Questions & Replies: Question & Replies No 1776 to 1800
2009-11-03
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[PMG note: Replies are inserted as soon as they are provided by the Minister]
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 1800
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [No 22-2009]
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 16 October 2009
1800. Mr P J Groenewald (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:
(1) Why did the State buy a certain farm in the vicinity of Delareyville (details furnished);
(2) whether the purchase price was R800 000 for 43 ha; if not, what was the purchase price; if so, why did this price amount to more than the average price of R5000 to R7000 per ha? NW2301E
THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:
(1) The Commission on Restitution of Land Rights purchased the farm as part of the settlement of a land claim.
(2) Yes. The total value of the land amounted to R106 710.00 and the balance of the purchase price was in respect of improvements on the land which include the main dwelling (3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a dining room, lounge, entrance, living room, kitchen, laundry and terrace) and outer buildings (store room, ablution facilities, 4 garages, animal canopy, bottle store with stores, cooler rooms and workers' houses).
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 1799
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16/10/09
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 22-2009)
Mr J H van der Merwe (IFP) to ask the Minister of Higher Education:
1. Whether remedial action will be taken with regard to Unisa's policy of only (a) issuing degree and diploma certificates in English and (b) hosting graduation ceremonies in English; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case;
2. Whether he will make a statement on the matter? NW2300E
REPLY:
1. Unisa recognizes that the country has eleven official languages, and English is but one of them. However, fiscal constraints militate against the University hosting graduation ceremonies in all eleven languages and for practical and operational purposes, Unisa graduation ceremonies are hosted in English. For internal purposes, Unisa has a Language Policy that we, believe, will eventually lead to practical multi-lingualism. As a matter of interest, Unisa is in the process of establishing an Academy of African Languages and Science, the aim being to give practical effect to the use of languages other than English and Afrikaans, to be used as languages of science.
However, with specific reference to the award for doctoral degrees, where the thesis has been submitted in Afrikaans and the student indicates a preference for Afrikaans, the citation which accompanies the award of the degree, is read by the supervisor in Afrikaans during the graduation ceremony. (To date, Unisa has not had any doctoral thesis submitted in languages other than English and Afrikaans). In the event any student presents in Afrikaans, the awards is also presented in Afrikaans (This has not happened with other languages). This is easily and usually the case, where such students have received their degrees with distinction.
In addition, Unisa will prepare and award a graduation certificate in any of the eleven languages if a request for same were made by any of the graduation students. Again, however, to date, Unisa has not received a request of such a nature.
2. The issue of the language used on certificates and at graduation ceremonies is part of the wider debate on language policy at higher education institutions. The Department of Education has published policy to give effect to the provisions of the Constitution. The Language in Education Policy (1997) and the Language Policy for Higher Education (2002) were designed to promote multilingualism in the education sector.
Their aim is to ensure that all South African languages are "developed to their full capacity while at the same time ensuring that the existing languages of instruction (English and Afrikaans) do not serve as a barrier to access and success." Amongst other matters receiving my attention, close monitoring of the implementation of the above forms part of the work of the Department.
QUESTION 1798
Mr A Louw (DA) to ask the Minister of Labour:
(1) How will his department ensure that a certain person (name furnished) avoids a conflict of interest between his two positions (details furnished)
(2) whether he has any systems in place to ensure this person's objectivity in terms of these two positions; if so, what are the relevant details; if not,
(3) whether he intends to put any systems in place to ensure this person's objectivity; if not, why not; if so, (a) when and (b) what are the further relevant details? NW2299E
The Minister of Labour replied:
(1) The Director General is a full time employee of the Department of Labour. He is not an employee of the Black Management Forum. His freedom of association is guaranteed by the Constitution of SA.
(2) As mentioned under no 1.
(3) As mentioned under no 1.
QUESTION NUMBER 1797
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 22)
Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
(1) (a) How many of her department's officials are dedicated to environmental protection and monitoring,(b) what are their respective designations, (c) how many vacancies currently exist for such officials and (d) for low long has each of these positions been vacant;
(2) what was the budget for environmental protection and monitoring for the 2008-09 financial year;
(3) (a) how many mines were found to be in transgression of their environmental management programmes in the 2008-09 financial year, (b) what was the nature of the transgression in each case and (c) what action did her department take in each case?
REPLY
(1) Seventy eight (78) of the Department's officials are dedicated to environmental protection and monitoring,
Thirteen (13) vacancies (of which 12 became vacant since June 2009) currently exist for such officials.
(2) What was the budget for environmental protection and monitoring for the 2008-09 financial year?
Each regional office of the Department of Mineral Resources has a global integrated budget from which funds are sourced by inter alia the officials referred to in question 1 above.
(3) (a) Two hundred and fifteen (215) cases of transgression of environmental management requirements were found in the 2008-09 financial year,
(b) Transgressions cover a wide spectrum varying from minor issues to more significant issues.
(c) Actions undertaken by the department are as follows:
Action was taken by the Department in accordance with the provisions of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002(Act 28 0f 2002).
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 1796
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 22 - 2009)
Date reply submitted : 15 December 2009
Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:
Whether any SA Police Service members of the (a) Westville, (b) Pinetown, (c) Marianhill, (d) Hillcrest, (e) KwaDabeka, (f) Hammarsdale and (g) Mpumalanga police stations in KwaZulu-Natal underwent shooting practice (i) in (aa) 2007 and (bb) 2008 and (ii) during the period 1 January 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if not, why not; if so, how many (aa) in each case, (bb) hours were spent in practicing and (cc) rounds of ammunition were used?
NW2297E
REPLY:
(1) Yes.
Hereunder are tables listing the mentioned police stations and the statistics [per period as requested.
(aa) The number of members who underwent firearm shooting practice is as follows:
| (i)(aa)2007 | (i)(bb) 2008 | (ii) 2009 until 30 September 2009 | |
| HAMMARSDALE | 21 | 48 | 69 |
| HILLCREST | 97 | 146 | 228 |
| KWADABEKA | 44 | 143 | 146 |
| MARIANNHILL | 149 | 166 | 236 |
| MPUMALANGA KZN | 51 | 181 | 196 |
| PINETOWN | 215 | 127 | 255 |
| WESTVILLE | 88 | 73 | 148 |
| Grand Total | 665 | 884 |
=SUM(ABOVE) 1278
(bb) The number of hours spent in practicing
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 until 30 September 2009 | |
| HAMMARSDALE | 168 | 384 | 552 |
| HILLCREST | 776 | 1168 | 1824 |
| KWADABEKA | 352 | 1144 | 1168 |
| MARIANNHILL | 1192 | 1328 | 1888 |
| MPUMALANGA KZN | 408 | 1448 | 1568 |
| PINETOWN | 1720 | 1016 | 2040 |
| WESTVILLE | 704 | 584 | 1184 |
| Grand Total | 5320 | 7072 | 10224 |
(cc) The number of rounds of ammunition used:
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 until 30 September 2009 | |
| HAMMARSDALE | 1050 | 2400 | 3450 |
| HILLCREST | 4850 | 7300 | 11400 |
| KWADABEKA | 2200 | 7150 | 7300 |
| MARIANNHILL | 7450 | 8300 | 11800 |
| MPUMALANGA KZN | 2550 | 9050 | 9800 |
| PINETOWN | 10750 | 6350 | 12750 |
| WESTVILLE | 4400 | 3650 | 7400 |
| Grand Total | 33250 | 44200 | 63900 |
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 1795
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 22 - 2009)
Date reply submitted : 15 December 2009
Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:
Whether any SA Police Service members of the (a) Westville, (b) Pinetown, (c) Marianhill, (d) Hillcrest, (e) KwaDabeka, (f) Hammarsdale and (g) Mpumalanga police stations underwent fitness assessments and training (i) in (aa) 2007 and (bb) 2008 and (ii) during the period 1 January 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if not, why not; if so, (aa) how many in each case, (bb) how many failed the assessments and (cc) what action was taken to rectify the matter?
NW2296E
REPLY:
Yes.
Hereunder is a table listing the mentioned police stations and the statistics per period as requested.
