Questions & Replies: State Security
2012-12-31
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Reply received: December 2012
Question No. 3406
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 42 -2012)
QUESTION NO. 3406
Mr G G Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
Whether (a) his department and/or (b) any entity reporting to him sponsored and (i) event and (ii) promotion hosted by The New Age newspaper since its establishment; if so, in each case, (aa) what was the nature of the event or promotion,(bb)on which date was it held, (cc) what amount was paid, (dd) for what purpose, (ee) from which budget were the funds derived, (ff) what were the expected benefits to his department and (gg) what actual benefits were derived from the sponsorship?
NW4315E
REPLY:
No
Reply received: December 2012
Question No. 3391
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:
[INTERNAL QUEST ION PAPER NO. 42 -2012)
QUESTION NO. 3391
Mr N J van den Berg (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security
(a) How many copies of each annual report that was produced by (i) his department and (ii) the entities reporting to him were commissioned for print in the 2011-12 financial year, (b) how many copies were actually printed and (c) what were the (if total and (ii) individual costs of printing these reports;
(2) (a) who printed each specified report, (b) how was the specified printing services provider decided upon and (c) on what date did the specified printing services provider deliver the report to the specified entity;
(3) whether any of the specified reports that had been printed were found to be unsatisfactory; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, in each case, 9a) which reports, (b) for which entity , (c) by which printing services provider, (d) what action was taken and (e) what were the costs?
NW4297E
REPLY:
Nil. Asa matter of policy SSA does not commission any printing of reports as this is done internally and we are satisfied with the quality thereof.
Reply received: December 2012
Question No. 3277
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 41 -2012}
QUESTION NO. 3277
Mr E J Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
(1) Whether (a) his department or (b) any entity reporting to him, places any advertisement in The Mew Age since the inception of the newspaper up until the most recent date for which information is available; if not, in each case, what is the position in this regard, if so, (i) which entity placed the advertisements, (ii) on what date was each advertisement placed, (iii) what was the nature of each advertisement and (iv) what amount was spent on each advertisement;
(2) Whether any of these advertisements were placed through the Government Communication and Information System. (GCIS) ; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details of the advertisements placed through the GCIS.
(3) Whether an independent analysis was conducted by his department prior to placing advertisements to ascertain whether The New Age is read by the intended target market; if not, why not, if so , (a) who conducted the analysis and (b) what were the main (i) findings and (ii) recommendations of said analysis;
(4) Whether any independent studies of said advertisements were conducted to ascertain whether they were effective within the relevant target market; if not, why not; if so, (a) who conducted the analysis and (b) what were the main (i) findings and recommendations of said analysis?
REPLY:
(1)The SSA did not put adverts through the specified newspapers, however,
(2)The SSA put adverts through GCIS who then put adverts through various media industry. Radio, television and various print media, amongst others, Sowetan, Daily Sun, New Age, Beeld, Diamond Field Advertiser, Daily Dispatch, Isolezwe,
llanga etc
(3) GCIS, as part of it's mandate, conducts research of the suitability of communication performs for use by government.
(4) GCIS conducts media analysis on ail communication campaigns in order to ensure effectiveness of such campaigns.
Reply received: November 2012
QUESTION NO. 3178
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security
(1) Whether his department is currently subscribed to The New Age (TNA) newspaper; if so, (a) how many subscriptions does his department have, (b) when was each subscription initiated, (c) what has been the annual subscription fee for each specified subscription since it was initiated and (d) what is the exact purpose of each subscription;
(2) Whether a discount was negotiated for any of the specified subscriptions; if so, (a) for which specified subscriptions and (b) what discount in each case;
(3) Whether his department has mass-purchased the TNA on an ad hoc basis since the inception of the newspaper; if so, (a) on what dates, (b) how many copies in each case (c) why were the papers purchased in each case;
(4) Whether (a) the publishers of the TNA and (b) any other entity donated copies of the paper to (i) has department and (ii) any entity reporting to him; if so, in each case, (aa) which entity donated the papers, (bb) to which entity were they donated and (cc) how many copies were donated?
NW4018E
REPLY:
(1) Yes, like many other newspapers
(a) There are Nine (09) subscriptions for the entire SSA.
(b) One copy since the first publication of the newspaper on 06 December 2010 and 8 copies since September2011.
(c) The annual subscription fee the subscriptions amount to R6 420 per annum
(d) The newspaper is utilised mainly for research and analysis.
(2) No we don't deal with publishers but distributors
(3) No.
Reply received: December 2012
Question No. 3021
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:
{INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 36 -2012)
QUESTION NO. 3021
Mr. M R Sayedali Shah (DA) to ask the Minister of Sate Security:
Whether the accounting officer submitted the annual financial statements for the financial year ending 31 March 2012 to him by 31 August 2012' if not, (a) why not and (b) on what date (i) were the statements submitted to him and (ii) did he submit the annual report and financial statements to Parliament?
REPLY:
The Annual Financial statements were prepared and submitted to the Minister of State Security as part of the State Security Agency Annual Report on 31 August 2012.
