Questions & Replies: State Security
2014-03-06
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Reply received: November 2014
QUESTION NO. 2448
Ms LV James (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
How many work days has his department lost to (a) sick leave and (b) strike action in the (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13 and (iii) 2013-14 financial years?
NW3041
REPLY:
(a) The service conditions governing the civilian intelligence are set out in the Intelligence Services Act and relevant departmental policies and procedures, in terms of which members are entitled to 85 sick leave days over a three year cycle.
When member exercise their rights in terms of this legislative provision, it cannot be said that these days are 'lost to the department'.
(b) in terms of the Intelligence Services Act 65 of 2002 the State Security Agency is classified as an essential service and thus strike action is not permitted.
Reply received: November 2014
Question No. 2057
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 21-2014)
QUESTION NO. 2057
Mr. W Horn (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
(a) How many copies oi his department's annual report for the 2012-13 and (ii) 2013.14 financial years were produced and (b)(i) at what cost were these reports produced and (ii) to whom were these reports circulated?
NW2524E
REPLY
(i) The State Security Agency (SSA) produced sixty (60) copies of the 2012-13 Annual Report and 32 copies of the 201 3-14 Annual Report.
(ii) The SSA Annual Reports are produced in-house
(iii) The 201813 Annual Report was distributed to the Minister for State Security, the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI); the Office of the inspector-General of Intelligence (OIGI),th e Auditor-General (AG), senior management of the SSA and Minister of Finance
The 2013/14 Annual Report was distributed as above with the addition of the Deputy Minister for State Security.
Reply received: October 2014
Question No. 1830
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLYQUESTION MPAPER
(INTERENAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 18-2014)
Question 1830
Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
What was the (a) total for each specified year and (b) grand total amount spent by his department on (i) flowers and (ii) pot plant in the (aaa) 2009-10, (bbb) 2010-11, (ccc) 2011-12, (ddd) 2012-13, (eee) 2013-14, (fff) 2014-15 financial year (bb) since 1 April 2014
NW2203E
Reply:
(i) Flowers
(aaa) 2009-10 – No cost
(bbb) 2010-11 –No cost
(ccc) 2011-12 – No cost
(ddd( 2012-13 – R6 980.00
(eee) 2013-14 – No cost
(fff) 2014-15 – No cost
(bb) since 1 April 2014 - No cost
(ii) Pot Plants
(aaa) 2009-10 – No cost
(bbb) 2010-11 –No cost
(ccc) 2011-12 – R55, 776.89
(ddd( 2012-13 – R50 411.86
(eee) 2013-14 – No cost
(fff) 2014-15 – No cost
(bb) since 1 April 2014 - No cost
Reply received: October 2014
Question NO. 1705
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER
(lNTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 17 -2014)
QUESTION NO 1705
Mr J J McGluwa (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security :
Whether he has considered any steps to prevent the State Security Agency from becoming a tool or extension of personal political power?
NW2068E
REPLY
During the apartheid regime, the intelligence services operated without any legal framework and were not accountable for their actions, which actions were used to fight the struggle for liberation and freedom.
Unlike the apartheid period, the State Security Agency (SSA) has are institutionalised regulatory framework which governs the authorisation of intelligence operations. The aim of the regulatory framework is to prevent the Agency from being misused for political or personal gain and to advance the upholding of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
Reply received: October 2014
Question No. 1501
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE IINTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 16 -2014)
Question
Mr M Bagraim (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
Whether (a) his department nd/or (b) any entities reporting to him sponsored political party (i) advertisements , (ii) events and/or (iii) paraphemalia in the (aa) 2011-12, (bb) 2012-13 and (cc) 2013-14 financial years; if so, (am) far which political part and (bbb) what was the monetary value of the sponsorship in each case?
WN1867E
Reply
The State Security Agency (SSA) does not sponsor political parties,
Reply received: October 2014
Question No. 1436
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 16 -2014)
QUESTION NO. 1436
Mr. A M Figlan (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
Which travel agents has hi department used during the period 1 April 2012 up to the latest specific date for which information is available and (b) what is the quantum of funds spent with each of the specified travel agents in the specified period? NW1801E
REPLY:
(a) The State Security Agency (SSA) is prohibited by law from disclosing any information that could compromise the integrity of its work.
