Questions & Replies: Defence & Military Veteran
2014-10-02
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Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2999. Mr A P van der Westhuizen (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
Whether, with regard to the implementation of the Use of Official Language Policy Act, Act 12 of 2012 and since the reply of the Minister of Arts and Culture to question 990 on 6 June 2013, her department implemented the Act; if not, when will the Act be implemented; if so, which languages have been adopted as official languages of her department? NW3643E
REPLY
The implications of the use of the Official Languages Act, No 12 of 2012, for the revised Language Policy of the Department of Defence have been presented to the Defence Policy Board and its scheduled to be presented to the Military Command Council on 2 February 2015 with a targeted implementation date of 2 May 2015. Authority for the declassification of the Department's Policy document has been granted to enable its publication in the Government Gazette by 31 March 2015.
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2965. Mr D J Stubbe (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
Whether she intends to pay bonuses to staff in her department; if so, (a) what criteria has been used to award bonuses, (b) how many staff members will be receiving bonuses, (c) what total amount will be spent on staff bonuses and (d) was this amount budgeted for? NW3609E
REPLY
Chapter 4, clause 15.3 of the SMS Handbook guides the awarding of bonuses to SMS members while the DPSA Employee Performance Management and Development System Framework (for levels 12 and below) guides the awarding of bonuses to levels 12 and below. In terms of clause 9.5 of this framework, departments must not spend more than 1.5% of their remuneration budget for bonuses.
The information requested will be available in Annual Reports once these are tabled in Parliament.
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2960. Adv G Breytenbach (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) With reference to the court case Case No.41202/2010 at the North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, what is the status of negotiations between her and a certain person (name and details furnished), as advised by the North Gauteng High Court;
(2) has she considered (a) the integration of those aggrieved members or (b) alternate relief which could be provided to parties in this matter; if not, why not; if so, what was the conclusion thereof;
(3) why has she not complied with the court order for the conclusion of the matter within a period of 30 days;
(4) have the relevant parties been made bona fide registered military veterans subsequent to this ruling? NW3604E
REPLY
(1) There are no negotiations taking place at present.
(2) (a) No
(b) No; a task team has been appointed under the leadership of the DG of Military Veterans to look into possible alternative relief.
(3) The Court held as follows: "That the application is dismissed with costs on party and party scale". There was therefore no court order to comply with as the case was dismissed.
(4) The task team has yet to finalise its work
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2934. Mr S C Motau (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) (a) What will be the legal status of business units associated with Armscor once they are registered and (b) with respect to each business unit, (i) who will be (aa) responsible for its registration and (bb) the shareholder(s) of each unit and (ii) what will be the mandate of each unit;
(2) what is her department's motivation behind the formation of each of these initiatives? NW3578E
REPLY
It is not clear which process the Hon member is referring to and it is therefore difficult to provide a proper response until further clarity is provided
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2933. Ms J Steenkamp (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(a) What is the status of the Skills Gap Analysis, (b) what were the outcomes of this analysis and (c) why was it removed from her department's Annual Performance Plan 2013-14 as an indicator? NW3577E
REPLY
Department of Defence
(a) The Skills Gap Analysis is an inherent part of the Skills Audit executed by the Department of Defence (DOD) under project HR CONNECT which was completed during the 2013/14 financial year.
(b) The Skills Audit confirmed the existing skills, shortage of skills and also identified newly required skills within the Department of Defence.
(c) The Skills Audit is encapsulated as an indicator in the DOD's Annual Performance Plans for 2013/14 that were tabled in Parliament.
Department of Military Veterans
(a) & (b) The Skills Gap Analysis that was included in the Annual Performance Plan 2013-14 was not realised.
(c) It was removed from the APP 2013-14 reasons being it was for military veterans not the employees of the Department and the Chief Directorate Skills Development and training incorporated this aspect into their skills training programmes.
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2932. Mr J J McGluwa (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(a) What was the total expenditure on computer services from her department's budget as at 31 March 2014, (b) how much did her department (i) overspend or (ii) underspend for advertising and (c) what are the details of such (i) overspending and/or (ii) underspending? NW3576E
REPLY
(a)and (b) : The information requested is contained in the Annual Report for the 2013/14 Financial year that has been tabled in Parliament.
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2931. Mr R A Lees (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) (a) Which (i) provinces and (ii) provincial departments have received transfers from the Department of Military Veterans in the 2013-14 financial year;
(2) in respect of each transfer, (a) how much was received by each province and (b) what services or benefits were delivered by these provinces? NW3575E
REPLY
The following Provinces have received top - up funds for military veterans housing for financial year 2013/14.
(1) North West Province:
R3.6m to build 50 housing units @ R72.000 per unit.
2 housing units were built in Kraaipan, North West.
(2) Free State Province:
R7.2m to build 100 housing units @ R72.000 Per unit.
No houses have been built so far.
(3) Kwazulu Natal Province:
R3.6m was transferred to build 50 housing units @ R72.000 per unit
No houses have been built so far.
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2930. Mr A M Figlan (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(a) What was the total expenditure on advertising from her department's budget as at 31 March 2014, (b) how much did her department (i) overspend or (ii) underspend on advertising and (c) what are the details of such (i) overspending and/or (ii) underspending? NW3574E
REPLY
The information requested is provided in the 2013/14 Annual Reports of both the Departments of Defence and Military Veterans that were tabled in Parliament, and are therefore available perusal.
