Questions and Replies
25 March 2022 - NW907
Khumalo, Dr NV to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
With regard to the Republic’s rivers filled with waste and no one wanting to take responsibility for the high E.coli counts or the mountains of litter in the rivers, and in light of the fact that the Republic is a dry country classified as semi-arid and receiving just under half the average annual rainfall of the rest of the world and predicted to become even drier with climate change, how (a) is this phenomenon impacting on water quality and security and (b) will her department take action and intervene with specific time frames, roles and responsibilities to the astronomical E.coli numbers and pathogens found in the rivers to ensure good water quality and security throughout the Republic?
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25 March 2022 - NW911
Khumalo, Dr NV to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
whether her department is currently working on any environmental strategies to ensure the protection and further development of the Republic’s strategic water resources, given that global research currently indicates a change in fresh water cycle; if not, what is being done in order to mitigate against the impact of the change in water cycles that will see dry areas stricken by more drought and wet areas by more extreme floods and storms?
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25 March 2022 - NW807
Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment
(1) (a) What was the estimated elephant population at the end of 2021 as the elephant population was estimated to be 31 000 elephants at the end of 2020 and (b) how was the estimate arrived at: (2) In light of the fact that SANParks uses sample block counting methods to estimate elephant population sizes, on what date was the last count conducted to estimate the number of elephants in the Kruger national Park; (3) whether she will furnish Mrs. C Phillips with the details of the sample/block counting methods used to count the elephant population; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether the sample block counting methods are in accordance with the methods used by neighbouring countries with large elephant population such as Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (5) whether the sample block counting methods are in accordance with those accepted by the international Union for Conservation of Nature’s African Elephant Specialist Group; if not, why not; if so what are the relevant details?
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25 March 2022 - NW808
Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) What is meant by the term reactive short to medium-term culling which if referred to in the current Kruger National Park elephant management plan (details furnished; (2) Whether such culling or lethal management was implemented during the specified plan; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) Whether the culling or lethal management is planned for the future; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) Whether she will provide Mrs. C Phillips with a copy of the Ministerial Plan for reactive short to medium-term culling; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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25 March 2022 - NW876
Khumalo, Dr NV to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
What (a) is the total number of incidents of (i) sexual harassment and (ii) sexual assault that were reported in her department (aa) in each of the past three financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2021, (b) number of cases (i) were opened and conducted, (ii) were withdrawn and (iii) remain open or pending based on the incidents and (c) sanctions were meted out against each person who was found guilty?
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23 March 2022 - NO228
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
In view of the evidence that shows that the extreme weather conditions are becoming more prominent due to climate change and are affecting the overall status and wellbeing of the Republic’s resources, what mitigation strategies, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, has she put in place to mitigate the impact of climate change on the Republic’s resources?
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23 March 2022 - NO218
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
What steps will her department take (a) to ensure that the unrehabilitated Kromdraai Gold Mine in eMalahleni stops to violate environmental regulations by realising effluent acid water into the Wilge River and klein Olifants River and (b) against any person found to have been responsible for the release of effluent acid water into the specified rivers on or around 22 February 2022?
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23 March 2022 - NO217
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment
Whether her department has taken steps to assist with regard to the management of the invasive plants that are invading the Roodeplaat Dam; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
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23 March 2022 - NO202
Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment
(1) What is the status of the eviction of the unlawful occupiers from Knoflokskraal in Grabouw; (2) By what date is it envisaged that the process of evicting the specified unlawful occupiers will be finalized?
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23 March 2022 - NO201
Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment
In light of the recommendations pertaining to the lion bone trade emanating from the High-Level Panel Report into the Management of Elephant, Leopard and Rhino, what are the details of the immediate steps that her department has taken to address the situation of lions that are still remaining in captivity on farms?
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23 March 2022 - NO196
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment
In light of the fact that Eskom is by far the largest emitter of the pollutants sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides and the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the Republic due to its reliance on coal including the predicted increase in the supply and usage of coal until 2030, and the recent statement by the minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr S G Mantashe, at the Coal Colloquium on Tuesday, 1 March 2022, what are the full relevant details of how the two diametrically opposed energy-supply solutions are reconciled as the one is climate friendly and the other contributes to global climate change?
