New Headquarters Rental Costs

Reply received:  February 2012  QUESTION 46 / NW51E
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Thursday, 09 February 2012
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 01 of 2012
Mr M Mnqasela (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

(1)        What is the (a) yearly rental for and (b) floor space of the (i) new and (ii) previous premises used as the Headquarters of her Department;

(2)        on what dates did her Department pay the (a) final rental in respect of the previous premises and (b) first installment in respect of the new premises to which the Headquarters relocated;

(3)        who is the registered owner on the title deed of the new premises;

(4)        whether her Department publicly invited tenders; if not, why not; if so, (a)(i) when and 
(ii) where was it published, (b) which company was awarded the tender and (c) which 
(i) companies and (ii) properties were shortlisted;

(5)        in respect of the specified companies and properties that were shortlisted, what was the (a) floor space and (b) rental of each of these properties?
NW51E

REPLY:

(1)(a)(i)    The yearly rental is R33,195,583.80 (VAT inclusive).

(1)(a)(ii)    The floor space is 25,388.50 square meters.

(1)(b)(i)    The yearly rental was R25,694,247.90 (VAT inclusive).

(1)(b)(ii)    The floor space was 30,858.72 square meters.

(2)(a)       Date of final rent paid will be once the Department has vacated the premises.
(2)(b)       The first instalment will be on the date of occupation of the new premises.

(3)           The registered owner of the new premises is Manaka Property Investments (Pty) Ltd.


http://www.pmg.org.za/node/30871

Border Facilities

QUESTION 44 / NO339E
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Tuesday, 21 February 2012

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 03 of 2012
Mr M S F de Freitas (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:



Whether there are any plans in place to improve the (a) infrastructure and (b) facilities at Border Crossings with regard to (i) Capacity, (ii) Information and Communications Technologies and (iii) Staff; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NO339E

REPLY:



Yes. The following plans are in place, in respect of:



(a)                 Infrastructure:    Some additional funding has been secured from National Treasury. Depending on process negotiated with Public Works, the Department hopes to improve its infrastructure at Ports of Entry, in terms of office space, for day to day operations, as well as, accommodation for its officials.



(b)(i)     Capacity:          A capacity building programme has been developed. This programme will be rolled out, systematically to all Ports of Entry over the next few years. The Program addresses the current challenges encountered in the management of trends in migration, and the facilitation of movement of persons.



(b)(ii)     ICT:                  -         The Department is, currently, engaged in a partnership with the South African Revenue Service, in respect of the eMovement Control System (eMCS)

                                    -         The Department is, also, busy with a Systems Modernization initiative, which will enable the enhancement, and integration of key Information Technology systems

                                    -         The upgrade of Information Technology infrastructure for improved security, data integrity and communication.



(b)(iii)    Staff:                The Department will place emphasis on reducing the turnaround times, in relation to filling existing vacancies





http://www.pmg.org.za/node/30871

Zim dispensation: 2nd Phase

QUESTION 117 / NW126E
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 17 February 2012

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 02 of 2012
Mr G B D Mc Intosh (Cope) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:



Whether there are any plans in place to implement a second phase to regulate the status of Zimbabwean nationals in South Africa; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, when is this second phase envisaged to (a) commence and (b) end?

NW126E

REPLY:



(a) & (b) No. The position of the Department of Home Affairs has been very clear in this regard. A second phase to regulate the status of Zimbabwean nationals will not be implemented.
http://www.pmg.org.za/node/30871

Home Affairs Travel Agents

 http://www.pmg.org.za/node/29273
QUESTION 604 / NW647E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 04 March 2011

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4 of 2011
Mr G G Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:



(1)        (a) Which travel agencies or travel service providers does her Department use currently and (b)(i) how and (ii) when were they appointed in each case;



(2)        what was the (a) budgeted amount and (b) actual amount paid to each specified service provider for Departmental travel expenditure in the
(i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (iii) 2009-10 financial years?

NW647E



REPLY:



(1)(a)                 The Department of Home Affairs utilises the following corporate travel service providers:



·                     Wings Naledi Travel

·                     Magic Travel

·                     Connex Travel

·                     Duma Travel

·                     Nexus XL



(1)(b)(i)              The Department utilises the above-mentioned agencies on a rotational basis, as listed on the Department’s database of service providers.