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2929. Ms S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) (a) What is the status of the plan to introduce a single pension for all military veterans and (b) what will the status of the special pension for non-statutory forces be;
(2) did a certain company (name furnished) complete the military veterans pension framework, as planned; if not, why not? NW3573E
REPLY
(1) (a) The Department of Military Veterans has to date developed a draft Military Veterans Pension Framework and draft Military Veterans pension Policy which are currently undergoing processes towards finalization and approval for benefit implementation.
(1) (b) The Department of Military Veterans does not implement the legislation pertaining to special pension and therefore clarity in this regard is obtainable from the National Treasury.
(2) The Military Veterans pension framework was developed in conjunction with various stakeholders in Government and Alexander Forbes since GEPF and GPAA utilises them. Alexander Forbes played a pivotal role in costing of the Military Veterans Bill, therefore their actuarial expertise were highly required.
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2927. Ms P T van Damme (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) Why did her Department of Military Veterans not achieve its target for the construction of a health and wellness centre, for which R10 million was budgeted in the 2013-14 financial year;
(2) does her department intend to (a) build or (b) purchase such a centre in the 2014-15 financial year; if so, in each case (i) where will this centre be built and (ii) what is the roll-out plan for such centre? NW3571E
REPLY
The Department of Military Veterans does not have control over the entire process of acquiring infrastructure as the Department of Public Works is the custodian thereof.
The necessary requirements, including specifications for purchasing the healthcare and wellness centre in Gauteng Province were submitted to the Department of Public works in the 2013/14 financial year.
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2926. Ms P T van Damme (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) (a) What honouring events incorporating military veterans who are former members of certain liberation armies (names furnished) are planned for the 2014-15 financial year and (b) how many medals have been prepared for these events;
(2) whether there is a policy that governs honouring events; if so, (a) when was it (i) finalised and (ii) implemented, (b) what policy guided the organisation of the three previous honouring events and (c) how was the amount of R46 million determined for use for these events? NW3570E
REPLY
1. (a) There have been no honouring events planned for the financial year 2014-15.
(b) No medals have been prepared for any of the former liberation armies, but designs had been created for the APLA honouring event, which is not taking place as the party politics has caused a divide in the APLA ranks and thus consensus on the design and dates of honouring this structure has not been agreed to.
2 (a) & (b) The Department used Military Veterans Act, Act 18 of 2011 as a guiding legal instrument, whilst Regulations were being developed. The SANDF Ceremonial Policy and Manual were also used because the DMV was still using the DoD Systems. The DMV draft policy is currently circulating for inputs and will be approved before the end of the financial year.
(c) The R46 million was determined to expend as follows;
| Parade Date | 1ST Parade 2 Aug 12 | 2nd Parade 27 Oct 12 | 3rd Parade 06 Dec 12 | TOTAL |
| Bloemfontein Air Force Base | Waterkloof Air Force Base | Waterkloof Air Force Base | ||
| a | b | c | ||
| ITEMS | R'000 | R'000 | R'000 | R'000 |
| Medals | R3 829 | R5 957 | R 21 456 | R31 242 |
| Catering | R2 315 | R2 582 | R1 146 | R6 043 |
| Accommodation | R1 356 | R764 | R233 | R2 353 |
| Air Transport | R644 | R383 | R332 | R1 359 |
| Vehicle hire | R393 | R594 | Defence Vehicles were utilised | R987 |
| Marketing and communication expenses | R2 373 | R228 | R816 | R3 417 |
| Medals committee payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | R462 |
| Air travel and care hire | 0 | 0 | 0 | R94 |
| TOTAL | R10 910 | R10 508 | R23 983 | R46 957 |
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2925. Ms P T van Damme (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(a) What target was set for the signing of public-private partnerships and memoranda of understanding (PPPs and MOUs) with the private sector in the 2013-14 financial year,
(b) why did her Department of Military Veterans not formalise any PPPs and MOUs in the 2013-14 financial year and (c) which 10 private companies did her Department of Military Veterans identify in the 2014-15 financial year for the purpose of signing PPPs and MOUs with the private sector? NW3569E
REPLY
(a) & (b) The Department's target was to sign MOUs and SLA's with Governments Departments that deliver services to military veterans.
(a) & (b) The following Private Companies/stakeholders approached the Department to enter into MoUs and SLAs.
· Defence Industry
· Histomart,
· Altivex,
· Iphupho,
· Consulting Africa's next Energy Generation (CANEG),
· Thorax,
· PILOG,
· Military Veterans Health Practitioners Association (MVHPA) -Signed
· NSFAS - Signed
(b) The agreements with some of the above-mentioned private companies could not be concluded due to contents identified which are not compliant with National Treasury Regulations and the PFMA.
(c) No specific companies were identified.
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2924 . Mr S Esau (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) How many (a) houses does her department plan to build for military veterans in the 2014-15 financial year and (b) of these houses have already been allocated to beneficiaries;
(2) in respect of each allocated house, (a) who are the beneficiaries, (b) which former formation did they belong to, (c) where is the house to be built and (d) is there an approved Department of Military Veterans Housing Policy? NW3568E
REPLY
1(a) 1000 houses are to be built for financial year 2014/15 @ R78 000 per unit = R78 000 000
1(b) No houses have been built so far for financial year 2014/15 using top up funds from the Department of Military Veterans and no houses have been allocated.
