input”, 29 August 2018, pg. 2, Document available on wwww.inqcomm.co.za).
While it is not required of me to infer or elaborate the meaning of Mr. Momoniat’s statement at the Standing Committee on Finance meeting on 17 September 2019, I am informed that Mr. Momoniat was responding in general terms to the Honourable Member’s questions about surveillance capacity of SARS after presenting on progress made on the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into Tax Administration and Governance by SARS (the Nugent Commission). It is not clear to me why the Honourable Member did not ask Mr Momoniat any further questions for clarification at that meeting. I am in agreement with his view on the general requirement for intrusive capacity for a well-functioning revenue-collection authority. I am sure the Honourable Member will also agree that SARS must have significant intrusive powers, not only to deal with taxpayers concealing information on income received, but also to counter illegitimate trades (and financial flows) in commodities such as tobacco, liquor and counterfeit goods.
Seeing that Mr Momoniat’s response was on the principle, rather than on any specific unit within SARS, questions (a) to (c) do not apply. Indeed, since SARS is a semi-autonomous revenue authority which determines its own internal organization, it is the Commissioner, and not the Minister or any official at National Treasury, who can provide any information on any unit within SARS. I am sure the Honourable Member is also aware that the Nugent Commission’s final report points out that there is “no reason why SARS was, and is not entitled to establish and operate a unit to gather intelligence on the illicit trades, even covertly, within limits.” (p76 par [9]) Indeed, the Nugent Commission has noted that any such unit is not unlawful. Indeed, SARS must not be a toothless tiger when dealing with tax evasion and illegitimate trades and financial flows.
11 November 2019 - NW1165
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether the National Treasury incurred any costs related to the (a) inauguration of the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, held in Pretoria on 25 May 2019 and (b) State of the Nation Address held in Cape Town on 20 June 2019; if so, in each case, (i) what costs were incurred and (ii) for what reason?
Reply:
(a)(i)&(ii) No costs incurred
(b)(i)&(ii) No costs incurred
11 November 2019 - NW1278
Mente-Nkuna, Ms NV to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether the National Treasury allocated additional funding to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate in order to pay investigators in terms of the SA Police Services Act, Act 68 of 1995; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Section 23 of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Act (hereafter referred to as the IPID Act) (2011) provides that the conditions of service, including the salary and allowances payable to an investigator appointed under the IPID Act (2011), must be on par with members appointed as detectives in terms of the South African Police Service Act.
As part of the 2018 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) Budget, funds were reprioritised from the South African Police Service (SAPS) to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to provide for various IPID unfunded cost pressures, amongst which was the implementation of section 23 of the IPID Act (2011). At the time of the allocation, the IPID had costed the prospective implementation of section 23 of the Act to amount to R9.3 million over the 2018 MTEF. Subsequent to the allocation of the additional funding, IPID then informed the National Treasury that in terms of the Court ruling, it was also required to implement section 23 retrospectively. This implies that the IPID was required to back-date the salary adjustment for investigators to align with the salaries of Detectives in SAPS, from when the Act was first implemented in 2012. As the budget process had already been concluded, no additional funds were allocated to the IPID.
Upon further engagements with the IPID on this matter, the National Treasury was informed that implementation of section 23 of the IPID Act (2011) did occur in 2018/19 but only as it relates to the prospective adjustment of salaries (notch increments) for investigators. Other salary-related adjustments such as pension liability and back-dated payments were not implemented due to the unavailability of funds.
As part of the 2019 Adjustments Budget, the IPID approached the National Treasury with a request to shift funds within compensation of employees to provide for the back-dated payment of pension liabilities for investigators. The National Treasury supported this proposal on condition that the IPID can accommodate the attendant carry-through costs associated with the revised pension contribution for investigators within its baseline.
11 November 2019 - NW1271
Wessels, Mr W to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Whether the National Treasury has conducted a thorough investigation into the accounting practice of provincial departments on classifying payments, in contravention of the National Treasury Classification Circular 21, to implementing agents for the procurement of assets and/or goods and services as transfers and subsidies; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the details and (b) has any malicious intent in this regard been identified; (2) whether the National Treasury will ensure that all assets procured by provincial departments from implementing agents are reclassified as the relevant class of asset and recorded on the asset register of the relevant department; if not, why not; if so, what (a) progress has been made in this regard and (b) measures have been implemented to ensure that the practice of wrongfully classifying the procurement of assets as transfers and subsidies is prevented; (3) whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
The aforementioned Classification Circular was developed in consultation with provincial treasuries, specifically the Provincial Accountants-General (PAGs). Once issued the PAGs took responsibility for the implementation thereof in their respective provinces. Any investigation in to the accounting practices as referred to in (1) above would accordingly fall within the remit of each provincial treasury.
Any challenges identified in the implementation and/or audit are however communicated between the PAGs and the National Treasury, represented by the Office of the Accountant-General (OAG), for discussion and resolution. These discussions focus on the substance of the arrangements and the appropriate classification in the accounting and budgeting processes and systems. The legality of arrangements (suspected and/or confirmed) is dealt with by the accounting officer of the provincial department under the oversight of the provincial treasury.
Assets procured from implementing agents are classified and recorded as such in the provincial department’s financial statements. Non-compliance has and will be identified by the AGSA where the accounting office of the department fails to ensure compliance. To this end, there are regular engagements between the National Treasury, OAG, and the AGSA to ensure the accuracy of the audit findings and recommendations. Any correction of material errors such as correcting the non-disclosure of capital assets acquired from implementing agents are identified separately in the notes to the financial statements.
06 November 2019 - NW1255
Sarupen, Mr AN to ask the Minister of Finance
What was the average turnaround time of his department’s services, including immigration and customs, pertaining to the (a) import and (b) export of goods at each port of entry in the Western Cape (i) in each of the past three years and (ii) since 1 January 2019?
Reply:
SARS administers the Customs and Excise Act and does not perform immigration functions at places of entry or exit.
(a)(b)(i)(ii)
Processing times per location are not available as the customs declaration processing system is centralized. Import and export declarations are submitted electronically to customs, processed electronically and released electronically by customs.
The historic data is not readily available and involves an extensive process of data extraction due to the current system design. The average turnaround time consistently over the last several years is less than a minute.
For 2019, the average processing time for electronic import and export declarations on which there is no impediment to the release, i.e. detention for inspection purposes, was 39 seconds. In other words, service providers who submitted electronic declarations to Customs received an electronic release message from customs within 39 seconds of submission, on average.
It is to be noted that more than 70% of all cargo are cleared prior to arrival.
04 November 2019 - NW1078
Mkhaliphi, Ms HO to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether the SA Revenue Service (SARS) contracted a certain company (details furnished) in the period 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2014; if so, what (a) goods and/or services was the specified company contracted for, (b) total amount was the company paid and (c) process was followed to appoint the company?
Reply:
(a)(b)(c) A certain company (details furnished) is not reflected on the SARS vendor masterrecord and therefore SARS has no record that this company has ever been contracted, including the period 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2014, by SARS.
04 November 2019 - NW80
Tshwaku, Mr M to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)What are the current gold reserves of the SA Reserve Bank; (2) whether there are any plans to increase the reserves; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The value of the official gold reserves as at 30 September 2019 was US$5.97 billion (ZAR90,88 billion) (as outlined in the monthly release below), which is approximately 4 million fine ounces. As indicated to the Honourable Member in response to his previous question PQ NW232E (as published on 15 February 2019), the South African Reserve Bank publishes information on our gold reserves every month, which the Honourable Member can access from its website, at
https://www.resbank.co.za/Markets/ForeignReserves/Pages/default.aspx
In particular, for this question, I refer the Honourable Member to the following link on its website:
2. The SA Reserve Bank has not made any public announcement on its future plans with regard to the composition of the reserves, but it generally increases reserves depending on timing, particularly when the rand strengthens.
04 November 2019 - NW302
Sarupen, Mr AN to ask the Minister of Finance
(1) What (a) total amount was (i) appropriated and (ii) disbursed from the National Revenue Fund to each state-owned entity (aa) in each of the past 10 financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2019 and (b) are the details of the conditionalities attached to each disbursement in each case in each specified financial year; (2) Whether all conditionalities were met; if not, what are the relevant details in each case; (3) Whether any mechanisms were put in place by the National Treasury to monitor the conditions applied to the disbursements; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) Whether any accountability measures were taken by the National Treasury when conditions were breached; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. (a) Below are link summarizing the monies allocated and disbursed to state owned enterprises over the last years. There are two types of payments, the first is the recapitalization funding and the other transfers to public corporations. Transfers are regular payments made to entities by parent departments.
http://pmg-assets.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/RNW302.pdf
1) (b) With regard to transfers to public corporations- Regular transfers for operations paid by the parent department have no conditions. The recapitalization conditions detail is listed below for each SOE.
Broadband Infraco:
1) (b) No Conditions - Funds were allocated for establishment costs as this was a newly created entity.
- No conditions
- No conditions
- No conditions breached
Denel
- (b) Allocated subject to Cabinet approval of Denel's strategy, business plan and funding plan
- Corporate plan approved
- Monthly meetings continue to be held with the SOC and the Department of Public Enterprises
- NA
Development Bank of Southern Africa
- (b) There were no specific conditions for the recapitalisation the Development Bank of Southern Africa. It was meant to stabilise their financial position after making loses in the previous years
- No conditions
- No conditions
- No conditions breached
Eskom
2008/09 -2010/11 Subordinated loan (R60 billion)
1) (b) The conditions that were imposed on Eskom mainly related to Eskom achieving certain financial metrics in order to service the debt as well as interest.
2) Due to deterioration of its financial position, Eskom did not meet these conditions. Ultimately, the loan was converted into equity in 2015 as part of the Government support package that was provided to Eskom.
3) Quarterly progress reports and regular engagements between the National Treasury, DPE and Eskom.
4) No conditions were breached. The subordinated loan was later converted to equity in line with a cabinet decision as part of Government Support Package to Eskom.
2015/16 R23 billion equity
1.(b) The conditions as detailed below:
- 1. Developing a three-year generation strategy;
- 2. Developing a comprehensive maintenance strategy;
- 3. Delivering at least R60 billion through cost savings programme in line with the 2015 corporate plan;
- 4. Submit application to NERSA for tariff adjustments;
- 5. Raise the borrowing programme additional R52 billion of debt over the planned borrowings in the MYPD3;
- 6. No new investment to be undertaken in future coal mines;
- 7. Connect Renewable Energy programme to the National grid;
- 8. Implement the R250 billion capex together with additional R29 billion for critical transmission and distribution infrastructure;
- 9. Limit cost overruns in the new build programme;
- 10. Review of labour costs, employee benefits and salary adjustments;
- 11. Develop a detail proposal for the disposal of non-core assets;
- 12 Independent review of operating model and subsidiaries;
- 13. Ensure all the investigations initiated by the Board are concluded within the contracted timelines and submit findings to National Treasury and DPE;
- 14. Fill vacant position as a matter of priority; and
- 15. Provide quarterly reports to National Treasury and DPE
- However, initially did not meet the below conditions such as:
- 1. Detailed study on labour costs;
- 2. Study on the operating model; and
- 3. Not providing sufficient information on the quarterly report according to National Treasury requirements.
2) Yes all the conditions were subsequently met
3) Quarterly progress reports and regular engagements between the National Treasury, DPE and Eskom.
4) Funds were withheld until ESKOM complied with conditions
2019/20 R23 billion equity
1) (b) No conditions were attached.
- No conditions
- No conditions
- No conditions breached
Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa
- (b) There were no specific conditions for the recapitalisation the Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa. It was meant to stabilise their financial position after making loses in the previous years
- No conditions
- No conditions
- No conditions breached
National Housing Finance Cooperation
- (b) No conditions were given
- No conditions
- No conditions
- No conditions breached
National Urban Reconstruction and Housing Agency
- (b) Use recapitalisation funds to repay loan commitments.
