Questions & Replies: Presidency
2013-08-13
THIS FILE CAN CONTAIN UP TO 25 REPLIES.
SEARCH ON THE TOPIC/KEYWORD YOU ARE LOOKING FOR BY SELECTING CTRL + F ON YOUR KEYBOARD
Reply received: December 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 38 of 2013
3205. Mr T Botha (Cope) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) Whether he was informed that (a) in 2012 Interpol had named South Africa as the world's rape capital and (b) a certain study (details furnished) had found that one in four South African men had admitted to raping a woman;
(2) whether, as a consequence of these reports from different agencies, academics and media on rape in South Africa, he has (a) taken a leading role in addressing the accelerating rape crisis in the country, (b) instructed the Cabinet to implement forceful measures to bring this shameful crisis under control, (c) recommended a dynamic interaction of Government with civil society groups and faith leaders and (d) requested a report on the efficacy of the National Register for Sexual Offenders in relation to rape; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3765E
REPLY:
(1) (a) The suggestion that South Africa is the rape capital of the world is incorrect. The Interpol Secretariat General in France has indicated to the Interpol Desk in South Africa that they have no record of the phrase "Rape capital of the world'' in their publications.
(b) In the past few years, there have been many studies undertaken on rape, each with different results and findings. Notwithstanding this, each study is considered important as it assists Government in dealing with the scourge of rape, and it further enhances initiatives already put in place in dealing with the challenge.
(2) (a) Initiatives taken in response to addressing the accelerating rape crisis in the country include the following:
The Minister of the Police, during his Budget Vote Speech on the 6th of May 2010 announced that the re-establishment of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units. The Units there were increased from 66 units to 176 Units and from 1100 personnel to 2528 personnel in total. These 176 FCS units have been well resourced to enhance the effectiveness of the fight against women and children. Since the re-establishment of the FCS Units in the past three (3) years, FCS investigations has managed to secure more than 1100 life sentences for rape cases.
Additionally, a focused recruitment drive was undertaken to attract appropriately skilled personnel and specialized training was enhanced. The FCS units conduct awareness campaigns countrywide to sensitize and educate communities about the importance of reporting of crimes against women and children to the police. Schools, churches, old age homes, care centers, Izimbizo and community gatherings which include traditional leaders are some of the places wherein these awareness campaigns take place. Since the re-establishment of the FCS Units, about 2000 awareness campaigns have been conducted.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, acting under the leadership of the President of South Africa, established a Task Team to investigate the viability of re-establishing Sexual Offences Courts. In August 2013, the Minister officially received the investigation report from the Task Team, and publicly announced his decision to re-establish Sexual Offences Courts in South Africa, in support of the recommendations made by the Task Team. Since then, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development commenced with the execution of Phase 1 of the project, which requires the upgrading of the identified 57 regional courts into Sexual Offences Courts. Twenty two of these courts have been earmarked as priority courts, and their upgrading process is in progress.
In ensuring that the Sexual Offences Courts are established by law, the Judicial Matters Second Amendment Bill that empowers the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development to designate these courts into Sexual Offences Courts was developed. This Amendment Bill also requires the development of Regulations to guide the establishment, intersectoral resourcing and management of these courts. On the 19 November 2013, it was approved by the Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Development, and is now scheduled for the consideration by the National Council of Provinces on 21 November 2013.
The Department is in a process of developing the Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy for the effective management of the Sexual Offences Courts. The aim is to ensure that these courts (i) provide specialized victim-support services to reduce secondary traumatization often suffered by victims when they engage with the court system; (ii) improve the effectiveness of witnesses in the execution of their role in court; (iii) reduce the turnaround time in the finalization of sexual offences matters; and also (iv) improve the conviction rate in these cases.
(b) The issue of women and children has always been the priority of Government, particularly crimes against women and children. Cabinet Ministers and their departments, particularly the JCPS Cabinet cluster, are working tirelessly to implement initiatives to deal with the crime of rape.
There are Inter-Ministerial Committees established to reinforce political leadership and accountability in the national prevention and response to the rising figures of sexual violence in our country. To mention, but a few:
The Justice Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Inter-Ministerial Committee is chaired by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development. It is a political committee that exercises the oversight role in the execution of the JCPS Delivery Agreement of which Outcome 3 titled: 'All People in South Africa are and feel safe' also includes government intervention against sexual offences. It is also tasked with the responsibility to adopt the Annual Progress Reports compiled by all reporting government Departments on the implementation of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007 (Act No 32 of 2007) before they are tabled in Parliament by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development. The reporting Departments and institutions include the Departments of Justice and Constitutional Development, Social Development, Health, Correctional Services, South African Police Service, and the National Prosecuting Authority.
The National Council Against Gender-Based Violence: On the 25th of December 2011, Cabinet approved the establishment of the National Council Against Gender-Based Violence to provide a high-level multi-sectoral national response to gender-based violence. The significance of the Council is that it strengthens political leadership and accountability in all matters relating to the national monitoring of interventions against gender-based violence.
The Council is an inter-sectoral body that draws representation from government and civil society. Its broad plenary is set to be chaired by the Deputy President, whilst the functionary body is currently headed by the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Root Causes of Violence Against Women and Children: In May 2012 the cabinet mandated the Minister of Social Development to set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee to investigate the root causes of violence against women and children. This resulted in the establishment of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Root Causes on Violence against Women and Children. This Committee is chaired by the Minister of Social Development, and its membership comprises of the Ministers of Justice and Constitutional Development; Women, Children and People with Disabilities; Home Affairs; Police and Basic Education.
The work of this Committee is still in progress, and it will certainly contribute towards the improvement of the country response to and prevention of sexual violence. Its establishment ought to be viewed as the demonstration of the dedicated and firm commitment of the Cabinet to the protection of the constitutional guarantees of women and children against all forms of violence against women, particularly rape.
(c) The Partnership approach has always been the cornerstone of dealing with the crime scourge in the country. Interactions with civil society groups and faith leaders vary across the JCPS cluster departments.
In September 2013 during the Crime Victims' Rights Week, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development under the leadership of its Deputy Minister, formed partnership with the religious sector to fight gender-based violence and sexual crimes, in particular. This initiative is intended to empower the religious sector with legislative information so that it becomes an effective stakeholder in the fight against rape and any other form of violence perpetrated against women and children at community level. The project is still in progress.
The SAPS initiatives include partnerships with the Commission for Gender Equality, Matla a bana, The South African Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (SAPSAC), the University of North West, University of Pretoria, University of the Western Cape, University of South Africa, the Teddy Bear clinic, and Child Welfare.
The Civilian Secretariat for Police has established a reference group comprising of academia and civil society organizations. The main purpose of the reference group is to strengthen compliance monitoring of the Domestic Violence, Sexual Offences and Child Justice Acts.
The reference group is made up of organizations such as POWA, Gender Health and Justice Research Unit (UCT), Women's Legal Centre, Legal Resource Centre, NISAA, Western Cape Network, Rape Crisis, GRIP, Eldorado Park Womens Forum, Centre for applied Legal Studies (Wits), ADAPT, Ikhaya Lethemba, Childline, University of Pretoria, RAPCAN, Teddy Bear Clinic, Rape Crises, Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture and Shumkumisa.
In August 2013 during the Women's month, the Civilian Secretariat in conjunction with the Joint Gender Fund and GIZ, hosted a national dialogue on how to 'Improve police response towards safe, violent free communities for women and girls'.
The aim of the dialogue was to bring together all the key role-players that work closely with the SAPS in order to strengthen working relations on how to respond to violence against women and girls with the ultimate objective of improving the SAPS' response to this scourge and improving co-operation between stakeholders in the interest of prevention.