(2) (a) - (c) Not applicable
(2) (d) Yes there is an approved Policy on Housing for Military Veterans
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2923. Mr S Esau (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) With reference to the 1176 job opportunities provided by her department in the 2013-14 financial year to military veterans, (a)(i) what criteria were used to select candidates for the positions and (ii) in each case, which formation did candidates formerly belong to, (b) who served on the selection panel, (c) which (i) positions and (ii) programmes were candidates placed in, (d) what skills training was provided and (e) how many of these jobs opportunities are in the form of (i) permanent or (ii) temporary employment;
(2) what is average duration of the contract for (a) temporary and (b) non-permanent employment in respect of the specified job opportunities? NW3567E
REPLY
(1) (a) (i) criteria used
An important criterion in selecting or recommending potential job placement candidates is that they should be unemployed. A list of unemployed Military Veterans is drawn from the National Military Veterans Database.
Another criterion used is the job interest and skill so that a person is placed as closely as possible to an area where they have actual interest. Yet another criterion is the locality of the job opportunity. With the high rate of unemployment, it becomes a sensitive matter to consider how local job communities would react to placements from outside their areas of residence. Therefore, an attempt is always made to place people as close as possible to home, which factor also contributes to reduction of travelling costs and to retain a normal family structure whilst trying to create job opportunities.
In summary, therefore, the criteria do encompass the following
· Person being unemployed
· Person being on the database
· A link to the skills and interests of the job candidate
· Placement in a job opportunity close to home
(1) (a) (ii) formation military veterans belong to
Unemployed military veterans are not categorised according to formations.
(1) (b) the selection panel
There has been no job selection panel formally established in the DMV. The staffing capacity in the Department did not make allowance for this. The development of a list, which could be linked to the database, made it possible to look at these lists for referring possible candidates to and linking them to job opportunities, whilst also requesting a draw down from the database, using specific skills sets requirements when linking persons to possible job opportunities.
(1) (c) (i) and (ii) programmes and positions were military veterans placed in
There is a variety of positions and programmes that military veterans have been placed in. Areas that have been utilised, as and when opportunities presented themselves include the following:
· Department of Environment Affairs (Operation Vuselela – Working for Water Alien Vegetation Eradication Project)
· Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (Anti-poaching programme)
· Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (Poultry Value Chain – building of broiler houses at the Agricultural Research Council in Pretoria)
· Department of Water Affairs (and Sanitation) on the dams in Mpumalanga
· Learnership programme through SSG Security group in Gauteng
(1) (d) skills training provided
To date, no specific preparatory skills training has been done, except in the case of the SSG programme where military veterans were initially on a one year long learnership before being placed in job opportunities with the Gauteng local government. In all of the other opportunities, the skills offered and linked to the job opportunities were used as the means for placing people in job opportunities. However, in all instances, the DMV makes an offer to potential employees to advise on what initial training would be needed for potential employees to be more employable. In the case of the placements at the ARC site in Pretoria, those in employment were offered an opportunity to do a driver training course to enhance their employability.
(1) (e) (i) permanent positions
Of the number of job opportunities offered, 90 jobs in Mpumalanga and 108 in the Gauteng local government were on permanent basis
(1) (e) (ii) temporary positions
The temporary opportunities were offered in the following projects and programmes:
· Department of Environment Affairs (Operation Vuselela – Working for Water Alien Vegetation Eradication Project)
· Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (Anti-poaching programme)
· Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (Poultry Value Chain – building of broiler houses at the Agricultural Research Council in Pretoria)
(2) (a) Temporary positions have had different durations ranging from one year to three years, linked to the roll out of the Expanded Public Works Programme
· Department of Environment Affairs (Operation Vuselela – Working for Water Alien Vegetation Eradication Project) Expanded Public Works: 3 years
· Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (Anti-poaching programme) 3 years long
· Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (Poultry Value Chain – building of broiler houses at the Agricultural Research Council in Pretoria) 1 year project
(2) (b) The permanent positions are permanent in that military veterans are fully employed as per the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and function as fully governed by the Human Resource policies of the entity where jobs have been created
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2860. Mr J H Steenhuisen (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
With reference to her reply to question 237 on 5 August 2014 in regard to each (a) fixed wing and (b) rotary wing aircraft operated by the South African Air Force and used to transport President Jacob Zuma, (i) how many flying hours have been flown and (ii) what was the (aa) total expenditure and (bb) breakdown of such expenditure (aaa) in the 2013-14 financial year and (bbb) from 1 April 2014 to the latest specified date for which information is available? NW3502E
REPLY
I cannot reply to the question as the information asked for is by nature sensitive as it pertains to the movement of the State President. I will request the Co-Chairpersons of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence to afford me an opportunity to provide the information in a closed briefing
Reply received: December 2014
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2857. Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) Whether (a) military aircraft and/or (b) a chartered aircraft was used to transport President, Mr Jacob G Zuma, to Australia to attend the G20 Summit in November 2014; if not, in each specified case, why were such aircraft not used; if so, in each specified case, what type of aircraft were used;