- Yes - conditions were met
- Quarterly reports - Proof of loan repayment contained in 2016 Annual Report notes to the financial statements
- NA
Rural Housing Loan Fund
- (b) No conditions were given
- No conditions
- No conditions
- No conditions breached
South African Airways (SAA)
1) (b) Money should be used only for government guaranteed debt, SAA should submit maturity profile of government guaranteed debt together with negotiation plan to manage short-term debt; provide progress reports on progress on initiatives that have been implemented to improve working capital management, provide quarterly financial performance reports
2) Yes
3) Weekly and monthly meetings are being held to monitor financial performance and implementation of measures to improve cash flow
4) Na
South African Express SOC Limited (SAX)
1 (b)
- 1. Funds will not be utilised to repay any portion of debt owed by South African Express Airways SOC Limited to Transnet;
- 2. The funds should be utilised only to repay South African Express Airways SOC Limited government guaranteed debt;
- 3. Upon recapitalisation, South African Express Airways SOC Limited’s government guarantees will be reduced in line with the quantum of recapitalisation;
- 4. South African Express Airways SOC Limited submits monthly progress reports on the utilization of funds to the Department of Public Enterprises and the National Treasury;
- 5. By 31 December 2018, Department of Public Enterprises should present a plan for approval by Cabinet of the optimal corporate structure for state owned airlines which should include options that will be pursued for strategic equity partnerships and the disposal of non-core assets; and
- 6. By 31 December 2018, South African Express Airways SOC Limited and Department of Public Enterprises should submit a comprehensive plan that outlines the airlines strategy to reduce its reliance on Government financial support in the form of guarantees or recapitalisation.
2) The airline used some of the money to pay for leases instead of guaranteed debt as was required
3) Monthly meetings are held
4) A Letter was written to the Department of Public Enterprises and the entity was notified about the irregular expenditure. The Auditor General South Africa was also notified.
South African Post Office
1) (b)
- R650m Amount was allocated as recapitalisation of SAPO to implement a strategic turnaround plan. The conditions set were as follows: 1. SAPO must not utilize this allocation to fund any past or future salary increases and bonuses. The DTPS must ensure compliance with this condition.
- 2. The Department must further ensure SAPO continues to submit progress reports on the implementation of its Strategic Turnaround Plan by 20th of every month, clearly providing a breakdown of how the funds have been used. National Treasury should be notified prior to the due date should there be any delays in the submission of the report.
- R3.7bn
- 1. SAPO effect payment to the Facility Agent (Nedbank) to defray the R3.7bn loan.
- 2. SAPO providing a letter to National Treasury from Facility Agent confirming that the R3.7bn facility has been defrayed in full.
- 3. The guarantee agreement entered into between the lenders and the National Treasury will be terminated upon the receipt of the confirmation letter as set out above.
- 4. SAPO will be liable to pay any outstanding interest of fees that may arise, after the R3.7bn allocation is affected, ensuring that the R3.7bn facility is fully defrayed.
- 5. SAPO's R4.17bn guarantee and R4.42bn borrowing limit will be reduced by R3.7bn. The National Treasury will issue a letter to this effect upon the settlement of the R3.7bn facility. All guarantee conditions will remain in full force and effect.
- 6. SAPO will continue to report to the Monthly Monitoring Task Team on the development and implementation of a revised corporate strategy on a monthly and quarterly basis.
- R2.9bn
- 1. SAPO's R470 million guarantee will be folded into this guarantee.
- 2. The guarantee will lapse after three years or as soon as the loan to be raised is defrayed, whichever comes sooner.
- 3. The monthly monitoring task team will continue for the duration of the guarantee period.
- 4. SAPO to provide monthly reports on the company's financial position and progress in developing and implementing a longer term turnaround strategy.
- 5. SAPO will provide monthly cash flows and projections as well as a breakdown of all outstanding creditor balances and projected creditor balances.
- 6. Should labour increase (including back pay) exceed the assumption included in the cash requirement calculation submitted for this application, measures will be taken by SAPO to ensure that the overall salary bill remains within the budget identified.
- 7. The guarantee will be reduced by allocations or recapitalisation that may be made to SAPO.
- 8. SAPO will be responsible for the drafting of a feasible and implementable corporate strategy framed within the legislative prescripts of its relevant policies. The corporate strategy will be accompanied by operational plans that will assist in monitoring the implementation and progress made by SAPO.
- 9. SAPO with the assistance of DTPS to implement its 4 phased cost reduction strategy including its revised business model as part of the 2019 corporate strategy.
- 10. All critical vacancies are to be filled within 5 months of the issuance of this guarantee.
- 11. SAPO will rebalance its post office network in an effort to eliminate operational and cost inefficiencies.
- 12. SAPO will not utilise the excess capital within Postbank to fund operations.
2) Yes
3) Monthly meetings, Monthly and quarterly reports
4) None. All conditions relating to the R650m and the R3.7b allocations have been fully met. With regard to the R2.9b allocation, conditions have been met, and the 2019 Corporate Plan submitted by the Post Office addresses the conditions that are related to the revised business model.
South African Postbank
1) (b)
- The Postbank is to provide a comprehensive project plan that sets out specific project implementation, timelines and responsibilities along with associated budgets;
-The Postbank will provide quarterly progress reports on projects and expenditure against the budget.
2. Conditions are partially met in a sense that the corporatisation is still ongoing process due to the long nature of the process that had to be undertaken
3. Monitoring meetings between DoC and Treasury were held on a regular basis where progress was discussed and noted.
4. NA
04 November 2019 - NW672
Hill-Lewis, Mr GG to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Whether the National Treasury is actively considering to introduce the prescription of assets in the Republic; if so, (a) why and (b) what are the (i) relevant details and (ii) time frames; (2) whether he has held any consultative meetings with industry bodies and/or organised labour to discuss the introduction of the prescription of assets; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details
Reply:
1. No, National Treasury is not actively considering the introduction of prescription of assets. I want to assure all member of any retirement fund that Government’s first and foremost responsibility is to protect their funds at all times, and we have in fact strengthened our regulatory system to continue to do so (e.g. through “Twin Peaks” legislation like the Financial Sector Regulation Act of 2017). In addition, the current regulatory framework in terms of the Pensions Fund Act (PFA) places a fiduciary duty on trustees of funds to always invest prudently and in the best interest of the members. This naturally means investing for the long term, in ways that support economic development and growth, and earning good returns based on fund and market fundamentals. This is good for pension fund members as well as the country. Regulation 28 of the PFA and Guidance Notice 1 of 2019 on Sustainability of Investments and Assets already require pension fund trustees to consider Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues when making investments (refer to Guidance Notice 1 of 2019 on Sustainability of Investments and Assets in the context of retirement funds issued by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and available on its website www.fsca.co.za).
I would like to caution all who make public comments on retirement funds, including those who report on them, to take greater care that they do not in the process scare retirement fund members to cash out their funds and hence not to preserve their savings. They will become more vulnerable in old age, when they retire and no longer have a decent income or savings.
2. National Treasury has not held any consultative meetings this year with industry or any person on prescribed assets. Guidance is currently given by Government through Regulation 28 and the abovementioned Guidance Notice.
04 November 2019 - NW1072
Shivambu, Mr F to ask the Minister of Finance
With reference to the statement by the Commissioner of the SA Revenue Service (SARS), Mr E Kieswetter, in a meeting of the Standing Committee on Finance held on 17 September 2019, wherein he said that SARS had 4 000 recording devices in offices around the country, what is the total (a) number of recording devices that were imported and (b) monetary value of each device?
Reply:
a) SARS cannot identify listening devices imported into the country by SARS.
b) Not applicable.
04 November 2019 - NW1073
Shivambu, Mr F to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether the SA Revenue Service (SARS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State Security Agency (SSA) whereby the SSA would pay a portion of tax owed on source payments; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) who from SARS signed the MoU and (b) on what date was it signed?
Reply:
All employers, including the SSA, are required to deduct pay-as-you-earn from remuneration paid to employees in accordance with the Fourth Schedule to the Income Tax Act, 1962; and SARS has issued a Guide which is publicly available to assist employers.
(a)(b) SARS is statutorily unable to disclose details of any arrangement made with or about any person who is a taxpayer.
04 November 2019 - NW1074
Ndlozi, Dr MQ to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Whether any employee of the SA Revenue Service (SARS) was in an in-depth interview with a certain newspaper (name furnished) with regard to its investigation into the illicit tobacco economy between 1 January 2014 and 31 March 2014; if so, on what date was the interview conducted; if not, (2) whether the SARS communication section responded to questions sent to them by the specified newspaper with regard to the illicit tobacco economy; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how did SARS respond to the questions and (b) on what date were the questions responded to?
Reply:
1. The current administration has no knowledge that any SARS employee held an in-depth interview with a certain newspaper. SARS employees are prohibited from disclosing any taxpayer information contrary to the provisions of Chapter 6 of the Tax Administration Act, 2011. This is an offence in terms of section 236 of that Act.
2. (a)(b) As at the date of providing this response SARS cannot locate a reply to a media inquiry to a certain newspaper during 1 January 2014 and 31 March 2014. It is however noted that in an article published by a certain newspaper on 20 March 2014 it is reported that “Sars provided amaBhungane with general details of the work it has done to combat non-compliance in the tobacco industry, but did not comment on the specific incidents referred to in this article.”
04 November 2019 - NW1076
Mkhaliphi, Ms HO to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether the SA Revenue Service (SARS) rented any offices in the Waterfall Park Area, Gauteng, in the period 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2014; if so, (a) what was the purpose of the offices, (b) what amount did SARS pay anually to rent the offices and (c) what number of people were accommodated in the specified offices?
Reply:
(a)(b)(c) According to SARS available records, SARS did not lease any offices in Waterfall Park during the period 1 January 2009 until 31 December 2014.
04 November 2019 - NW1077
Mkhaliphi, Ms HO to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether the SA Revenue Service (SARS) approached a certain person (name furnished) with a financial offer in April 2014; if so, what (a)(i) was the purpose of the financial offer and (ii) was the amount offered to the specified person and (b) is the name of the SARS official who approached the person?
Reply:
(a)(i)(ii)(b) SARS has no record that a certain person was approached with a financial offer in April 2014 and no amount was ever paid by way of settlement to the person concerned.
25 October 2019 - NW89
Msane, Ms TP to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether the Public Investment Corporation has shares in any of the independent power producer programmes; if so, (a) in which (i) bid window and (ii) project and (b) what is the (i) Rand value and (ii) overall percentage of the specified shares?
Reply:
The information required is contained in the Annexure to this reply.
ANNEXURE
Investment Name |
REIPPP Bid Round |
Technology |
Plant Capacity (MW) |
PIC shareholding (%) |
Plant Status |
PIC investment (R million) |
SunEdison Soutpan-Erika |
1 |
Solar PV |
28 |
24% |
Sold |
R153 |
SunEdison Witkop-Core |
1 |
Solar PV |
30 |
39% |
Sold |
R171 |
SolarCapital de Aar 1 |
1 |
Solar PV |
94 |
25% |
Held-for-sale |
R196 |
Touwsrivier Solar Park |
1 |
CPV |
44 |
40% |
Production |
R354 |
SunEdison Boshoff |
2 |
Solar PV |
60 |
19% |
Production |
R318 |
Bokpoort Solar CSP |
2 |
CSP |
50 |
25% |
Production |
R525 |
Intikon Jasper |
2 |
Solar PV |
75 |
41.5% |
Production |
R236 |
Ilanga CSP1 / Karoeshoek Solar One |
3 |
CSP |
100 |
20% |
Production |
R557 |
Xina Solar One |
3 |
CSP |
100 |
20% |
Production |
R623 |
Kathu Solar Park |
3.5 (CSP bid window) |
CSP |
100 |
17.5% |
Production |
R583 |
Roggeveld Wind Farm |
4 |
Wind |
140 |
23.25% |
Construction |
R313 |
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
|
R4 029 |
17 October 2019 - NW904
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Finance
With reference to his reply to question 3072 on 22 January 2019, what are the details of the findings and recommendations of each forensic investigation and specialised performance audit listed in the reply?
Reply:
With reference to the list of forensic investigations and specialised performance audits, as listed on ANNEXURE A of Question No. 3072, Below is the response:
i. The details of the findings and recommendations are contained in the detailed reports submitted to the respective department, municipality, entity or law enforcement agent, if requested.
ii. National Treasury is an agent and not the owner of the reports. Therefore, the respective organ of state, as reflected in Annexure A of Question No. 3072 should be responsible for responding to the question posed.
14 October 2019 - NW616
Komane, Ms RN to ask the Minister of Finance
What (a) total amount has (i) the National Treasury and (ii) each of the entities reporting to him spent on (aa) cleaning, (bb) security and (cc) gardening services in the (aaa) 2017-18 and (bbb) 2018-19 financial years, (b) amount was paid to each service provider to provide each specified service and (c) total amount was paid to each of the service providers?