The 2-day dialogue also set out to specifically build onto the national commitment of building safer communities by ensuring that women and girls are protected, as outlined in the National Development Plan and will also be a contribution to improved implementation of Outcome 3 of the government's priority outcomes, i.e. "All people of South Africa are and feel safe
(d) The report on the efficacy of the National register for Sexual Offenders in relation to rape, and the relevant details include the following:
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development tables in Parliament the Annual Progress Report on the Inter-sectoral Implementation of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007 (Act No 32 of 2007). This report includes progress in the implementation of the National Register for Sex Offenders.
With all the challenges facing the national operation of this Register, a notable progress has recently been recorded. The number of registered convicted sex offenders has increased from 2 792 names that appeared on the register as at 31 March 2013 to 11 418 names as at 31 October 2013. In the month of October 2013 alone 3 384 sex offenders were successfully registered.
Reply received: December 2013
QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN REPLY
FRIDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2013
3115. Dr D T George (DA) to ask the Deputy President:
Did he, in his capacity as Leader of Government Business, permit the (a) Minister in the Presidency: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation as well as Administration in the Presidency and (b) Minister for the Public Service and Administration to be absent from the oral question day of Ministers in the Governance Cluster on 30 October 2013; if so, in each case, (i) why and (ii) what are the further relevant details? NW3672E
REPLY
Ministers don't require permission from Leader of Government Business to be absent from Parliament. The procedure is that ministers notify the Leader of Government Business if they are not able to attend any plenary and give reasons for non- attendance which is communicated to the Presiding officers.
In relations to question days Ministers are required to indicate their availability to attend or send their apology with reasons. They are also requested to give indication of a Member of the Executive who will respond to questions in a situation they are unable to attend. That particular individual can either be the Deputy Minister or the Acting Minister when the Minister responsible is out of the country.
a) The Minister in the Presidency: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation was present in the National Assembly on the 30th October 2013
b) The Minister of Public Service and Administration arrived back in the country on the 2nd November 2013; she had accompanied the Deputy President to China on an official visit. The Acting Minister for Public Service and Administration was Minister Nkwinti and the Presiding officers were informed by both the Minister and Leader of Government Business. Minister Nkwinti was present in the National Assembly to respond to questions on the 30th October 2013.
Reply received: December 2013
QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN REPLY
FRIDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 2013
3037. Mrs J D Kilian (Cope) to ask the Deputy President:
(1) Whether, with reference to his reply to question 11 for oral reply on 21 August 2013, the progress report on the implementation of the Public Protector's recommendations did serve before Cabinet; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,
(2) whether Cabinet has approved sanctions for executive members who violate the Executive Members Ethics Code; if not, why not; if so, what are the details of the sanctions for executive members who violate the Executive Members Ethics Code;
(3) whether the Executive Members' Ethics Amendment Bill will be tabled in the National Assembly before the term of the Fourth Parliament ends; if not, (a) why not and (b) why did Cabinet delay several years to give effect to the recommendations by the Public Protector that sanctions should be introduced for violations of the Executive Members Ethics Code? NW3579E
REPLY
My reply to question 11 for Oral reply gave a clear account of the summary of the Cabinet's deliberations and Government processes on the Executive Members' Ethics Code.
At that point, we had anticipated that an amendment to the Executive Members' Ethics Code would serve before Cabinet by the end of September 2013. However, due to the continuing process of consultations with various stakeholders, this was not possible. Cabinet will await the conclusion of these consultations, and will consider the matter once it is satisfied that all aspects relating to the proposed amendments have been sufficiently canvassed with the key role players.
With regard to sanctions for Executive members who violate the Executive Members Ethics Code, I would like to bring to the attention of the Honourable Member that Cabinet took a decision at its meeting of 5th May 2010 that in the interim, even before the Executive Members' Ethics Code is amended, members of the Executive who violate the Executive Members' Ethics Code face similar sanctions as those faced by Members of Parliament.
It is the intention of Cabinet to submit amendments of the Executive Members' Ethics Code to Parliament before the end of the Fourth Parliament
Reply received: December 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 37 of 2013
3040. Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) (a) When did he receive copies of (i) draft annual reports and/or (ii) annual reports from the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence in the (aa) 2009-10, (bb) 2010-11, (cc) 2011-12 and (dd) 2012-13 financial years and (b) where such reports were not received, what were the reasons provided for not submitting them;
(2) (a) how many special reports has he received since 1 April 2009 and (b) on what date was each special report received? NW3594E
REPLY:
1) The copies of the annual reports of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence were received as follows:
· 2009-10: 21 September 2011
· 2010-11: 22 October 2013
· 2011-12: 13 November 2013
· 2012-13: Not submitted yet.
2) The Special Reports that the President received from the JSCI are as follows:
3)
· Two reports were submitted to former President Kgalema Motlanthe and were also handed over to myself.
· Prestige Project A: Security Measures at the Nkandla residence of the President on 13 November 2013.
Reply received: December 2013
QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN REPLY
FRIDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 2013
3033. Mr M G P Lekota (Cope) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether he has found, as the Leader of the Government's Anti-Poverty Programme, that the
implementation of measures to support the poor through a social wage to access free basic
services, subsidised school transport, school nutrition and subsidised housing is being
compromised by the macro-organisation of the State undertaken since 2009, resulting in
additional departments; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, what plans does
Government have in place to (a) sustain the escalating costs of Government and (b) meet the
demands of communities for better service delivery? NW2691E
The Budget documents released in February 2013 report that expenditure on the social wage more than doubled in real terms over the past decade. As a percentage of GDP, spending on the social wage has risen from 13 per cent to 19 per cent over the same period.
Government contributes to reducing the cost of living in three ways:
· Investment in the social wage, comprising education, health services, social development, public transport, housing and local amenities;
· Support to vulnerable households through the old age grant, the child support grant and other social assistance grants; and
· Contributory social security, including unemployment insurance, injury compensation and death or disability benefits. Close to 60 per cent of government spending is allocated to the social wage.
Substantial growth in social spending over the past decade has financed a threefold increase in the number of people receiving social grants, a doubling in per capita health spending, the construction of 1.5 million free homes and the provision of free basic education to the poorest 60 per cent of learners.
Efficiency of spending is a priority for this Government and is ongoing. Our ultimate aim is to ensure value for every rand spent. Accordingly, government proposes reductions in goods and services expenditure in some departments, focusing on items such as travel and subsistence, consulting services, communication, and operating payments. Average growth in spending on goods and services will decline from 9.2 per cent over the past three years to 5.9 per cent over the medium term.
Reply received: November 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 36 of 2013
3006. Mr J Selfe (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) With reference to his reply to question 2390 on 18 October 2013, why is a certain person (name furnished) referred to as Special Advisor, but referred to as Legal Advisor in the 2012-13 Annual Report;
(2) whether the specified person was previously employed as his Legal Advisor; if so, (a) for how long was the specified person employed in this position and (b) on what grounds was the specified person's position changed to that of Special Advisor? NW3556E
REPLY:
1) According to the dispensation for the appointment and remuneration of persons (Special Advisers) appointed to Executive Authorities on grounds of policy consideration in terms of Section 12A of the Public Service Act, 1994 all Special Advisers are appointed on the basis of their expertise. In essence, all the persons referred to above are special advisers with different designations.
For instance, the person in question is a Special Adviser on legal matters and as a matter of discerning roles and responsibilities within the organisation, is thus referred to as a Legal Advisor. All Special Advisers are appointed under the same dispensation, irrespective of their areas of expertise.