(1)(b)(ii)             -           Wings Naledi                 January 2004

                        -           Magic Travel                  May 2007

                        -           Connex Travel    May 2004

                        -           Duma Travel                  February 2008

                        -           Nexus XL                      April 2011



(2)(a)&(b)           The information is specified in the table below:



Travel Agency

2007/08

2008/09

2009/10

Total

Budgeted

257,576,000.00

189,036,000.00

188,500,000.00

635,112,000.00

Wings Naledi

33,178,716.48

19,997,385.05

55,427,636.66

108,603,738.19

Duma Travel

1,397,259.06

12,149,960.12

29,433,542.22

42,980,761.40

Magic Travel

-

22,526,294.41

65,330,114.01

87,856,408.42

Connex Travel

5,325,272.44

7,037,184.57

4,256,844.58

16,619,301.59

Actual Expenditure

39,901,247.98

61,710,824.15

154,448,137.47

256,060,209.60

Tighter Visa Requirements for South Africans

 http://www.pmg.org.za/node/29273
QUESTION 660 / NW706E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 04 March 2011

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4 of 2011
Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:



(a) Which countries have (i) escalated their visa requirements for travel by holders of South African passports and (ii) discontinued bilateral agreements on travel by holders of South African passports since 1 January 2005 up to the latest date for which information is available, (b) what are the reasons in each case and (c) what steps has she taken to deal with the concerns of each specified country?



NW706E



REPLY:



(a)(i)         -        The United Kingdom introduced visa requirements for South African passport holders with effect from 3 March 2009.

-        In 2010 Nigeria added a deposit requirement for first-time South African travellers to Nigeria.



(a)(ii)        No countries have discontinued bilateral agreements on travel by South African passport holders.



(b)                       The United Kingdom expressed concerns regarding the security features of South African passports, and the integrity, thereof, since many travellers were found to be in possession of passports that were acquired fraudulently.



In terms of the Visa regime, the South African Government imposes a deposit for first time travellers from Nigeria to South Africa, which is refundable. The Nigerian Government, then, took a decision in 2010 to, also, impose the deposit requirement for first time travellers from South Africa to Nigeria.

(c)                       The Department of Home Affairs, in conjunction with other stakeholders, enhanced the security features of South African passports. We are in the process of improving the accuracy, and the integrity of our National Population Register (NPR).



NOTE: Switzerland imposed visa requirements for completely different reasons, and that is, as a consequence of that country moving into the Schengen Group of countries in 2008, whose policy on South Africa has, always, been towards visa requirement.

Scarce Skills and Work Permit Quota Statistics

 http://www.pmg.org.za/node/29273
QUESTION 712 / NW765E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 04 March 2011

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4 of 2011
Dr C P Mulder (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:†



(1)        How many permits have been issued (a) for (i) scarce skills and (ii) work in terms of the scarce skills and work permit quota list for each year since the announcement of the list and (b) in each category;



(2)        what is the country of origin of each expert who has received a work permit in terms of this list;



(3)        how many of the work permits were issued to persons in the (a) private sector, (b) public sector and (c) non-governmental organisations;



(4)        (a) how many permits were extended for an additional period of time (i) for each category and (ii) in total and (b) how many persons who had entered the country in this manner have obtained citizenship and (c) what country each originates from?

NW765E



REPLY:



(1)(a)&(b)           The Department of Home Affairs is, only, able to provide statistics for the Specific Professional Category / Specific Occupational Class of quota work permits issued for the following periods:



·                     January 2007 to March 2008; and

·                     April 2008 to May 2009



                        For the numbers issued under each category, please refer to Annexures 1 and 2 respectively:



(2)                    Before the centralisation of all temporary residence applications, the Department’s Regional Offices did not keep statistics, in respect of the country of origin, of each expert, in the category, under which the permits were issued. After the implementation of the Track & Trace System, the Department can provide statistics for the country of origin of each expert, but not the category. Please refer to Annexure 3.



(3)(a) to (c)        The Department does not keep record of the number of permits issued to persons in the Private Sector, Public Sector and Non-Governmental Organisations. The reason being that quota work permits are regarded as open ended. This means that a quota work permit holder may change from employer, as long as he, or  she stays employed in the same occupational field, under which his, or  her quota work permit was issued.