(aa) The number of members who underwent fitness assessment and training is as follows:
| (i)(aa) 2007 | (i)(bb) 2008 | (ii) 2009 until 30 September 2009 | |
| HAMMARSDALE | 8 | 15 | 16 |
| HILLCREST | 39 | 55 | 53 |
| KWADABEKA | 4 | 54 | 1 |
| MARIANNHILL | 56 | 180 | 27 |
| MPUMALANGA KZN | 14 | 51 | 76 |
| PINETOWN | 72 | 35 | 24 |
| WESTVILLE | 44 | 19 | 21 |
| Grand Total | 237 | 409 | 218 |
(bb) The number of members who underwent fitness assessment and training and were declared not yet competent is as follows:
| (bb) 2007 | (bb) 2008 | (ii) 2009 until 30 September 2009 | |
| HAMMARSDALE | 2 | 0 | 11 |
| HILLCREST | 12 | 10 | 5 |
| KWADABEKA | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| MARIANNHILL | 5 | 8 | 0 |
| MPUMALANGA KZN | 7 | 8 | 33 |
| PINETOWN | 12 | 12 | 9 |
| WESTVILLE | 9 | 4 | 5 |
| Grand Total | 49 | 52 | 63 |
(cc) The members who were found not yet competent were guided to undergo the In-Service Training Firearms Training (1 week duration) to bring them up to standard.
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 1794
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNL,L QUESTION PAPER: 16 OCTOBER 2009: INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 22- 2009
"I794 Mrs D van der Walt (DA) to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture:
( 9 ) (a) What was the cause of each breakdown of the Robben Island Ferry, Sikhululekile In September 2009, (b) what plans are in place in each case of any breakdowns to transport persons to and from the Island, (c) how many breakdowns did the Sikhululekile had since it was purchased, (d) what was the reason for each breakdown, (e) what was the total number of days lost during each breakdown and (f) what was the lost of income for each of the days during the breakdown;
(2) whether the contract of sale included any provisions with regard to the mechanical breakdown of the ferry or maintenance thereat If nut, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?"
REPLY:
(1a) The engine manufacturer is investigating the cause of the breakdown in September 2009. A report of the investigation is still pending.
(1b) RIM utilises other vessels in case of a breakdown, including private vessels.
(1c) Three breakdowns.
(1d) Breakdowns were technical.
( 1e a& f) Difficult to estimate.
(2) The vessel was covered by a o le year warranty and an engine maintenance contract with MTU was implemented on the recommendation of the South African Maritime Authority (SAMS 4).
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 1793
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16 OCTOBER 2009:
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 22 - 2009
"1793. Mrs D van der Walt (DA) to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture:
( A ) Whether her department is assisting the West Coast Fossil Park In any way; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether her department intends declaring the park a national heritage site; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?"
REPLY:
(1) Yes. The West Coast Fossil Park is managed by the West Coast Fossil Park Trust. Staff members of the lziko Museums, an associated institution that receives .an annual subsidy from the Department of Arts and Culture, are members of this Trust. The Manager of the Park is also seconded and receives a ;alary directly from Iziko.
Additionally, an lziko researcher received a grant from the National Research Foundation towards important research at the West Coast Fossil Park. Primarily, therefore, the lziko Museums, plays an important supportive and professional role at the West Coast Fossil Park. They are also responsible for the curation of the fossil remains found at the Park.
(2) Yes. The West Coast Fossil Park has been nominated to be declared as a national heritage site. The Management Plan for the site has already been finalised and the approval by the Council of the South African Heritage Resources Agency has been granted. The declaration will be published in the Government Gazette as soon as the establishment of the site boundaries has bee n finalised.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
TYPE: WRITTEN QUESTION
MINISTRY: SPORT AND RECREATION SA
QUESTION: NO 1792
(Internal Question Paper No 22 – 2009)
Mr. T D Lee (DA) to ask the Minister of Sport and Recreation:
(1) Whether he or his department has taken any action to address the current financial situation of Boxing SA; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
(2) Whether any private companies have replied to the tender request; if so, which companies and what are the details of their respective proposals?
(3) Whether a decision has been taken on which tender to accept? If not,
(a) Why not and
(b) When will a tender be accepted? If so;
(i) Which tender was accepted?
(ii) On what basis was the tender accepted and
(iii) What are the financial implications for accepting this tender?
(4) Whether any investigation of the cause of the current situation has been
Undertaken? If not; why not? If so; what are the relevant details?
NW2293E
REPLY:
(1) Sport and Recreation did request for additional funds for BSA from Treasury. The latter managed to give R1 million a once off to BSA.
(2) Yes there are companies who responded. They are: [MARINA WE will get them from Phindile at Supply Chain]
They had good proposals BUT the quoted amount was way above the support that SRSA could give –all above a million.
(3) A decision of not awarding a tender was taken.