(2) in the case of a chartered aircraft being used, what was the name of the company from which the aircraft was chartered;
(3) what was the (a) total cost and (b) breakdown of such costs of the aircraft used for the President's visit to Australia? NW3499E
REPLY
I cannot reply to the question as the information asked for is by nature sensitive as it pertains to the movement of the State President. I will request the Co-Chairpersons of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence to afford me an opportunity to provide the information in a closed briefing
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2816. Dr P J Groenewald (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:†
(1) Whether any steps have been taken against any member of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) who was involved in the incident where the SA Police Service raided a shebeen in Oudtshoorn and arrested members of the SANDF; if not, why not; if so, (a) against how many SANDF members, (b) against how many members of each rank and (c) in each case, what steps were taken against each member;
(2) whether any steps have been taken against the senior officer who allegedly confronted the SAPS in a drunken state and called up the SANDF's response unit to let the soldiers go free; if not, why not; if so, what steps;
(3) whether she will make a statement on the matter? NW3457E
REPLY
(1) Yes, the SAPS took legal steps against the SANDF members who were arrested at the shebeen. (a) Eight members were arrested. (b) The ranks of the arrested members are one Lt Col, one Captain , one Coporal, three Privates and two civilian members. (c) Two soldiers admitted guilt and each paid a fine of R200, 00. The other six soldiers appeared before the Oudtshoorn Magistrates Court and their case was withdrawn due to the fact that their summonses were incorrect. 2. The officer has been charged according to the Military Discipline Code and disciplinary steps have been taken against the officer.Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2811. Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
In respect of each of the five specified milestones proposed in the South African Defence Review 2014 to restore the defence capability, (a) what Category 1 Material will have to be acquired and (b) what is the total (i) acquisition cost and (ii) life-cycle cost of the specified Category 1 Material that will have to be acquired at the current rand value? NW3366E
REPLY
The Department of Defence is not yet in a position to accurately indicate the precise materiel requirement for each of the Defence Review Milestones or the cost thereof. The Secretary for Defence and the Chief of the South African National Defence Force have established the Defence Review Implementation Project (DRIPT) that has embarked on a process to develop an implementation plan and subsequent costed long-term Defence Development Plan. As part of this plan, the long-term capital acquisition master plan will be aligned and will provide an indication of the detailed year on year funding requirement
Reply received: November 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2766. Adv G Breytenbach (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) Whether she received an invitation to the wedding of Vega Gupta and Aakash Jahajgarhia; if so,
(2) whether she attended any of the wedding festivities between 30 April and 3 May 2013; if so,
(3) whether she stayed overnight at the venue; if so, (a) what accommodation did he use, (b) who paid for the said accommodation, (c) what mode of transport did she use to attend the wedding festivities and (d) who paid for the travel costs? NW3418E
REPLY
(1) Yes
(2) No
(3) N/A
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2762. Ms S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) (a) How many applications for burial support did her department receive (i) in the 2013-14 financial years and (ii) from 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) in the case of each financial year (i) what criteria was used to determine the eligibility of applications, (ii) who were the beneficiaries of the burial support and (iii) which formation did the deceased belong to;
(2) has burial support been provided to persons not registered on the Department of Military Veterans' database (a) in the (i) 2012-13 and (ii) 2013-14 financial years and (b) from 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if not, why not; if so, in each case (aa) who was the beneficiary, (bb) which formation did the deceased belong to and (cc) how much was provided as burial support? NW3413E
REPLY
(a) (i) 2013/14 Financial year: This response covers the period from 2012/13 to the end of the 2013/14 financial years, after the approval of a Burial Support Policy in November 2011. During this time, the DMV received burial support requests from 207 families of military veterans
(ii) April 2014 to date: In the 2014/15 financial year, the DMV had received 160 requests for burial support by the date of drafting this report, by 03 December 2014
(b) (i) The criteria used to determine eligibility: The first criterion is that the deceased must have been registered as a bona fide military veteran on the DMV national database. The family also needs to provide the following documents to be assisted with the burial support funding, viz
· A death certificate
· A burial order
· A copy of ID for the deceased
· A copy of ID for the beneficiary
· An affidavit providing proof of the relationship between the deceased and the proposed beneficiary
· Proof of marriage where the beneficiary is the legitimate spouse of the deceased
· A copy of an affidavit from each of three family members who have nominated or agreed to the status of the beneficiary as being a legitimate beneficiary
· Provision of banking details for the beneficiary
(ii) Beneficiaries have been either a spouse of the deceased or a child or family member nominated and confirmed through an affidavit as being the legitimate beneficiary
(iii) The deceased whose families have been paid out of the burial support fund have come from all formations.
2 (a) (i) and (ii): No burial support is offered for deceased military veterans who are not on the database. However, in cases where a member is not on the database the deceased's family makes an application and includes documents proving that he/she is a military veteran. An application is first made to the Director-General to approve of the inclusion of the deceased on the database. It is only after this has been approved that a deceased military veteran's family is paid out. This makes allowance for further probing to ascertain if there have been any misdemeanours against the military veteran before payment is submitted for approval to the Director-General.