(4)(a) to (c)        Again it needs to be stated that the Department does not keep record of the number of permits that were extended for an additional period of time for each category, and in total, how many persons who had entered the country in this manner have obtained citizenship, and what country each originates from.

Travel Expenses

 http://www.pmg.org.za/node/29273
QUESTION 713 / NW766E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 04 March 2011

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4 of 2011
Dr C P Mulder (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:†



(1)        How many overseas visits has she undertaken since being appointed to her post in May 2009 and (b) how many days was she abroad in the performance of her duties;



(2)        (a) to what countries did she travel, (b)(i) how many and (ii) which of these visits took place at the invitation of a host country, (c) what costs did her Department have to pay for such visits, (d) how many of her Department’s officials accompanied her on each trip and (e) what was the purpose of each visit abroad;



(3)        how many overseas visits have officials of her Department undertaken in the performance of their duties, (b) what were the costs for each official in connection with each visit and (c) what was the purpose of each individual visit undertaken by each official?

NW766E



REPLY:



(1)(2)(3) The Honourable Member is, kindly, referred to the Departmental Annual Reports of the years under question.

Home Affairs Cricket World Cup Tickets

http://www.pmg.org.za/node/29273

QUESTION 816 / NW888E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 11 March 2011

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6 of 2011
Adv L H Max (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:


Whether (a) her Department or (b) any of its affiliated entities have purchased any tickets for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011; if not, why not; if so, (i) what process has been followed to purchase these tickets, (ii) how many tickets have been purchased, (iii) for which matches, (iv) what has been the total cost of these tickets, (v) what are the reasons for purchasing these tickets, (vi) to whom will each of these tickets be allocated and (vii) on what was the decision for the allocation of these tickets based?

NW888E



REPLY:


THE DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS:



(a)        No. The Department of Home Affairs did not purchase any tickets for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.



THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING WORKS (GPW):



(b)        No. The GPW did not purchase any tickets for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.



THE FILM AND PUBLICATION BOARD (FPB):



The question was referred to the FPB and it responded as follows:



(b)        No. The FPB did not purchase any tickets for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.



THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION (IEC):



The question was referred to the IEC and the Commission responded as follows:



(b)        No. The IEC did not purchase any tickets for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

Corruption in the Department and its Service Providers

 http://www.pmg.org.za/node/29273

QUESTION 836 / NW908E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 11 March 2011

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6 of 2011
Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:



(1)        Whether the Counter-Corruption and Security Directorate has determined the extent of corruption within her Department and its service providers; if not, why not; if so, what are the (a) details and (b) outcomes of this assessment;



(2)        whether the Directorate has established a clear plan of action to address the corruption experienced; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will such a plan be in place; if so,



(3)        whether this plan is available; if not, why not; if so, where may a copy of the plan be obtained;



(4)        whether action (a) has been and (b) will be taken to deal with the key challenges to combating corruption as identified in the Strategic Plan 2010 to 2013 (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;



(5)        whether the Counter-Corruption and Security Directorate has carried out any targeted counter-corruption activities or blitzes; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of each activity?

NW908E



REPLY:



(1)(a)&(b)           Yes. The Baseline Study on the Causes and Scope of Corruption referred to, in my response to Question 2897 of 2010 – attached herewith as Annexure A – has been completed. It must, however, still be presented to the Executive Management of the Department, and myself for final consideration. It will be implemented, thereafter.



(2)(a)&(b)           Yes. As indicated in my response to Question 2897, in 2010 and, once the Baseline Study on the Causes and Scope of Corruption in the Department of Home Affairs has been finalised, the recommendations, and outcomes of the Baseline Study will form the ultimate Plan towards fighting corruption in the Department.



(3)                    No, as it has not, yet, been finalised. As indicated in my response to Question 2897 in 2010, once the Plan has been finalised, it will, then, be made available within the Department.



(4)(a)&(b)           Yes. In this regard, the Honourable Member is referred to my response to Question 2897 in 2010 – part (3) – which is attached herewith, as Annexure A.