2) The person was employed to the position of Special Adviser to the President with effect from 1 November 2011. As explained above, the position was not changed. He is a Special Adviser responsible for legal matters, and is thus a legal advisor. His appointment was announced publicly on the 11th of November 2011.
Instead of being referred to as Special Adviser, the position is now referred to as Legal Adviser to indicate the area of expertise on which the incumbent advises the President.
Reply received: November 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 36 of 2013
2997. Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
Why did he not inform Parliament about the employment of the SA National Defence Force in Gemena, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in April 2013 that was not for service in fulfilment of the international obligations of the Republic of South Africa towards the United Nations? NW3547E
REPLY:
On 7 January 2013 I informed Parliament about the employment of a total of 400 troops of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in fulfillment of the international obligation to render support to the Government of the Central African Republic (CAR).
Of the total 400 troops mentioned above, 286 were initially deployed, the rest were retained at home pending an assessment of the security threat posed to the already deployed members of the SANDF by developments in that country.
When the security situation in the CAR deteriorated after the battle of Bangui, part of the remaining troops were then strategically deployed and stationed in Gemena to prepare for the evacuation of those that were still in the CAR.
This Gemena contingent was therefore not a new deployment, but formed part of the initial deployment to the Central African Republic as indicated in the President's letter to Parliament.
All members of the SANDF have since been returned home from the Central African Republic.
Reply received: December 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 36 of 2013
2996. Mr J Selfe (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) Does a certain person (name furnished) have (a) state office space, (b) state secretarial assistance and (c)(i) medical and/or (ii) pension benefits provided by the State; if so, in each case, what is it worth;
(2) does the specified person (a) travel (i) at state expense or (ii) on state-financed aircraft, (b) reside in state housing and (c) receive state protection in the form of bodyguards; if so, in each case, what does it cost;
(3) since the date of the specified person's appointment, (a) how many hours has the specified person worked and (b) what total amount was received as compensation;
(4) on what issues has the specified person been requested to advise him since the date of appointment? NW3546E
REPLY:
The person referred to was appointed as a part time Special Advisor to the President on legal matters and thus advises as such.
His benefits are the same as that of other special advisors and his remuneration is in accordance with public service regulations.
Reply received: November 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 36 of 2013
2980. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) Will he (a) retract or (b) apologise for his comments regarding the roads of the Republic of Malawi made on 21 October 2013 at the University of the Witwatersrand;
(2) what (a) correspondence has he received from the (i) Malawian High Commissioner and/or (ii) Republic of Malawi regarding his comments and (b) are the details of each piece of correspondence;
(3) what (a) correspondence has he sent to the (i) Malawian High Commissioner and/or (ii) Republic of Malawi regarding his comments and (b) are the details of each piece of correspondence? NW3530E
REPLY:
The light-hearted comments were made in the spirit of encouraging Gauteng road users to respond positively to the need to pay for the extensive road freeway network built as part of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project electronic tolling system which was adopted by Cabinet in 2007.
The open tolling system will assist government to repay the debt already incurred in upgrading the freeway network in Gauteng and to ensure a well-maintained road network into the future.
It is a matter of fact that Africa has a poor roads infrastructure and that this needs to be corrected. That is our primary focus. That is the primary reason for the African Union's decision to address the continent's infrastructure challenges through the development of the programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), the AU NEPAD Africa Action Plan (2010-2015) and the NEPAD Presidential Infrastructure Championing Initiative (PICI). The Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plans have identified priority infrastructure development projects that are critical to promoting regional integration and industrialization.
South Africa champions the North-South road and rail infrastructure corridor, which is a multi-modal infrastructure corridor and it includes road, rail, border posts, bridges and ports and other related infrastructure. The North South Corridor passes through eight (8) countries:
· Tanzania
· Congo
· Malawi
· Zimbabwe
· Mozambique
· Zambia
· Botswana, and
· South Africa
It also stretches across three Regional Economic Communities (RECs) – SADC, East African Community and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern African (COMESA). The North South Corridor has been expanded, on the request of the South African President to include the road and rail from Cape to Cairo (Trans-African) which now also includes the 4 countries; of Egypt, Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, thereby involving various funding and multi-lateral agencies and institutions.
My view is that we should all focus on making these projects of building a good road and rail network in Africa to succeed.
No correspondence has been received from the Republic of Malawi and South Africa has not sent any correspondence either.
The President of Malawi, Her Excellency, Dr Joyce Banda was in South Africa on, 3-6 November, for the joint SADC and International Conference of the Great Lakes region summit on the Democratic Republic of the Congo convened in Pretoria.
Diplomatic and trade relations between South Africa and Malawi remain cordial and strong. We will continue to work together at a bilateral level, and also within the SADC and AU ambit to promote sustainable development for the mutual benefit of the region and the continent in general.
Reply received: November 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 35 of 2013
2880. Mr A Watson (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) With reference to the reply of the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development to question 2059 on 3 September 2013, when will he enact the regulation in accordance with the Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Regulation of Certain Activities in Country of Armed Conflict Act, Act 27 of 2006, to bring the legislation into operation;
(2) why has it taken over five years to finalise the regulations for this Act and bring it into operation? NW3430E
REPLY:
(1) It is anticipated that the Regulations to the Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Regulation of Certain Activities in Country of Armed Conflict Act (Act 27 of 2006) will be promulgated in good time to allow for the said Act to come into operation at the start of the 2014/15 financial year.
(2) The reason for the delay in the promulgation of the Regulations to the Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Regulation of Certain Activities in Country of Armed Conflict Act (Act 27 of 2006) is because of the necessary amendments that had to be carried out on the National Conventional Arms Control Act (Act 41 of 2002) which Act forms the primary basis for the establishment and mandate of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC).
For this reason, it was critical for the National Conventional Arms Control Act to be amended in order to, inter alia, expand the scope of the NCACC mandate to cover the administration of the Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Regulation of Certain Activities in Country of Armed Conflict Act
This process of amendment resulted in the National Conventional Arms Control Amendment Act (Act 73 of 2008) which only came into operation in April 2012 after the promulgation of its Regulations. The coming into operation of this Amendment Act sets the relevant scene for the planned enactment of the Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Regulation of Certain Activities in Country of Armed Conflict Act as indicated earlier.
Reply received: November 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 33 of 2013
2829. Dr P J Groenewald (FF Plus) to ask the President of the Republic:†
(1) (a) With reference to his reply to question 6 for oral reply on 15 March 2012, what progress has been made with the presidential pardoning process of persons who were already specified by him in October 2010 and (b) when are these specified persons expected to receive a pardon;
(2) whether he will make a statement on the matter? NW3334E
REPLY:
(1)(a) Following the decision of the Constitutional Court in 2010 relating to this case, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development launched a media campaign inviting victims and interested parties to make representations in respect of the 149 cases.
The Victims and interested parties who requested further information relating to particular applications for pardon in respect of certain of the 149 cases were provided with the requested information to enable them to make meaningful representations. They thereafter submitted their representations. Upon receipt of these representations, these were forwarded to the relevant applicants who were invited to submit any comments they may have. The applicants have now responded to the representations received in their specific matters.
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is considering these matters and is in process of preparing the relevant documents for my final decision.
(b) I will make a final decision once the applications are submitted to me.
(2) It is assumed that the question relates to whether a statement will be made once the applications have been considered and a decision made. If so, then yes, a statement will be made at the appropriate time.