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2761. Ms S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(a) What is the breakdown of military veterans on the (i) SA Military Health Services and (ii) Department of Military Veterans Healthcare databases who have and (b)(i) received health cards and (ii) accessed healthcare facilities using health cards in the (aa) 2012-13 and (bb) 2013-14 financial years? NW3412E
REPLY
(a) (i)
| S/No | Military Veterans | Type | Total |
| a | b | c | |
| 01 | Civilian | Family Head | 11 530 |
| Spouse | 72 | ||
| Child | 2 | ||
| Total For Civilian | 11 604 | ||
| 02 | Regular Force Medical Continuation Fund (RFMCF) | Family Head | 59 |
| Spouse | 4 | ||
| Total For RFMCF | 63 | ||
| 03 | Regular Force | Family Head | 2 |
| Dependant of Regular Force | Family Head | 1 | |
| Spouse | 5 | ||
| Total For Regular Force | 8 | ||
| 04 | Reserve Force | Family Head | 18 |
| Total For Reserve Force | 18 | ||
| 05 | Other | Family Head | 128 |
| Spouse | 1 | ||
| Total For Other | 129 | ||
| Grand Total | 11 822 | ||
(a) (ii) and (b)
| ITEM | 2012/13 | 2013/14 |
| Healthcare access | 1859 | 7703 |
| Healthcare cards issued | 956 | 5545 |
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2760. Mr S Esau (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(a) Which vacant posts within her department (i) have been filled and (ii) are still vacant as from 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) what is the salary level of each vacant post? NW3410E
REPLY
Department of Defence
(a) and (b) The information on Public Service Act Personnel (PSAP) vacant posts, per level, that have been filled from a April 2014 to 30 Sep 2014 is as follows:
| Salary level | No of vacant and funded posts |
| 13 | 8 |
| 12 | 10 |
| 11 | 3 |
| 8 | 22 |
| 7 | 74 |
| 5 | 248 |
| Total | 365 |
The number of PSAP posts that are still vacant and funded as at 30 Sep 2014 is 1001.
Department of Military Veterans
(a) i out of 135 funded posts of the approved structure 115 are filled
(a) ii 20 funded posts are still vacant
| Post Level | No. of posts on approved establishment | No. of funded posts 2013/14 | No. of permanent posts filled to the establishment | No. of vacant posts |
| 1 | – | – | – | – |
| 2 | – | – | – | – |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - |
| 5 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 3 |
| 6 | 28 | 28 | 7 | 21 |
| 7 | 20 | 20 | 14 | 6 |
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | - |
| 9 | 22 | 22 | 22 | - |
| 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | _ |
| 11 | 44 | 44 | 31 | 13 |
| 12 | 5 | 5 | 5 | _ |
| 13 | 18 | 18 | 9 | 9 |
| 14 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 1 |
| 15 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 16 | 1 | 1 | 1 | _ |
| Total | 169 | 135 | 115 | 54 |
(b) The table hereunder indicates the number of posts filled and vacant as at April 2014 according their salary level:
Reply received: December 2014
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2724. Mr R A Lees (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
Did (a) her department and/or (b) any entities reporting to it owe money to any Gauteng municipalities at the end of the 2013-14 financial year; if so, in respect of each specified municipality (i) what is the name of the municipality, (ii) what was the total amount owed, (iii) what was the nature of the debt, (iv) for how long has the debt been outstanding and (v) what plans are in place to recover the debt owed to the municipality by (aa) her department and/or (bb) any entities reporting to it? NW3373E
REPLY
Department of Defence
The Department of Defence (DOD) receives a monthly consolidated account for Municipal Services from the National Department of Public Works, and according to the DOD's records all payments are up to date, with no outstanding debt.
Armscor
As at 2013/14 financial year end, Armscor did not owe money to any of the Gauteng Municipalities
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2717. Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) What is the (a) name, (b) rank, (c) designation and (d) job description of each (i) General and (ii) Admiral in the SA National Defence Force (SANDF);
(2) (a) how many (i) drivers, (ii) staff members and (iii) vehicles have been allocated to each specified General and Admiral in each case and (b) what is the (i) make and (ii) model of the vehicle that was allocated in each case;
(3) what is the (a) total expenditure and (b) a breakdown of such expenditure for (i) Generals and (ii) Admirals in the SANDF (aa) in the (aaa) 2012-13 and (bbb) 2013-14 financial years and (bb) from 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available? NW3365E
REPLY
(1) (a),(b),(c) and (d) – Attached find the soft copy on each General and Admiral in the SA National Defence Force.
(2) The Generals and Admirals that are not part of the Military Command are not allocated drivers and vehicles.
Generals and Admirals are allocated one (1) Secretary and/or one (1) Personal Assistance (PA).
(3) (a) and (b)
It is not clear what information the Hon member seeks in this regard
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2716. Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) What is the (a) name, (b) rank, (c) designation and (d) job description of each member of the Military Command of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF);
(2) in respect of each specified member, (a) how many residences have been allocated to them, (b) what is the value of each allocated residence, (c) how many (i) drivers and (ii) staff have been allocated, (d) how many vehicles have been allocated and (e) in each case, what is the (i) make and (ii) model of the vehicle;
(3) what is the (a) total expenditure and (b) breakdown of such expenditure for the Military Command in the SANDF (i) for the (aa) 2012-13 and (bb) 2013-14 financial years and (ii) from 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available? NW3364E
REPLY
(1) Attached find (a)(b)(c) and (d).
(2)
| Name | Residence | Value of the residence | Number of drivers | Support Staff allocated | Make and the Model of vehicle |
| Gen S.Z. Shoke | Two | To be evaluated | 4x drivers | 3x staff members | 2x allocated vehicles 2x Merc Benz -2012 |
| Lt Gen D.M. Mgwebi | None | N/A | One | One personal assistance and one secretary | None |
| Lt Gen V.R. Masondo | One | R3,600,00.00 | 2x drivers 2x VIP Protectors | 3x staff members | 2x allocated vehicles 2x Merc Benz E350 CDI - 2012 |
| Lt Gen F.Z. Msimang | None | N/A | 2x VIP drivers 1x protector | 4x staff members | None |
| Vice Admiral M.S. Hlongwane | None | None | 2x VIP protectors/drivers | 4x staff members | None |
| Lt Gen J.M. Nyembe | None | None | 1x driver | 2x staff members | None |
| Lt Gen N. Yengeni | None | None | 1x driver | 2x staff members | None |
| Lt Gen B.I. Mbatha | None | None | 1x driver | 2X staff officers | None |
(3) The question on the expenditure is not clear as each item forms part of the normal operational activities of the various responsible divisions
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2715. Mr S Mokgalapa (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) Whether, with reference to her reply to question 1374 on 21 October 2014, South African Special Forces were deployed to Lesotho in (a) August 2014 and/or (b) September 2014; if not, why not; if so, why was Parliament not informed;
(2) how many SA Special Forces operations was Parliament not informed about (a) in the (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12, (iv) 2012-13 and (v) 2013-14 financial years and (b) from 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available? NW3363E
REPLY
The information requested is provided in the reply to Parliamentary Question 1374.
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2588. Ms P T van Damme (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
What amount has her department spent on promotional magazines in the (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14 financial years? NW3226E
REPLY
Department of Defence
(a) SA SOLDIER MAGAZINE
| FY | Total amount | No of copies | Editions |
| 2011-12 | R 2, 740,444 | 5000 | 12 |
| 2012-13 | R 2, 586,513 | 5000 | 12 |
| 2013-14 | R 2,254,857 | 5000 | 12 |
(b) THE RESERVE FORCE VOLUNTEER MAGAZINE
| FY | Total amount | No of copies | Editions |
| 2011-12 | R 390, 000 | 45000 | 2 |
| 2012-13 | R 380, 280 | 45000 | 2 |
| 2013-14 | R 380, 280 | 45000 | 2 |
(c) MILMED (SA MILITARY HEALTH SERVICE)
| FY | Total amount | No of copies | Editions |
| 2011-12 | R 60 000 | 5000 | 6 |
| 2012-13 | R 60 000 | 5000 | 6 |
| 2013-14 | R 60 000 | 5000 | 6 |
Department of Military Veterans
(a) 2011/12 - NIL
(b) 2012/13 - NIL
(c) 2013/2014 – NIL
Reply received: December 2014
Reply received: November 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2520. Mr M H Hoosen (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
What (a) research and (b) cost-benefit analysis was conducted by her department to inform its intention to migrate the mandate of all service delivery agencies relating to military veterans to her department? NW3118E
REPLY
There has been no decision to migrate the mandate of all service delivery agencies relating to Military Veterans to the Department. The department signed MOUs with various line function departments of the state to deliver certain services to Military Veterans.
Reply received: November 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2519. Mr M H Hoosen (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) How many permanent posts were filled by the end of the 2013-14 financial year;
(2) were these vacancies advertised; if not, why not; if so, in each case, in which (a) print, (b) broadcast and (c) online media or publications did the advertisements appear? NW3116E
REPLY
DMV
(1) 123 posts were filled in the end of the financial year 2013/14
(2) (a) Vacancies were advertised on the following print media:
Sunday Times
City Press
Sunday Sun
(b) Nil
(c) Nil
Reply received: November 2014
QUESTION 2518 FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2518. Mr S Esau (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) Which government (a) departments and (b) agencies provided services to military veterans (i) in the (aa) 2011-12, (bb) 2012-13 and (cc) 2013-14 financial years and (ii) during the period 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;
(2) in the case of each financial year, (a) what services were rendered, (b) who were the beneficiaries of these services and (c) to which former formation did they belong? NW3115E
REPLY
(1) (a)
(aa) 2011-2012; (bb) 2012-13: Health care – rendered through South African Military Health Services.
(cc) 2013-14: Health care – rendered through South African Military Health Services; Housing through the Department of Human Settlements (DHS); training and employment – Water Affairs.
(ii) 1 April 2014 to date: Health Care and Counselling; Social Relief of Distress- Department of Social Development;
(b) Agencies: Military Veterans Health Practitioners Association- Health care and counselling; ARC – training and employment. NSFAS - Tertiary Education
(2) Name lists are herewith attached
Reply received: November 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2517. Mr S Esau (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(a) What were the reasons for placing certain persons (names and details furnished) on special leave and (b) what has she found has been the impact of this on the performance of her department? NW3114E
REPLY
(a) The two officials were placed on special leave in order to investigate matters reported in the internal audit report with prejudice to the two officials and to the department.