As such, declaring the details of the travel agents that the SSA utilises poses risks that could result in espionage on the travel agencies to, amongst others, determine the identities of SSA personnel, their destination of travel, the frequency of such travel, as well as the places where they are accommodated which could lead to the compromise of intelligence operations and diplomatic relations.
Reply received: September 2014
Question No. 1172
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER N0.12 - 2014
Ms S V Kalyan van (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
(1)Whether (a) he and (b) the Deputy Minister has each employed a ministerial special advisor; if so,
(2)(a) what is the name of the special advisor, (b) when was the special advisor appointed, (c) what are the duties of the advisor, (d) at what post level was the appointment made, (e) what is the salary level of the advisor, (f) what is the duration of the employment contract into with the advisor and (g) why was it necessary to appoint the advisor?
NW1410E
REPLY:
1. (a) The Minister has not appointed any advisors and is in the process of doing so.
The current advisors contracts expired when the term of the previous Minister ended and they are currently employed on a month to month basis.
(b) The Deputy Minister has not appointed any advisors
Reply received: September 2014
Question No. 939
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 10-2014)
QUESTION NO. 939
Dr. P J Groenewald FF Plus) to ask the Minister of State Security:
(1) Whether he is aware of allegations that members of Al-Qaeda and/or other terrorist organisations are being settled between Joubertina and Uniondale; if so, (a) how many members are there (b) to which organisation(s) do the members belong, (c) for what reason are they being settled there, (d) to what extent are international conventions that were signed by the Government, being violated by such settlement of specified groups and (e) what will he do about it
(2) Whether he will make a statement regarding the matter?
NW1027E
REPLY:
The State Security Agency (SSA) has taken note of allegations that members of al.Qaeda have settled in the Uniondale area in the Southern Cape where they are alleged to be involved in providing para-military training to suspected local recruits.
In response to these allegations, intensive investigations were conducted by the State Security Agency (SSA) in conjunction with its law enforcement counterparts to confirm or refute the said allegations.
To date, investigations could not confirm the presence of members of al-Qaeda and/or any other terrorist organisations in the said areas.
The Stale Security Agency (SSA) continues to conduct investigations aimed at identifying and countering any potential threat against the national security interest of South Africa.
We are satisfied the situation is under control and there is no need for fear that any part of our country will be utilised for any forum of' terrorist activity without our knowledge.
Reply received: July 2014
Question No. 170
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION 1N THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 1 -2014)
Mr T J Brauteseth (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
QUESTION NO. 170-
(1) What are the details of all the costs of maintenance of the pot plants in his (a) departmental offices and (b) official residence (i) in the (aa) 2009-10 (bb) 2010-11, (cc) 2011-12, (dd) 2012-13 and (ee) 2013-14 financial year and (ii) since 1 April 2014;
(2) In respect of the pot plant maintenance, (a) what is the (i) address and (ii) name of the office where they were/are displayed, (b) for whose benefit are these pot plants, (c) what was/is the value of maintenance for each office and (d) what are the details of any contracts and/or plans for the maintenance of these pot plants in the future?
NW218E
REPLY:
(a) Departmental Offices
(i) (aa)2009-2010: No cost (No maintenance contract with third parties)
(bb) 2010-2011: No cost (No maintenance contract with third parties)
(cc) 201 1-2012: ~55,776:89
(dd) 2012-2013; R50,411.66
(ee) 2013-2014: No cost (No maintenance contract with third parties)
(ii) Since 1 April 2014: No cost
(2)
(b) No pot plants at official residence
(i) (aa) 2009-2010: No cost
(bb) 2010-2011: Mo cost
(CC) 2011-2012: No cost
(dd) 2012-2013: NO cost
(ee) 2013-2014; No cost
(ii) Since 1 April 2014: No cost
(a)(i) Bogare Building Comer Attebury and Lois, Menlyn
(ii) Department of State Security
(b) Image of the Department
(c) Was R3,040.00
(d) No Contracts and or plans for the maintenance of the pot plants in future
Reply received: July 2014
Question No. 136
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 1 -2014)
Mr JJ Mc Gluwa to ask the Minister of State Security:
QUESTION NO. 136
(1) What are the details of ail expenditure that was found to have been (a) irregular and (b) wasteful in hi department for each vear from 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;
(2) In respect of each such finding of (a) irregular and (b) wasteful expenditure, (i)what (aa) is the description thereof, (bb) is the value thereof and (cc) action has been taken against the persons accountable for such expenditure and (ii) how much thereof (aa) has been recovered and (bb) from whom?