(4) The Director General had a meeting with the Acting CEO and two finance staff members. The focus was on the Auditor General's comments. Areas where SRSA could give a support to BSA were identified and agreed upon. SRSA has come up with an action plan and have already started to support BSA.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 1789
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 16 October 2009
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 22 OF 2009
Mrs J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
How many, (a) same sex marriages and (b) civil unions have there been since the Civil Unions, Act, Act 17 of 2006, was passed into law to allow such marriages? NW2289E
REPLY
We do not know. This will take too long to establish. If there is any particular one of interest, we could check that.
QUESTION 1788
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 16 October 2009
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 22 OF 2009
Mrs J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(1) Whether her department has put any measures in place to address human trafficking; if not, why not; if so, what measures;
(2) whether any plans are to be implemented during the 2010 Fifa World Cup Soccer tournament to address human trafficking; if not, why not; if so, what plans?
NW2288E
REPLY
(1) Yes. The following measures were put in place:
- All Immigration Officials have received training on Human Trafficking, offered by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
- The Department, in conjunction with the IOM, is, also, currently, training facilitators, and assessors within the Department's Directorates: Central Law Enforcement, and Inspectorate, respectively, to roll out training to officials on implementation, once the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill is enacted.
- The Department of Home Affairs forms part of the National Task Team on Human Trafficking, which is led by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
(2) Yes. The following measures are in place:
- Perpetrators of Human Trafficking will be prosecuted, and dealt with in terms of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No 13 of 2002).
- Provincial Tasks Teams have been established, in all nine Provinces. The Tasks Teams comprise the Department of Home Affairs, the South African Police, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Health, and the NPA.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
TYPE: WRITTEN QUESTION
MINISTRY: SPORT AND RECREATION SA
QUESTION: NO 1787
(Internal Question Paper No 22 – 2009)
Mr J J van der Linde (DA) to ask the Minister of Sport and Recreation:
(1) Whether there is any progress with the forming of a national school sport structure; if not,
(a) Why not and
(b) When will such a structure be established; if so,
(i) What has been done so far and
(ii) What still needs to be done;
(2) Whether the new structure will be formed and implemented by the end of 2009; if not,
a) Why not and
b) When will it be formed and implemented; if so, what are the relevant details?
(3) What are the relevant details with regard to;
a) The structure and
b) The development of the structure?
NW2287E
REPLY:
- The framework for the School Sport Structure has been drafted by both SRSA and Department of Basic Education and endorsed by all key stakeholders in school sport.
a) The structure will be established in 2010.
i. Both SRSA and Department of Basic Education after consulting with key stakeholders in school sport have set up a writing team with provincial and national representation. The writing team has drafted the school sport policy, the framework for a school sport structure and a calendar of events for 2010. All the documents have been redrafted to include contributions from stakeholders and have been endorsed by the National Coordinating Committee.
ii. The processes scheduled for 2009 have now been completed.
- The new structure will not be formed and implemented by the end of 2009.
a) The consultation process had to be completed before the establishment of the structures.
b) Provincial advocacy meetings with stakeholders within each Province will be held between January and February 2010. The Department of Basic Education will provide instruction for the establishment of school sport committees in the first month of schools reopening. By the end of the first school term Circuit, District and Provincial structures should be established. The National structures will then be established in April.
Upon establishment of structures at each level, the structures will immediately become operational.
QUESTION 1786
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16/10/09
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 22-2009)
Dr J C Kloppers-Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
(1) (a) Why have some of the 2008 matriculants not yet received their certificates and (b) when is it expected that they will receive their certificates;
(2) whether she will make a statement on the matter? NW2286E
REPLY:
1. There has been a general delay in the release of all National Senior Certificates for the 2008 matriculants. This was caused by the re-designing of the certificate by the Quality Assurance Council, Umalusi, in light of the implementation of the new curriculum and qualification. The bulk of the certificates were issued to candidates by the end of September 2009. The only candidates that have not received their certificates, at this stage, are those that wrote the supplementary examination in March 2009. These candidates will receive their certificates by the beginning of November 2009. In cases where candidates have informed the Department of any difficulties with the Higher Education sector, the Department of Education has intervened on behalf of the candidates and no candidate should be disadvantaged because of this delay.
2. It is not necessary for the Minister to make a statement at this stage, given that the Quality Assurance Council, which is the certifying body did make a statement on this matter in July 09.