Reply received: November 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 33 of 2013
2791. Mr M G P Lekota (Cope) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether he has taken any steps to ensure that 500 000 permanent jobs would be created in order to (a) decrease the rate of unemployment, (b) stimulate the economy, (c) increase government revenue and (d) achieve a primary balance in the next Budget; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3295E
REPLY:
Government has taken a number of steps to improve economic and employment performance since the job losses and recession created by the global economic crisis of 2008. These steps include the development of an economic strategy in the form of the New Growth Path in October 2010, which sets a target for job creation by 2020; and the adoption of the National Development Plan in 2012, which set a jobs target to be achieved by 2030.
These targets require that we stem the loss of jobs seen in the economy during the recession and then progressively increase annual jobs growth in order to reach our targets.
During the first year after the adoption of the NGP, Cabinet set an annual target of 250 000 new jobs to be created. That target was met.
Since the adoption of the NGP, the economy has created just over one million new jobs.
Total employment is currently at 14 029 000, which is the highest level it has ever reached, and it is 2 000 more jobs than the previous highest employment number achieved before the global economic crisis.
The unemployment rate has come down during this past year by close to a percentage point.
The measures that government has put in place to achieve its goals include rolling out the infrastructure build programme, sourcing goods from local manufacturers and improving skills levels to support inclusive economic growth. It also entails utilising a range of policy instruments such as industrial, competition and trade policies to promote employment creation and improved economic performance as well as improving the levels of industrial funding in the economy.
Reply received: November 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 33 of 2013
2747. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
Since 1 July 2012, (a) when has he had contact with Ambassador Vusi Bruce Koloane, (b) what was the reason for the contact on each occasion and (c) how did contact take place on each occasion? NW3247E
REPLY:
Mr Bruce Koloane served as the Chief of State Protocol, based in the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. In the normal course of his duties, he did interact with the Head of State when the need arose.
Reply received: November 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 33 of 2013
2737. Ms A M Dreyer (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether the Office of the Presidency is responsible for paying the (a) municipal rates and taxes, (b) water, (c) electricity, (d) catering and (e) cleaning accounts in respect of his private residence, and/or part thereof, at Nkandla; if so, in each case, what total amount has been paid in the (i) 2008-09, (ii) 2009-10, (iii) 2010-11, (iv) 2011-12 and (v) 2012-13 financial years? NW3237E
REPLY:
No, the President does not receive any benefits in respect of any aspects mentioned above.
Reply received: November 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 32 of 2013
Date Published: 11 October 2013
2538. Ms A M Dreyer (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether he has signed a proclamation mandating the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate alleged irregularities occurring during security upgrades at his private home at Nkandla; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will he sign the proclamation; if so, when was it signed? NW3025E
REPLY:
The matter is under considerations in light of other government processes which have not been finalised on the same matter.
Reply received: November 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 32 of 2013
Date Published: 11 October 2013
2501. Mr J J McGluwa (ID) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether he was on a flight with Ambassador Bruce Koloane on 22 April 2013; if not, on which date did he instruct the Ambassador to pronounce on the Gupta family wedding arrangements; if so, (a) what was the nature and extent of their conversation and (b) did it include the Gupta family wedding arrangements? NW1712E
REPLY:
No, Mr Bruce Koloane was not on the flight with me on the said date. I have never instructed Mr Koloane to pronounce on the wedding arrangements referred to in the question.
Reply received: November 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 31 of 2013
Date Published: 20 September 2013
2468. Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) Whether he obtained legal advice on the constitutionality of the Protection of State Information Bill, if so, in each case (a) what is the name of the person from whom legal advice was obtained, (b) when was the legal opinion (i) requested and (ii) provided and (c) what was the (i) total cost and (ii) breakdown of the costs of obtaining the legal opinion;
(2) whether, in each specified case, he will make the legal opinion public; if not, why not; if so, when? NW2953E
REPLY:
The President relied on legal advice he received from within the Presidency in the course of a consultative process.
Reply received: October 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 31 of 2013
Date Published: 20 September 2013
2496. Mr L Ramatlakane (Cope) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) Whether, in light of his recent statement calling for more patriotic news (details furnished), Government intends to establish the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) as the leading broadcaster in patriotic reporting; if not, why not; if so, how does it currently fall short of achieving this measure;
(2) whether broadcasting patriotic news fulfills the criteria for objectivity and balance in journalism; if not, why not; if so, what are the reasons for his conclusion? NW2991E
REPLY:
(1) No, the call for more patriotic coverage of news was a general call to all media, not to the SABC specifically.
(2) Broadcasting patriotic news, objectivity and balance are not mutually exclusive. The coverage of news in a more patriotic manner does not mean that journalists should not report in an objective and balanced manner. It means ensuring balance and fairness and putting the country first before any other consideration.
The call for a more patriotic style of journalism cannot be interpreted as an attempt to interfere with editorial independence. Covering stories exposing corruption for example, in a balanced and fair manner, could also count as patriotism.
Balance and fairness are the hallmarks of good journalism. The Presidency, in making the call for a more patriotic style of journalism, does not intend to undermine those principles. It is a call to the media to cover all sides of the South African story and ensure that a balanced and fuller picture emerges of the country and its achievements as well as challenges.
Reply received: October 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 31 of 2013
Date Published: 20 September 2013
2466. Dr A Lotriet (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) Why was the Minister in the Presidency: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation as well as Administration in the Presidency called in to address the crisis at the Walter Sisulu University;
(2) whether he will institute an investigation into how the Minister of Higher Education and Training managed the seven-week strike at the specified university? NW2951E
REPLY:
The President received a letter on 2 September 2013 from Reverend VP Mabo from the South African Council of Churches in the Eastern Cape appealing for his intervention at the crisis which was looming at Walter Sisulu University. The letter raised a couple of concerns with regard to the protracted labour dispute, which had suspended learning at the University. After consideration of the letter and the appeal for the Office of the President to intervene, the President assigned the Minister in the Presidency to intervene on his behalf.
The Minister in the Presidency put together a technical committee comprising of Directors-General, which included Higher Education, Presidency and Labour. Please be referred to the answer to the supplementary question asked to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) provided by the Deputy Minister of DHET on the 11 September 2013.
No further investigation will be instituted on the matter.
Reply received: October 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 31 of 2013
Date Published: 20 September 2013
2390. Mr J Selfe (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) Whether a certain person (name furnished) has been appointed to a position within the Office of the Presidency; if so, what is the (a) title, (b) exact nature of the duties and (c) annual remuneration of the said person;
(2) whether the said person can perform remunerative work outside of his current position within the Office of the Presidency; if so, what is the nature of the work? NW2873E
REPLY:
(1) The person referred to in the question has been appointed on a part-time basis to the position of Special Adviser to the President.
The main duties of the incumbent are to render legal advice to the President.
The person is employed on a part-time basis and there is thus no fixed annual remuneration. He is paid per hours worked at the rate of R693.77 per hour.
(2) The Dispensation for the Appointment and Remuneration of Persons (Special Advisers) appointed to Executive Authorities on ground of policy consideration in terms of Section 12A of the Public Service Act, 1994 [Act No. 103 of 1994] does not preclude Special Advisers from performing remunerative work outside their employment.
In terms of the Dispensation, the Special Adviser is precluded from serving on statutory boards or councils (or similar bodies) for which the Executive Authority is individually or collectively accountable. This is deemed as inappropriate by the Dispensation since it could give rise to a direct or indirect conflict of interest or lead to advice which could be biased or perceived to be biased.