(5)                    Yes. There have been targeted counter-corruption activities which have, jointly, been undertaken internally with the Inspectorate of the Immigration Services (IMS) Branch, and with the assistance of other relevant stakeholders, such as the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), and the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC). The South African Police Service (SAPS), including the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations (the Hawks), were, also, involved when conducting these targeted counter corruption activities. Some of these operations have been covered, widely, in the media, and amongst the most prominent are:



·                     In August 2010, when a senior Department of Home Affairs' official, together with a Director of a private company were caught in the act of “corrupt activities” by the South African Police Services' Hawks unit, and the Department of Home Affairs’ Counter-Corruption and Security Branch.

·                     The arrest of Government officials in the Limpopo, and Mpumalanga Provinces in December 2010.



The Branch: Counter Corruption and Security is continuing with its targeted counter-corruption activities, and, at this stage, the Department cannot divulge the further relevant details of each activity.

Asylum applications statistics

http://www.pmg.org.za/node/29273

QUESTION 837 / NW910E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 11 March 2011

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6 of 2011
Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:



With reference to her reply to question 3545 on 17 December 2010, (a) in respect of the (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10 financial years and (b) during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, (i)(aa) how many applications for asylum were received by her Department, (bb) what is the number of applicants for each nationality and (cc) how many of these applications were rejected as manifestly unfounded for each (aaa) Refugee Reception Centre and (bbb) nationality, (ii) how many appeals against these applications rejected as unfounded were received from each
(aa) Refugee Reception Centre and (bb) nationality, (iii) how many appeals were (aa) considered and (bb) upheld by the Appeal Board and (iv)(aa) how many permits granting refugee status were issued and (bb) what is the number of permits granted for each nationality for each of these periods?

NW910E



REPLY:



(a) & (b)            The Department of Home Affairs is, still, in the process of researching the relevant information. The information will be made available to the Honourable Member, once the final figures have been processed.

Refugee Centre Cape Town

http://www.pmg.org.za/node/29273

QUESTION 924 / NW1042E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 18 March 2011

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 8 of 2011
Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:



(1)        Whether, with reference to a certain judgement (details furnished), her Department has applied to have the land use restrictions applicable to erven 24150, 24151 and 24165, Cape Town, amended in order to permit the lawful operation of the office at the premises; if not, what arrangement has been made to move the Refugee Centre to alternative premises; if so, what was the (a) status and (b) outcome of the application;



(2)        whether the minimum requirement of 90 on-site staff (excluding interns), dedicated to administrative work of the centre, as required by the judgement, has been achieved; if not, (a) why not and (b) when is it anticipated that this will be achieved; if so, (i) how many dedicated administrative staff are employed at the centre and (ii) when was the minimum requirement of 90 on-site staff achieved;



(3)        whether the Centre has continued to operate; if not, why not; if so, how many refugees (a) attend the centre and (b) have their applications processed on a daily basis;



(4)        what is the number of toilets (a) which has been determined by the Medical Officer of Health of the City of Cape Town as being appropriate for the Centre and (b) currently available to refugees attending the Centre;



(5)        what measures have been put in place to prevent refugees from
(a) sleeping on the street outside the Centre, (b) being forced to attend the Centre on repeated occasions without any guarantee of their applications being processed and (c) continuing to be considered illegal immigrants despite repeated attempts to apply for permits?

NW1042E

REPLY:

(1)(a)&(b)       Yes, through the Department of Public Works (DPW). As an application for rezoning will take up to twelve months, or more to finalise, and would be in contravention of the judgement which, only, allowed for a two months period, the DPW resorted to exploring possible alternative sites for the Cape Town Refugee Reception Office (CTRRO). The latest process comprised an open advert call for proposals, which was done through the printed media (Cape Times and Cape Argus). Subsequently, applicants were invited for presentations, and, currently, the DPW is engaged in the short-listing process.



(2)(a)             No. The requirement has not been achieved, as the minimum of 90 on-site staff was proposed by the Court. The basis for this number has not been shared with the Department of Home Affairs. The Department is fast tracking the filling of vacant posts, and, once, the posts on the approved structure have been filled, it will improve capacity at the CTRRO. The CTRRO is categorised as a large office, and the Department is working towards ensuring that the CTRRO’s human resource, and infrastructure capacity is at par with other offices in the same category within the Department. The staff compliment at the CTRRO, thus, remains below the minimum requirement – as proposed by the Court – of 90 on-site staff.