Reply received: October 2012
Question No. 2746
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:
(INTERNAL QUESTION APAPER NO. 32 -2012 QUESTION NO, 2746)
QUESTION NO. 2746
Mr LS Ngonyama (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
Whether the recent re-evaluation and upholding of the judgment against, and subsequent incarceration of, certain persons (names and details furnished) have strengthened his department's resolve to fight through drug and crime intelligence against syndicates (a) operating in the country and (b) conducting cross-border crimes from South Africa; if not, what is the position in this regard: if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The SSA is an active participant and key role player in joint operations with other law enforcement agencies to combat crime, of which drug trafficking is but one aspect The Agency also plays a supportive role in assisting the relevant state departments with their investigations towards the successful apprehension and prosecution of individuals involved in Crime syndicates and networks. This is not only related to drug trafficking but also other forms or organised crimes as these impact negatively on national security, Secondly, the SSA acts in co-operation with neighboring countries, as well as other states to combat cross border and transnational organised criminal activities. Detailed operational information can however not be provided as this may compromise on-going investigations
Reply received: September 2012
QUESTION NO. 2315
Mr. S Esau (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
(a) What steps has he taken to give effectto the performance agreement thathe signed with the President in 2010, (b)what outcomes have been measured and (c) whatfollow-up steps has he taken regardto each specified outcome?
REPLY:
(a) The performance agreement of theMinister is underpinned by the following matters:
(b) At departmental level the performance agreement of the Minister is given effectthrough the Strategic plan and Annual Performance Plans of the department which contains clear strategic objectivesand outputs. In order to obtain a clear indication of the extent of the measurability of
the outcomes the honourable member is referred tothe 201 1/2012 Annual Report of the SSA.
(c) No follow-up action has been necessary.
Reply received: August 2012
Question No. 1983
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: (lNTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 21 -2012)
QUESTION NO. 1983
Mr J R B Lorimer (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
whether any entity reporting to him as budgeted for (a) financial donations or (b) sponsorships in the (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11 and (iii) 2011-12 and(iv) 2012-13 financial years; if not; if SO, in each case, what amount was (aa) budgeted and (bb) spend? NW2372E
REPLY:
As far we can only find recent 12/13 expenditure of R50 000 in respect of ex gratia contribution towards the funeral of the member. In our budgeting processes there is no indication of budgeting for donations and sponsorships.
Reply received: October 2012
Question No. 1943
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 28-20121)
Question NO.1943
Mr D J Stubbe {DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
(1) How many commission of inquiry investigated matters of slate security since 1994;
(2) with reference to each specified commission of inquiry, (a} What was in (i) name of the head and(ii)titleofthe final report
, (b) on what date was the finalreport submitted and (c) What was the (i) total cost and(ii) What breakdown of such costs ? NW233E
Reply
No commissions of enquiry were establishedin terms of the Commissions Act, (Act No 8 of 1947) since 1994. However various task teamand committees were establishedby Ministersfrom time to time to review matterspertaining to Intelligence.
Reply received: June 2012
QUESTION 1472
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [N0 15 – 2012] DATE OF PUBLICATION: 1 June 2012
1472. Mr M Swart (DA) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:
(1) When was the current Director-General of his department appointed;
(2) whether the Director-General was appointed in a permanent capacity; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1749E
THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:
(1) 1November 2010.
(2) No. The Director-General was appointed on contract for a period of five (5) years,
Reply received: May 2012
QUESTION NO. 1108
Mrs. M Wenger (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
1. (a) What are the (i) yearly rental and (ii) floor space of the (aa) current and (bb) previous premises occupied by his department's Head Office and (b) when (i) was the current building occupied and (ii) does the current lease expire;
2. Whether his department publicly invited tenders prior to the leasing of the current premises; if not, why not; if so, (a) when, (b) where was it published and (c) which (I) companies and (ii) properties were short listed;
3. What (a) floor space was offered and (b) annual rental was tendered (i) by each short listed company and (ii) with regard to each short listed?
REPLY;
The State Security Agency (SSA) does not rent premises for its Head quarters as it own the
property.
Reply received: May 2012
QUESTION NO 902
Mr. MR Sayedali Shah (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
(1) How many days did he spend (a)(i) inside the country and (Ii) outside the country in the (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11 and (iii) 2011-12 financial years and (b) outside the country on average per year in each financial year;
(2) what was the total amount spend on (a)(i) international and (ii) domestic travel and (b) how was this amount broken down in terms of (aa) flights, (bb) accommodation and (cc) car hire in the (i) 2009·10, (ii) 2010·11 and (iii) 2011-12 financial year?
REPLY:
A similar question (no.2080 of 2011) was asked by Honorable DT George of the Democratic Alliance. As the answer remains the same we kindly refer the member to the answer table with Parliament.
Reply received: April 2012
Question No. 680
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER. [INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 7 - 2012]
QUESTlON NO.: 680
Mr. KS Mbubu (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
(I) Whether any intelligence officers have been found to have melted gold medals awarded them in line of service: if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, (a) how may intelligence officers, (b) what is the current value of the gold medals and (c) what reasons did they provide in each case for melting their gold medals;
(2) Whether any action has been taken against intelligence officers who were found to have melted their medals; if not, why not; if so, what (a) action and (b) are the further relevant details?
RESPONSE:
No member of the State Security Agency was found to have melted the gold medals awarded to them in the last financial year or the recent past.
However the Ministry is aware that one member made such request in the past and it was denied
Reply received: July 2012
Question No 880
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. -2012)
QUESTION NO. 880;
Mrs DA Schafer (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
I. What are the reasons why the cyber-crime policy has been transferred from the Communications portfolio to the Department of State Security;
2. Whether consideration was given to transfer this policy to the (a) Police or (b) Justice and Constitutional Development portfolios; if not, why not in each case; if so, why was each of these portfolio's not deemed the most suitable?
NW1058E
RESPONSE:
The JCPS cluster initiated a process for the development of the National Cyber Security Policy Framework (NCPF). The NCPF has since been approved by Cabinet.
The NCPF provides that:
- The SSA will be responsible far the coordination of the overall implementation of the NCPF as part of itsbroader National Security mandate.
- The Department of Communications wilt be responsible for the establishment of the Cyber security hub, initiate cyber security awareness programs and assist in the establishment of the Sector Computer Security Incident response teams.
Reply received: May 2012
QUESTION NO: 865
Mr. DJ Maynler to ask the Minister of State Security:
(1)With reference to the President's statement during his state of the nation address on 9February 2012 that initiatives include the vetting supply chain personnel in government departments, (a) what total number of supply chain personnel is employed and (b) how many supply chain personnel are employed in each specified (I) national government department, (ii) provincial department and (iii) municipality that requires to be vetted;
(2) whether his department has a plan for vetting such persons; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY:
Total number of Supply chain personnel employed (excluding personnel from the Eastern Cape provincial as well as municipality)
. 7274
Out of the above number, the SSA has received 551 new requests for security clearance applications from ail government departments. The following is the breakdown:
. Issued: 265
. Denied: 2
. In process: 284
It should also be noted that quite a number of the above-mentioned, i.e. 7 274, are due for upgrading of their security clearances, from both Confidential and Secret and Top Secret.
Number of supply chain personnel employed at the following that needs to be vetted,
(i) National Departments: 2216
(iI) Provincial Departments: 4546
(iii) Municipalities: 512
A plan for vetting of supply chain personnel in government departments
The SSA is currently in the process of finalizing the integrated National Vetting Strategy that will lead to the improvement in the turn around time and an increase in the number of files to be produced by individual vetting functionaries. It is foreseen that individual vetting functionaries, namely vetting fieldworkers will be able to complete 6-8 files per month compared to the current 3-4 files. With the current staff compliment of 168 vetting field workers. It is foreseen that 8064 files will be completed in 6months time,
The strategy also emphasizes the risk-based approach that will assist with the targeting of areas facing major risks and threats. To address the latter, a project approach will be adopted to accelerate the vetting of supply chain personnel.
The strategy also emphasizes the reduction of vetting fieldwork backlog by
increasing vetting evaluation backlog, a phenomenon that is manageable
compared to vetting fieldwork which is currently the situation. The Strategy also hints on the utilization of intelligence veterans and related entities that will greatly assist with reducing the vetting fieldwork backlog, including the vetting of supply chain personnel. Human capacity is also an element that has a negative impact on the delivery of service. A request to address the issue is also part of the envisaged strategy,
Reply received: March 2012
QUESTION NO. 608:
(1) Whether his department has experienced any (a) break-ins, (b)attempted break-ins and (c) fires in any of their offices (J) in (aa) 2009, (bb) 2010 and (cc) 2011 and (ii) during the period 1January 2012 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, if not, what is the position in this regard, if so, in each specified case, (aaa) how many, (bbb) where did the incident occur and (ccc) what part of the National Intelligence Structure was targeted; (2) whether (a) any departmental assets were stolen and (b) sensitive information was lost; if not; how was this conclusion reached, if so, what (i) assets and (ii) sensitive state information was stolen; (3) whether each specified incident was investigated; if not, why not; if so, (a) who investigated the incident and (b) what was the outcome of the investigation in each case; (4) Whether any (a) assets and (b) sensitive state information was recovered; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details, in each case?
REPLY:
The Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) was briefed in full on this
matter on the 151h February 2012. I therefore refer the Honorable Member to the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) as this question relates to sensitive information.
Reply received: April 2012
Question No. 500
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 7 -2012)
QUESTION NO. 500:
Mr RAP Trollip (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
Whether he met with the internal audit committee in the (a) 2010-2011 and (b) 2011-2012 financial year; if not, why not, if so (I on d i c h dates did they meet and (ii) what are the further relevant details?
RESPONSE:
The Minister met with the Audit Committee on 25 July 202 1 and the discussion was aimed at dealing with the Auditor-General's audit report for the financial year 2010/11 as well as challenges posed by restructuring which included non-approved structure, assetmanagement, IT implementation, internal controls and filling of documentation.