Reply received: November 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 31 of 2013
Date Published: 20 September 2013
2389. Mr J Selfe (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) Whether any private legal practitioners have been used on his behalf in a certain case (details furnished); if so, (a) why, (b) which legal practitioners were used and (c) what is the total cost in respect of each case;
(2) what are the reasons why he did not employ the services of the State Attorney in this case? NW2872E
REPLY:
(1) Yes, a private legal practitioner was used, in the defence of the President.
(a) The litigation involved a continuation of a criminal matter, and a private attorney was required in view of the fact that the State Attorney could not represent the President as it (the State Attorney) was representing the National Prosecuting Authority.
(b) Hulley and Associates
(c) The total cost paid R2 337 569.53.
(2) The reason for not employing the State Attorney is that a conflict of interest would have arisen if the State Attorney represented both the National Prosecuting Authority and the President.
Reply received: November 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 31 of 2013
2383. Mr M G P Lekota (Cope) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether the Government had been implementing any specific policy measures with stated performance indicators since May 2009 to actively achieve a year-on-year decrease in the income inequality which is prevalent in the country in order to (a) progressively increase social mobility, (b) enhance individual autonomy and improve social cohesion, (c) ensure service delivery, (d) stimulate demand for goods and services through the involvement of a larger part of the population and (e) progressively reduce the Gini coefficient factor so that it reflects a year-on-year decline in inequality; if so, what has been the outcome in each case; if not, why is the reduction of income inequality not being pursued as an apex priority? NW2866E
REPLY:
Inequality remains a significant challenge for government despite South Africa growing at an average growth rate of 3.2% since 1994.
The recognition that growth in itself is necessary but not sufficient has necessitated for a more inclusive growth paradigm as expressed in the New Growth Path and the National Development Plan.
Government has introduced a number of measures to reduce inequality and create a more inclusive growth environment. Faster and inclusive growth is critical to reduce poverty and inequality in the long term.
Some of the measures that we have put in place, for example, include the expansion of social security programmes to poor and low income households. These programmes have had a significant impact in reducing poverty and meeting a number of basic needs, and in particular, food needs. The provision of social grants, which improved the Gini coefficient by an estimated 0.03, has contributed strongly to a decline in the number of households that say children go hungry at least sometimes, from 27% in 1996 to 13% in 2009 and 11% in 2012.
In addition, we have introduced a range of measures that aim to improve employment creation, which has seen an increase of 750 000 in employment from the end of 2010 to the second quarter of 2013. These have gone hand in hand with an increase in the share of remuneration in total value added from 50,3% in 2010 to 51,1% in 2012.
On the other hand the rollout of public employment programmes such as the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and the Community Work Programme (CWP) continues to create work opportunities for unemployed working aged adults as well as increased community and social cohesion, as in the case for the CWP programmes.
Access to basic services such as water, electricity, sanitation and refuse removal, despite some service delivery challenges, has played an important role in reducing poverty and inequality.
The redistributive nature of social grants, creating employment and work opportunities as well as increasing access to basic services and has been successful and has contributed towards reducing poverty and inequality.
In effect, government's use of taxes has ensured improvements in the lives of many people including low wage workers who do not pay income tax.
These programmes have resulted in:
1. The top 10% of households reduce their share of income from 54.4% to 50.6% in 2010/11. At the same time the share in household income of the poorest 40% of households reduced from 6.1% in 2009 to 5.6% in 2010/11 against a target of 6.5% in 2014
2. The Gini Coefficient estimated at 0,697 in 2009 reduced to 0,65 in terms of the Income and Expenditure Survey 2010/11 against a target of 0,59 for 2014.
These statistics indicate that government programmes aimed at fighting poverty, unemployment and inequality have indeed made a marked difference in the lives of our people.
To take these achievements forward, the implementation of the New Growth Path and the National Development Plan are central to our programmes to reduce inequality and promote prosperity.
Reply received: October 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 30 of 2013
Date Published: 13 September 2013
2335. Mr M G P Lekota (Cope) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether the Government will institute an annual memorial lecture or any other democratic and inclusive measure to honour the late Chief Justice Pius Langa; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2798E
REPLY:
I wish to inform the Honourable Member that former Chief Justice Langa contributed immensely in our constitutional jurisprudence and fully deserves to be honoured by our Government. We will look at various ways in which we could celebrate his legacy, and make announcements at an appropriate time with regard to the best way of honouring the former Chief Justice.
The Chief Justice and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development will take a lead in this regard.
Reply received: November 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 30 of 2013
2326. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic
Whether his position as chairperson of the Masibambisane Rural Development Project conflicts with his position as Head of State; if not, what are the reasons for his conclusion; if so, why? NW2776E
REPLY:
No, there will be no conflict of interest as the Masibambisane Rural Development Initiative is driven by a partnership between rural communities, government and the private sector to facilitate development in rural areas through various agricultural projects. As the Head of State and Government, I have a genuine interest to ensure that our rural communities are supported through the mobilisation of resources from both the private and government sectors.
Reply received: November 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 28 of 2013
2277. Mr L S Ngonyama (Cope) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether, with reference to his reply to oral question 11 on 19 June 2013, the Government is reassuring foreign investors, like the 38% of investors from the United States of America who recently agreed that labour unrest in the mining sector was damaging, by undertaking that it is working with labour and the mining sector to resolve the problems; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2709E
REPLY:
Government has taken the challenges posed by labour unrest in the mining sector seriously. The Government, under the leadership of the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, facilitated a peace accord with the relevant parties in the mining sector.
The parties have committed themselves to peace and have signed the Framework Agreement which seeks to restore labour peace in the sector. In the agreement, the parties commit themselves to the rule of law as well as to work within the framework of the law to deal with labour conflict. We were also encouraged by the fact that even those that did not sign the agreement have committed themselves to peace and to operating within the framework of the law.
Government has announced its plans to convene a labour relations Indaba. The purpose of the Indaba would be to have a candid discussion about the concerns of social partners in respect of labour relations conflict, and identify measures to strengthen labour relations, which would eventually achieve labour market stability and peace.
Reply received: September 2013
QUESTION 2229 FOR WRITTEN REPLY
FRIDAY, 23 AUGUST 2013
2229. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the Deputy President:
With reference to his reply to question 2003 on 15 August 2013, (a) why did the National Nuclear Energy Executive Coordinating Committee recommend a new composition of its committee that replaced him as chairperson and (b) what are the relevant details of the committee's recommendations in respect of its new composition? NW2647E
REPLY
The National Nuclear Energy Executive Coordinating Committee is a Cabinet Committee and functions like all other committees established by the Cabinet to perform specific functions on behalf of the Cabinet.
The decision to reconstitute the National Nuclear Energy Executive Coordinating Committee was made by the Cabinet in April 2013 to improve its effectiveness. The revised Committee is chaired by the President and comprises the following Ministries: Energy, Public Enterprises, Finance, State Security, Defence, Home Affairs and International Relations. The size of the Committee was reduced to strengthen its efficiency in decision making.
Reply received: October 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 28 of 2013
Date Published: 23 August 2013
2278. Mr L S Ngonyama (Cope) to ask the President of the Republic:
What total amount was spent by the State on legal cost to prevent the spy tapes from being released? NW2710E
REPLY:
An amount of R1 262 479.70 has been paid to date in respect of costs incurred in defending litigation brought by the Democratic Alliance for the record from the National Prosecuting Authority(NPA) in relation to the NPA's decision with regard to the President.
The recordings represent one aspect of the litigation instituted by the Democratic Alliance. The amount paid is a reflection of the costs of the entire matter, and not only in respect of the recordings.
Reply received: August 2013
QUESTION 2010
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 25 of 2013
Date Published: 8 August 2013
2010. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) What criteria does he use to determine if a foreign state has had a free and fair election;
(2) how did he factor in the irregularities identified by the African Union regarding the election in the Republic of Zimbabwe before congratulating Mr Robert Mugabe on winning the election;
(3) (a) at what time before the start of the elections is inspection of the voters roll too late for the election to be free and fair in the Republic of Zimbabwe and (b) how many (i) more voters that were turned away from the voting stations determines the election not to be free and fair and (ii) extra ballots printed is necessary to determine the Republic of Zimbabwe's election to be unfair;
(4) why does the Government's position on the fairness of the election in the Republic of Zimbabwe differ from the position held by the (a) European Union, (b) Commonwealth of Australia, (c) United Kingdom and (d) United States of America;
(5) Since the beginning of his term as President, which foreign elections in which the Government had played a role has he considered not to be free and fair? NW2367E
REPLY:
(1) The South African Government does not pronounce on elections held by other countries unless there is an Observer Mission sent to observe such elections. In the case of the recent elections in Zimbabwe, South Africa participated as part of the Southern African Development Community Election Observation Mission (SEOM) and the determination of the elections in Zimbabwe is based on the report of SEOM.
(2) It should be noted that while the African Union and SADC Observer Missions in their respective reports did highlight some challenges in the electoral process, they concluded that the elections on the whole were peaceful and free. It is against this background that, when the election results were announced by a constitutionally mandated institution in Zimbabwe, South Africa deemed it necessary to convey our congratulations to the declared winner of the elections.
(3) We cannot answer this question presently since we believe that the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe will, among other things, pronounce on these issues when it deals with the application filed by one of the political parties.
(4) It should be noted that the SEOM did not use the word "fair" in its preliminary statement. We also cannot comment on the positions of the other Observer Missions including the European Union, Australia, United Kingdom and United States of America.
(5) To date, under the Fourth Administration, the Government has not deployed national election observer missions. South Africa has instead formed part of the African Union or SADC Election Observer Missions and consequently we have associated with and followed the SADC election reports and determinations.
Reply received: August 2013
QUESTION 2003 FOR WRITTEN REPLY
THURSDAY, 8 AUGUST 2013
2003. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether he was informed of the reasons for his removal as chairperson of the National Nuclear Energy Executive Coordinating Committee; if so, what were the reasons? NW2359E
REPLY
The decision to change the composition of the National Nuclear Energy Executive Coordinating Committee was made by the Cabinet following a recommendation by the Committee, which at the time was chaired by the Deputy President. The Deputy President supported the Committee's recommendation and the subsequent Cabinet decision on the composition of the NNEECC.
Reply received: November 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 25 of 2013
2002. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
Why was the Deputy President removed as chairperson of the National Nuclear Energy Executive Coordinating Committee? NW2358E
REPLY:
The composition of the National Nuclear Energy Executive Coordinating Committee (NNEECC) was changed by a Cabinet decision in April 2013 following a recommendation by the Committee.
The revised Committee is chaired by the President and comprises the following Ministries: Energy, Public Enterprises, Finance, State Security, Defence, Home Affairs and International Relations.
Reply received: November 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 23 of 2013
1867. Mr M G P Lekota (Cope) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether, in view of the fact that, by the 2014-15 financial year, the Government would have added more than R1 trillion to its stock of debt since 2008 and increased the annual debt servicing costs to R100 billion, he intends to take steps to reduce the size of (a) the Cabinet and (b) government in other spheres of government; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case? NW2221E
REPLY:
The Honourable Member will recall that during this year's Medium Term Budget Policy Statement in October, government assured the nation through the Minister of Finance, that despite the more than R1 trillion in debts issued to invest in infrastructure since 2008 for government and SOEs to maintain their core social and economic programmes, government has adopted a budget framework to ensure that public finances remain sustainable, and that expenditure growth does not outpace revenue growth.
As stated by the Minister, a considerable number of steps will be taken to implement austerity measures in government spending.
The Minister pointed out as follows;
"expenditure will continue to grow in real terms, averaging 2.2 per cent a year over the medium term (excluding interest on debt). The fiscal stance will contribute to a narrowing of the deficit, from 4.2 per cent in the current year to 3.0 per cent in the outer year. This will enable government to stabilise debt and begin rebuilding fiscal space to fund new priorities. Government's contribution to improved performance in the economy and in the provision of public services is strongly focused on better use of existing resources, rather than higher expenditure".
Given the prudent fiscal stance adopted by government, there are no plans to reduce the size of Cabinet and government.
Reply received: August 2013
QUESTION 1861
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 23 of 2013
Date Published: 26 July 2013
1861. Mr L S Ngonyama (Cope) to ask the President of the Republic:
What (a) is his position on the situation in Zimbabwe with regard to the run-up to the elections on 31 July 2013 and (b) are the further relevant details? NW2214E
REPLY:
South Africa is part of the SADC Election Observer Mission (SEOM) which was launched on 15 July 2013. SADC deployed over five hundred and seventy three (573) election observers throughout Zimbabwe. On 2 August the SEOM stated the following:
"In the course of observing the elections, the Mission noted that there was general adherence to the relevant national legal instruments and the SADC Principles and Guidelines governing Democratic Elections. The following best practices and lessons in the Zimbabwean elections were observed:
- Political leaders' continuous call for peace;
- Availability of ZEC to Observers' enquiries despite its workload;
- ZEC's readiness to accept responsibility and address the challenges arising from the multiparty liaison committee;
- Existence of a multiparty liaison committee;
- Prompt accreditation of Observers
- Use of indelible ink to prevent double voting;
- Use of translucent ballot boxes"
SADC, AU, COMESA and SADC Parliamentary Forum, with the large number of observers they had on the ground, were able to cover all the provinces of Zimbabwe and were able to pronounce on the electoral process.
Reply received: October 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 23 of 2013
Date Published: 26 July 2013
1860. Mr L S Ngonyama (Cope) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether President Mugabe has implemented all the resolutions of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) taken at the Maputo summit in order to level the elections playing field; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2213E
REPLY:
Yes, President Mugabe and the Zimbabwe Inclusive Government at the time did implement the Maputo SADC resolutions. It should be recalled that the Maputo SADC Summit had requested the Government of Zimbabwe to engage the Constitutional Court to seek more time beyond 31 July 2013 deadline for holding the Harmonised Elections.
This was done to the extent that a court application by Government, asking the Court to delay elections, was filed with the Constitutional Court. However, the Constitutional Court turned down the application.
Reply received: October 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 23 of 2013
Date Published: 26 July 2013
1683. Mrs D Robinson (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
When will he appoint members of the SA Law Reform Commission that will deal with the Project 107 Report on Sexual Offences (Adult Prostitution)? NW2030E
REPLY:
I wish to inform the Honourable Member that I have appointed Justice MM Maya as Chairperson of the South African Law Reform Commission and Justice J Kollapen as Deputy Chairperson, with the following persons as the remaining members:
1. Prof PJ Schwikkard.
2. Prof V Jaichand
3. Adv M Sello
4. Mr IBW Lawrence.
5. Ms NT Siwendu.
The members of the Commission will deal with all matters in terms of the South African Law Reform Commission Act, 1973 (Act No. 19 of 1973. This includes the Report relating to Sexual Offences (Project 107) to which the Honourable Member Robinson has referred to.
Research on the various projects of the Commission as was approved by the previous Commission continues unabated. This research is done by a team of full time researchers who have been assigned to the Commission.