Reply:
NATIONAL TREASURY
(i) |
(aa) Cleaning |
(bb) Security |
(cc) Gardening |
(aaa) 2017-2018 |
R6 034 638.21 |
R 8 514 099.44 |
0 |
(bbb) 2018-2019 |
R6 179 029.93 |
R 9 417 747.00 |
0 |
|
R12 213 668.14 |
R17 931 846.44 |
0 |
(b) |
Cleaning |
Security |
(c) Total Amount |
Rise Security |
R 15 155 105.26 |
R 15 155 105.26 |
|
Complete Security |
R 1 628 077.18 |
R 1 628 077.18 |
|
Pabalelo Security |
R 1 148 664.00 |
R 1 148 664.00 |
|
Bontle Ke Botho |
R9 870 667.61 |
R9 870 667.61 |
|
Neso Scope |
R2 343 000.53 |
R2 343 000.53 |
|
Total Amount |
R12 213 668.14 |
R17 931 846.44 |
ASB
The Accounting Standards Board has two separate service providers, one for cleaning services, and one for security services. We do not have a garden and accordingly, we have not incurred any garden services. The cleaning contract cost R75 543, 88 in 2017/18 and R81 275,40 in 2018/19. The security cost R6 972,63 in 2017/18 and R8 508,63 in 2018/19.
CBDA
The Co-operative Banks Development Agency (CBDA) did not utilize any service provider for cleaning, security and gardening services as the Agency is housed at the National Treasury offices.
DBSA
- (aa)(bb)(cc) (aaa) (bbb)
Cleaning (Services have been insourced since – June 2015)
Period |
Remuneration (Cost to Bank) |
Equipment and Consumables |
Total Costs |
2017/18 |
3,180,157 |
1,138,231 |
4,318,388 |
2018/19 |
3,425,033 |
1,816,742 |
5,241,775 |
Security (Services have been insourced since– July 2016)
Period |
Remuneration (Cost to Bank) |
Service Provider (Maintenance) |
Service Provider (Armed Response) |
Equipment and Consumables |
Total Costs |
2017/18 |
5,521,486 |
457,552 |
36,529 |
27,983 |
6,043,550 |
2018/191) |
6,402,059 |
466,121 |
22,922 |
140,495 |
7,031,597 |
Note 1: Equipment and consumables includes licence fee for security electronic system.
Landscaping services costs
Period |
Service Provider (Full landscaping services) |
Small Enterprise Development company (Gardening services) |
Incubation costs (Training Service Provider) |
Total Costs |
2017/18 |
1,367,000 2) |
0.00 |
0.00 |
1,367,000 |
2018/19 |
332,187 3) |
1,127,406 3) |
173,971 4) |
1,633,564 |
Notes:
2: In 2017/18 R1,367,000 was paid for Landscaping Services to a contracted services provider.
3: During 2018/19 a fully black owned enterprise development company was created by the DBSA for
gardening services and R1,127,406 was paid to the enterprise development company for the
landscaping services. The R332,187 paid to the contracted services provider was for last contracted
services provided before contract ending.
4: R173,971 paid for incubation programme in training the enterprise development beneficiaries..
b. Amounts paid to each service providers, per specific service provided, included in the tables above.
c. Total amounts paid to each service provider included in the tables above and are the same amounts
paid for specific service.
FAIS OMBUD
The following amounts, where applicable, were expended by the FAIS Ombud on the following services:
(aa) Cleaning Services: 2017/18 – Nil
2018/19 – Nil
(Cleaning services are provided in-house)
(bb) Security Services: 2017/18 – R73,139.42
2018/19 – R106,692.96
Supplier |
2018/2019 |
2017/2018 |
R |
R |
|
ADT Security (Pty) Ltd |
4 539,79 |
14 431,46 |
Cheche Consulting (Pty) Ltd |
15 000,00 |
3 363,00 |
National Security & Fire (Pty) Ltd |
362,52 |
362,52 |
Royal Security CC |
46 390,65 |
54 982,44 |
Securec PVT LTD |
400,00 |
- |
Today’s Destiny Trading & Projects |
40 000,00 |
- |
Grand Total |
106 692,96 |
73 139,42 |
(cc) Gardening Services - 2017/18 – Nil
2018/19 – Nil
(Not applicable to the FAIS Ombud)
FIC
(a)(ii) The FIC incurred the following expenditure during the 2017/18 and 2018/19 financial years:
(aa) Cleaning (aaa) 2017/18 R 1 549 926.81 (bbb) 2018/19 R1 724 438.64
(bb) Security (aaa) 2017/18 R 2 444 465.51 (bbb) 2018/19 R2 608 760.02
(cc) Gardening (aaa) 2017/18 R24 889.40 (bbb) 2018/19 R32 659.98
(b)(c) The FIC paid the following to each service provider for the specified services rendered:
|
Amount R' |
Cleaning |
Security |
Gardening |
||||||
Name of the supplier |
Service rendered |
2017/2018 |
2018/2019 |
Total |
2017/2018 |
2018/2019 |
2017/2018 |
2018/2019 |
2017/2018 |
2018/2019 |
Nakisani Hygiene Services |
Cleaning Services - Centurion |
1 109 707.55 |
1 210 981.16 |
2 320 688.71 |
1 109 707.55 |
1 210 981.16 |
|
|
|
|
Bright and Spotless Cleaning Services |
Hygiene Services - Centurion |
406 673.16 |
477 721.68 |
884 394.84 |
406 673.16 |
477 721.68 |
|
|
|
|
Monabo Hygiene Sevices |
Cleaning and Hygiene Services – Cape Town |
33 546.10 |
35 735.80 |
69 281.90 |
33 546.10 |
35 735.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Analytical Risk Management |
Physical Security Services - Centurion |
2 211 495.11 |
2 367 185.27 |
4 578 680.38 |
|
|
2 211 495.11 |
2 367 185.27 |
|
|
Mafoko Security Services |
Physical Security Services – Cape Town |
232 970.40 |
241 574.75 |
474 545.15 |
|
|
232 970.4 |
241 574.75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Bidvest Execuflora (Pty) Ltd |
Office plant maintenance |
24 889.40 |
19 834.74 |
44 724.14 |
|
|
|
|
24 889.4 |
19 834.74 |
FSG Landscaping Group (Pty) Ltd |
Office plant maintenance |
12 825.24 |
12 825.24 |
|
|
|
|
|
12 825.24 |
|
4 019 281.72 |
4 365 858.64 |
8 385 140.36 |
1 549 926.81 |
1 724 438.64 |
2 444 465.51 |
2 608 760.02 |
24 889.40 |
32 659.98 |
FSCA
(ii) The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (then the Financial Services Board) has incurred the following expenditure on the services and in the financial years mentioned:
SERVICE |
FINANCIAL YEAR |
|
(aaa) 2017-18 |
(bbb) 2018-19 |
|
(aa) Cleaning Services |
R1 494 718.71 |
R2 503 412.71 |
(bb) Security Services |
R982 313.25 |
R1 193 662.23 |
(cc) Gardening Services |
N/A |
N/A |
(b) amount was paid to each service provider to provide each specified service
SERVICE PROVIDER |
SERVICE PROVIDED |
FINANCIAL YEAR |
|
(aaa) 2017-18 |
(bbb) 2018-19 |
||
Masana Hygiene Services (Pty) Ltd (Reg. No. 2014/110265/07) |
(aa) Cleaning Services |
R1 494 718.71 |
R2 503 412.71 |
Afrisix (Pty) Ltd (Reg. No. 1998/025088/07) |
(bb) Security Services |
R982 313.25 |
N/A |
Raite Security and Consulting CC (Reg. No. 2007/043172/23) |
(bb) Security Services |
N/A |
R1 193 662.23 |
(c) total amount was paid to each of the service providers
TOTAL AMOUNT PAID FOR 2017/18 AND 2018/19 FINANCIAL YEARS |
|
Masana Hygiene Services (Pty) Ltd (Reg. No. 2014/110265/07) |
R3 998 131.42 |
Afrisix (Pty) Ltd (Reg. No. 1998/025088/07) |
R982 313.25 |
Raite Security and Consulting CC (Reg. No. 2007/043172/23) |
R1 193 662.23 |
GEPF
2017 - 2018 financial year
Cleaning
Bower Pty (Ltd) R223 978.50
Security
Broll R 33 665.11
Gardening services
R0
2018 - 2019 financial year
Cleaning
Bower Pty (Ltd) R239 657.79
Security
Broll R 36 358.32
Gardening service
R0
GPAA
IRBA
(a) (ii) (aa) total amount cleaning
(aaa) 2017-18 80 383
(bbb) 2018-19 240 241
(a) (ii) (bb) total amount security
(aaa) 2017-18 13 070
(bbb) 2018-19 9 743
(a) (ii) (cc) total amount gardening services
(aaa) 2017-18 Nil
(bbb) 2018-19 Nil
(b) amount was paid to each service provider to provide each specified service
(ii) (aa) total amount cleaning
(aaa) 2017-18 We Clean It All 80 383
(bbb) 2018-19 We Clean It All 240 241
(ii) (bb) total amount security
(aaa) 2017-18 Fidelity ADT 13 070
(bbb) 2018-19 Fidelity ADT 9 743
(ii) (cc) total amount gardening services
(aaa) 2017-18 Nil
(bbb) 2018-19 Nil
(c) total amount was paid to each of the service providers
(a) 2017-18 We Clean It All 80 383
(b) 2018-19 We Clean It All 240 241
(c) 2017-18 Fidelity ADT 13 070
(d) 2018-19 Fidelity ADT 9 743
LAND BANK
Land Bank has spent the following on the commodities requested:
(aaa) 2017-2018 Financial Year
(aa) Cleaning & Hygiene Services
Services Rendered Land Bank Head Office, 9 Provincial Offices and 15 Satellite Branches
(b) Monabo Hygiene Services
R2 373 113.96 – Total amount paid 2017/2018 Financial year
(c) R2 373 113.96 - Total paid for cleaning and hygiene services for the 2017/18 Financial Year
(bb) Security Services
(b) Fidelity Security Services – R1 692 415.59
Services rendered to Land Bank Head Office, 9 Provincial Offices, 15 Satellite Branches and 6 Properties in Possession
(b) Remez Security - R7 951.50
(b) ADT – R15 591.91
(b) Link Up – R6 036.00
(b) Kloof Alarms – R4 909.00
(b) PMB Security – R19 263.60
(b) Wulfe Security – R5 675.00
(b) Bethal Security – R26 077.67
(b) CSS Security – R4 999.79
(b) Blue Connection t/a Golden Eye – R3 585.80
(b) Salute Security – R4 920.00
(b) BAI Security – R2 508.00
(b) ARS Security – R11 168.00
(b) Ravens Security – R3 895.05
(b) Craddock Security – R2 585.00
(c) R1 811 681.91 - Total paid for security services for the 2017/18 Financial Year
(cc) Gardening Services
(b) Kgatlha Garden Service – R70 104.28
(c) R70 104.28 – Total paid for gardening services for the 2017/18 Financial Year
(bbb) 2018-2019 Financial Year
(aa) Cleaning & Hygiene Services
Services Rendered Land Bank Head Office, 9 Provincial Offices and 15 Satellite Branches
(b) Monabo Hygiene Services
R2 571 172.54 – Total amount paid 2018/2019 Financial year
(c) R2 571 172.54 - Total paid for cleaning and hygiene services for the 2018/19 Financial Year
(bb) Security Services
(b) Fidelity Security Services – R3 158 695.31
Services rendered to Land Bank Head Office, 9 Provincial Offices, 15 Satellite Branches and 6 Properties in Possession
(b) Remez Security – R3 593.75
(b) ADT – R19 479.03
(b) Link Up – R6 380.82
(b) Kloof Alarms – R7 234.99
(b) PMB Security – R5 940.24
(b) Wulfe Security – R6 296.83
(b) Bethal Security – R5 690.00
(b) CSS Security – R4 728.50
(b) Blue Connection t/a Golden Eye – R4 497.45
(b) Salute Security – R4 812.20
(b) BAI Security – R2 692.00
(b) ARS Security – R12 244.00
(b) Ravens Security – R3 997.50
(b) Craddock Security – R9 843.23
(c) R3 256 125.85 - Total paid for security services for the 2017/18 Financial Year
(cc) Gardening Services
(b) Kgatlha Garden Service – R64 458.77
(c) R64 458.77 – Total paid for gardening services for the 2017/18 Financial Year
PFA
The Office of the Pension Funds Adjudicator confirms that the total amount spent for cleaning services was R247 008.34 for 2018/19 and R207 090.49 for 2017/18 financial year. We had three service providers over this period, namely:
- Bidvest Prestige Group – R0 (2018/19) and R106 903.20 (2017/18)
- Monabo Hygiene Services – R247 008.34 (2018/19) and R79 645.82 (2017/18)
- Benedition (Pty) Ltd – R0 (2018/19) and R20 541.47 (2017/18)
The total amount spent for gardening services was R44 477.03 for 2018/19 and R44 433.36 for 2017/18 financial year from ExecuFlora.
PIC
(a)(ii)(aa) The PIC did not spend money on cleaning services as it is provided by the landlord of the building occupied by the PIC.