(2)(b)             The availability of resources will dictate the length of time this will take.



(2)(b)(i)          The, current, total staff establishment is 39.



(2)(b)(ii)          Not applicable.



(3)                                   Yes. The CTRRO continues to attend to, and receive refugees, and asylum seekers.



(3)(a)              The total number of refugees, and asylum seekers, who attend the centre daily varies on a day by day basis between 1500 to 2500.



(3)(b)              All applications received on any specific day at the CTRRO are processed on the same day.

(4)(a)              A total of 20.



(4)(b)              A total of 20.



(5)(a)              The Centre Management and Senior Management from the Department’s Head Office have met with the Executive Mayor of Cape Town to try, and find a workable solution to deal with this issue. One solution, or measure had been law enforcement to discourage this practice.



(5)(b)              Applicants who visit the office, daily, are assisted with varying services of need. They are attended to without fail.



(5)(c)              No person is considered to be an illegal immigrant, once, they have approached the CTRRO, as all persons who visit the CTRRO are assisted on the same day, unless they have contravened specific legislation, and, or undermined South African laws.

Š: Special Characters, Sepedi Names with Š

http://www.pmg.org.za/node/29273

QUESTION 1079 / NW1199E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 01 April 2011

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10 of 2011
Mr S G Thobejane (ANC) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:



Why does her Department not apply the use of the character Š in capital with regard to Sepedi names in line with section 6(2) of the Constitution?



NW1199E



REPLY:



The Department of Home Affairs implemented a project throughout the country, which incorporated all special characters, including this one. The project went live during the third week of March 2011. Therefore, all new applications received, in respect of birth, marriage, and death certificates will have these characters, when the certificates are printed.

Migration Policy

http://www.pmg.org.za/node/29273

QUESTION 1100 / NW1222E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 01 April 2011

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10 of 2011
Mr M Mnqasela (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:



What is the current position with regard to the establishment of an overall Migration policy?

NW1222E


REPLY:

It is work in progress.

Recruitment Programmes

http://www.pmg.org.za/node/29273

 QUESTION 1101 / NW1223E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 01 April 2011

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10 of 2011
Mr M Mnqasela (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:



Whether her Department intended integrating its recruitment programmes with Sector Education and Training Authorities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW1223E



REPLY:



Yes. The Department of Home Affairs has aligned its recruitment processes with the requirements of the Sector Education and Training Authorities.



The Department has developed a Human Resource Development Strategy, in line with the Public Service Human Resource Development Strategic Framework Vision 2015, in terms of which the Department has committed to implement Internship and Learnership Programmes.



The purpose of these programmes is to address the high youth unemployment rate, in order to alleviate poverty, as well as, to create a pool of suitable qualified, and experienced people, from which the Department can draw from, for the filling of entry level positions.



The Deparment keeps a database of the participants of these programmes, and when filling entry level positions, preference is given to individuals who have served the Department before, either, as Interns, National Youth Service Programme participants, or contract workers.

Smart Card Project

 http://www.pmg.org.za/node/29273



QUESTION 1102 / NW1224E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 01 April 2011

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10 of 2011
Mr M Mnqasela (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:



Whether her Department intended integrating the stalled Smart Card project with the system used by the Department of Transport; if not; why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW1224E



REPLY:



The Smart Card project for the Department of Home Affairs will be designed in such a way that it is scalable, and expandable to accommodate other Government Departments, or interested stakeholders, on condition that the security of the card will not be compromised.

Agreements with other Departments

http://www.pmg.org.za/node/29273



QUESTION 1103 / NW1225E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 01 April 2011

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10 of 2011
Ms A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:



What are the details of the commitments made by her Department on delivery agreements concluded with other Departments as referred to in the Stategic Plan (details furnished)?

NW1225E



REPLY:



The Delivery Agreements which have been signed are with:



·                       The Minister of Health (Outcome 1)

·                       The Minister of Basic education (Outcome 2) and

·                       The Minister chairing the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (Outcome 3).



Respectively, the main commitments in these Delivery Agreements relate to the registration of births and deaths, and the provision of statistics, the registration and documentation of school children, and the protection of identity and citizenship.