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23 March 2022 - NO195
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment
(1) Taking into account the position of the Republic regarding the eradication of plastic pollution (details furnished), what specific needs will the agreement and the Republic specifically cater for and address. (2) Whether she will set up any task team and/or panel of experts to represent the view of the Republic on the development of such an agreement; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
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23 March 2022 - NO191
Mchunu, Ms S to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment
Ms T V B Mchunu (ANC) to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment: Given that many South Africans are unemployed and daily facing poverty which needs to be reduced, and noting that the Republic’s oceans economy provides us with immense economic opportunities as section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, provides for the sustainable use of the republic’s natural resources and that oil and gas exploration is one of the pillars of our oceans economy, how does her department intend to ensure that (a) the exploration of the Republic’s resources occurs in strict compliance and (b) there is greater exercise of due diligence and care in dealing with risk and necessary rehabilitation in the aftermath of the process to the environment?
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23 March 2022 - NO190
Modise, Mr PMP to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment
Mr. P M P Modise (ANC) to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (a) what were some of the major challenges that her department hat to deal with in the adjudication of the FRAP 2021-22 and (b) How does her department intend to ensure that there is greater participation in the sector by small-scale fisheries?
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23 March 2022 - NO229
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) With reference to her reply to question 302 on 4 March 2022 regarding the NS Qingdao that was authorized by her department and/or the SA Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) to dump its reactive cargo between Durban and St Helena Bay, 259 km offshore, what have been the findings of SAMSA’s investigation in the circumstances that led to the cargo being unstable onboard and subsequently a maritime emergency; (2) Whether her department has been monitoring the impact of the toxic cargo on marine life since the dumping; if not, why not; if so, what are the details of the impact?
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19 March 2022 - NW715
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Given that there are approximately eight million tones of plastic waste in our oceans, and given that such waste knows no borders, what are the details of the Republic’s position regarding calls for the establishment and participation in an international and legally binding treaty mandating targets to reduce plastic pollution?
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18 March 2022 - NW669
Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) on what date is it envisaged that the revised (a) Kruger National Park Management Plan and (b) Elephant Management Plan, which are currently the subject of review, will be (i) completed and (ii) open for stakeholder and public participation; (2) whether she will furnish Mr D W Bryant with (a) the details of the stakeholder and public participation processes that will be followed in respect of the plans and (b) copies of the draft revised plans; if not, why not; in each cases; if so, on what date in each case
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18 March 2022 - NW670
Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) (a) what total number of (i) rangers does the Kruger National Park (KNP) have and (ii) ranger posts are currently vacant or unfilled in the KNP and (b) for how long have the specified posts been vacant; (2) whether she has found that the rangers are poorly paid as compared to similar positions elsewhere; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether she will furnish Mr D W Bryant with the staff organogram or organisational chart for KNP, detailing (a) the numbers and (b) jobs classifications of staff in individual department and/or organisational units; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
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18 March 2022 - NW658
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) whether any (a) market research and/or (b) visitor satisfaction surveys have been conducted to establish visitor needs and satisfaction with the Kruger National Park visitor experiences; if not, why not, if so , will she furnish Ms A M M Weber with the details of surveys conducted (i) in the (aa0 2019-20 and (bb) 2020-21 financial years and (ii) since 1 January 2022 up to latest date for which information is available ?
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18 March 2022 - NW657
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) what is the breakdown of the total cost of construction of the Kruger National Park Safari lodge in terms of the (a) lodge construction costs, (b) relocation of the existing Skukuza facilities, (c) support service, (d) lodge staff accommodation and (e) any other related costs; (2) what is the breakdown of the business and financial evaluation supporting and /or justifying the construction of the lodge; (3) what (a) are the details of the main contractor responsible for the construction of the lodge and (b) is the budgeted income and expenditure for the lodge in the (i) 2022-23 and (ii) 2023-24 financial years?