Reply received: August 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 21 of 2013
Date Published: 14 June 2013
1531. Mr M G P Lekota (Cope) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether, in accordance with his oath of office to promote the Republic's wellbeing, he has taken all the necessary measures to ensure that the Government will not default on the net loan debt of R1,54 trillion when bonds mature in the next few years in an environment of (a) little space for fiscal manoeuvrability, (b) continuing balance-of-payments deficit and (c) constrained growth; if not, why not; if so, what measures has he implemented to avoid the economic fate of Greece and Portugal? NW1878E
REPLY:
South Africa's fiscal framework remains grounded in a sustainable, countercyclical approach to managing revenue and expenditure.
To ensure fiscal sustainability, government has curbed the real growth in spending to an average of 2.3 percent over the next three years. This will result in the budget deficit declining over the same period. Therefore, net debt is expected to stabilize marginally above 40 percent of GDP over the medium-term. At this level, it is sustainable.
Government's prudent debt management ensures that South Africa, unlike many emerging markets and developing countries, issues debt mainly in the local currency. Our foreign currency debt is manageable and estimated to reach 6.7 per cent of the total debt in 2015/16.
Government monitors the economic environment continuously and would reassess its revenue and spending plans to secure South Africa's fiscal footing.
Reply received: August 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 21 of 2013
Date Published: 14 June 2013
1517. Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether he intends to table in Parliament a full and signed copy of the report 3/2006 of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) into the allegations of corruption into the allocation of houses in Esselen Park, Ekurhuleni; if not, why not; if so, when? NW1863E
REPLY:
I wish to inform the Honorable Member that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has no record of the said investigation and this matter seems not to be investigated by the SIU.
This may be a matter that was investigated by the Office of the Public Protector.
Reply received: August 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 19 of 2013
Date Published: 31 May 2013
1289. Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether he was advised to withdraw the SA National Defence Force from the Central African Republic; if so, in each specified instance, (a) what is the name of the person who provided the advice, (b) when was the advice provided, (c) what were the reasons for the advice and (d) why was the advice not followed? NW1619E
REPLY:
The withdrawal of the members of the South African National Defence Force from the Central African Republic following the rebels' engagements on 23 March 2013 was as a result of deliberations of the Military Command Council (MCC) on 28 March 2013. The discussion and decisions of the MCC provided the basis for the recommendations made to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans and subsequently to the Commander-in-Chief to sanction the withdrawal of the troops from the Central African Republic.
Parliament was duly informed of this decision in line with the requirements of the Constitution.
Reply received: August 2013
QUESTION 1279
1279. Mr J H van der Merwe (IFP) to ask the Deputy President:
(1) What has been the extent of the national profile that has been given by the Energy Advisory Council (EAC) to date to renewable energy sources initiatives;
(2) whether these steps reflect the commitment of the Government to renewable energy sources initiatives; if not, how will the EAC bolster these initiatives; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1587E
REPLY
In 2010, Government approved the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) detailing new electricity generation capacity that will be deployed to meet the projected demand in the period up to 2030. The IRP addresses certain objectives including contributing significantly to reducing the carbon footprint from the energy sector. A 42% target of all new build capacity by 2030 was allocated to renewable energy whilst it is also envisaged that energy efficiency interventions will play a major role in reducing our greenhouse gas footprint.
In its quest to include renewable energy into the energy mix, Government introduced the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (REIPPP) in August 2011 in line with the allocation of 17 800 MW of renewable energy in the Integrated Resource Plan. On the 7th of December 2011 at COP17 the Department announced 28 preferred bidders offering 1 400MW of renewable energy under the 1st Window Submission Date.
In November 2012 financial closure was reached for bid Window 1 of the REIPP Programme and 28 successful REIPPs were contracted to supply 1415 MW of renewable energy which brought investments into SA in the amount of R47 billion. Projects were focused on the following technologies: Solar Photovoltaic (or PV), concentrating solar power (or CSP) and wind. Of the 28 projects, 27 are already under construction.
In the 2nd Window of the REIPPP, 19 projects reached financial closure at the end of May 2013 representing approximately 1 045 MW of renewable energy capacity, with an estimated investment value of R28 billion.
Bids will close in respect of the 3rd Window (totaling about 1 000 MW) in August 2013, and thereafter about 1 000MW in August of each year, in line with the aspiration to introduce 17 800MW of renewable energy technologies in the period up to 2030.
Over and above the REIPP, the small scale renewable energy Programme will be launched this year for projects smaller than 5MW. This will cater in particular for biomass technologies that will largely open up opportunities for rural development through local energy generation.
The wind projects are in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape predominantly, due to the excellent resource that exists in these areas. Solar projects are located in the Northern Cape, this province having the second most attractive solar resource in the world.
The South African REIPPP Programme has been hailed as the most innovative internationally to the extent of winning the Green Project Infrastructure award for 2012, through the Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum.
In addition to the lowest offered price, the localisation of technologies, skills development and local employment creation are the basis upon which developers are evaluated for acceptance as preferred bidders. The REIPP Programme has consequently spawned local manufacturing of various components that are used in the development of wind and solar projects.
Reply received: December 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 16 of 2013
Date Published: 17 May 2013
1146. Mr A Watson (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether he carried out the recommendation of the Public Protector that he should direct the Premier of Gauteng to investigate improper conduct (details furnished)? NW1379E
REPLY:
The Public Protector's Report in this matter was referred to the Premier of Gauteng. I have drawn the attention of the Premier to the recommendation you have referred to in this parliamentary question.
Reply received: August 2013
QUESTION 943
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 15 of 2013
Date Published: 10 May 2013
943. Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) Whether he has determined the terms of reference of the Presidential Remuneration Commission (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether members of the commission have been appointed; if not, why not; if so, (a) who are these members and (b) in what capacity does each serve;
(3) whether the work of the commission has commenced; if not, why not; if so, (a) who has been elected as chairperson and (b) what are the details of the methodology to be used by the commission to achieve the required outcomes;
(4) whether a deadline by which the work of the commission must be completed has been determined; if not, why not; if so, what is the deadline? NW1165E
REPLY:
(1) The Terms of Reference of the Presidential Remuneration Commission have been finalised and gazetted. They provide for a Commission to be appointed to investigate remuneration and conditions of service in the public service and public entities listed in Schedule 3A and 3C of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), 1999, (Act No.1 of 1999) with the remuneration of educators receiving priority attention, including matters relating to organisational development, job evaluation and grading, recruitment, appointment and promotion, human resource planning and performance management systems, policies and practices in the public service.
(2) The Commission will only consist of its Chairperson, former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo. The President may decide to appoint additional Commissioners should the need arise at a later stage.
(3) (a) The Commission will commence with its work as soon as it is possible.
(b) The Chairperson will determine the methodology of conducting the work of the commission including the drafting of the project plan.
(4) It is envisaged that the commission will complete its work within eight (8) months and that a further two months will be required for the commission to complete the final report.
Reply received: November 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 15 of 2013
923. Mr V B Ndlovu (IFP) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether the list of 145 names of detained IFP members that the IFP forwarded to him for release in terms of the presidential pardon granted by the former President, Mr T M Mbeki, has been verified; if not, what are the reasons for the delay; if so, when will these detainees be released? NW1056E
REPLY:
In placing this question in context, I understand the question to be referring to:
(a) a list of 145 IFP members who have been detained;
(b) the said list was forwarded to the President;
(c) the process relates to Presidential Pardon process "granted" by former President Mbeki;
(d) whether the list has been verified;
(e) if not, what are the reasons for the delay; and if so
(f) when will the detainees be released?