(a)(ii)(bb) Details regarding security are as follows:
(a)(ii)(cc) The PIC did not spend money on gardening services as it is provided by the landlord of the building occupied by the PIC.
SARS
(a)(ii) SARS has spent the following total amounts on the indicated services:
(aa) Cleaning
(aaa) 2017-18 : R 57 149 143.13
(bbb) 2018-19: R 56 946 298.87
(bb) Security:
(aaa) 2017-18 : R145 006 450.14
(bbb) 2018-19: R141 190 731.16
(cc) Gardening Services:
(aaa) 2017/18: R978 899.74
(bbb) 2018-19: R1 216 841.22
(b)(c) The amounts paid to each service provider to provide each specified service and
total amount paid to each service provider in the respective financial years were:
2017/18 Financial Year
Cleaning
Supplier Name |
Total Amount Paid |
Ikhayelihle Cleaning Services |
R 6 728 865.90 |
Masana Hygiene Services |
R 4 194 777.57 |
Servest Cleaning |
R 11 616 558.24 |
Samagaba Cleaning Services pty |
R 7 277 573.42 |
Staza Cleaning Services |
R 5 302 914.67 |
CSG Food Solutions |
R 4 669 789.78 |
Bidvest Prestige |
R 4 792 727.28 |
Kusile Hygiene and Industrial |
R 5 386 559.94 |
Sabuh Trading cc |
R 3 104 793.80 |
Risk Release pty ltd |
R 4 074 582.53 |
Security
Supplier Name |
Total Amount Paid |
Royal Security Services |
R 21 742 018.94 |
Fidelity Security Services |
R 61 141 560.98 |
Bidvest Protea |
R 62 122 870.22 |
Gardening Services
Supplier Name |
Total Amount Paid |
4 Seasons Landscaping pty ltd |
R 106 819.40 |
Amaloba Projects |
R 265 571.30 |
Garden Boy Concepts pty ltd |
R 130 500.00 |
Nozihle Cleaning Services |
R 64 116.24 |
Pointing Out Trading (pty) ltd |
R 72 000.00 |
Rothe Plantscapers |
R 29 092.80 |
Shumani Development cc |
R 234 000.00 |
Shumani Development cc |
R 76 800.00 |
2018/19 Financial Year
Security
Supplier Name |
Total Amount Paid |
Royal Security Services |
R 5 910 149.56 |
Fidelity Security Services |
R 94 155 278.20 |
Bidvest Protea |
R 15 408 987.39 |
Thorburn Security Solutions |
R 25 716 316.01 |
Cleaning
Supplier Name |
Total Amount Paid |
Ikhayelihle Cleaning Services |
R 7 666 045.70 |
Masana Hygiene Services |
R 4 506 730.23 |
Servest Cleaning |
R 9 720 826.30 |
Samagaba Cleaning Services pty |
R 7 393 172.39 |
Staza Cleaning Services |
R 5 528 611.84 |
CSG Food Solutions |
R 4 715 269.24 |
Bidvest Prestige |
R 4 507 725.22 |
Kusile Hygiene and Industrial |
R 5 188 611.07 |
Sabuh Trading cc |
R 3 400 783.11 |
Risk Release pty ltd |
R 4 318 523.77 |
Gardening Services
Supplier Name |
Total Amount Paid |
4 Seasons Landscaping pty ltd |
R 128 183.28 |
Amaloba Projects |
R 144 007.60 |
Botle Bja Jehova Trading Enterprise |
R 69 500.00 |
Cities Landscaping and Projects |
R 156 042.20 |
Garden Boy Concepts pty ltd |
R 130 200.00 |
Mukelo Projects pty ltd |
R 39 420.00 |
Noels Lawnmower Centre |
R 2 976.00 |
Nono Investment pty ltd |
R 115 575.00 |
Nozihle Cleaning Services |
R 70 162.14 |
Seenathy Trading |
R 40 000.00 |
Shumani Development cc |
R 234 000.00 |
Shumani Development cc |
R 76 800.00 |
Ubuntu Installations pty ltd |
R 9 975.00 |
SASRIA
(aa) Cleaning services
Sasria SOC Ltd (“Sasria”) does not outsource cleaning services. We permanently employ cleaning personnel.
(bb) Security services
Sasria’s security costs for the two years ending 31 March 2018 and 2019 respectively are as follows:
Financial year ending 31 March 2018
Service Provider |
Service Rendered |
Rand (Excl. VAT) |
Growthpoint Properties Ltd |
Security |
11 795.00 |
Fidelity Security Services (Pty) Ltd |
Security |
105 926.56 |
ARS Advanced Risk Solutions |
Security |
124 040.00 |
Financial year ending 31 March 2019
Service Provider |
Service Rendered |
Rand (Excl. VAT) |
Growthpoint Properties Ltd |
Security |
12 098.90 |
ARS Advanced Risk Solutions |
Security |
234 668.00 |
(cc) Garden services
Sasria does not incur costs on gardening services, as they are provided by the landlord.
TAX OMBUD
The cleaning and security expenses relating to Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) are paid centrally by South African Revenue Services (SARS). SARS contracted different service providers in different regions, therefore these expenses of the OTO are included in SARS’s costs.
14 October 2019 - NW640
Langa, Mr TM to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether the National Treasury and/or any entities reporting to him contracted the services of certain companies (details furnished) or any of their affiliated companies; if so, (a) what services did each company render, (b) what was the total monetary value of each contract, (c) what amount was paid to each company, (d) what was the duration of each contract, (e) who signed off on each contract and (f) was each contract in line with the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999, and relevant departmental regulations?
Reply:
NATIONAL TREASURY
No
(a) - (f) N/A
ASB
The Accounting Standards Board has not entered into any transactions with of these certain companies or any of their affiliated companies
CBDA
The Co-operative Banks Development Agency (CBDA) did not utelise the services of these certain companies.
DBSA
NO- none appear on the SAP System
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f) N/A
FAIS OMBUD
No contracts were entered into with any of the entities listed in the question.
FIC
The FIC did not contract any services from of these certain companies.
(a) Not applicable
(b) Not applicable
(c) Not applicable
(d) Not applicable
(e) Not applicable
(f) Not applicable
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FSCA
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (and the former Financial Services Board) has never contracted of these certain companies.
GEPF
Government Employees Pension Fund did not contract with the any of of these certain companies.
GPAA
The GPAA have none of the of these certain companies listed on our databases.
IRBA
The IRBA hereby declares that we have not contracted any of of these certain companies.
LAND BANK
Land Bank has never contracted the services of Forensic Data Analysts, Muvoni Technology Group, Muvoni Investment Holdings or Ideco.
Land Bank has contracted the services of companies affiliated to Muvoni Technology group that are part of the same holding company which is under the umbrella of the EOH Group of companies.
These services are as follows:
- Bankserv
(a) Licensing for documentation management system
(b) User based license fee
(c) R5 303 326.92 (Excluding VAT) – Last payment made on 30 June 2019
(d) Renewable yearly
(e) Executive Manager: Legal Services & Executive Manager: Corporate Banking
(d) Yes
2. EOH Recruitment Solutions
(a) Recruitment Services
(b) Placement fee based on remuneration package.
(c) R151 200.00 (Excluding VAT) – Last payment made on 9 December 2015
(d) 3 years
(e) Executive Manager: HR & General Manager: HR
(f) Yes
3. Managed Integrity Services
(a) Background screening
(b) Service based fee depending on checks required.
(c) R366 237.27 (Excluding VAT) – Last payment made on 25 July 2019
(d) 3 years
(e) Executive Manager: HR & CFO
(f) Yes
4. Xpert Decision Systems
(a) Due Diligence Searches
(b) Service based fee depending on checks required.
(c) R140.00 (Excluding VAT) – Last payment made on 30 September 2018
(d) 3 years
(e) Head of Internal Audit & CFO
(f) Yes
5. EOH Abantu
(a) Recruitment Service
(b) Placement fee based on remuneration package.
(c) No payments made
(d) 3 years
(e) Executive Manager: HR & General Manager: HR
(f) Yes
Note: The Bank is in the process of determining whether to continue business with the EOH group of companies.
PFA
The Office of the Pension Funds Adjudicator did not contract t of these certain companies.
PIC
The PIC did not contract any of these certain companies. The rest of the question falls away.
SARS
The South African Revenue Service contracted service from one of the certain companies mentioned.
- The service rendered relates to biometric services and biometric equipment for vetting purposes.
The total monetary value, amount paid, and duration of each contract are as follow:
Contract Number |
|
|
|
4500116455 |
R 226 064.20 |
R 4 560.00 |
once-off |
4500141177 |
R 180 000.00 |
R 178 940.10 |
once-off |
4500147238 |
R 62 221.20 |
R 61 081.20 |
once-off |
4500148827 |
R 11 400.00 |
R 11 400.00 |
once-off |
4600001513 |
R 500 000.00 |
R 61 081.20 |
2 years |
4600001513 |
R 437 574.25 |
||
4600002084 |
R 502 345.56 |
R 315 854.10 |
1 year |
4400000285 |
R 19 710.60 |
||
4400000285 |
R 114 846.61 |
||
4400003006 |
R 498 807.00 |
R 484 739.15 |
3 years |
4400003548 |
R 497 070.36 |
R 4 564.35 |
3 years |
R 2 477 908.32 |
R 1 694 351.56 |
- These contracts were approved by the assigned delegated person in line with the Delegation of Authority at the time. Approvals per contract was done as follow:
Contract Number |
Approval per DOA |
4500116455 |
Executive Procurement |
4500141177 |
Acting Executive Procurement |
4500147238 |
Executive Procurement |
4500148827 |
Executive Procurement |
4600001513 |
Executive Procurement |
4600001513 |
|
4600002084 |
Executive Procurement |
4400000285 |
|
4400000285 |
|
4400003006 |
Acting Group Executive: Procurement |
4400003548 |
National Bid Adjudication Committee Chairperson Tier 1 |
- Yes, each contract was concluded in line with the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999, and relevant departmental regulations.
SASRIA
Sasria SOC Ltd has, for the financial years ending 31 March 2018 and 2019 respectively, not contracted of these certain companies.
Whilst we took care and exercised the necessary diligence in preparing the requested information, it is pertinent that we highlight the fact that we completely relied on the stated service providers’ company names as stated above. Therefore, in cases where the service provider’s registered name differs with the trading name, there exists a slight possibility that the service provider may have not been picked up, depending on what may have been recorded on our database at transaction stage.
TAX OMBUD
the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) has not of these certain companies.
14 October 2019 - NW173
Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether the (a) import and/or (b) production of electric vehicles attract any additional (i) taxes or (ii) tariffs beyond the normal company tax and/or import duties levied by the Government; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the (aa) purpose of such taxes and/or tariffs and (bb) total amount of taxes and/or tariffs levied in each case?
Reply:
The payment of import or excise duties is based on national policy
determined by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), as well as on
international trade instruments to which South Africa is a signatory. Robust
methodologies are followed to ensure that all commodities are classified
correctly, and that the South African Revenue Service collects the correct
amount of revenue due to the state. Accordingly, the payment of import or
excise duties is based on a tariff rate applicable to a specific commodity as
determined by the dti.
(a)(b)(i)(ii) In the case of the import and/or production of electric vehicles, Ordinary
Customs Duties on importation and Ad Valorem Excise duties, payment of
duties based on the customs value of the imported goods, levied by
government are applicable. There are no other additional taxes payable on
electric vehicles. All Vehicles are classified in Chapter 87 of Schedule 1 of
the Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964. The rates of duty on electric
vehicles range
between 0% and 25%.
It is worth noting that there is no differentiation between the treatment of the conventional fuel combustion and electric vehicles with regards to applicable Customs procedures, the rates and tax-types levied during importation or manufacturing locally, for as long as the vehicles belong to the same categories (that is, whether it’s a bus, truck, ordinary passenger vehicle, etc.).
However, because SARS administer Ad Valorem Excise duties, which considers both weight and value, the mass of the vehicle will invariably impact on the rate of the duty applicable. Thus, smaller cars may attract smaller rates of duty, although the value may be a differentiating factor if such a smaller vehicle is much more expensive. For an example, an electric passenger vehicle and fuel combustion engine passenger vehicle will attract the same rate of duty or excise if the two are of the same mass and value.
14 October 2019 - NW404
George, Dr DT to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether an estimation of the size of the illicit economy has been conducted; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the estimated size of the illicit economy and (b) what steps are being taken to tax the illicit economy effectively?
Reply:
The elicit economy is a continuously changing landscape and a function of the overall levels of societal and tax compliance.
SARS is in the process of conducting scientific and evidence-based research to quantify the size of the illicit economy for South Africa and as such there is no official position yet on the size of the illicit economy. The study also seeks to identify, quantify illicit/illegal activities taking place in both the formal and informal economy. The study will further involve identifying, locating, understanding, registering, managing and monitoring illicit businesses in their different forms and sizes in the illicit economy.
The illicit economy ranges from the underground economy, which operates outside of the rules and regulations of the country, to organised crime. It involves money, goods or value gained from illegal and generally unethical activity. The activities and/or transactions that occur in the underground economy are illegal for various reasons. Transactions in the underground economy are illegal either because the good or service being traded is illegal or because an otherwise licit transaction does not comply with government reporting requirements. People who work in the underground economy do not declare their incomes. In other words, the tax authorities have no official records of their activities or transactions. These activities generate a wide range of economic, social, environmental or political harms and contribute to the tax gap.
(a) The outcome of the comprehensive research will assist in determining the size of each illegal trading item. In the absence of SARS own research findings, It is difficult
to put a value to the illicit economy. The research studies, which commenced in November 2018, are expected to be completed by March 2020.
(b) In line with the overall SARS strategy of discouraging non-compliance (and incentivizing good behavior) through education and/or enforcement action as executed by its Enforcement divisions, and in recognition of the need for alternative enforcement responses to non-compliance within the illicit economy, SARS established an interim capability to conduct investigations into the illicit economy. The capability executes integrated enforcement investigations and comprises of multi-disciplinary and collaborative investigations and enforcement debt recovery actions, supported by legal experts and data analytics. The tax and customs legislation administered by the Commissioner for SARS (for example, the Tax Administration Act, 2011) governs the conduct of all units within SARS.
11 October 2019 - NW933
Hill-Lewis, Mr GG to ask the Minister of Finance
(a) What number of times has the duty rebate item (i) 406.01 and (ii) 540.01 of the Custom and Excise Tariffs of the SA Revenue Service been used (aa) in each of the past 10 financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2019, (b) what was the total rebate paid and (c) to whom was each rebate paid?
Reply:
(a)(i) Over the past 10 financial years, rebate item 406.01 was used 311 times. The table below depicts data in respect of direct imports and ex-warehouse declarations cleared under rebate item 406.01:
Financial Year |
Occurrences |
2009/04 - 2010/03 |
1 |
2010/04 - 2011/03 |
0 |
2011/04 - 2012/03 |
15 |
2012/04 - 2013/03 |
282 |
2013/04 - 2014/03 |
4 |
2014/04 - 2015/03 |
0 |
2015/04 - 2016/03 |
5 |
2016/04 - 2017/03 |
0 |
2017/04 - 2018/03 |
3 |
2018/04 - 2019/03 |
1 |
Total |
311 |
(aa)
(bb) Since 1 April 2019, rebate item 406.01 has not been used. The table below contains data in respect of direct imports and ex-warehouse declarations declared under rebate item 406.01:
Financial Year |
Occurrences |
2019/04 - 2019/09/18 |
0 |
- Over the past 10 financial years, drawback item 540.01 was used four times. The table below contains data in respect of draw-backs processed under item of 540.01:
Financial Year |
Occurrences |
2009/04 - 2010/03 |
0 |
2010/04 - 2011/03 |
1 |
2011/04 - 2012/03 |
1 |
2012/04 - 2013/03 |
0 |
2013/04 - 2014/03 |
0 |
2014/04 - 2015/03 |
1 |
2015/04 - 2016/03 |
0 |
2016/04 - 2017/03 |
0 |
2017/04 - 2018/03 |
1 |
2018/04 - 2019/03 |
0 |
Total |
4 |
(aa)
(bb) Since 1 April 2019, drawback item 540.01 has not been used. The table below contains data in respect of draw-backs processed under item of 540.01:
Financial Year |
Occurrences |
2019/04 – 2019/09/18 |
0 |
(b) The table below contains data in respect of total customs duties rebated under 406.01 and refunded under 540.01
Rebate/Refund Item |
Sch 1P1 |
Sch 1P2B |
Total |
406.01 (rebate) |
R558 624.90 |
R296 169.00 |
R854 793.90 |
540.01 (refund) |
R0 |
R0 |
R338 273.30 |
(c) The Rebate item 406.01 relates to the rebate of Customs duties on goods imported for the personal or official use by the State President and his/her family and duty drawback item 540.01 provides for duty drawback (refund) of petrol and distillate fuels. Item 540.01 permits drawbacks for diplomatic and foreign representatives, as well as the State President.
Due to the legislative specifications regarding the restrictions on sharing of client specific information, SARS is not at liberty to disclose the taxpayer specific information.
11 October 2019 - NW989
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Finance
With regard to conditional grants budgeted for (a) provincial and (b) municipal spheres of government in the past four financial years, what are the details of (i) each grant partially spent or not spent at all including the amount of each grant (aa) not paid to the provincial and municipal spheres of government, (bb) returned to the national revenue fund by the provincial and municipal spheres of government and (cc) rolled over to future financial years and (ii) the reasons for the amount of each grant not having been spent, (iii) the amount of each grant actually spent and (iv) the amount budgeted for each grant?
Reply:
[(a)(i), (aa), (bb), (cc)(ii)(iii) and (iv)]: 2015/16 Provincial Grants
In 2015/16 Provinces were allocated R85.3 billion in various conditional grants, of which, R276 million was not transferred to provinces. Of the total of R86.6 available to provinces (including roll overs) provinces spent R85.3 billion resulting in an underspending of R1.3 billion.
Roll overs amounting to R1.04 billion were approved and provinces surrendered R508 million, which was made up of unapproved roll-overs and unspent amounts that were not requested, back to the National Revenue Fund.
Under spending occurred mainly on infrastructure related components of the grants including the building of libraries, the Education Infrastructure Grant, the Health Revitalisation Grant and the Human Settlements Development Grant. The reasons for under expenditure includes, capacity constraints, poor planning and execution, poor workmanship resulting in cost increases and weak overall project management.
The detailed information on the 2015/16 allocations, roll-overs and unspent amounts per grant are in the following annexures:
Annexure AP - (a) (i) expenditure and underspending
Annexure AP – (aa) transfers
Annexure BP – (bb) surrendered to NRF
Annexure BP – (cc) roll-overs
Annexure AP - (a) (iii) actual expenditure per each grant
Annexure AP - (a) (iv) allocations
[(a)(i), (aa), (bb), (cc)(ii)(iii) and (iv)] 2016/17 Provincial Grants:
In 2016/17 Provinces were allocated R89 billion in various conditional grants, of which, R7 million was not transferred to provinces. Of the total of R90.7 available to provinces (including roll overs) provinces spent R88.5 billion resulting in an underspending of R2.2 billion.
Roll overs amounting to R1.4 billion was approved and provinces surrendered R417 million, which was made up of unapproved roll-overs and unspent amounts that were not requested, back to the National Revenue Fund.
Under spending occurred mainly on infrastructure related components of the grants including the building of libraries, the Education Infrastructure Grant, the Health Revitalisation Grant and the Human Settlements Development Grant. The School Nutrition grant underspent as well due to invoices being submitted late for payments. In terms of the infrastructure related grants, the reasons for under expenditure include, capacity constraints, poor planning and execution poor workmanship resulting in cost increases and weak overall project management.
The detailed information 2016/17 on allocations, roll-overs and unspent amounts per grant are in the following annexures:
Annexure AP - (a) (i) expenditure and underspending
Annexure AP – (aa) transfers
Annexure BP – (bb) surrendered to NRF
Annexure BP – (cc) roll-overs
Annexure AP - (a) (iii) actual expenditure per each grant
Annexure AP - (a) (iv) allocations
[(a)(i), (aa), (bb), (cc)(ii)(iii) and (iv)] 2017/18 Provincial Grants
In 2017/18 Provinces were allocated R96.7 billion in various conditional grants, of which, R38 million was not transferred to provinces. Of the total of R98.5 available to provinces (including roll overs) provinces spent R96.3 billion resulting in an underspending of R2.2 billion.
Roll overs amounting to R1.4 billion was approved and provinces surrendered R755 million, which was made up of unapproved roll-overs and unspent amounts that were not requested, back to the National Revenue Fund.
Under spending occurred mainly on infrastructure related components of the grants including the, Education Infrastructure Grant, the Health Revitalisation Grant and the Provincial Roads Maintenance Grant. The School Nutrition grant underspent as well due to invoices being submitted late for payments. In terms of the infrastructure related grants, the reasons for under expenditure include, capacity constraints, poor planning and execution poor workmanship resulting in cost increases and weak overall project management.
The detailed information 2017/18 on allocations, roll-overs and unspent amounts per grant are in the following annexures:
Annexure AP - (a) (i) expenditure and underspending
Annexure AP – (aa) transfers
Annexure BP – (bb) surrendered to NRF
Annexure BP – (cc) roll-overs
Annexure AP - (a) (iii) actual expenditure per each grant
Annexure AP - (a) (iv) allocations
[(a)(i), (aa), (bb), (cc)(ii)(iii) and (iv)] 2018/19 Provincial Grants
In 2018/19 Provinces were allocated R100.3 billion in various conditional grants, of which, R9 million was not transferred to provinces. Of the total of R103 available to provinces (including roll overs) provinces spent R99.4 billion resulting in an underspending of R3.5 billion. It must be noted however, that these numbers are pre-audited and is subject to change once the audit has been finalized.
Roll overs amounting to R2 billion was approved and provinces surrendered R1.4 billion, which was made up of unapproved roll-overs and unspent amounts that were not requested, back to the National Revenue Fund. It must be noted however, that these numbers are pre-audited and is subject to change once the audit has been finalized.
Under spending occurred mainly on infrastructure related components of the grants including the, Education Infrastructure Grant, the Health Revitalisation Grant and the Human Settlements Development Grant. The School Nutrition grant underspent as well due to invoices being submitted late for payments. There also SCM and planning delays that resulted in underspending on the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme.
In terms of the infrastructure related grants, the reasons for under expenditure include, capacity constraints, poor planning and execution poor workmanship resulting in cost increases and weak overall project management.
The detailed information 2018/19 on allocations, roll-overs and unspent amounts per grant are in the following annexures:
Annexure AP - (a) (i) expenditure and underspending
Annexure AP – (aa) transfers
Annexure BP – (bb) surrendered to NRF
Annexure BP – (cc) roll-overs
Annexure AP - (a) (iii) actual expenditure per each grant
Annexure AP - (a) (iv) allocations
Kindly note that National Treasury has published this information (Allocation, Transfers, Expenditure and underspending) on the website.
[(b), (i), (aa), (bb), (cc), (ii), (iii) and (iv)] 2014/15 Local Government Grants
In 2014/15 municipalities were allocated R25.7 billion in various conditional grants and R25.5 billion was transferred to municipalities. Municipalities underspent on the transferred amount and as a result a total amount of R3 billion in different grants was requested by municipalities to be rolled over into the next financial year, however only R1.2 billion was approved to be rolled over into the 2015/16 financial year and R1.8 billion was unapproved.
A total of R3.2 billion in unspent conditional grants was returned to the National Revenue Fund, this was made up of unapproved roll-overs and unspent amounts that were never requested to be rolled over into the next financial year, but were unspent at the end of the financial year.
The reasons for under expenditure vary, as seen from the roll-over requests submissions by municipalities, ranging from capacity constraints, poor planning, slow or late procurement, leadership issues, among others. There is of late disruptions to procurement and project implementation processes by local business forums demanding that 30 per cent of each project cost be procured from local entrepreneurs or SMME’s, which is not always possible due to most not meeting the qualifying criteria required to deliver on the projects needed to be implemented.
The detailed information 2014/15 on allocations, roll-overs and unspent amounts per grant are in the following annexures:
Annexure C - (b)(i) expenditure and underspending
Annexure A – (aa) transfers
Annexure C – (bb) offset/surrendered to NRF
Annexure B – (cc) roll-overs
Annexure C - (b)(iii) actual expenditure per each grant
Annexure A - (b) (iv) allocations
[(b), (i), (aa), (bb), (cc), (ii), (iii) and (iv)] 2015/16 Local Government Grants
In 2015/16 municipalities were allocated R28 billion in various conditional grants and R27.7 billion was transferred to municipalities. Municipalities underspent on the transferred amount and as a result a total amount of R2.5 billion in different grants was requested by municipalities to be rolled over into the next financial year, however only R991.2 million was approved to be rolled over into the 2015/16 financial year, while R1.5 billion was unapproved.
A total of R1.5 billion in unspent conditional grants was returned to the National Revenue Fund, a reduced amount than in 2014/15, and made up of unapproved roll-overs and unspent amounts that were never requested to be rolled over into the next financial year, but were unspent at the end of the financial year.
