House of Assembly: Vol7 - MONDAY 11 APRIL 1988

MONDAY, 11 APRIL 1988 HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

†Indicates translated version.

For written reply:

General Affairs:

Recruitment of personnel: amount spent 356. Mr J B DE R VAN GEND

asked the Minister of Communications:

What amount was spent in the 1986/87 financial year on (a) advertising and (b) publicity for the recruitment of personnel for the Post Office?

The MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS:
  1. (a) R28 889; and
  2. (b) R26 164.
Prison sentences: persons under 18 years 466. Mrs H SUZMAN

asked the Minister of Justice:

(a) How many persons under the age of 18 years were serving prison sentences on (i) 30 June 1987 and (ii) 1 January 1988 and (b) in which prisons were these persons serving sentences?

The MINISTER OF JUSTICE:
  1. (a) (i) and (ii)
    30 June 1987 — 814
    31 December 1987 — 623
  2. (b) 30 June 1987
    Allandale
    Klein Drakenstein
    Malmesbury
    Paarl
    Riebeek West
    Staart van Paardeberg
    Voorberg
    Barberton Male
    Lydenburg
    Baviaanspoort Maximum
    Baviaanspoort Medium
    Louis Trichardt Male
    Louis Trichardt Female
    Pietersburg Male
    Tzaneen
    Bethal Male
    Standerton Medium B
    Volksrust
    Bloemfontein Male
    Grootvlei Maximum
    Wepener
    Brandvlei Medium
    Caledon
    Helderstoom Maximum
    Helderstroom Medium
    Durban Female
    Durban Medium C
    Durban Medium B
    Durban Medium A
    Verulam
    Beaufort West
    George Male
    Oudtshoorn
    Uniondale
    Victoria West
    Burgersdorp
    Dordrecht
    Goedemoed Medium A
    Middelburg (Cape) Male
    Middelburg (Cape) Female
    Groenpunt Maximum
    Groenpunt Medium
    Sasolburg
    Vereeniging Male
    Johannesburg Medium B
    Johannesburg Medium C
    Johannesburg Female
    Krugersdorp Male
    Hopetown
    Upington Male
    De Aar
    Richmond (Cape)
    Potchefstroom
    Rysmierbult
    Bethlehem
    Kroonstad Female
    Harrismith
    Ventersburg
    Leeuwkop Maximum
    Leeuwkop Medium B
    Modderbee
    Heidelberg Female
    Fort Beaufort
    King William’s Town
    East London Medium A
    East London Female
    Queenstown
    Matatiele
    New Hanover
    Pietermaritzburg Medium A
    Pietermaritzburg Female
    Pollsmoor Maximum
    Pollsmoor Medium A
    Pollsmoor Female
    Grahamstown Male
    J C Steyn
    Patensie
    Port Elizabeth Male
    St Albans Medium
    St Albans Maximum
    Pretoria Female
    Pretoria Central
    Voortrekkerhoogte
    Robben Island Medium
    Bien Donne
    Koelenhof
    Victor Verster Maximum
    Victor Verster Medium B
    Victor Verster Medium A
    Dundee
    Newcastle
    Waterval Medium B
    Waterval Medium A
    Ladysmith (Natal)
    Eshowe
    Middelburg (Transvaal)
    Witbank Male
    Robertson
    Springbok
    Swellendam
    Warmbokveld
    Worcester Male
    Worcester Female
    31 December 1987
    Allandale
    Klein Drakenstein
    Paarl
    Staart van Paardeberg
    Voorberg
    Barberton Maximum
    Lydenburg
    Nelspruit Male
    Baviaanspoort Maximum
    Baviaanspoort Medium
    Louis Trichardt Male
    Pietersburg Male
    Bethal Male
    Geluk
    Standerton Medium B
    Bloemfontein Male
    Brandvlei Maximum
    Brandvlei Medium
    Caledon
    Helderstroom Medium
    Helderstroom Maximum
    Durban Female
    Duran Medium C
    Durban Medium B
    Durban Medium A
    Verulam
    Beaufort West
    George Male
    Oudtshoom Uniondale
    Goedemoed Medium A
    Middelburg (Cape) Male
    Middelburg (Cape) Female
    Groenpunt Maximum
    Groenpunt Medium
    Sasolburg
    Vereeniging Male
    Johannesburg Medium B
    Krugersdorp Female
    Krugersdorp Male
    Barkly West
    Kimberley Male
    Kimberley Female
    Upington Male
    De Aar
    Colesberg
    Lichtenburg
    Potchefstroom
    Rysmierbult
    Kroonstad Female
    Harrismith
    Leeuwkop Medium C
    Leeuwkop Medium B
    Modderbee
    Heidelberg Female
    Fort Beaufort
    King William’s Town
    East London Medium A
    East London Medium B
    East London Female
    Queenstown
    Ixopo
    Pietermaritzburg Female
    Sevontein
    Pollsmoor Maximum
    Pollsmoor Medium A
    Pollsmoor Medium B
    Pollsmoor Female
    Cradock
    Grahamstown Male
    Grahamstown Female
    J C Steyn Patensie
    Port Elizabeth Male
    Somerset East
    St Albans Medium
    Graaff-Reinet
    Pretoria Female
    Pretoria Central
    Pretoria Local
    Voortrekkerhoogte
    Bien Donne
    Koelenhof
    Victor Verster Maximum
    Victor Verster Medium B
    Victor Verster Medium A
    Waterval Medium B
    Glencoe Medium B Male
    Ladysmith (Natal)
    Empangeni
    Eshowe
    Belfast
    Middelburg (Transvaal)
    Witbank Male
    Obiqua
    Robertson
    Worcester Male
    Prisons for sentenced juveniles