In responding thereto, I will deal with each component separately:
(a) The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, provides secretariat function for the process regarding the Special Dispensation Pardon for alleged politically motivated crimes. The Secretariat has informed me that they are not in possession of a specific list of 145 IFP members who are detained.
(b) See (e) below.
(c) As part of the Special Dispensation Pardon process, no pardon was granted to any applicant.
(d) See (a).
(e) and "f" On the assumption that the list of 145 IFP members relate to the Special Dispensation Pardon process, I respond as follows:
(i) During 2007, former President Thabo Mbeki, announced a Special Dispensation Pardon process (SDP) available to applicants whose offences were committed with a political objective and who did not participate in the Truth and Reconciliation Process (TRC);
(ii) According to the final report of the Reference Group (RG), the RG dealt with 2109 applications for pardon. 432 of these applications for pardon were submitted by applicants who indicated that they are members of the IFP. With regard to the 2109 applications for pardon processed, the RG recommended that pardon be granted to 149 applicants. The RG recommended to me not to grant pardon to 1960 applicants. In 1034 of the 1960 applications, I decided not to grant a pardon and these applicants were informed of decision. The remaining 926 applications are still receiving attention.
(iii) As a result of the case of Ryan Albutt and Others v President of the Republic and Others, CCT 54/09 [2010] ZACC 4 (Ryan Albutt case), the finalization of the SDP was delayed substantially. In this case, the Constitutional Court ruled that a process of victims participation should be instituted before the President makes a final decision in these matters. Following this decision, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development launched an extensive media campaign, inviting victims and interested parties to make recommendations in respect of the 149 applications in which the RG recommended a pardon. Only 21 of the 149 applicants indicated that they were members of the IFP. .
I have not granted pardon to any applicant who applied in terms of the SDP, including the IFP members.
All applicants will be informed as soon as I take a decision in this matter.
Reply received: December 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 36 of 2013
453. Mr H B Groenewald (DA-NW) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) (a) What are the total costs of running his property in Nkandla in each (i) month and (ii) year thus far, (b) what are the future estimated costs of running the property and (c) how much has been (i) budgeted for and (ii) spent thus far on running the property;
(2) whether the Presidency is responsible for paying the costs of running the property; if not, which (a) department and/or (b) person is responsible for the costs of running the property; if so, what are the relevant details? CW663E
REPLY:
The Presidency is not responsible for running the President's property in Nkandla and is thus not privy to the related costs.
The Department of Public Works is responsible for maintaining the structures that government has erected on the property.
Reply received: December 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 32 of 2013
426. Mrs B L Abrahams (DA-Gauteng) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) With reference to the President's visit to Eldorado Park to address and discuss the escalating drug supply and abuse problem in the area, (a) how sustainable is the (i) Drug Master Plan and (ii) Gauteng Provincial Anti-Substance Abuse Strategy and (b) what is the current (i) status and (ii) progress of these strategies;
(2) whether any other (a) programmes or (b) initiatives are being considered; if not, why not; if so, (i) when will these be undertaken or implemented and (ii) what are the further relevant details;
(3) how many (a)(i) drug merchants and (ii) juveniles have been arrested and (b) were released on bail since May 2013;
(4) whether any rehabilitation centres will be built in Eldorado Park; if not, why not; if so, when? CW636E
REPLY:
The National Drug Master Plan (NDMP) ensures coordination of efforts to reduce the demand, supply and harm caused by substance abuse and strengthens mechanisms for implementing cost-effective interventions to empower vulnerable groups affected by substance abuse.
The Provincial Integrated Anti-Substance Abuse Strategy gives effect to the implementation of the National Drug Master Plan at a provincial level.
A number of activities have taken place since the visit to Eldorado Park. The national Department of Social Development as the lead department in prevention and treatment of substance abuse has coordinated interventions. The Department ,in collaboration with the City of Johannesburg established a Local Drug Action committee in Eldorado Park, which has developed its own local action plan to tackle the problem of substance abuse in the community.
In a joint response by provincial Gauteng Provincial Government Departments, to combat the scourge of substance abuse in Eldorado Park, the following were key achievements:
· The strengthening of institutional mechanisms was done through the establishment of an operations centre within one week.
· At school level, raids and searches at schools and of vendors were done.
· At community level, four additional Social Workers, and auxiliary workers were deployed to schools, murals were done by members of the Eldorado Park. Community and children at risk were removed and placed appropriately.
· Five veteran social workers were appointed to strengthen psychosocial support services and family preservation programmes.
· There was a significant improvement in effecting arrests of those reported and increasing Police visibility through road blocks, raids and searches
The Department of Social Development has also upscaled Substance Abuse Prevention and Awareness Campaigns through:
· Door to door campaigns, anti-drug abuse marches, commemoration of International Day against substance abuse and illicit trafficking.
· Family support groups are continuing. Children who are on substance abuse are identified and referred to treatment centres.
· Youth participated in the anti-nyaope camps coordinated in partnership with the Department of Community Safety during June and September holidays.
· A youth skills development centre was established
To date, 1431 drug lords have been arrested since the beginning of this intervention. Of this total, 1098 are awaiting trial, 1095 received bail, 3 are still in custody and 289 have been convicted on criminal charges. What is of concern, is that 63 of the suspects were children, whose ages are between 14 and 17 years old.
A team of experienced detectives was appointed to intervene and deal with the drug related cases. Their mandate included the investigation of some of the cases which were previously withdrawn at court. Such cases are currently being analysed and discussed with the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for re-assessment. These detectives are not only drawn from Eldorado Park police station but some come from different clusters within the Gauteng province.
Reply received: December 2013
WRITTEN REPLY
Internal Question Paper No. 32 of 2013
425. Mr D Joseph (DA-WC) to ask the President of the Republic:
(a) How many international trips has he undertaken during his first four years in office, (b) what was the total breakdown of the costs for each delegation regarding these trips and (c) what benefits has the country achieved as a direct result of these trips? CW635E
REPLY:
The President has undertaken numerous international trips in the past four years in the pursuit of South Africa's national interest.
The visits are published in the Presidency annual report each year.
These trips have been for bilateral and multilateral diplomatic purposes and have entailed State visits, African Union summits, the Commonwealth Summits, the annual United Nations General Assembly Debate, Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS), India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA). South Africa also participates in key global forums such as the G20 and the World Economic Forum, in which we are able to take forward the agenda of promoting a more just and equitable world economic order and other formations that South Africa belongs to.
Furthermore, the President has been involved in peacemaking and peace-building efforts on the continent. These endeavours have also included conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction and development (PCRD) programmes in line with our foreign policy. The President notably played such roles in countries such as the DRC, Ivory Coast and the Central African Republic.
The President's global engagements yielded a number of tangible results, including, South Africa becoming a member of the BRICS formation (2011), the election of South Africa to serve once more on the UN Security Council (2011- 2012), the election of the first SADC candidate and South African to Chair the African Union Commission, and leading peace efforts on the continent. The visits produced economic and trade dividends that helped to cushion South Africa from the global economic recession and which have cemented the vision of our government to expand trade and economic relations with the continent.
Through these diplomatic endeavours South Africa was able to enter into trade agreements with countries in the non-traditional markets, in particular, emerging markets which helped in absorbing the adverse effects of the global economic meltdown.
On each visit the President is usually accompanied by Ministers whose departments have been designated to engage counterparts to take forward certain areas of cooperation. The President and Ministers are accompanied by staff to perform strategic or technical support as well as personal support services.