The reasons for under expenditure vary, as seen from the roll-over requests submissions by municipalities, ranging from capacity constraints, poor planning, slow or late procurement, leadership issues, among others. There is of late disruptions to procurement and project implementation processes by local business forums demanding that 30 per cent of each project cost be procured from local entrepreneurs or SMME’s, which is not always possible due to most not meeting the qualifying criteria required to deliver on the projects needed to be implemented.
The detailed information on 2015/16 allocations, roll-overs and unspent amounts per grant are in the following annexures:
Annexure C - (b)(i) expenditure and underspending
Annexure A – (aa) transfers
Annexure C – (bb) offset/surrendered to NRF
Annexure B – (cc) roll-overs
Annexure C - (b)(iii) actual expenditure per each grant
Annexure A - (b) (iv) allocations
[(b), (i), (aa), (bb), (cc), (ii), (iii) and (iv)] 2016/17 Local Government Grants
In 2016/17 municipalities were allocated R30 billion in various conditional grants and R29.7 billion was transferred to municipalities. Municipalities underspent on the transferred amount and as a result a total amount of R2.1 billion in different grants was requested by municipalities to be rolled over into the next financial year, albeit a lesser amount than in the previous financial year. Of the total requested roll-over of R2.1 billion, only R923.5 million was approved to be rolled over into the 2015/16 financial year, while R1.1 billion was unapproved.
A total of R1.4 billion in unspent conditional grants was returned to the National Revenue Fund (R1.5 billion in 2015/16), this was made up of unapproved roll-overs and unspent amounts that were never requested to be rolled over into the next financial year, but were unspent at the end of the financial year.
The reasons for under expenditure vary, as seen from the roll-over requests submissions by municipalities, ranging from capacity constraints, poor planning, slow or late procurement, leadership issues, among others. There is of late disruptions to procurement and project implementation processes by local business forums demanding that 30 per cent of each project cost be procured from local entrepreneurs or SMME’s, which is not always possible due to most not meeting the qualifying criteria required to deliver on the projects needed to be implemented.
The detailed information on allocations, roll-overs and unspent amounts per grant are in the following annexures:
Annexure C - (b)(i) expenditure and underspending
Annexure A – (aa) transfers
Annexure C – (bb) offset/surrendered to NRF
Annexure B – (cc) roll-overs
Refer to last paragraph above - (b)(ii) why not spent per grant
Annexure C - (b)(iii) actual expenditure per each grant
Annexure A - (b) (iv) allocations
[(b), (i), (aa), (bb), (cc), (ii), (iii) and (iv)] 2017/18 Local Government Grants
In 2017/18 municipalities were allocated R32.4 billion in various conditional grants and R32 billion was transferred to municipalities. Municipalities underspent on the transferred amount and as a result a total amount of R3.2 billion in different grants was requested by municipalities to be rolled over into the next financial year, over R200 million and R700 million more than in 2014/15 and 2016/17 respectively. From the requested roll-over of R3.2 billion, a mere R904 million was approved to be rolled over into the 2015/16 financial year, however R2.3 billion was unapproved to be carried over into 2018/19.
A total amount of R3.6 billion in unspent conditional grants was returned to the National Revenue Fund, this was made up of unapproved roll-overs and unspent amounts that were never requested to be rolled over into the next financial year, but were unspent at the end of the financial year. The reasons for under expenditure vary, as seen from the roll-over requests submissions by municipalities, ranging from capacity constraints, poor planning, slow or late procurement, leadership issues, among others. There is of late disruptions to procurement and project implementation processes by local business forums demanding that 30 per cent of each project cost be procured from local entrepreneurs or SMME’s, which is not always possible due to most not meeting the qualifying criteria required to deliver on the projects needed to be implemented.
The detailed information on allocations, roll-overs and unspent amounts per grant are in the following annexures:
Annexure C - (b)(i) expenditure and underspending
Annexure A – (aa) transfers
Annexure C – (bb) offset/surrendered to NRF
Annexure B – (cc) roll-overs
Annexure C - (b)(iii) actual expenditure per each grant
Annexure A - (b) (iv) allocations
Kindly note that National Treasury has published the information (Allocation, Transfers, Expenditure and underspending) on the website
11 October 2019 - NW1001
Joseph, Mr D to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether, with reference to his reply to question 2507 on 9 October 2018, the Government signed any funding agreements and/or guarantees with China Development Bank after 2014; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) which state entities were involved, (b) what was the (i) purpose and (ii) conditions of the agreements and/or guarantees and (c) what amounts were agreed to?
Reply:
In 2015, Government approved a government guarantee agreement with China Development Bank for an amount of US$5 billion for Eskom. This guarantee is part of the R350 billion government guarantees granted to Eskom to assist the entity in raising funding for its build programme. The condition for the guarantees is that they must be utilised for funding of the Capital expenditure programme. Therefore, this guarantee is to assist Eskom in the funding of the Medupi and Kusile power stations.
11 October 2019 - NW472
Hill-Lewis, Mr GG to ask the Minister of Finance
(a) On what number of occasions has the National Treasury’s (i) email communication system been down, (ii) firewall been unstable and (iii) security systems been breached causing the National Treasury’s information systems to be accessed by unauthorised persons (aa) in the past three calendar years and (bb) since 1 January 2019 and (b) what number of the specified incidents occurred in the two months preceding the (i) Budget Speech and (ii) Medium Term Budget Policy Statement in each case?
Reply:
(aa) 2016 |
(aa) 2017 |
(aa) 2018 |
(bb) |
|
(a)(i) |
8 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
(ii) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
(iii) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
(b)(i) |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
(b)(Ii) |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11 October 2019 - NW740
Faber, Mr WF to ask the Minister of Finance
(1) Whether the National Treasury hosted any event and/or function related to its 2019 Budget Vote debate; if so, (a) where was each event held, (b) what was the total cost of each event and (c) what is the name of each person who was invited to attend each event as a guest; (2) Whether any gifts were distributed to guests attending any of the events; if so, (a) what are the relevant details of the gifts distributed and (b) who sponsored the gifts?
Reply:
1. The National Treasury did not host any event and / or function for their 2019 Budget Vote debate.
2. No.
09 October 2019 - NW952
Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Finance
With reference to the reply of the Minister of Small Business Development to question 128 on 14 August 2019, (a) what is the breakdown of the current Rand value of invoices older than 30 days that are not paid by each provincial government and (b) which provincial department is the worst offender in each case?
Reply:
- Table 1 below provides for the total Rand value of invoices older than 30 days and not paid at the end of March 2019 by provincial government departments which amounts to R 6.5 billion. The total Rand value of invoices older than 30 days and not paid for the period April 2019 to June 2019 (quarter 1) amounts to R4.2 billion.
Table 1: Breakdown of Rand value of invoices older than 30 days and not paid by provincial government departments
No. |
Provincial Government |
Rand Value of invoices |
Rand value of invoices |
Financial year 2018/2019 |
Quarter 1 2019/2020 |
||
1. |
Gauteng Provincial Government |
R 2,594,175,217 |
R 1,569,850,293 |
2. |
Eastern Cape Provincial Government |
R 2,106,056,624 |
R 1,801,248,512 |
3. |
North West Provincial Government |
R 425,920,679 |
R 334,279,273 |
4. |
Northern Cape Provincial Government |
R 383,727,433 |
R 3,017,092 |
5. |
Free State Provincial Government |
R 363,567,669 |
R 376,196,410 |
6. |
Limpopo Provincial Government |
R 253,168,817 |
R 22,928,479 |
7. |
Mpumalanga Provincial Government |
R 251,872,232 |
R 66,474,435 |
8. |
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government |
R 149,830,770 |
R 106,337,570 |
9. |
Western Cape Provincial Government |
R 240,497 |
R 495,083 |
TOTAL |
R 6,528,559,938 |
R 4,280,827,148 |
- Table 2 below provides information related to the worst offender with regards to the Rand value of invoices older than 30 days and not paid with the department of Health recorded as the worst offender in 8 provincial government.
Table 2: Worst offenders with regards to Rand value of invoices older than 30 days and not paid by provincial departments.
No. |
Provincial Government |
Worst Performing Department |
Rand Value of invoices |
Rand Value of invoices |
Financial Year 2018/2019 |
Quarter 1 2019/2020 |
|||
1. |
Gauteng Provincial Government |
Health |
R 2,511,355,983 |
R 1,398,653,153 |
2. |
Eastern Cape Provincial Government |
Health |
R 2,099,576,206 |
R 1,786,003,732 |
3. |
North West Provincial Government |
Health |
R 372,225,614 |
R 310,045,484 |
4. |
North Cape Provincial Government |
Health |
R 366,823,789 |
R 2,724,850 |
5. |
Free State Provincial Government |
Health |
R 328,806,217 |
R 354,418,156 |
6. |
Limpopo Provincial Government |
Health |
R 228,412,055 |
R 19,694,056 |
7. |
Mpumalanga Provincial Government |
Health |
R 251,872,232 |
R 66,474,435 |
8. |
KZN Provincial Government |
Public Works |
R 59,287,827 |
Not reported as worst offender |
Education |
R 50,063,864 |
Not reported as worst offender |
||
Health |
R 30,619,310 |
R 74,545,388 |
||
9. |
Western Cape Provincial Government |
Education |
R 240,497 |
Not reported as worst offender |
Health |
Not reported as worst offender |
R 472,921 |
09 October 2019 - NW956
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Finance
(1) What has he found to be the reasons of the 10% decline in the 2017-18 unqualified audits without findings in comparison to the percentages of the past 10 years contained in the reports of the Auditor-General; (2) (a) What number of findings were linked to unauthorized, wasteful and fruitless expenditure, (b) what were the amounts in each case, (c)(i) what number of cases were referred to external bodies and (ii) what was the amount in each cases, (d) what number of the cases were referred as remedial cases and (e)(i) what number of these cases were issued with debt certificates and (ii) which government departments were responsible for the findings; (3) What reforms has the National Treasury put in place to mitigate the unauthorized, wasteful and fruitless expenditure?
Reply:
Municipality information
- This must be referred to the Office of the Auditor-General for a response.
- This must be referred to the Office of the Auditor-General for a response.
- With regards to municipalities, the National Treasury in conjunction with the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG) developed the Municipal Public Accounts (MPAC) Guideline and Toolkit to assist MPACs to perform their oversight and other related responsibilities, which include reviewing and recommending to Council actions or otherwise relating to the expediting and conclusion of unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure (UIF&W) processes. This guideline and toolkit was supported by Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) Circular 92 which further supports the effective functioning and decision-making of councillors serving on MPACs.
The National and provincial treasuries provided training to councillors serving on the MPAC in consultation with DCoG and South African Local Government Association (SALGA). As at the end of March 2019, the MPAC Guideline and Toolkit have been rolled out and a total of 875 MPAC Councillors and 205 municipal officials have been trained countrywide. Further training was provided to Municipal Disciplinary Board members to enable consequence management processes to be expedited in line with Chapter 15 of the MFMA read together with the Municipal Regulations on Financial Misconduct Procedures and Criminal Proceedings. These are being monitored by national and provincial treasuries for actions and resolutions taken. It should be noted that progress in this area has been slow, as it depends on finalisation of the investigation process.
One of the biggest causes of irregular expenditure relates to non-compliance with Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes and procedures, particularly the awarding of awards to persons in the service of the state which is prohibited in terms of the Municipal Supply Chain Management Regulations. The National Treasury issued MFMA Circular 81, which introduced the Central Suppliers Database that requires all suppliers to be registered on the database. The database interfaces with South African Revenue Services, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission and government’s payroll system and assists municipalities with some of the necessary verification. The system verifies supplier’s tax and BEE status, and enable public sector officials doing business with the state to be identified. Thus, if used correctly it will assist in reducing incidences where municipalities award contracts to persons in the service of the state, in non-compliance with the SCM Regulations.
Municipalities have also been incorrectly applying SCM Regulation 32, which enables municipalities to procure goods and services under a contract secured by another organ of state, which has also contributed to the irregular expenditure. In July 2019, the National Treasury issued MFMA Circular 96 which provides further elaboration to municipalities on the principles captured in Regulation 32 of the SCM Regulations when procuring goods or services from contracts secured by other organs of state. The correct application will assist in the number of incidences of non-compliance and further reduce the irregular expenditure.
During 2018/19 support was prioritised to the 10 municipalities with the highest UIF&W, making up over R24 billion. The National and provincial treasuries have engaged these municipalities to assist with the processes to address the UIF&W, to identify the root causes and to put measures in place to address the recurrence of the incidences that resulted in the UIF&W.