QUESTION 1785
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16/10/09
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 22-2009)
Dr J C Kloppers-Lourens (DA ) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
Whether she intends taking any steps with regard to grade 12 learners who do not return to school after their final school examination, but only report to their respective schools to write their National Senior Certificate examination, if not, why not; if so, what steps? NW2285E
REPLY:
The Department of Education as part of its drive to ensure that maximum time is allocated to teaching and learning has since 2008, with the implementation of the new curriculum in the FET band, re-structured the commencement of the writing of the final NSC examinations, to commence early in November or late October. This decision was also taken in response to the previous practice of candidate's failure to return to school after the preparatory examinations. This new dispensation has been implemented in 2008 and in 2009 and PEDs have been requested to monitor the implementation of this new dispensation across all schools. There has been no reports of wide scale absenteeism of candidates from schools prior o the examination and my department will continue to monitor and support schools in this regard. If I am informed that absenteeism is on the increase then I will resort to punitive measures against candidates that refuse to maximize the teaching time made available to them.
NATION. 4L ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 1782
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER - INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 22-2009
1782. Dr A Lotriet (DA) to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture:
Whether South Africa as member of the Organisation of African Union has ratified or acceded to the Cultural Charter for Africa that came into effect on 19 September 1990 ;if not ;why not ;if so, when was it done; whether South Africa has signed and / or ratified the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance ;if not ;why not; if so when was it done ? NW2282E
REPLY:
No, South Africa has not yet ratified or acceded to the Cultural Charter for Africa however the Department of International Relations and Cooperation together with the Department o Arts and Culture are in the process of getting it endorsed by Parliament;
No, South Africa has not yet signed and /or ratified the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance however the Department of International Relations and Cooperation together with tile Department of Arts and Culture are in the process of getting it endorsed by Parliament.
QUESTION 1781
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16 OCTOBER 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 22-2009)
"1781. Ms M R Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(1) Whether the new chief executive officer (CEO) of the Technology Innovation Agency has been appointed; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will the CEO be appointed; if so, (i) when was he/she appointed and (ii) on what basis was the appointment made;
(2) (a) how many applications were received for the position and (b) what are the details about the shortlisted candidates, including their (i) names, (ii) qualifications and (iii) background;
(3) whether a restraint-of-trade clause is being negotiated, or has been negotiated, as part of the CEO's employment contract; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?"
NW2280E
REPLY:
(1) No, to date a new CEO for the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) has not been appointed. The employment processes in this regard are currently underway.
2.(a) Following its appointment during April 2009, the TIA Board held its inaugural meeting on 6 and 7 July 2009. At this time, the Board identified the appointment of the TIA CEO as a priority and the position was subsequently advertised widely in national print and online media, commencing in the week ending 19 July 2009.
While the Agency is a brand new initiative, the TIA mandate will incorporate, and thereby expand the technology innovation focus of a number of existing entities and programmes established by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). As a result, the TIA will be required to optimally incorporate the staffing structures of these entities. In line with this, the Board has committed to operationalising the TIA in a manner that consolidates and builds on the collective skills base and experiences of all the Entities that are to be incorporated into the Agency.
This has informed the Board's decision to run an open and extended recruitment process towards the appointment of a CEO, in parallel to its finalising its work on the development of a comprehensive suite of Human Resources and operational policies for the new TIA structure.
(b) It is envisaged that the processes towards the appointment of a CEO for the TIA will be finalised before the end of the 2009/10 financial year. The Board has appointed a caretaker CEO in the meantime and has resolved to retain the Transitional TIA Project Management Office that has been put in place by the DST in order to support the Board during this critical time.
(2)(a) While the closing date for applications in print media was end August 2009, the recruitment process has not yet been concluded and the Board is still receiving applications. This follows the Board's decision to conduct a parallel headhunting process that is aimed at attracting applications from South Africans living abroad.
(3) As part of its work towards finalising an appropriate Human Resources policy, which will include consideration of the employment contracts of all existing as well as new members of staff within the TIA, the Board has considered various aspects pertaining to Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality. It is envisaged that the Board will meet to consider a draft of such policy at the end of October 2009. A restraint-of-trade deliberation will be considered as part of this process.
The TIA entities include: the Innovation Fund (IF), Tshumisano, Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy (AMTS); Advanced Metals Initiative (AMI); Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Strategy; as well as the Biotechnology Strategy.