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18 March 2022 - NW656
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) With reference to the numerous reports of donations to SANParks to fund anti-poaching efforts and conservation in national parks, (a) what is the total amount of donations received by SANParks(i) in the (aa) 2019-20 and (bb) 2020-21 financial years and (ii) since 1 January 2022 and (b) where are such donations disclosed in the annual financial statement for the specified periods; (3) what is the (a) name of each donor and (b) purpose of the donations for each donation seems to have exceeded R100 000.00?
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18 March 2022 - NW628
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) Whether she was consulted prior to her department granting an emergency permit which allowed the Chinese ship, NS Qingdao, to dump its 1500 tons of reactive cargo in the coastal waters of the Republic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether her department has conducted an environmental impact assessment that would give the necessary reassurance that the waste will not impact the marine life in the coastal waters of the Republic; if no, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?
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18 March 2022 - NW465
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:
(1) In light of the R255 million donated by the philanthropist, Mr Howard Buffet, to vthe KrugerNational Park (KNP) and SANPARKS in March 2014 in order to implement an intensive protection zone (IPZ) in the KNP, which include a certain numbdr of sophisticated aids (details furnished), what number of canine units were established; (2) whether the canine units were found to be effective; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the enhanced survilliance system have been implemented; if not, why not; if so; on what date; (4) (a) how well trained and capacitated are the SA Police Service and the KNP forensic investigating teams and (b) what number of forensic investigating team are in the KNP; (5) whether, given all of the above, the IPZ is effective in combating rhino poaching; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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18 March 2022 - NW671
Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) In view of the fact that SANParks is considering moving rhino from the Kruger National Park (KNP) to sanctuaries in order to establish founder populations (a) how will the sanctuaries be defined and (b) what are the reasons that rhinos will be protected in sanctuaries than in KNP; (2) (a) how does a sanctuary differ from any other privately-owned reserve, (b) who will fund the specified sanctuaries, given that private rhino owners have indicated that they cannot afford the costs of rhino protection and (c) which entity and/or individual will have ownership of the rhinos and their progeny?
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05 March 2022 - NW354
Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Whether, in view of the Chinese bulk cargo vessel NS Qingdao that recently dumped 1 300 tons of unstable chemical cargo off the West Coast of the Republic after permission was granted by her department and the SA Marine Safety Authority and SAMSA, and noting that the vessel originally caught alight in November 2021, any consideration was given at the time of towing the vessel out of South African waters in order to avoid toxic dumping in our waters; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details; Whether the impact of the Benguela Current was taken into consideration when permission was granted for the dumping; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details; What are the coordinates of the areas where the waste was dumped; Whether her department will be monitoring the toxicity levels around the dumped site; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?
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04 March 2022 - NW374
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Whether, in light of the recent report by the FOUR PAWS Animal Welfare Foundation, titled Year of the Tiger: Big cat farming in South Africa: the need for international action, which reveals the extent of intensive captive tiger breeding in the Republic (details furnished), she has been informed (a) of the (i) commercial export of live tiger and their parts to known hotspots for illegal wildlife trade and (ii) subsequent contravention of decisions set out by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), of which South Africa is a party to and (b) that the lack of effective regulations, laws and monitoring of big cat trade in the Republic is sentencing big cat species to a life of commercial exploitation for trade in their parts and subsequent use in luxury goods and traditional medicine; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is (aa) being done to prevent this and (bb) the Government’s position on the findings of the specified reports?
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04 March 2022 - NW301
Mey, Mr P to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:
What (a) number of foreign generated tons of (i) chemical and (ii) toxic waste have been dumped annually in the Republic in the past five years, (b) are the countries of origin where the waste comes from and (c) is the location of each local dump site for which the waste was destined?
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04 March 2022 - NW302
Mey, Mr P to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) what were the deciding factors that determined the dumping of the toxic cargo of the NS Qingdao only 250km from the coast of the Republic and not further out to sea; (2) what compound(s) has she found were released during the chemical reactions from the ship in the concentrated toxic gases due to the combustion that took place on board the ship in the incident at (a) Durban and (b) Saldanha Bay; (3) what has she found (a) will the chemical reaction of the waste have with seawater and (b) will the impact of these compounds have on ocean life in the vicinity of the dump site ?