It should be emphasised that it is the responsibility of municipalities to hold officials and councillors to account for any compliance with the MFMA in keeping with the underlying principles in the legal framework. It is also the responsibility of the municipalities to put measures in place to avoid any non-compliance with the MFMA.
Further detailed actions taken should be addressed to the respective municipal executive and administration.
Departments and public entity information
The graphs below shows a comparative analysis of unqualified audits with no findings of all national and provincial PFMA compliant institutions over a period of five (5) financial years from 2013/2014 to 2017/2018. Information on unqualified audits with no findings for the previous five (5) years from 2013/2014 can be obtained from the Auditor-General for a response.
Decrease in a percentage of unqualified audits with no findings is attributable to areas of non-compliance findings mainly on, material misstatements, unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure, expenditure management, procurement management and consequence management.
(2)(a) This information can obtained from the Auditor-General for a response.
(b) The graphs below shows a comparative analysis related to amount of unuathorised, irregular and fruitless and wasteful and expenditure incurred by PFMA compliant institutions at national level from 2013/2014 to 2017/2018. Information related to unuathorised, irregular and fruitless and wasteful and expenditure incurred by PFMA compliant institutions at provincial level can be obtained from the Auditor-General for a response.
- (i) & (ii) This information can obtained from the Auditor-General for a response.
- (i) & (ii) This information can obtained from the Auditor-General for a response.
(3) Section 38(1)(h)(iii) and section 51(1)(e) of the PFMA require accounting officers for departments, trading entities and constitutional institutions and accounting authorities of public entities to take effective and appropriate disciplinary steps against any official who makes or permits fruitless and wasteful expenditure. In terms of section 81(1)(b) and section 83(1)(b) of the PFMA, accounting officers for departments or constitutional institutions and accounting authorities of public entities commit an act of financial misconduct if that accounting officer or accounting authority wilfully or negligently makes or permits a fruitless and wasteful expenditure. Therefore it is the responsibility of accounting officers or accounting authorities to address consequence management and ensure maintenance of proper governance systems in their respective institutions.
In May 2014 and 2015, National Treasury issued the first guidelines on Irregular, Fruitless and Wasteful and Unauthorised Expenditure which were aimed at providing accounting officers and accounting authorities with clarity on treatment of those expenditures.
New Frameworks dealing with irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure were further introduced by National Treasury 2019 as Treasury Instructions to give legal effect to the process that must be followed by accounting officers and accounting authorities. These frameworks are aimed at enhancing the understanding, interpretation an application of legislative provisions dealing with these expenditures. Thus far 64 PFMA compliant institutions have been trained on these frameworks. Accounting officers and accounting authorities of national institutions are also required to report to National Treasury and accounting officers and accounting authorities of provincial institutions are required to their respective provincial treasuries on any irregular, unauthorized and fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred, regular assessments, and determination of losses, criminal conduct and investigations of persons responsible for incurring such expenditures. This report also requires information on the process followed by accounting officers and accounting authorities in dealing with the recovery of any losses incurred, referral of criminal cases and approval process of expenditure free losses or criminal conduct.
09 October 2019 - NW934
Hill-Lewis, Mr GG to ask the Minister of Finance
(1) What (a) is the total amount of sovereign-guaranteed debt that was raised for the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), (b) was the coupon and duration of the bonds and (c) amount has been paid on the bonds (i) in each of the past five financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2019; (2) Whether any new bonds have been raised in order to roll over the credit on the original bonds; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) What has he found to be the impact of low revenue collection on (a) the credit rating of the SA National Roads Agency and (b) the interest rate of raising a further bond; (4)(a) What are the details of the National Treasury’s proposed financing model for the second phase of the GFIP and (b) by what date will additional bonds be raised in this regard?
Reply:
- (a), (b), (c) (i) and (ii),
SANRAL does not report their guarantee usage in terms of drawdowns on a project basis and as such, the only amount available is the total guaranteed debt of SANRAL, which represents exposure for government. As at 31 March 2019, this amount was R39.5 billion, which includes accrued interest and revaluations on inflation linked debt.
2. Yes, new bonds have been issued in the 2019/20 financial year. All bonds that have been issued in the 2019/20 financial year were issued under the R31.9 billion guaranteed Domestic Medium-Term Note. These were issued through private placements
The first issuance was a floating rate note (HWF11 bond) and was issued on 15 July 2019 amounting to R2 billion (nominal). The bond has a maturity date of 15 July 2022 and has interest payments linked to the 3-month JIBAR that is paid quarterly and a margin of 147 basis points over the JIBAR rate. This was a new note.
The second bond issuance was the HWAY35 bond on 15 July 2019 amounting R200 million of which the HWAY35 was an existing bond introduced initially in 2010. The bond has a maturity date of 31 July 2035. The bond has a fixed coupon rate of 9.25% per annum payable semi-annually in arrears.
The third bond issuance was on 29 July 2019 and was a floating rate note/bond (HWF12 bond) that has a maturity date of 29 July 2022. Amounts raised through this issuance was R1.650 billion. The interest payments are linked to the 3-month JIBAR and are paid quarterly. The interest is paid at JIBAR plus a margin of 147 basis points. This was a new note.
The fourth bond issuance was also on 29 July 2019 and was an issuance amount of R150 million related on the HWAY35 fixed rate bond (the details of the bond are as above).
3. (a),
At this point the full impact of the low revenue collection is unknown and it will become clear once the audited financial results are made public. However, the loss in income due to GFIP in 2017/18 had to be covered through the fiscus by an amount of R463 million. In terms of the impact on SANRAL’s credit rating, the entity’s rating agency has a better understanding of what the impact of lower toll collections will be and will consider other variables.
(b),
It is difficult to attribute the cost of funding or SANRAL’s interest rates to one variable or factor. However, what National Treasury has established is that SANRAL, similar to other state-owned entities have been borrowing at higher interest rates relative to their peers. For instance, SANRAL’s recent issuances have been at higher interest rates compared to corporates with similar credit ratings. As an illustration, corporates with similar credit ratings to SANRAL (i.e. AAA credit rating by Moody’s) who have issued floating rate bonds with similar tenures (3 years) have been borrowing at 3 months JIBAR and spreads of between 100 basis points and 145 basis points with no Government guarantee. However, SANRAL on the back of a Sovereign guarantee or Government guarantee borrowed at 3 months JIBAR and a spread of 147 basis points. What is clear is that the cost of funding is high relative to corporates but it is unclear if this relates to the low toll collections.
4. (a) and (b)
Government officials together with SANRAL are engaging on the model for GFIP and tolling as a whole. Various options are being considered and will be communicated by the relevant officials. That includes the funding model.
30 September 2019 - NW799
Ntlangwini, Ms EN to ask the Minister of Finance
What is the (a) total amount of each unclaimed (i) pension, (ii) funeral and (iii) investment benefit that is held by each (aa) private institution that is responsible for managing the assets and (b)(i) name of each specified institution and (ii) total amount owed in each case?
Reply:
a) The total number of unclaimed (i) Pension and (ii) Funeral benefit
Details |
Rand Amount |
Cases |
Funeral Benefit |
R1 197 422.62 |
138 |
Total unclaimed Benefit (July 2019) |
R664 186 398.71 |
17 558 |
(iii) The GPAA do not deal with investment of funds.
30 September 2019 - NW27
Maimane, Mr MA to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)(a) What are the terms of reference of the SA Revenue Service’s tax inquiry into Bosasa and persons associated with Bosasa and (b) by what date is the inquiry expected to be completed; (2) whether the inquiry will investigate the R500 000 donation made by Bosasa to the CR17 African National Congress presidential campaign of the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether, in line with the provision of section 69(2)(d) of the Tax Administration Act, Act 28 of 2011, the specified R500 000 donation was declared for (a) income and/or (b) donations tax; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The questions relate to taxpayer information provided by a taxpayer and taxpayer information obtained by SARS in respect of a taxpayer. SARS is prohibited from disclosing such taxpayer information in terms of section 68 (1)(b) of the Tax Administration Act, Act 28 of 2011
SARS GOVERNANCE IN RESPECT OF OUR CASE SELECTION
The legislative provisions governing tax inquiries is contained in Chapter 5 of the Tax Administration Act, No. 28 of 2011 (“TAA”). A tax inquiry is a formal process with witnesses subpoenaed and evidence being led under oath or solemn declaration, but it remains an information gathering mechanism.
We think it would be helpful to share members of parliament what process we follow when a matter comes to our attention.
SARS has an independent case selection methodology to protect the governance of how matters are followed up to ensure that there is a verifiable trail that informs how cases are selected.
When a matter comes to SARS’ attention, it is reviewed and evaluated to ensure the validity or merit of the case. Once we have applied our minds and possible grounds are established the case is then further investigated and should additional information be required, there are a number of instruments at SARS disposal that can be utilised to collect relevant information such as:
- a request for relevant material;
- production of relevant material in person during an interview at a SARS office;
- inspection,
- audit or criminal investigation;
- tax inquiry before a presiding officer;
- and search and seizure.
Based on the facts of the case the most appropriate investigative approach will be selected within the legal framework of legislation administered by the Commissioner for SARS.
The legislative provisions governing tax inquiries is contained in Chapter 5 of the Tax Administration Act, No. 28 of 2011 (“TAA”). A tax inquiry is a formal process with witnesses subpoenaed and evidence being led under oath or solemn declaration, but it remains an information gathering mechanism.
Before an inquiry into the tax affairs of a person may be held, SARS must apply through an ex parte application to a judge of the High Court for an order designating a person to act as a presiding officer, the order, will also be specific to the ambit of the inquiry. According to section 56 of the TAA, the tax inquiry is private and confidential. The secrecy provisions of the TAA apply to all the persons present at questioning, including the persons being questioned.
Information disclosed during an inquiry constitutes taxpayer information and is subject to the confidentiality provisions of the TAA, which regulate the disclosure of taxpayer information. The information obtained during the inquiry will be used by SARS to conduct investigations into the taxpayer’s affairs, to establish, whether the taxpayers complied with their obligation in terms of the relevant tax acts administered by the Commissioner for SARS.
Due to the confidentiality provisions contained in the TAA, SARS, is accordingly not in a position to provide any specific information pertaining to the ambit of the inquiry outside of the specified provisions.
17 September 2019 - NW653
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)What is the annual contribution by foreign-owned businesses operating within the borders of the Republic to the gross domestic product, in particular businesses owned by (a) Chinese, (b) Pakistani, (c) Somali, (d) Bangladeshi, (e) Nigerian nationals and (f) all others; (2) (a) what number of the specified businesses are registered for value-added tax and pay tax and (b) has he found that this constitutes 100 per cent of all businesses owned by foreign nationals trading within the Republic; (3) whether he has been informed of reports that the Republic allegedly loses R7 billion annually in revenue due to foreign-owned tuck shops that have replaced local spaza shops; if so, (a) can he verify such reports and (b) what are the relevant details in this regard?
Reply:
South Africa has enjoyed substantial Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and seeks to grow FDI in order to improve economic growth. FDI ranges from small investments to billion Rand investments by multinational enterprises.
“Business ownership” structures and compositions are varying in nature. Businesses can be incorporated and established in the Republic for example as either a sole proprietorship, partnership; proprietary limited company and, public company.
The shareholder ownership composition as well can vary between 100% locally owned, 100% foreign-owned, a combination of both local and foreign ownership (i.e. Foreign-owned can include 100%, 50.1%, 25% or something in between). Furthermore, stock exchange listed companies can be owned by persons from over 240 countries worldwide.
Foreign-owned businesses can include companies, sole proprietorships, partnerships and so forth that have indicated to be non-South African in their records with SARS.
The top three countries that contribute to foreign-owned businesses in the Republic are the United Kingdom, United States and Germany.
1. Per the SARS records, the annual contribution by foreign-owned businesses that include but are not limited to companies, sole proprietorships and, partnerships that are trading in the Republic is approximately R2.4 trillion gross income declared per tax returns submitted for the tax year 2017.
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)
The SARS does not maintain a distinction of foreign-owned businesses based on country of nationality in our records. Our records only reflect the classification of foreign-owned businesses where the taxpayer completed the required indicator or specified the country of nationality.
2. (a) Of the 14 269 foreign-owned businesses on our records, 1 266 are registered and contribute to value-added tax (VAT).
(b) The VAT return filing rate is 52.09% with a correlating VAT payment compliance rate of 88.15% as per the SARS annual report for 2018/19. SARS is on an ongoing journey to improve compliance and close the tax gap through compliance interventions in both the formal and informal sectors.
3. The report in question Shifting Market Frontiers: Africa Rising indicates that South Africa has an estimated annual revenues of R7 billion from “spaza shops” that are operated in the Republic that can be owned by both South Africans and Foreign nationals.
