3034. Ms D Carter (Cope) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) In light of a statement issued by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) which indicates that he will issue a proclamation in due course authorising an investigation by the SIU into Eskom, (a) what matters does he intend that the SIU investigate regarding Eskom and (b) over what period;
(2) whether he will request that the SIU investigation should cover the emergency coal and diesel contracts that Eskom had entered into since 1 January 2001; if not, why not? NW3353E
Reply
I have not yet received the Proclamation relating to ESKOM from the SIU.
3046. Ms M O Mokause (EFF) to ask the President of the Republic:
With reference to the comments that he made when he recently handed over a minibus to a certain maskandi group (name and details furnished), (a) what is the total amount of the bonus, (b) what was the reasoning and legislative basis behind the allocation of the bonus and (c) who is the employer in question? NW3362E
Reply
The President of the Republic is remunerated in terms of Section 2(1) of the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act of 1998 and there is no provision for a bonus. The matter of the bonus was thus raised on a lighter note rather than in the literal sense.
3214. Mr M G P Lekota (Cope) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether, with reference to (a) the judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal in the matter of Zuma v DA (836/2013) [2014] ZASCA 101 which dismissed his appeal and that of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) against the decision of the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria, (b) the manner in which the present National Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Shaun Abrahams, sought to justify the decision taken by Adv Mokotedi Mpshe to discontinue the prosecution against him, and (c) the suitability therefore of Mr Shaun Abrahams to continue as the National Director of Public Prosecutions, he intends to take action and provisionally suspend Mr Shaun Abrahams as the National Director of Public Prosecutions in accordance with section 12(6)(a) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, Act 32 of 1998; if not, why not? NW3543E
Reply:
The conditions of service of the National Director of Public Prosecutions are regulated by the National Prosecuting Authority Act No. 32 of 1998.
Further, there is nothing in the judgement of the Supreme Court of Appeal to suggest that Advocate Shaun Abrahams is not fit and proper to be the National Director of the Public Prosecutions. It will therefore be irrational and unconstitutional of me to suspend Advocate Abrahams based on the judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal.
3262. The Leader of the Opposition to ask President of the Republic:
With reference to the Presidency’s 2016-17 Annual
Report, what was the (a) total cost and (b) detailed breakdown of the costs of the 10 international trips that he undertook from 6 April 2016 to 10 February 2017 NW3594E
Reply:
The Presidency does not incur costs for the President’s international trips.
When the President undertakes official international trips, host countries often extend courtesies for the President’s travelling expenses. In the absence of these courtesies, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation is responsible for the cost of the logistical arrangements with the Department of Defence being responsible for air travel.
3263. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
What are the relevant details of the total (a) annual salary of and (b) performance bonus amounts paid to each of his five advisors (names and details furnished) in the 2016-17 financial year? NW3595E
Reply:
The remuneration of the advisors is regulated in terms of the Dispensation for the Appointment and Remuneration of Persons (Special Advisers) appointed to Executive Authorities on Ground of Policy Considerations issued by the Minster of the Public Service and Administration. The Dispensation is attached for the benefit of the Honourable Member.
3363. Prof B Bozzoli (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1)(a) Why has he not yet released the report of the Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training and (b) by what date will he release the specified report;
(2) whether he has found that the findings and recommendations of the report might lead to a student revolt; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3755E
Reply:
The report is under consideration and will be released immediately after it has been finalised. The Inter-Ministerial Committee on Higher Education Funding and the Presidential Fiscal Committee are assisting the President to process the report.
3381. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether he intends to remove Mr M C Ramaphosa from the position of Deputy President of the Republic, in terms of the powers conferred on him in section 91 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) by what date and (b) what are the further relevant details in this regard? NW3773E
Reply:
My office has already publicly refuted the reports that suggest that I am intending to remove Mr Cyril Ramaphosa as the Deputy President of the country.
3382. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether he intends to appoint a certain person (name furnished) to a position in Cabinet in terms of the powers conferred on him in section 91 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) by what date and (b) what are the further relevant details in this regard? NW3774E
Reply:
The appointment of Ministers is the prerogative of the President in terms of Section 91 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. In exercising this power, I exercise discretion after careful consideration and the appointments are made public.
3383. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether he intends to make representations to the National Prosecuting Authority relating to the 783 counts of fraud, corruption and racketeering against him before the deadline of 30 November 2017; if so, (a) by which date and (b) what are the further relevant details? NW3775E
Reply:
This matter is currently before the National Prosecuting Authority and I am taking legal advice.
