National Assembly Questions for Oral Reply by President Jacob Zuma

11 March 2015

1. Mr E M Mthethwa (ANC) to ask the President of the Republic

(1) Whether, since his State of the Nation Address on 17 June 2014 and his pronouncement at the provincial local government summit in Midrand, Johannesburg, on 18 September 2014, there has been any progress in the implementation of the Back-to-Basics approach to local government;

(2) What outcomes and benefits are envisaged by the people of South Africa through this programme? NO555E

Reply:

Honourable Speaker,

We aim to achieve a number of goals through the Back to Basics local government revitalization programme.

We want to put the people and their concerns first and ensure constant contact with communities through effective public participation platforms.

We want to improve the quality of services and the speed with which the services are delivered.

We want to ensure that municipalities are well governed. This means that they should cut wastage, spend public funds prudently, hire competent staff and ensure transparency and accountability.

Back to Basics also means ensuring sound financial management and accounting, and prudently managing resources.

This approach has been adopted by all spheres of government, and by all municipalities. An Inter-Ministerial Committee on Basic Services has been established to ensure tangible benefits in the quality of services that people receive.

Performance indicators have also been developed to measure progress.

About one hundred and sixty municipalities (160) have reported on progress in terms of these indicators.

In this regard, we have assessed the performance of all municipalities in the country and have categorized them in terms of those that are performing well, those that are at risk, and those that are dysfunctional.

Task teams have been set up in each province and on-site visits and assessments are being conducted at all risk and dysfunctional municipalities.

Based on the diagnostic reports, Municipal Support Plans are being developed, to coordinate the response of provincial and national government departments.

All municipal managers and their direct reports have undergone competency assessments. We are also working with municipalities to fill key vacancies and rectify wrongful management appointments.

A database of public officials that have been convicted of fraud and corruption has been established to ensure that they are not employed in the public sector.

In addition, the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has applied to the Municipal Demarcation Board, for the review of seventy three unviable municipalities, with a view to their dissolution or possible merger with stronger municipalities.

I thank you.

2. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:

On what dates this year will he be appearing before the National Assembly to answer oral questions as required by Rule 111(1)(a)? NO465E

Reply:

Honourable Speaker,

The Presidency has proposed to the Speaker, dates on which I will appear before this House to respond to oral questions. 

Excluding today, I am also scheduled to appear three times this calendar year - as required by the rules of Parliament. 

The dates for the three remaining quarters have been proposed as follows:

18 June 2015

06 August 2015

19 November 2015

In addition, as has been the practice since 2009, I will also answer questions at the National Council of Provinces on the 14th of May 2015.

Let me also add that the Executive also accounts to Parliament through the fortnightly question time of the Deputy President, regular questions for written reply to both the President and Deputy President and also written and oral questions to Ministers.

This is in addition to appearances before committees in Parliament by departments to account. The Executive also accounts through the State of the Nation Address and the various Budget vote sessions including that of the Presidency.

I thank you.

3. Mr J S Malema (EFF) to ask the President of the Republic:

(1) In light of the challenges experienced by the criminal justice institutions under his leadership, the uncertainty surrounding the future of the head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the fact that the Special Investigating Unit is without a head and the future of the Hawks' leader which is now under threat, what is he doing to ensure that there is stability in these institutions;

(3) what is his position regarding the perception that at the centre of all the problems experienced by the criminal justice institutions is the desire to protect him from accounting for the charges that were controversially dropped by the NPA? NO211E

Reply:

Honourable Speaker

We want all state institutions to function efficiently and effectively.  The various criminal justice institutions mentioned are fully functional. This is demonstrated in their respective quarterly performance and annual reports. 

The Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster Ministers are putting measures in place to ensure that the functioning of the institutions is not negatively affected by the on-going court processes and inquiries.

The National Prosecuting Authority, the Special Investigating Unit and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) are independent and must execute their mandate without fear or favour.

The perception that I influence these institutions unduly is unfounded and baseless.

We should respect all institutions established in terms of the Constitution even if we disagree with their decisions.

I thank you.

4. Mr A F Mahlalela (ANC) to ask the President of the Republic:

Since his reply to the debate on the State of the Nation Address on 20 June 2014 and his address at the launch of Operation Phakisa on 15 October 2014, (a) what has been the progress with the implementation of Operation Phakisa and

(b) how does it benefit the people of South Africa? NO556E

Reply:

We launched Operation Phakisa last year to fast-track the implementation of Government programmes in line with the objectives of the National Development Plan. 