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04 March 2022 - NW350
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) Whether her department conducted any investigation into the incident of the bulk carrier NS Qindao that left Durban Harbour in November 2021 when the cargo aboard started to emit toxic fumes after more than 1000 tonnes of the cargo have already been removed; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the breakdown of the exact details of what the cargo onboard the vessel contained, (b) what different chemicals were on the vessel, (c) which chemicals caused the toxic fumes and (d) what impact has she found did the fumes have on the atmosphere regarding air pollution; (2). (a) what are the relevant details of the 1000 tonnes of cargo that had already been removed and (b) where was it taken to?
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04 March 2022 - NW351
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) (a) who will be doing the investigation into the cargo carrier NS Qindao that left Durban Harbour in November 2021 when the cargo aboard started to emit toxic fumes after more than 1000 tonnes of the cargo have already been removed and (b) on what date is it anticipated that we will receive the report of the investigation; (2) (a) what exactly is the destination o f this vessel and (b) which chemicals waste sites will be used to dumb the chemically neutralized waste; (3) what has she found to be the potential threat on marine and human life if the chemicals are not contained in line with the emergency control management introduced by the teams of salvors, chemical experts, hazardous material response team and emergency personnel that are managing the emergency controls in order to contain the situation, (4) what is the exact location and/or destination on the West Coast where the SA Maritime Safety Authority will be carrying 1500 tonnes of chemicals 250km offshore and 3km deep in the water?
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04 March 2022 - NW352
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Whether, with reference to the R255 million donated by philanthropist Howard Buffet in March 2014 to the Kruger National Park (KNP)SA National Park to implement an intensive protection zone in KNP, (details furnished), she will furnish Ms A M M Weber with a detailed breakdown of (a)(i) hoe the money was spent and (ii) on what, if not, why not; if so, on what date; Whether the helicopter was bought; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details; What number of vehicles equipped with sophisticated sensors were acquired? Whether the sensors were planted on the fencing at the Mozambique border; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details; (a) what amount and (b) which programmes were implemented to ensure cross-boarder criminal investigations and intelligence networks?
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04 March 2022 - NW355
Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
In view of the recent devastating fires at the Kleinmond plantation, what impact has she found has the ongoing land invasion at her department’s plantation in Grabouw had on the current and future functioning of the plantation; Whether her department has undertaken a fire safety assessment to evaluate the risk of wildfires emanating from the settlement on the plantation; if not, why not, if so, what were the outcomes of the assessments; Whether the site is being regularly maintained by her department to managed the build-up of flammable natural materials; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?
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04 March 2022 - NW356
Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(a) what are reasons that the Fishing Rights Allocation Process (FRAP) online application deadline was revised from the original deadline of 7 December 2021 to Friday 28 January 2022 and (b) under what circumstances will a further deadline be considered; Whether she will furnish Mr D W Bryant with detailed statistics regarding the online application process once it has been concluded; if not, why not, if so, (a) on what date and (b) what are the relevant details; Whether she has found that the online FRAP application process has been accessible for all stakeholders in the fishing sector; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; Whether particular consideration was given to those with little or no access to technology and/or the internet; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
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04 March 2022 - NW383
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Whether, following a suspected gas leak from a certain company (name furnished) and its inhalation at a school and homes in the surrounding area of Richards Bay, where children and adults developed nausea, vomiting, difficulties in breathing with many having collapsed and transported to hospitals and clinics in the Richards Bay and Empangeni areas, her department investigated the incident; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the results of the investigation, (b) was the impact of the gase leak on the environment and (c) is being done to prevent the incident from happening in the future?
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25 February 2022 - NW34
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) What has been the record benefits of the annual sardine run to the communities of the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal’ Ugu district where the phenomenon usually takes place; (2) Whether her department has any future plans to capitalise on this; if not, why not; if so, what are the full, relevant details?
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25 February 2022 - NW253
Mkhonto, Ms C N to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:
Whether, given the high number of illegal dumping sites in the Republic compromising the health and wellbeing of communities, her department has a policy in place to monitor the total number of illegal dumping sites in each municipality; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, to which extent has she found that (a) the respective municipal bylaws, including the enforcement thereof, are in compliance with the her department’s policy and/or (b) municipalities have capacity to deal with illegal dumping?