(b) Although there has not been major impact in the functions of the department, any absence of senior officials has the potential to cause uncertainty and delays in decisions and their timeous executions.
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2516. Mr S Esau (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(a) What are the findings of PricewaterhouseCoopers' investigation into the Department of Military Veterans' Internal Audit Report for the 2014-15 financial year, (b) when will she brief the Portfolio Committee about the report and (c) when will she table the final report in the National Assembly? NW3113E
REPLY
(a) Refer to response provided to Question 978.
(b) Upon invitation by the Portfolio Committee a briefing will be provided.
(c) The Report will not be tabled as indicated in response 978 the report may be the subject of future litigation from service providers mentioned therein.
Reply received: November 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2445 . Mr R A Lees (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
How many work days has her department lost to (a) sick leave and (b) strike action in the (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13 and (iii) 2013-14 financial years? NW3038E
REPLY
The information is contained in the respective Annual Reports that were tabled in Parliament
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2411. Mr D J Stubbe (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(a) What was the total remuneration of (i) board members, (ii) nonexecutive directors and (iii) executive directors of each entity reporting to her in the (aa) 2011-12, (bb) 2012-13 and (cc) 2013-14 financial years and (b) how many times did each board meet in the specified financial years? NW3003E
REPLY
The information requested for the years in question for both the Castle Control Board and Armscor is available in their Annual Reports that were tabled in Parliament.
Reply received: November 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2274. Mr S Mokgalapa (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(a) How many houses were constructed for WWII military veterans in the 2013-14 financial year and (b) in each case, what was the (i) total budget and (ii) budget breakdown for the construction of the houses? NW2823E
REPLY
(a) 2 houses were built for WWII military veterans in Kraaipan North West in 2013/14.
(b) (i) Both houses cost a total of R166 772.43 each broken down as follows per house;
(ii)R93 808.75 from the Department of Human Settlements in line with this Department's allocation for an RDP house in that financial year.
(ii) R72 963.68 top-up funds from the Department of Military Veterans to cover specifications for a military veterans' house in that year.
Reply received: November 2014
QUESTION 2273 FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2273. Mr S Mokgalapa (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
What are the criteria for military veterans to qualify for participation in the 200 military veterans' cooperatives for the 2014-15 financial year? NW2822E
REPLY
Criteria
1. Main beneficiary must be a Military Veteran (unless the MV hands over the right to a spouse or child in writing and signed in an affidavit)
2. Must be registered on the DMV military veterans database
3. Be widows and/or orphans of Military Veterans
4. Meet all the requirements of the Cooperatives Act for the registration of Cooperatives
Reply received: November 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2272. Mr S Esau (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
What (a) is the roll-out plan for establishing the Department of Military Veteran's provincial offices and (b) norms and standards have been set for these offices to ensure effective functioning? NW2821E
REPLY
(a) The roll-out plan was for the establishment of these offices in all the 9 provinces. This has now been achieved and the relevant staff requirement is appointed.
(b) The department has ensured that the Provincial offices function in terms of the government's norms and standards both for office accommodation, administrative requirements and qualified personnel.
Reply received: November 2014
QUESTION 2263 FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2263. Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) Whether (a) military aircraft and/or (b) a chartered aircraft was used to transport the President, Mr Jacob G Zuma, to Brazil to attend the 6th BRICS Summit in July 2014; if not, in each specified case, why were such aircraft not used; if so, in each specified case, what aircraft were used;
(2) in the case of a chartered aircraft being used, what was the name of the company from which the aircraft was chartered;
(3) what was the (a) total cost and (b) breakdown of such costs of the aircraft for the President's visit to Brazil? NW2811E
REPLY
I cannot reply to the question as the information asked for is by nature sensitive as it pertains to the movement of the State President. I will request the Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence to afford me an opportunity to provide the information in a closed briefing
Reply received: November 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2262. Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
What is the (a) total amount and (b) breakdown of amounts transferred to Southern African Shipyards (i) in the (aa) 2008-09, (bb) 2009-10, (cc) 2010-11, (dd) 2011-12, (ee) 2012-13 and (ff) 2013-14 financial years and (ii) from 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available? NW2810E
REPLY
a. The total amount paid to South African Shipyards for work done since 2008/2009 is R289 275 495.49. An amount of R117 346 344.89 will be paid once all work has been done on the SAS AMATOLA expected to be completed at the end of this financial year.