REPLY:
(1)
| Financial Year | (a) Irregular expenditure | (b) Fruitless and Wasteful expenditure |
| April 10 – March 2011 | R 2131 034.48 | R 8 395 503.86 |
| April 11 – March 2012 | R 66 166 000.00 | R 53 000.00 |
| April 12 – March 2013 | R 15 063 000.00 | R 487 217.00 |
(2)
(a) irregular expenditure
| Financial Year | (aa) Description | (bb) Value | (cc) Action taken |
| April 10 – March 2011 | ▪ 3 Quotation not obtained for procurement | R 107 362.23 | The Accounting officer condoned |
| April 11 – March 2012 | ▪ No contract service level agreement in place with Travel Management Service Providers | R 86 186 000.00 | Were conducted on reasons for the irregular |
| April 12 – March 2013 | ▪ Procurement of legal services not done through open tender process | R 577 000.00 |
(b) Fruitless and Wasteful Expenditure
| Financial Year | (aa) Description | (bb) Value | (cc) Action taken |
| April 10 – March 2011 | ▪ Penalties and interest paid for building construction works and closed and cover support Unit (CSU) liabilities | R 8 395 503.86 | The Account officer condoned the irregular expenditure after investigation were conducted on the reasons for the irregular |
| April 11 – March 2012 | ▪ Interest on Late payments | R 53 000.00 | |
| April 12 – March 2013 | ▪ Interest paid on overdraft | R 458 000. 00 |
Reply received: July 2014
Question No. 104
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATlON IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 1 -2014)
Mr D C Ross to ask the Minister of State Security:
QUESTION NO. 104
(1) What are the details of official credit cards issued to (a) him and/or (b) his staff;
(2) In respect of each credit card, (a) what is the (i) name and (ii) organogram position of the user, (b) what is the (i) maximum permissible value of each purchase and (ii) total credit limit of the card, (c) what are the details of permissible purchases for which the credit cards may be used and (d) may alcoholic beverages be purchased:
(3) In respect of purchases made with each credit card during the period 8 May 2014 and/or thereafter up to the latest specified date for which information is available. (a) what is the (i) name and (ii) organogram position of the user, (b) what is the (i) value of each purchase made, (ii) what are the details of each item purchased and (iii) for what purpose was each purchase made (c) were any alcoholic beverages purchased: if so, (i) what are the (aa) details and (bb) value of these purchases and (ii) for what purpose was each purchase made?
NW113E
REPLY:
(1) Diners Club Card
(2) (i) LN Dlova
(ii) Liaison Officer
(3) The total value of purchases from 08 May 2014 to 04 June 2014 is R17 186.63. All purchases were for Foreign Intelligence Services Liaison entertainment
Reply received: March 2014
Question No.50
For Written Reply
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER:
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 1 -2014)
Mr TW Coetzee (DA) to ask the Minister of State Security:
QUESTION:
(1)How much does his department plan to spend on (a) advertising, (b) communication and (c) marketing between 1 January 2014 and 30 April 2014. (i) in total and (ii) as a breakdown of the amount:
(2) (a) what mediums is his department going to use in each case and (b) who is the service provider to be used:
(3)What is the main message that his department plans to communicate during this time?
NW51E
REPLY
Currently the State Security Agency does not intend to conduct marketing and communicating any message in the media during the period in question. If the need arises we will fallow normal processes as stated before in our response to a similar question in Parliament.