The Prisons Act, 1959 (Act No 8 of 1959) provides for children and juveniles to be incarcerated in prisons under certain circumstances. This principle is applied world-wide and not only in South Africa. The standard rules for the treatment of prisoners which are subscribed to by South Africa, also incorporate the treatment of juveniles in prisons and lay down certain guidelines which were incorporated in the Prisons Act.

Prisons for sentenced juveniles were put into operation at the Leeuwkop Prison Command during 1986 and at Pollsmoor Prison Command during 1987. It is envisaged to extend this concept to other regions depending on needs and budget realities.

In regions which do not yet have separate prisons for sentenced juvenile prisoners, they are accommodated in separate sections or cells as far as possible, and depending on their needs, the available programmes are also offered to them as far as feasible.

Generally the intention with these programmes is to equip the juvenile for his successful reintegration into the community after release. The following basic guidelines are followed:

  • — The achievement of a certain level of education in order to facilitate adaptation into the community. In other words — acceptable norms and values must be acquired.
  • — Education and training as the basis of the programme. Depending on the present level of education, intellectual capabilities of prisoners and the term fo sentence it is endeavoured to achieve a specific level of education. The aim is to achieve at least 1 Std. 4 qualification.
  • — Meaningful utilization of time which is aimed at positive orientation after release.
  • — Maintenance of present social structures to counter-act institutionalization and in so doing prevent recidivism e.g. maintenance and strengthening of family ties.
  • — The fulfilment of religious needs.
  • — Healthy physical development through physical training and care.
  • The honorable member is also referred to the press statements of Mr F W de Klerk, Minister of National Education and Mr S J de Beer, Deputy Minister of Education of 15 August 1987 and 14 March 1988, respectively.
Telephone section: complaints 490. Mr C J DERBY-LEWIS

asked the Minister of Communications:

Whether the telephone section of his Department keeps a record of complaints received; if so, (a) into what categories do these complaints fall and (b) how many complaints in each of these categories were received in each of the latest specified five financial years for which information is available; if not, (i) why not and (ii) what procedure does his Department follow in monitoring the effectiveness of the telephone service?

The MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS:

Yes;

  1. (a)
    1. (i) subscribers equipment (telephones and installations at clients’ premises);
    2. (ii) line faults;
    3. (iii) automatic and manual exchange equipment, and
    4. (iv) faults reported but no faults found during the testing of lines, subscribers or exchange equipment; and
  2. (b) Number of complaints per 1 000 telephones per month

1983/84

1984/85

1985/86

1986/87

1987/88*

Subscriber’s equipment faults

Automatic telephones

23

24

25

24

22

Manual telephones

26

28

27

26

26

Party lines

34

38

35

37

35

Line faults

Automatic telephones

19

19

17

19

16

Manual telephones

12

13

13

13

12

Party lines

54

61

60

59

50

Faults in automatic or manual exchange equipment

Automatic telephones

4

3

3

3

2

Manual telephones

6

7

8

8

6

Party lines

2

2

3

3

3

Faults reported but no faults found during testing

Automatic telephones

20

19

18

18

16

Manual telephones

9

10

10

9

10

Party lines

17

20

20

20

20

Total

Automatic telephones

66

65

63

64

56

Manual telephones

53

58

58

56

54

Party lines

107

121

118

119

108

Percentage reported faults repaired within 24 hours

87

78

73

77

76

Percentage reported faults repaired within 48 hours

99

93

89

93

93

*Information available for six months only

(i) and (ii) fall away.

Employees: financial incentive/bonus systems 741. Mr C J DERBY-LEWIS

asked the Minister of Communications:

Whether there are any financial incentive or bonus systems for employees in his Department; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many and (b) what are the relevant details?

The MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS:

Yes,

  1. (a) 7; and
  2. (b) Achievement awards

A system of progression according to achievement is in force whereby salary and/or seniority recognition is granted to officials who render exceptional services and who distinguish themselves from their compeers productivity-wise and by the quality of their work performance. Officials in entry grades who do not yet comply with the qualifying requirements for consideration for promotion are considered for achievement awards annually with effect from 1 April, whilst achievement awards to officers who already meet the qualifying requirements to be considered for promotion are granted from 1 October provided in both cases that they comply with set standards as indicated above.

Cash awards (Learner Grades)

Pupil technicians, learner architectural draughtsmen, telcom trainees, learner printers, apprentices and learner inspectors of works who apply themselves diligently to and excel in their studies/training qualify annually for consideration for cash awards of between R50 and R100. This system also serves to promote competition between trainees thus improving the general standard of training.

Cash awards (Engineering students)

Cash awards to a maximum amount of R750 calculated according to a fixed formula are made annually to engineering students who, in addition to having passed a specific year of study, achieved distinction in one or more subjects.

Incentive bonus (Data typists)

A group bonus system is in force in accordance with which data typists are compensated monthly by means of a special bonus for production output which exceeds standard norms. The bonus amount is calculated as a percentage (between 1% and 40%) of an official’s relative salary notch.

Coding allowance (Letter sorting)

Payable monthly to operators of automatic mail sorting machines to compensate them for the demanding and monotonous nature of their duties but also as an incentive to promote higher productivity. The allowance is based on the individual’s coding rate and varies between 40 cents and R1,15 per hour.

Suggestion scheme

The purpose of the suggestion scheme is to encourage officials to continually submit suggestions to promote economy, to render the mail and telecommunication services more efficient by the introduction of mechanical aids and to improve and/or simplify forms, apparatus or existing systems. The amount awarded depends on the advantages the suggestion holds. Grants of as much as R100 have already been made.

Bonus awards

Bonus awards are aimed at stimulating initiative and encouraging sacrifice in the interest of the Post Office, in recognition of which a cash amount may be paid to an official. Awards are considered on an annual basis. Awards of up to R1 000 have already been made.