b. The breakdown per financial year and scope of work done is reflected in the table hereunder:
| Serial No | Financial Year | Purpose/Contract | Paid to date (Nov 2014) |
| a | b | d | |
| 1. | 2008/09 | No contract | R0.00 |
| 2. | 2009/10 | No contract | R0.00 |
| 3. | 2010/11 | No contract | R0.00 |
| 4. | 2011/12 | No contract | R0.00 |
| 5. | 2012/13 | SAS ISANDLWANA Engine Change. SA Navy contractor Fluval sub-contracted to Southern African Shipyards. | R11,115,000.00 |
| 6.1 | 2012/13 | Refit of SAS ISAAC DYOBHA by Southern African Shipyards in Durban | R17,819,421.84 |
| 6.2 | Refit of SAS GALESHEWE by Southern African Shipyards in Durban | R22,610,967.58 | |
| 6.3 | Refit of SAS MAKHANDA by Southern African Shipyards in Durban | R19,569,602.96 | |
| 6.4 | Additional costs for propeller repair on SAS ISAAC DYOBHA by Southern African Shipyards in Durban | R506,848.80 | |
| 7. | 2013/14 | No contract | R0.00 |
| 8. | 2014/15 | Refit of SAS AMATOLA by Southern African Shipyards in Durban (in progress since 6 April 2014) | 217,653,654.31 |
| 9. | TOTAL | R289 275 495.49 | |
Reply received: November 2014
QUESTION 2149 FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2149. Mr W M Madisha (Cope) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) Whether she intends to introduce legislation to criminalise the actions of South African citizens who (a) enrol for training as combatants in foreign countries without formal authorisation, (b) participate as combatants in armed conflicts in foreign countries and (c) are involved in activities which violate human rights as practised in South Africa in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether she will make a statement on the matter? NW2623E
REPLY
(1) No, because these aspects are already regulated by the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, 1998 (Act No 15 of 1998) and the Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Regulation of Certain Activities in Countries of Armed Conflict Act, 2006 (Act No 27 of 2006).
(2) No
Reply received: November 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2162. Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) Whether she will make a statement on her record of attendance in the light of (a) her department's report on appearances before parliamentary committees in the 2013-14 annual report and (b) her constitutional obligation under section 92(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, to be accountable to Parliament;
(2) whether she has attended any meetings of the (a) Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans and/or (b) the Joint Standing Committee on Defence since her appointment; if not, in each specified case, why not; if so, in each specified case, (i) which meeting did she attend, (ii) on what date was the meeting and (iii) what was the purpose of the meeting? NW2596E
REPLY
(1) No
(2) Yes. The Minister has attended meetings of the Committees when she has been invited to do so. In fact the Minister has also, on one occasion, requested that the Joint Standing Committee on Defence be convened for an opportunity to brief the Committee. This had been the only time that the committee had met since her appointment and prior to the end of the previous term of Parliament.
This Minister can't attend meetings if the committee is not convened or when she has not been invited to do so.
Reply received: November 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2152. Mr M G P Lekota (Cope) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) Whether the Government will instruct the SA National Defence Force to designate a unit to begin intensive and special training, using special equipment, clothing and protocol so that in the event of an Ebola outbreak in the country such a unit will have the requisite training, clothing and equipment to support medical teams in the same manner in which the army unit of the United States of America intends to act in West Africa, and undertake any other duties deemed necessary to stop the spread of the virus in the country; if not, why not; if so, what are the full details;
(2) whether she will make a statement on government planning and preparedness in this matter? NW2626E
REPLY
(1) The Government response to the Ebola Epidemic is managed in terms of the Multi-sectorial National out break response, which includes various government departments. The DoD's own response will always be within the requirements and directive of this National effort
(2) All communication in this regard is managed by the national Department of Health.
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2126. Mr Z N Mbhele (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
Whether her department condoned any irregular expenditure on sourcing of aircraft in the 2013-14 financial year; if not, in each specified case, why not; if so, in each specified case, (a) what was the name of the entity sourcing the aircraft, (b) what was the name of the company supplying the aircraft, (c) why was the expenditure regarded as irregular and (d) why was the irregular expenditure condoned? NW2597E
REPLY
No, there was no irregular expenditure on sourcing of aircraft via the National Treasury Contract (RT61) or contracted by the Central Procurement Service Centre in the 2013/14 financial year.
Reply received: December 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2125. Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
What was the (a) amount spent chartering the (i) Boeing 727 ZS-PVX and (ii) any other specified aircraft from Fortune Air in the (aa)(aaa) 2009-10, (bbb) 2010-11,(ccc) 2011-12, (ddd) 2012-13 and (eee) 2013-14 financial years and (bb) from 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) total cost for the specified financial years including the period 1 April 2014 up to the latest specified date for which is available? NW2595E
REPLY
The information required has been deemed sensitive and classified for security reasons
Reply received: November 2014
QUESTION 2124 FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2124. Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) Whether a military aircraft was used to transport the President, Mr Jacob Zuma, to Russia in August 2014; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; if not,
(2) whether a chartered aircraft was used; if so, what was the (a) name of the company, (b) total cost and (c) breakdown of such costs of the aircraft which was used for the President's visit to Russia? NW2594E
REPLY
I cannot reply to the question as the information asked for is by nature sensitive as it pertains to the movement of the State President. I will request the Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence to afford me an opportunity to provide the information in a closed briefing
Reply received: November 2014
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2054. Mr J J McGluwa (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(a) How many copies of her department's annual report for the (i) 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? NW2521E
REPLY
a) (i) The Department of Military Veterans didn't print the 2012/13 Annual Report as a whole but submitted the Accounting Officer`s Report which was included in the Department of Defence Annual Report 2012/13.
(ii) In 2013/14 - The department printed 2000 Annual Report copies inclusive of CDs.
b) (i) The 2013/14 Annual Report copies amounted to R129 053.13
(ii) The Annual Report is distributed to the following key stakeholders:
· National Assembly for the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans
· National Council of Provinces
· National Treasury,
· Auditor General of South Africa,
· Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation,
· National Libraries and
· Other stakeholders as per Government Printers guidance
Reply received: December 2014