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25 February 2022 - NW250
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:
(1) How have marine protected areas, that make up to 5% of the Republic’s coastline, since 2019 improved the quality of marine life in our waters in terms of improved fishing stocks;(2) whether she has found that there has been an improvement in fishing stock that translate into benefit for small-scale fishers; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevnt details?
25 February 2022 - NW249
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:
In light of the fact that , due to ineffective municipal treatment plant plants and sewage effluent, aquatic weeds have flourished in South African water resources that had so far been rich in nutrients, what steps and/or intervention has her department taken to help eradicate these invasive plants?
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25 February 2022 - NW248
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:
Whether her department has determined the environmental impact of sewage spills that are experienced by communities in many municipalities across the Republic; if not; why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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25 February 2022 - NW185
Kopane, Ms SP to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:
(a) what number of supplier invoices currently remain unpaid by (i) her department and (ii) each entity reporting to her for more than (aa) 30 day, (bb) 60 days, (cc) 90 days, (dd) 120 days, (b) what is the total amount outstanding in each case and (c) by what date is it envisaged that the outstanding amount will be settled?
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25 February 2022 - NW157
Bodlani, Ms T to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:
Whether she and/her department ever received correspondence from a certain political organization (details furnished), via email, WhatsApp, hardcopy and/or in any other format of which the original file is dated June 2020; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what date was the specified correspondence received, (b) who was the sender of the correspondence and (c) what steps were taken by her department in this regard?
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25 February 2022 - NW113
Bryant, Mr D W to ask the minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:
(1) Whether the numbers of rhino are available on a monthly basis; if not, why not; if so, will the numbers be published on a monthly basis as received, including the numbers of rhinos that were poached; (2) what is the estimated rhino population for Kruger National Park 2031,taking into account the 2011 rhino population, the current rhino numbers and the negative birth rate caused by poaching; (3) whether she has found that the current enumeration formula for rhinos is effective and providing accurate results; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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25 February 2022 - NW112
Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:
(1) what is the volume of groundwater used by Zululand Anthracite Colliery on a monthly basis; (2) whether there is an immediate danger to the health of surrounding communities and animal life due to the approximately 1, 5 million litres of liquid coal that were spilled into the Umfolozi River system following the collapse of a slurry dam at the Zululand Anthracite Colliery; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what are the dangers and (b) what steps is her department taking to address the dangers; (3) whether the spillage will initiate a review of the current water licence granted to the Zululand Anthracite Colliery; if not, why not, what are the relevant details?
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25 February 2022 - NW111
Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:
(1) In light of the fact five security guards were killed at the Goudkoppies landfill site in Devland, Johannesburg, on 11 January 2022, what steps are being taken to ensure the safety of all staff at landfill sites across the Republic; (2) whether there are any other nationally managed landfill sites that are targeted by criminals; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) where are the sites located and (b) what has been the nature of the criminal activity; (3) what impact will the Devland killings have on the functioning of the specified sites?
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25 February 2022 - NW99
Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:
In light of the apparent dumping of 1,500 tons of toxic chemicals off St Helena Bay by the vessel NS Qingdao, what (a) are the names of the chemicals that have been dumped and (b) measures is her department taking to reduce the toxicity of the dumped chemicals?
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25 February 2022 - NW92
Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:
(1) what was the total value in Rand of the contract awarded to a certain company (name furnished) for the five-year Working on Fire (WoF) contract for the period 1 January 2016 to 21 December 2021; (2) (a) what number of base stations were financed with the specified amount, (b) where are the base station situated (C) what number of teams were stationed at each base station; (3) (a) what number of vehicles were purchased for WoF with the money and (b) at which base stations were they stationed; (4) whether any of the specified vehicles will be available to the provincial fire protection associations after the end of the contract; if not, will they remain the property of the specified company; if so, what are the relevant details; (5) whether she will furnish Mrs C Phillips with a list of dates in 2021 when each base station in the North West had fully operational firefighting teams ; if not, why not, if so, on what date?