Employees: salaries earned applicable to lowest two notches 798. Mr C J DERBY-LEWIS

asked the Minister of Communications:

(a) How many (i) semi-skilled and (ii) unskilled employees of each specified population group are earning salaries applicable to each of the two lowest notches of the salary scales in his Department and (b) in respect of what date is this information furnished?

The MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS:

(a) (i)

Whites

Coloureds

Indians

Blacks

Lowest notch (R4 950 p.a.)

48

443

29

875

2nd lowest notch (R5 400 p.a.)

9

209

6

295

Total

57

652

35

1 170

(ii)

Whites

Coloureds

Indians

Blacks

Lowest notch (R4 500 p.a.)

322

5 261

91

12 453

2nd lowest notch (R4 950 p.a.)

30

301

5

1 349

Total

352

5 562

96

13 802

(b) 1 March 1988.

Official inflation rate 799. Mr C J DERBY-LEWIS

asked the Minister of Finance:

What was the official inflation rate for each year from 1977 up to and including 1987?

The MINISTER OF FINANCE:

%

1977

11,0

1978

11,0

1979

13,2

1980

13,8

1981

15,2

1982

14,7

1983

12,4

1984

11,5

1985

16,3

1986

18,6

1987

16,2

Salaries no longer market-related 801. Mr C J DERBY-LEWIS

asked the Minister of Communications:

Whether the research which showed that the salaries of certain employees of his Department were no longer market-related, as referred to in his reply to Question No 540 on 7 October 1987, was carried out prior to the granting of salary increases to employees who had participated in illegal strikes shortly before; if so, (a) on what date (i) did the results of this research become available to his Department and (ii) were the salary increases in question granted and (b) why had these increases not been granted earlier?

The MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS:

Yes;

  1. (a)
    1. (i) at the beginning of August 1987; and
    2. (ii) 1 October 1987; and
  2. (b) because it is not always possible in the system of job differentiation where evaluations are made periodically, to ensure that salaries continually remain market-related.
Printing contracts awarded to two companies 841. Mr D J DALLING

asked the Minister of Justice:

  1. (1) Whether the Prisons Service awarded any printing contracts in 1987 to two companies, the names of which have been furnished to the Commission for Administration for the purpose of the Minister’s reply, or to their associated companies and printing operations; if so, (a) in respect of what publications or printed matter, (b) how many copies of each publication or item were ordered from each company and (c) what are the names of the companies concerned;
  2. (2) whether these contracts were put out to tender; if not, (a) why not and (b) what was the total amount paid by this Service in respect of each of these contracts; if so, what was the (i) tender price originally accepted, and (ii) total amount paid out in respect of each contract;
  3. (3) whether this Service subsidizes any publications published by the above companies; if so, (a) which publications and (b) (1) why, and (ii) what is the amount of the subsidy, in each case;
  4. (4) what total amount was spent by this Service in 1987 on printing and publishing involving (a) the above companies and (b) any other specified companies?
The MINISTER OF JUSTICE:
  1. (1) No. The South African Prisons Service has all official printing done through the Government Printer and therefore no contracts for printing have been awarded by the Prisons Service, (a), (b) and (c) and
  2. (2) fall away.
  3. (3) No. (a) and (b) fall away.
  4. (4)
    1. (a) None.
    2. (b) None, except for printed matter undertaken by the Government Printer.
Jewellery: ad valorem duties 896. Mr C J DERBY-LEWIS

asked the Minister of Finance:

What were the amounts collected in respect of ad valorem duties on (a) locally manufactured and (b) imported jewellery in the 1980/81, 1983/84 and 1986/87 financial years, respectively?