There has been no record or evidence found that “the Republic allegedly loses R7 billion…”, it has been noted per aforementioned report that the “estimated annual revenues of R7bn, spaza shops are a significant retail channel in South Africa, especially in townships and informal settlements. This stems from the fact that their business structure is established to cater to the buying patterns, rising purchasing power and product preferences of consumers living there”. As such, spaza shops play a vital role in serving local communities as part of the informal economy.
This segment does contribute to indirect taxes (Value-add Tax) through their purchasing from suppliers and direct taxes (Income Tax) on their income earned. SARS endeavors to expand efforts through our outreach programme by way of clarification, awareness and education to improve compliance efforts with traders alike.
17 September 2019 - NW575
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)What number of (a) security, (b) cleaning and (c) general worker personnel who work in buildings, facilities and all other infrastructure are employed through tenders obtained by their companies or third party service providers at the (i) Development Bank of Southern Africa and (ii) SA Revenue Service; (2) what total amount does the Development Bank of Southern Africa and the SA Revenue Service spend from their current budget on security, cleaning and general worker personnel who work in their buildings, facilities and all other infrastructure?
Reply:
DBSA
Number of workers: (None of these workers sourced through tenders since insourcing dates)
Personnel |
Number |
Comments |
Cleaning |
19 |
DBSA insourced the cleaning workers June 2015 |
Security |
15 |
DBSA insourced the security workers July 2016 |
General workers |
22 |
Consist of all Facilities’ workers excluding Manager, Supervisors, Cleaning and Security staff – general workers always permanent employees of DBSA |
Total amount spend FY 2018/19: (Total Cost to Bank)
Personnel |
Rand |
Cleaning |
3,425,033 |
Security |
6,402,059 |
General workers |
5,158,569 |
SARS
1. SARS has contracted, through service providers,
a) eight hundred and thirty one (831) security officers on a contractual basis and one hundred and seventy (170) on an ad-hoc basis for annual SARS peak periods that include the tax filing season and the festive season increase experienced at Ports of Entries;
b) seven hundred and sixty nine (769) cleaning personnel deployed by the appointed service providers for the SARS offices nationally;
c) no general workers are contracted by SARS.
2. Estimated spend on security service providers who are contracted to safeguard all SARS buildings, facilities and infrastructure is approximately R150 million per annum. SARS spends on average R69.6 million per annum on cleaning services nationally. SARS has not contracted any general workers through service providers; therefore no spending has been done in this regard.
17 September 2019 - NW473
Hill-Lewis, Mr GG to ask the Minister of Finance
What number of (a) National Treasury officials have been investigated for the abuse of market-sensitive information (i) in each of the past three calendar years and (ii) since 1 January 2019 and (b) the specified investigations have led to (i) dismissals and (ii) the institution of criminal charges?
Reply:
a) (i) 2016 - Nil
2017 - Nil
2018 - Nil
(ii) Since 1 January 2019 - Nil
(b) (i) Dismissals - Nil
(ii) Criminal charges - Nil
17 September 2019 - NW671
Hill-Lewis, Mr GG to ask the Minister of Finance
What is the (a) average time taken to process payouts from the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) and (b) cause of the delay in pension payout from the GEPF to Ms Robin-Lee Fortune?
Reply:
a) The average time it takes to process claims are 33-days.
b) Ms Robin-Lee Fortune should enquire herself directly from the GEPF why there was a delay in the payment of the benefit.
17 September 2019 - NW651
Wessels, Mr W to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)What (a) is the total number of technical advisors who are currently deployed by the National Treasury under Programme 8 and (b) is the name of each (i) municipality and (ii) provincial department to which each technical advisor is currently deployed; (2) whether he has found that there is any improvement as a result of Programme 8 with respect to the financial management of the specified municipalities and provincial departments; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the progress related to the specific tasks of each advisor is monitored; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) what is the (a) specific task of each technical advisor and (b) cost to the National Treasury with respect to each technical advisor; (5) whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
(1) What (a) is the total number of technical advisors who are currently deployed by the National Treasury under Programme 8 and (b) is the name of each (i) municipality and (ii) provincial department to which each technical advisor is currently deployed?
(a) There were 82 MFIP technical advisors deployed under the Municipal Finance Improvement Programme (MFIP) as at 30 August 2019.
(b) Attached kindly find annexure ‘A’ which details the deployment of the 83 technical advisors per municipality, National Treasury (NT) and provincial treasuries (PTs).
(2) whether he has found that there is any improvement as a result of Programme 8 with respect to the financial management of the specified municipalities and provincial departments; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
The MFIP III context
The current phase three of the MFIP, which commenced on 1 April 2017 and ends 31 March 2020, is a strategically-driven programme of technical assistance aligned to the six Local Government Financial Management (LGFM) game changers, viz. funded budgets, revenue management, mSCOA implementation, asset management, supply chain management and audit outcomes. The overall strategic goals of the MFIP are to facilitate improved local government financial management capacity, enhanced budget and financial management practices and improved audit outcomes through the provision of direct technical capacity support.
Accordingly, the MFIP III is designed to build the institutional and technical financial management capacity of the National Treasury (NT), provincial treasuries (PTs) and Municipalities. This is mainly achieved through the placement of technical advisors (TAs) within the MFMA support units of national and provincial treasuries, and the Budget and Treasury Offices (BTOs) of municipalities.
Almost 50% of the TAs were sourced by November 2017 with the remaining TAs sourced between January 2018 and August 2019. It should thus be noted that the actual date of deployment is directly associated with the extent of improvements shown.
Has there been any improvement as a result of MFIP with respect to the financial management of the specified municipalities and provincial departments? If yes, provide some details:
Yes, there has been improvement, in some of the following financial management areas:
2.1 Supply Chain Management
a) Capacitation of Councillors specifically in dealing with Unauthorised Irregular Fruitless and Wasteful Expenditure (UIF&W) which has resulted in some municipalities that did not have functional MPACs establishing such committees.
b) Establishment of Disciplinary Boards in most of the municipalities now monitoring implementation of the implementation of this reform.
c) Evaluation for alignment of SCM Policy to the legislation and reforms resulting in municipalities increasingly complying with applicable regulations. There has been a marked decline in the utilisation of SCM regulation 32 which was a major source of irregular expenditure for municipalities.
2.2 Audit outcomes
a) Most municipalities with Municipal Advisors improved or retained their previous audit opinions in the 2017/18 financial year, as outlined below:
- 3 out 15 or 20% of municipalities improved on their audit outcomes;
- 4 out 15 or 26% of municipalities retained their unqualified audit opinion;
- 3 out of 15 or 20% of municipalities retained their qualified audit opinion;
- 4 out 15 or 26% of municipalities retained their disclaimed audit opinion; and
- 1 out of 15 or 8% of municipalities regressed from qualified to disclaimer audit opinion
2.3 Asset management
- Reviewed and updated the asset management policies and standard operating procedures for 59 municipalities.
- Drafted and circulated various methodologies and guidelines to assist municipalities on how they can correctly apply the GRAP standards on Property, Plant and Equipment, Investment Property, Intangible assets, Heritage assets and Inventory
- Training and capacity building for municipal officials for 65 municipalities on asset management practices such as
- GRAP compliance when valuing and accounting for the municipality’s assets
- Implementation of municipal asset management policy and procedures
- Internal control systems of assets and liabilities, including an asset and liability register, as prescribed
2.4 The following are some of the key institutional and technical factors that contribute to areas that do not show the requisite improvements?
- Some provincial treasuries and municipalities are severely incapacitated by the absence of staff (warm bodies) in the MFMA units and BTOs respectively impacting adversely on the programme’s impact.
- Some MPACs and Councils not taking decisive action (consequence management) to deal with officials responsible for causing UIF&W expenditure resulting in recurrence of such incidents.
- Municipalities adopting unfunded budgets, which generally leads to cash flow challenges during the financial year.
- Poor revenue management, cash flow management and expenditure management practices resulting in liquidity and business continuity risks.
- Severe cashflow challenges is experienced by a number of municipalities resulting in high level of fruitless and wasteful expenditure (interest payable on overdue accounts) emanating from the late or non-payment of ESKOM, water board and other creditor accounts.
- Over reliance on external service providers to perform functions like the preparation of annual financial statements and the compilation of fixed asset registers.
- Poor asset management, ageing infrastructure and low levels of maintenance resulting in high distribution losses and service delivery breakdowns or interruptions.
- Municipalities not budgeting, transacting or reporting in/from their core financial system (FS) impacting the quality and reliability of financial information.
- Poor or non-implementation by municipalities of audit action plans to effectively address the root causes of audit findings.
(3) Whether the progress related to the specific tasks of each advisor is monitored; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
Yes, the progress related to the specific tasks of each advisor is monitored by the MFIP Programme Management Unit (PMU) as part of the overall performance management protocols of the programme. The following are the key steps involved:
-
- Each advisor prepares a support plan or workplan, in line with the original scope of work, within one to three months after appointment and placement for approval by the relevant entity and the PMU;
- Each advisor captures his/her effort/time daily on the Capture Effort Application against the approved support- or workplan. This is then reviewed and approved by the relevant NT Director/ Chief Director/ Senior Advisor/ Director at the PMU.
- Monthly reports for each advisor are submitted to the PMU signed off by the Municipal Manager / NT Chief Director and/ or PT MFMA Coordinator.
- Formal performance reviews of all technical advisors are conducted bi-annually by the PMU in consultation with the relevant NT, PT or municipal counterparts.
(4) What is the (a) specific task of each technical advisor and (b) cost to the National Treasury with respect to each technical advisor;
a) Each technical advisor signs a support plan or workplan that details the specific key focus areas, functional areas, tasks/activities and timelines that they will be performing, in accordance with the original scope of work published in the procurement terms of reference. The support- or workplan is also signed by the counterpart at the relevant entity and approved by the MFIP PMU.
(b) The cost of each technical advisor is capped as follows:
- Senior Advisors are currently paid on average R861.12 per hour and are contracted for a maximum of 1 840 hours per annum, amounting to an average annual cost of R1 584 460.80 exclusive of VAT per senior advisor.
- Advisors and Specialists are currently paid on average R807.30 per hour and are contracted for a maximum of 1 840 hour per annum, amounting to an average annual cost of R1 485 432.00 exclusive of VAT per advisor or specialist.
(5) Whether he will make a statement on the matter?
The Minister is prepared to make a statement relating to the above responses.
08 August 2019 - NW79
Khawula, Ms MS to ask the Minister of Finance
Has the National Treasury investigated the impact of the manipulation of the Rand by various commercial banks, in particular ABSA, as found by the Competition Commission; if not, why not; if so, what were the findings? NW1036E
Reply:
No, the National Treasury has not investigated such impact, as neither the National Treasury nor the South African Reserve Bank have any evidence that any bank has taken part in currency manipulation, as indicated in our previous replies to oral question 57 and 245 submitted on 29 March 2019, and will repeat the essence of those replies below.
We are not aware that the Competition Commission has made any finding on the manipulation of the rand, but is investigating a case of price fixing and market allocation in the trading of foreign currency pairs involving the Rand, which it has referred to the Competition Tribunal for prosecution. The currency market is a deep and liquid market, and it is difficult to determine any material or long-lasting impact of any one transaction on the level or value of the currency.
It is important for members to differentiate between the impact of any transaction on consumers and the impact on the value of the rand – the investigation before the Competition Commission appears to be related more to the conduct of bank traders towards clients, rather than providing evidence of their affecting the actual value of the rand.
We should all await the outcome of the Competition Commission’s investigation before acting on them. I am also happy to invite the Honourable Member to provide any other evidence he may have on any currency manipulation to the Commission and/or National Treasury.
08 August 2019 - NW388
Sarupen, Mr AN to ask the Minister of Finance
(1) Whether the National Treasury will provide any financial assistance to the Sedibeng District Municipality to compensate for a R25 million operational deficit in its 2019-20 budget; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether he has found that the specified district municipality’s financial recovery plan will be successful; if not, what is the position in this regard?
Reply:
1. The National Treasury does not provide financial assistance to municipalities. An operational deficit indicates that the municipality’s operating expenses exceeds the revenue. Failure to contain costs while not realising anticipated revenue collection levels results in operating deficits. The first approach is for the municipality to implement cost containment measures and reduce the operating expenses.
Given that Sedibeng is a delegated municipality, the Gauteng Provincial Treasury will continue to support the municipality to ensure that it adopts a funded budget going forward.
2. Currently the municipality does not have a financial recovery plan. However, reference should be made to chapter 13 of the Municipal Finance Management Act, (Act No. 56 of 2003) on the process to be followed for resolution of financial challenges.