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25 February 2022 - NW40
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Treaty and has a proud and long successful conversation record, what are the reasons that (a) it is legal to hunt an endangered species suchas tigers in the Republic and (b) tigers are not included in environmental protected legislation; (2) whether the Republic is accountable to CITES; if so, (3) whether the Republic report to CITES how the endangered species of all tigers are being bred to be hunted in the Republic; if not, why not, what are the relevant details; (4) what steps has she taken to adhere to the agreement that was signed in 1975 that the Republic will respect the RED List of CITES and acknowledge that tigers are on the Red List endangered species and should not be hunted under any circumstances; (5) given that globally the world is working hard to stop the killing and trafficking of tigers and to promote tiger-friendly policies and monitoring tigers, what steps has department taken to ensure that tigers will be protected in the Republic?
25 February 2022 - NW39
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
What is the relevant information on Environmental Programmes, pertaining to the (a) (i) names and(ii) locations of all the wetlands that are being rehabilitated in each province,(b) type of rehabilitation that is being done at the specified wetlands,(c) progress status in each wetand regarding the rehabilitation expressed in percentage form and(d) total cost to date for each wetland that is being rehabilitated?
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25 February 2022 - NW38
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:
What is the relevant information on Environmental Programmes, pertaining to (a) the names of the (i) dams and/or rivers and (ii) provinces where invasive plants are being removed, (b) which invasive plants and/or plants are being removed at each specified dam and/or river, (c) the tool and/or various tools that are being used to remove the invasive plants, for instance (i) biological control, (ii) manual labour through expanded Public Works Programmes workers (iii) pesticide and (iv) spraying and (d) the total cost to date for the removal of invasive plants at each dam and/or river?
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23 December 2021 - NW2814
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
1. How have rhino numbers in the Kruger National Park declined by a net 720 animals from 3 529 according to the 2019-20 annual report to 2 809 in the 2020-21 annual report as only 245 were attributed to poaching in the 2020-21 annual report; 2. If the normal birth rate of rhinos is 6% expressed as 3 529 x 6% =212 and natural death rate is 3% = 106 there is an unexplained decline in the rhino population of 581 rhinos which is reflected in the calculation as 3 529 + 212 – 245 – 106 = 2809?
Reply:
1. SANParks is of the view that the rhinoceros populations in the Kruger National Park (KNP) did not decline by 720 in the 2020/2021 financial year. With respect to annual rhinoceros population counts, annual census figures are given with confidence limits (CLs), which state that there is a 95% probability that the actual number of animals counted fall between the upper and lower confidence intervals. For public reporting, the median figures are given as an indicative figure. There is still a 5% probability that the real number is outside the upper or lower CLs. For consecutive reporting years, it is possible for the lower CL of the preceding year to overlap with the upper CL of the subsequent year. If there is an overlap, it is possible that no real decline took place, even if the median figure is lower in the subsequent year, as is the case with the 2018 and 2019 census figures. However, when the lower and upper CLs do not overlap, as is the case with the census figures for 2019 and 2020, there is a real decline. It is not possible to attach a specific number to that decline as we are working within CLs, but also due to the challenges associated with rhinoceros counting over such a large area.
The value of game censuses lies in the population trends shown over time and not in the specific numbers counted owing to the number of variables involved. The rhinoceros population has clearly been in decline since 2010 and that trend is continuing. In a vast area such as the KNP, it is not possible to know the exact numbers of animals due to the many variables that impact game surveys.
2. The counting of rhinoceros in an area the size of the KNP is not an exact science and errors in counting, which create uncertainty, include –
- availability bias (rhinoceros under trees are not seen);
- observer bias (rhinoceros missed in the open);
- detectability bias (rhinoceros further away missed); and
- sampling error (for example, rhinoceros counted twice/not counted).
The growth rate is also variable owing to environmental and biological factors, including synchronisation of births after the last drought. Rhinoceros do not calve annually due to a 16- month gestation period. Other biological factors impacting births and natural deaths, such as drought impacts, predation on calves, cow fecundity (fertility), and intraspecific fighting between rhinoceros.
Regards
MS B D CREECY, MP
MINISTER OF FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
DATE: 22 December 2021