The President's replies to Parliamentary questions for written reply

1745. Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:

(1) Whether the Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of Fraud, Corruption, Impropriety or Irregularity in the Strategic Defence Procurement Package has produced any interim reports; if not, why not; if so, in respect of each specified interim report submitted (a) when was the interim report submitted and (b) what (i) was the title of the interim report and (ii) were the key points made in the interim report;

(2) whether the Commission has submitted any recommendations; if not, why not; if so, in respect of each specified recommendation (a) when was the recommendation submitted and (b) what (i) was the recommendation and (ii) action was taken as a result of the recommendation;

(3) whether each specified (a) interim report and (b) recommendation will be made public; if not, why not; if so, when?

Reply:

1(a) The Commission has so far issued two interim reports, one at the end of June 2012, and another at the end of January 2013.

(b) I cannot comment on the contents of the two interim reports because the investigation and public hearings have not been finalised as yet.

2. No. The Commission will only be in a position to make recommendations once it has completed its work.

3.(a- b) I will take a decision on whether to make the reports public once I have the final report in my possession.

2233. Mrs J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:

(1) What is the current status of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigations into each of the 24 North West municipalities listed in Proclamation R72 of 2009;

(2) what (a) was the (i) commencement and (ii) completion date of each finalised investigation and (b) is the (i) commencement and (ii) envisaged completion date of each unfinished investigation;

(3) (a)(i) which final investigation reports have been published and (ii) on what date has each final report been published and (b)(i) which final investigation reports have not been published and (ii) what are the intended publication dates in each case?

Reply:

I wish to inform the Honourable Member that the scope of Proclamation 72 of 2009 was to deal with twenty four (24) municipalities – Madibeng, Mafikeng, Greater Taung & Ventersdorp, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Matlosana, Mquassi Hills, Tlokwe, Ngaka Modiri Molema, Ditsobotla, Tswaing, Ratlou, Ramotshere Moiloa, Moses Kotane, Ketlengrivier, Dr Ruth Mompati, Rustenburg, Naledi, Kagisano, Molopo, Mmusa, Lekwa-Teemane, Bojanala Platinum, Moretele.

No final reports have been published. As this is one proclaimed matter, one final report setting out findings and recommendations in respect of all 24 municipalities will be drafted and sent to The Presidency upon conclusion of the investigation in line with section 4(1)(g) of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 as amended.

2238. Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:

(a) What are the names of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) contractors that have been investigated by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), (b) in each case, what was the (i) scope and intention and (ii) start date of the investigation, (c) which of the investigations (i) are still on-going and (ii) have been completed and (d) what was the outcome of each completed investigation?

Reply:

In terms of section 4 (1) (g) of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 as amended , the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is required to submit a final report to the President upon the conclusion of its investigation.

The investigation on Proclamation R7 of 2007 is still pending as the President has not yet received a report from the SIU. The proclamation was issued in 2007 and was later amended twice in terms of proclamations R35 of 2010 and R15 of 2012.

2318. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:

(a) Who has been designated to act as President at any time while he and the Deputy President were both absent from the Republic or otherwise unable to fulfil the duties of President since 11 May 2009 and (b) what criteria does he apply in making such designation when both he and the Deputy President are absent from the Republic or otherwise unable to fulfil the duties of President?

Reply:

(a) See list below.

(b) In designating the Acting President, the President is guided by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. According to section 90(1)(b) of the Constitution, the President has to designate a Minister, to act as the President of the Republic, whenever the President is absent from the Republic or otherwise unable to fulfil the duties of the President.

It is clear from section 90(1)(b) of the Constitution that the criteria to act as Acting President is that the person must be a Minister.

The Ministers who have been designated by the President to act as the President are in the attached list.

Appointment as Acting President from 2010 to 2013

Enquiries:
Mac Maharaj
Cell: 079 879 3203
E-mail: macmaharaj@icloud.com