The MINISTER OF FINANCE:
  1. (a) 1980/81 — R17 214 812
    1983/84 — R23 448 165
    1986/87 — R27 070 088
  2. (b) 1980/81 — R 3 030 063
    1983/84 — R 5 527 259
    1986/87 — R 6 844 243

Own Affairs:

Printing contracts awarded to two companies 90. Mr D J DALLING

asked the Minister of Local Government, Housing and Works:

  1. (1) Whether his Department awarded any printing contracts in 1987 to two companies, the names of which have been furnished to the Commission for Administration for the purpose of the Minister’s reply, or their associated companies and printing operations; if so, (a) in respect of what publications or printed matter, (b) how many copies of each publication or item were ordered from each company and (c) what are the names of the companies concerned;
  2. (2) whether these contracts were put out to tender; if not, (a) why not and (b) what was the total amount paid by his Department in respect of each of these contracts; if so, what was the (i) tender price originally accepted, and (ii) total amount paid out, in respect of each contract;
  3. (3) whether his Department subsidizes any publications published by the above companies; if so, (a) which publications and (b) (i) why, and (ii) what is the amount of the subsidy, in each case;
  4. (4) what total amount was spent by his Department in 1987 on printing and publishing involving (a) the above companies and (b) any other specified companies?
The MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING:
  1. (1) No.
    1. (a), (b) and (c) Fall away.
  2. (2) Falls away.
  3. (3) No.
    1. (a), (b) (i) and (ii) Fall away.
  4. (4) Falls away.
Extension officers 114. Mr R W HARDINGHAM

asked the Minister of Agriculture and Water Supply:

  1. (1) How many posts for extension officers are there in his Department;
  2. (2) whether all of these posts have been filled ; if not, (a) why not and (b) how many such posts were vacant as at the latest specified date for which information is available?
The MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND WATER SUPPLY:
  1. (1) 177
  2. (2) No
    1. (a) Training requirements and associated high demands put to the departmental extension service.
    2. (b) 52 on 1987-12-31.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES

†Indicates translated version.

For written reply:

Own Affairs:

Plots/building contracts awarded to Clarion Homes (Pty) Ltd 30. Mr Y MOOLLA

asked the Minister of Housing:

  1. (1) Whether his Department or any statutory body falling under his Department allocated any plots and/or awarded any building contracts in Mountain Rise and/or the Pietermaritzburg area to a certain firm, the name of which has been furnished to the Minister’s Department for the purpose of his reply; if so, (a) (i) by whom or what statutory body were these plots allocated and/or building contracts awarded and (ii) when in each case, (b) what is the name of the firm in question, (c) what was the tender price in respect of each such plot and/or building contract, (d) how many (i) plots and (ii) building contracts were involved and (e) what was the (i) area of each such plot and (ii) floor area of each such building;
  2. (2) whether any other firms tendered for these plots and building contracts; if so,
  3. (a) what were the prices tendered in respect of each of these (i) plots and (ii) contracts and (b) who submitted each of these tenders;
  4. (3) whether the firm referred to in paragraph (1) of this question has been allocated any other plots and/or awarded any other building contracts since 1 January 1986 (a) by his Department, (b) by any statutory body falling under his Department and/or (c) on his recommendation or that of his Department by (i) any other agency falling under his Department and (ii) any local authority; if so, what are the relevant particulars?
The MINISTER OF HOUSING:
  1. (1) Yes
    1. (a)
      1. (i) Housing Development Board.
      2. (ii) 19 February 1988.
    2. (b) Clarion Homes (Pty) Ltd.
    3. (c) R450 000,00.
    4. (d)
      1. (i) One.
      2. (ii) None.
    5. (e)
      1. (i) ± 8,3243 ha
      2. (ii) Falls away.
  2. (2) Yes. Tenders were called for proposals and not for price of stand. The best proposals were submitted by Clarion Homes (Pty) Ltd and Sunshine Housing. Clarion Homes (Pty) Ltd offered R200 000,00 more than Sunshine Housing.
    1. (a)
      1. (i) Falls away.
      2. (ii) Falls away.
    2. (b) Sunshine Housing. Comhousing.
  3. (3)
    1. (a) No.
    2. (b) No.
    3. (c)
      1. (i) No.
      2. (ii) No.