The Operation Phakisa programme focusing on the oceans economy focuses on four priority areas, namely marine transport and manufacturing, offshore oil and gas exploration, aquaculture as well as marine protection services and ocean governance.

Projections are that we will need more than nine billion rand for infrastructure to support the oil and gas industry and to expand manufacturing within our ports.

The refurbishment of existing Ship Repair Facilities has already commenced. Contracts have been awarded for work on the facilities in the ports of Port Elizabeth and Durban while tenders for the remaining facilities are at various stages.

Transnet has committed funds for the implementation of a concession model for private sector investment in new marine manufacturing port facilities.

Engagement with industry in this regard has already commenced. 

In the upstream oil and gas sector, seismic surveys are being conducted on the south, west and east coasts through reconnaissance permits as well as exploration and production rights. Drilling is also taking place on the south coast. 

Gas fields are being developed in the South and West coasts for further gas supply to the Mossel Bay refinery and in Saldanha Bay.

In respect of aquaculture, fish farming projects have already begun in Doringbaai, Hamburg and Hermanus, creating jobs in these areas.

The Environmental Impact Assessment and Biodiversity Regulations have been amended to provide a conducive environment for aquaculture development.  A further review of the Alien Invasive Species Regulations is under way.

We are also working with international partners to ensure the implementation of some of the projects.

In this regard, we are engaging Norway as a partner to develop marine spatial plans.

We have further launched a five-year programme with Germany, focusing on developing marine spatial plans in the region together with Namibia and Angola, worth 8.9 million Euros.

Honourable Speaker

In order to successfully implement all the projects, we need to enhance the skills base in the country.

The People's Republic of China has offered two thousand (200 000) study opportunities for South African students over a period of five years. Earmarked fields of study include maritime, marine and ocean related areas. 

Some students have already qualified in maritime studies through the World Maritime University in Sweden.

We need to work together to create opportunities for these graduates both within the private and public sectors.

Honourable Speaker,

In the health Phakisa, the Department of Health, working with all provinces as well as private and non-governmental stakeholders, has completed a planning laboratory in Pretoria.

Detailed plans have been developed with these stakeholders to roll out a programme to realise the ideal clinic initiative across all clinic facilities in South Africa.

We are also exploring Operation Phakisa initiatives in mining and agriculture.

The successful implementation of Operation Phakisa initiatives is changing the way government works in the designated sectors, and will certainly change the way we contribute to economic growth and job creation.

I thank you.

5. Mr M Hlengwa (IFP) to ask the President of the Republic:

Whether he intends to implement the 30 November 2000 Cabinet Committee Resolution that chapters 7 and 12 of the Constitution be amended to prevent the obliteration of the powers and functions of traditional leaders and traditional institutions of governance; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NO467E

Reply:

As I indicated yesterday in my response to Honourable Shenge in the National House of Traditional Leaders debate, while it is true that the Cabinet committee made a recommendation to Cabinet to accede to the amendment of Chapter 7 and 12 of the Constitution, Cabinet, in its wisdom, decided not to accept the proposal for the amendment of the said Chapters.

I thank you.

6. Mr M L Shelembe (NFP) to ask the President of the Republic:

(1) With reference to his undertaking in his State of the Nation Address on 17 June 2014 that the Independent System Market Operator Bill would be finalised and the reply of the Minister of Energy to question 2829 on 2 December 2014, why did he not make reference to the Bill in his State of the Nation Address on 12 February 2015 when he addressed the challenges around the electricity demands;

(2) whether the Government intends for the Bill to be finalised in accordance with his undertaking on 17 June 2014; if so, by when; if not, what alternative plan will be put in place to fill the gap left by the Bill not being finalised to restructure Eskom and break its monopoly on the generation, procurement and distribution of electricity? NO469E

Reply:

Honourable Speaker

During the State of the Nation Address 2015, I outlined what government is doing to respond to the energy constraints which are an impediment to economic growth.

The SONA2015 unequivocally re-affirmed government's commitment to addressing our challenges.

We outlined the short, medium and long-term plans that we have put in place.

The short and medium term proposals involve improved maintenance of Eskom power stations, enhancing the electricity generation capacity and managing the electricity demand.

The long-term plan involves finalizing the energy security master plan and also making the necessary legislative and regulatory changes where the need might be.

The Department of Energy is reviewing the public comments on the ISMO Bill and will accordingly submit the amended Bill to Cabinet this year.

I thank you.

Issued by the Presidency, March 11 2015

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter