Questions & Replies: Question & Replies No 1501 to 1525

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2009-11-04

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[PMG note: Replies are inserted as soon as they are provided by the Minister]

QUESTION NO. 1501

Question

Mr A C Steyn , MP (DA) to ask the Minister of Human Settlements:

1. What are the probable risks of climate change to human settlements in South Africa?

2. Whether his department is taking any measures to promote adaptation to climate change in human settlements: if not, why not; if so what are the relevant details?

3. Whether a study has been conducted to determine the costs that human settlements will incur in adapting to climate change; if not, why not; if so what are the relevant details?

4. Whether any measures are being examined to finance adaptation to climate in human settlements sector; if not, why not, if so what are the relevant details? NW1905E

Answer

1. Some schools of thought would have it that sea levels could gradually rise and that weather patterns could become more unpredictable resulting in droughts, desertification and flooding of low lying land and settlements. If such events should occur the risks to human settlements are self evident.

2. In order to promote the use of renewable energy and reduce the carbon footprint of human settlements, the Department of Human Settlements is working with the Department of Energy and the South African Bureau of Standards to develop national standards for energy efficient buildings (SANS 204) as part of the National Building Regulations. If approved, these will, inter alia, require new residential buildings to be fitted with solar heating devices. Likewise, the National Housing Code contains detailed guide-lines to promote environmentally efficient housing in the subsidy sector.

3. Yes, the Department of Human Settlements has been working with the NHBRC to cost various measures to enhance the thermal performance of houses provided through the National Housing Programmes. The most promising and cost effective of these is the installation of a ceiling and the provision of above ceiling insulation for each house. Other measures include plastering, under floor insulation and sealing windows and doors.

4. Yes, the cost implications of introducing energy efficient measures in the subsidy housing market will be considered, once the NHBRC have finalised their research report. The proposed SANS 204 standards for Energy Efficiency in Natural Ventilated Buildings have been published for comments and are currently being refined for approval purposes. The said standards will apply to all residential buildings and the cost of the required measures will be financed by the private sector.

INTERNAL QUESTION 1502

QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Friday, 9 October 2009

1502. Dr H C van Schalkwyk (DA) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and Administration:

(1) (a) At which levels are public servants in each department entitled to receive a (i) cellular phone for business purposes and (ii) cellular phone allowance, (b)(i) what is the credit limit for each of the levels in each month and (ii) are the other benefits regarding cellular phones, (c) what action is taken when an official exceeds the credit limit and (d) what is the total amount spent on cellular phones in each government department in the (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (iii) from 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;

(2) Whether any mechanisms are in place to ensure that every cellular phone account is monitored for business use only; if not, why not; if so, what mechanisms? NW1906E

REPLY

(1)(a) Each department has its own internal departmental policy to regulate and administer the use of cellular phones.

(1)(a)(i)(ii) The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) provides cellular phone handsets and monthly allowances to incumbents of the following categories; (b) (i)

Director-General: Unlimited

Deputy Directors-General: R1 550.00

Directors and Chief Directors: R 850.00

Deputy Directors and lower: R 550.00

(b)(ii) In terms of the cellular phone policy the DPSA does not allow additional benefits for official handsets.

(c) If the monthly allowance is exceeded, the Finance section informs the user of the excess amount where he or she is requested to provide reasons why the allowance was exceeded. Where the excess is due to official duties, the Responsibility Manager or Programme manager has to approve such costs; if not, the user must acknowledge that the excess amount be deducted from his/her salary.

(d) The total amount spent on cellular phones by the department is as follows:

(i) 2007/08: R2 182 784.73

(ii) 2008/09: R2 098 546.69

(iii) 01/04/2009-30/09/2009 R 988 076.63

(2) It is the responsibility of the managers of DPSA to scrutinize the monthly accounts of the users within his/her component. The cellular phone budget is allocated according to the number of users within a component, hence the annual cellular phone budget should not be exceeded.

INTERNAL QUESTION

QUESTIONS 1504

Friday, 9 October 2009

1504. Dr H C van Schalkwyk (DA) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and Administration:

(1) (a) What is the exact amount involved in the double payments to State Information Technology Agency (Sita) reported in a certain report (details furnished) and (b) what mechanisms does Sita have in place to monitor double payments;

(2) whether the board chairperson has been convicted on 12 counts of late payment of employee tax to the SA Revenue Service; if so, (a) what steps have been taken against the chairperson, (b) what steps will be taken to improve the negative impact this has on Sita's reputation and (c) what mechanisms are in place to ensure good governance in this regard;

(3) whether he has taken any steps against a certain person (details furnished) for conflicting business interests; if not, why not; if so, what steps;

(4) what is the rate of compliance with the financial disclosure framework (FDF) in Sita;

(5) whether Sita requires its employees to declare spousal and family interests linked to its business operations; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many (i) spouses and (ii) family members of employees benefited from tenders awarded in the past 10 years and (b) to which Sita employees were such beneficiaries related? NW1908E

REPLY

2. and 3. The report on the matter referred to is subject to further consideration which may include possible investigation. In the light of this it will therefore not be advisable to comment on the matter at this stage.

4. In terms of the SITA's Conflict of Interest Policy, the Internal Audit Department reviews the status of employee's private business interests on a six-monthly basis, which forms part of its annual internal audit plan.

In addition to the above, a central register is currently being implemented, through the Company Secretary's Office, to enhance the control over potential conflict of interests within SITA. The central register will also enable the management of SITA e.g. Procurement Services, to monitor potential conflicts of interest in their particular areas of responsibility.

5. In accordance with SITA's corporate values and code of conduct, every employee must fully communicate and disclose any conflict of interest which could impair or be perceived to impair their ability to act with integrity or objectivity in their role at SITA, or effect the impartial fulfilment of their role in the affairs of SITA.

(a) This principle is enforced in accordance with the terms and conditions of the SITA Conflict of Interest Policy, which requires inter alia, that employees disclose all conflicts of interest as described in the policy, either on an annual basis, or else within 30 days if the facts and circumstances relating to a new or previously disclosed interest change, or if an activity changes materially, thereby introducing a new undisclosed interest.

(b) Furthermore and in accordance with the policy, any information that is brought to the attention of SITA regarding perceived contraventions of the above policy is fully investigated.


QUESTION 1505

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 09/10/09

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 20-2009)

Mr A P van der Westhuizen (DA ) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

(1) What was the average of the raw marks achieved by candidates in the National Senior Certificate Examination in November 2008 before the inclusion of year marks and statistical adjustments by Umalusi, for (a) Mathematics (i) Paper 1, (ii) Paper 2 and (iii) Paper 3, (b) Accounting and (c) Physical Science (i) Paper 1 and (ii) Paper 2;

(2) what would have been the final mark per subject of a candidate who achieved a raw mark of 20% in the examination papers and for whom a year mark of 50% was submitted if both this year mark and the mark achieved in the examinations reflected the average of the marks for the learner cohort of a particular school for Mathematics Paper 1 and Paper 2, Accounting and Physical Science? NW1909E

REPLY:

(1) The raw marks achieved by candidates in the NSC, prior to the inclusion of school based assessment (SBA) marks and the statistical adjustments, are regarded as an incomplete measure of the learner's performance and are therefore not analysed or included in our reporting on learner performance. Both the inclusion of SBA marks and the statistical adjustment of marks are internationally recognized components in the summation of a learner's performance and there are sound educational reasons for the inclusion of both these components. Therefore, analyzing learner performance, with these two components excluded is a fruitless exercise.

(2) The practice of statistically adjusting the school based assessment (SBA) marks to the examination marks, is based on the principle that the SBA marks should not deviate significantly from the examination marks, in a cohort where all other conditions have remained relatively similar. Therefore, the SBA marks should not deviate by more than 5 -10% from the examination marks. In a subject where a learner obtained 20% in the examination and 50% in the SBA, the SBA will be adjusted to 25% so that it lies within the acceptable range. This practice is also based on the researched position that SBA marks have a lower reliability than examination marks. The centralized setting of the question papers and the controlled conditions relating to the writing and marking of examinations, accords examination marks a higher reliability and therefore in the absence of a more reliable benchmark, the examination is used as an anchor in this statistical adjustment process.



THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION 1506

Mr A P van der Westhuizen (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry

(1 ) Whether security clearance is a requirement for the post of Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (Cipro); If not, why not; If so,

(2) Whether the CIO of Cipro has been vetted by the National Intelligence Agency; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1910E

Response:

(1) Yes, security clearance is a requirement for the post of Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (Cipro).

(2) A request for security clearance was submitted to the National Intelligence Agency by Cipro on 16 January 2009, and the outcome is still awaited from the National Intelligence Agency.

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION 1507

Mr A P van der Westhuizen (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

(1) What was the difference in the points scored by a certain company (VALORit) to the value of R153 million and the tender submitted by another bid company (Faritec LTD) for an enterprise content management system for the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (Cipro);

(2) Whether the tender was awarded on the basis that the successful bidding company (a) offered the best value for money and (b) has a track-record to deliver on a contract of this magnitude; if so, (c) how was this conclusion reached and (d) what are the further relevant details; If not,

(3) Whether he will take steps to set aside the award of this tender; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1911E

Response:

(1) Based on the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (Cipro) report, the difference in the points is as follows:

Evaluation Criteria

Total Points

_Faritec

_VALORit

1

Organisation ECM Experience

15

8

12

2

Solution (Functional

and Technical)

45

23

29

Total Points

60

31.53

40.71

Ranking

2

1

(2) (a) According to Cipro, the tender was awarded to VALORit, as they were of the view that they offered best value for money.

(b) The Cipro report indicates that VALORit has extensive experience in terms of the ECM solution implementation as reflected in the scoring and that it has a track-record to deliver on a contract of this magnitude.

(c)- (d) The decision to award the contract to VALORit was reached after the evaluation and adjudication process in terms of the supply chain management policy.

(3) The Minister has already requested an audit on this matter and is awaiting the final report. A decision to set aside the award of this tender will be premature without due process to determine if any Irregularities occurred. If there were any irregularities in the awarding of the tender, appropriate action will be taken.


QUESTION: NO 1510

(Internal Question Paper No 20 – 2009)

Mr T D Lee (DA) to ask the Minister of Sport and Recreation:

Whether he will launch an investigation into the finances of Athletics SA (ASA) since 1 January 2000; if not, why not; if so,

(a) When will this be done and

(b) When can a report on the findings of the investigations be expected?

NW1915E

REPLY:

Athletic South Africa (ASA) is a section 21 company. Share-holders should deal with the problem in terms of the Companies Act of 1973.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

TYPE: WRITTEN QUESTION

MINISTRY: SPORT AND RECREATION SA

QUESTION: NO 1511

(Internal Question Paper No 20 – 2009)

Mr T D Lee (DA) to ask the Minister of Sport and Recreation:

(a) How many legal actions were undertaken?

(i) by Athletics South Africa (ASA) and

(ii) Against ASA since 1 January 2002 up to the latest specified date for which information is available,

(b) What were the reasons for the legal action in each case?

(c) What is the breakdown of costs incurred by ASA in this regard?

(d) How was each action funded and

(e) What was the outcome of each case?

NW1916E

REPLY:

  1. (i) and (ii) All officials who may be able to answer the question have been suspended by SASCOC. Others have long left ASA and SRSA.
  1. (b) – (e) All officials who may be able to answer the question have been suspended by SASCOC.

QUESTION: NO 1512

(Internal Question Paper No 20 – 2009)

Mr T D Lee (DA) to ask the Minister of Sport and Recreation:

(1) Whether his department organised or hosted

(a) An imbizo?

(b) A seminar?

(c) Conference and

(d) Any other function during the period 1 January 2006 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so,

(i) On what date?

(ii) What was the total amount spent on each?

(iii) What is the breakdown of the cost in each case and

(iv) How many guests attended in each case?

(2) Whether there were any related costs for the travel and accommodation of guests for each of the events; if so, in each case,

(a) What were the costs and

(b) What was the breakdown of these costs?


(3) Whether any member of the Cabinet was present at any of these events; if so,

(a) Who?

(b) In what capacity and

(c) Why?

NW1917E


REPLY:

The following table below reflects available information in respect to Question 1512.

As the question covers more than one financial year, additional information will be provided once all documentation is retrieved.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION 1512

Event

Date

Amount Spent

Amount Breakdown

No. of Guests

Related Cost for Guests' travel & accommodation

Member of Cabinet attending

In what capacity

Reason invited

1. UNESCO African Region Conference on anti-doping: Birchwood

27-28/ 11/ 2008

R741, 826, 68

Event management company

Venue

Accommodation

Transport

250

Accommodation of VIP protectors.
Transport

Rev. M.A. Stofile

Minister of Sport & Recreation

Host & Moderator

2. Sports Science Indaba: Birchwood

16/10/ 2008

R262, 475.00

Venue

Flights and Accommodation

200

Transport

Accommodation of guests

Rev. M.A. Stofile

Minister of Sport & Recreation

Host & Opening address

3. 40th Session of the Executive Committee of the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (SCSA) – Sun City

1-2/ 04/ 2008

R768, 725. 85

Venue, catering

function

Transport

Accommodation

Interpretation

Promotional material

Stationery

Entertainment

30

Accommodation

Transport

Rev. M.A. Stofile

Minister of Sport & Recreation

Host & Member

4. COSSASSA AGM

30/4-4/05/ 2008

R599, 920.00

Venue

Catering

328

Accommodation

Transport

Mr. Gert C Oosthuizen

Deputy Minister of Sport & Recreation

Guest Speaker/ Keynote Address

5. SCSA Zone VI Ordinary Meeting

18-22 / 11/ 2008

R619, 118.00

Venue & catering

Transport

Accommodation

38

Accommodation

Transport

Rev. M.A. Stofile

Minister of Sport & Recreation

Host & Member

6. SASRECON – Potchefstroom University

7-9/9/2006

R176, 073. 35

Venue

Catering

Transport

Stationery

150

Local and international speakers transport & Accommodation

Mr. Gert C Oosthuizen

Deputy Minister of Sport & Recreation

Guest Speaker/ Keynote Address

7. SASRECON – Nelson Mandela Metro University

25-27/ 06/ 2008

R324,550.45

Event Management

Catering

Transport

Stationery & printing

311

Local and international speakers transport & Accommodation

Mr. Gert C Oosthuizen

Deputy Minister of Sport & Recreation

Guest Speaker/ Keynote Address

8. SA Sports Awards

30/11/2006

R100, 000. 00

Travel

845 and ceremony was broadcast to millions of viewers on national television

Travel for Awards' nominees

Mr. Gert C Oosthuizen

Deputy Minister of Sport & Recreation

Guest Speaker/ Keynote Address

9. SA Sports Awards

7/12/2007

R0.00

None

950 and the Awards ceremony also broadcast to millions of viewers

None

Ms P. Mlambo-Nqcuka

Deputy President

Keynote address

10. SA Sports Awards

5/12/2008

R500, 000. 00

Travel

Venue Entertainment

900 and the Awards ceremony also broadcast to millions of viewers

Travel for Awards nominees

None

N/A

N/A

11. 2010 SADC Youth Colloquium

3-4/12/ 2008

R961, 916.00

Venue

Transport

Promotional Materials Venue Branding material

More than the invited 150

Shuttle Services for 100 delegates

Rev. M.A. Stofile

Minister of Sport & Recreation

Keynote address to mobilize youth on hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup brings

12. National Sports Indaba

9-10/ 10/ 2008

R965, 053

Venue & Catering

Transport

Accommodation

Promotional material and stationary

Rapporteurs

500

Transport

Accommodation for

Rev. M.A. Stofile

Mr. Gert C Oosthuizen

Minister of Sport & Recreation

Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation

Host - Keynote address and discussion towards improving the status of sport in the country

Official Capacity

13. Youth Conference (for youth from SADC)

21/12/2007

R649, 000

Promotional clothing

Sport equipment

3 000

None

Rev. M.A. Stofile

Minister of Sport & Recreation

Keynote address

14. 1ST International Conference on Women

08/ 2006

R400,000

Venue & catering

400

None

Rev. M.A. Stofile

Mr. Gert C Oosthuizen

Minister of Sport & Recreation

Deputy Minister

Keynote address

Official Capacity

15. Women in Sport Colloquium

29-30/ 08/ 2008

R314, 072.00

Venue & Catering

150

None

None

N/A

N/A

16. 2006 Federations Conference - Birchwood

10-11 / 03/ 2006

R206,718.00

Venue & catering

Accommodation

Cocktail function

120

Transport & Accommodation for guests (for only 1 delegate per organization)

Rev. M.A. Stofile

Mr. Gert C Oosthuizen

Minister of Sport & Recreation

Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation

Keynote address

Official Capacity

17. 2007 Federations Conference - Kopanong

30/11-01/ 12/ 2007

R113, 997.80

Venue & catering

Accommodation

Cocktail function

Transport

150

Transport & Accommodation for guests (air ticket for 1 delegate per organization and accommodation for two, where necessary)

Mr. Gert C Oosthuizen

Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation

Guest Speaker/ Keynote Adress

QUESTION NO.: 1513

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 09 October 2009

1513. Dr P J Rabie (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:

(1) Whether Eskom has finalised its long-term contracts with coal mines/companies; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will this be completed; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) (a) what were the norms used to determine the quality and quantity guarantees and (b) how many new coal sources have been identified;

(3) whether any new contracts are being planned for the 2009-10 financial year in order to satisfy the demand for electricity; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1918E

REPLY

(1)(a-b)Yes. All long term contracts negotiated have been signed with the exception of one. The latter has not been signed in its current format as the parties have agreed to negotiate a more optimum mining solution to maximise supply from the mine.

In addition, two future long-term contracts have been finalised and production will commence to meet the demand of the new power stations once the commissioning process commences.

(2)(a)The quantity of coal required is determined by the energy forecast and the coal burn derived from the energy production requirements for the coal fired power stations. The medium and short term coal requirements are an outcome of the current long term contracts for the tied in collieries and all other existing short and medium term contracts.

Quality is determined by the power stations, based on the design parameters and requirements of the power plant as per the current plant status. The important coal qualities that are required are relevant to parameters that determine how the coal can be handled, combustibility, thermal efficiency and emissions.

It is expected that the long term contracts for the current fleet of coal fired power stations including Kusile and Medupi will be finalised by the end of 2010. Medium-term contracts (5 to 10 years) are used to fill in the gaps while the long term mines are developed.

(b) There are about 200 sources of coal ranging in various sizes in South Africa. Out of the 200, there are less than ten sources that can offer more than a billion tons of coal, as per a request for proposal issued by Eskom.

(3)(a) Yes. There have been contracts concluded for the coal requirements of specific stations. With the decrease on demand due to the changing economic environment, the total coal burn requirements decreased. This resulted in some of the initial planned supply not being sourced given that it is not required. However, the resulting oversupply on existing contracts at some stations then created the opportunity for coal to be diverted to stations where they were required and where the qualities could be matched. Two long term contracts and various medium term contracts are expected to be finalised in the financial year, for a total of 300Mt with delivery timelines ranging from 5 to 20 years.

Question 1519

Dr W G James (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

Whether South Africa has made any (a) private and (b) public investments in Zimbabwe; if so, (i) what is the value of each of these investments and (ii) what are the current trade flows?NW1924E

Response:

Yes South African private and public sector entities have investment interests in Zimbabwe.

(i) South African private sector investment in Zimbabwe is approximately US$ 618 million. With respect to South African public sector investment in Zimbabwe, the IDC is considering undertaking projects in the mining sector with the projected total investment value of around US$10 million. The IDC is also looking at the proposals to upgrade road, power and telecoms. The OSSA is considering projects in the energy, telecommunications, mining, and agribusiness sectors, the dti has re-opened a commercial office in August 2009 in Harare to improve trade and investment between the two countries.

(ii) In 2008 South African exports to Zimbabwe amounted to R14 billion, while imports from Zimbabwe amounted to R6.5 billion. South Africa's exports to Zimbabwe in 2008 showed significant improvement relative to 2007, where exports stood at R8.5 billion. During the same year, imports from Zimbabwe stood at R6 billion.

As can be seen, the trade balance in 2008 is in South Africa's favour, with exports to Zimbabwe being more than double the imports from Zimbabwe.

In the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region, Zimbabwe is the second largest destination for South Africa's exports' while it is also the second largest source of South Africa's imports in the region. demonstrating the continued importance of South Africa-Zimbabwe economic linkages to both countries.

QUESTION NO: 1520

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 20 OF 09 OCTOBER 2009

Mr WG James (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

(1) Whether South Africa supplies Zimbabwe with any aid, either directly or through the SADC and/or other multilateral institutions; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

(1) The Government of South Africa has provided financial support to assist the economic recovery of Zimbabwe. The support includes a contribution of R300 million to the SADC led Zimbabwe Humanitarian and Development Assistance Framework, and a contribution of R300 million to finance the Short Term Emergency Recovery Plan of Zimbabwe. The first contribution of R300 million was utilised for Agricultural inputs (seeds, fertiliser and diesel) from South African suppliers. The financial reports on the expenditure indicate that the funds were spent in accordance with the intended purposes.

The second amount of R300 million is in the form of direct budget support that is governed by an agreement signed by the respective Ministers of Finance. As per the agreement, the funds were transferred to the Zimbabwean Ministry of Finance in three equal tranches of R100 million in May, June and August 2009. The financial reports on the expenditure of the latter amount shows that the funds are being used for the rehabilitation and maintenance of municipal infrastructure.


NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION 1521

Dr W G James (DA) to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training:

(1) Whether, with reference to the statements made by the Minister of Health that the strengthening of colleges was the next focus of the Department of Health and that discussions with the Department of Higher Education and Training were at an advanced stage, copies of the report identifying the colleges which are to be strengthened will be made available to the public; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) (a) what amount does his department envisage spending and (b)(i) when and (ii) on what specifically will it be used to rebuild these colleges;

(3) (a) what officials in his department will (i) lead and (ii) co-lead the project and (b) what is the projected completion date.

REPLY:

It is suggested that the Honourable member direct this question to the Minister of Health.


NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NUMBER: 1522

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 9 OCTOBER 2009

DR D T GEORGE (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF FINANCE:

(1) Whether the Register for Tender Defaulters, established under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, Act 12 of 2004, is maintained by the National Treasury; if not, (a) why not and (b) who maintains the register;

(2) what is the number of entries that have appeared in the register since its inception;

(3) whether the register will be made available for public scrutiny; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(4) whether he refers the information gathered on the register to his counterparts in the national, provincial and local governments; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1927E

REPLY:

1. Yes

(a) Falls away

(b) The Chief Director: Norms and Standards

2. None

Reason: Section 28(1)(a) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004, prescribes that when a court convicts a person for offences relating to tenders or contracts, in addition to imposing any sentence contemplated in section 26 of the Act, the court may also issue an order that the name of the convicted person, the conviction and sentence and any other order of the court consequent thereupon be endorsed on the Register. Section 28(1)(b) prescribes that if the person so convicted is an enterprise, the court may also order that the particulars of that enterprise, the particulars of any partner, manager, director or other person, who wholly or partly exercises or may exercise control over that enterprise and who was involved in the offence concerned or who knows or ought reasonably to have known or suspected that the enterprise committed the offence concerned, and the conviction, sentence and any other order of the court consequent thereupon, be endorsed on the register.

To date no such order was issued by any court of law and therefore no name appears on this Register.

3. Yes

Section 32 of the Act prescribes that the Register must be open to the public. The register can be perused on the National Treasury's website under www.treasury.gov.za.

4. Currently there are no names on the Register.

It should be noted that a working group on government's supply chain management (SCM) system was established to improve the management of the SCM system as a whole. This working group is composed of representatives of the National Treasury, the South African Revenue Services, the Financial Intelligence Centre, the Auditor-General and the Special Investigation Unit. Among others, the work group will identify high-risk clusters of tenders with the object of conducting integrated investigations which should result in enforcement actions which could be either referral for criminal investigations, civil recovery, referral for internal disciplinary proceedings and / or full tax enforcement.

The National Treasury will consider measures to enhance public awareness of the names of persons who were found guilty of transgressions.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NUMBER 1523
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 9 OCTOBER 2009


Dr D T George (DA) to ask the Minister of Finance:


(1) Whether there is compliance by taxpayers with the payment of provisional tax; if not,
what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;


(2) how does this requirement affect interest on savings;


(3) whether this provision of paying provisional tax is being reviewed; if not, why not; if so,
what are the relevant details?

REPLY:


(1) Although there is broad compliance by individuals in this regard, SARS has established
by way of matching third party data received from banks on interest payments by
banks, that not all individuals have declared interest received in their annual tax
returns. This will be followed up with individual taxpayers. To give effect to the
obligation that provisional taxpayers must register, SARS automatically registers
taxpayers as provisional taxpayers if their annual assessments indicate that they are
required to be registered as provisional taxpayers. This will be the case where, for
example, a taxpayer has taxable non-employment income in excess of R20 000, part or
all of which may be in respect of interest income in excess of the exempt amounts of
R21 000 for a taxpayer under 65 years of age and R30 000 for a taxpayer 65 years of
age or older. The various penalties and interest charges in the provisional tax system
then encourage taxpayers to make the necessary provisional tax estimates and
payments.


(2) No. The provisional tax system serves as an advanced payment mechanism for income
tax and ensures that taxpayers are not faced with a single substantial income tax bill
when assessed, but rather spreads the tax liability for the year of assessment to the
benefit of the fisc and taxpayers alike. As far as income tax itself is concerned
government has
over the last number of years increased the tax exemption levels for interest income
referred to in (1) above substantially to assist taxpayers receiving interest and provide
some incentive to taxpayers who are saving in the form of interest bearing instruments.


(3) The effectiveness of the provisional tax system is continuously evaluated. As you may
be aware of, certain amendments to the provisions governing the payment of
provisional tax were made over the last two years to ensure that the time of payment of
provisional tax is brought closer to the time of receipt or accrual of the income that
gives rise to provisional tax payments.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NUMBER: 1524
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 9 OCTOBER 2009


Dr D T George (DA) to ask the Minister of Finance:


(1) Whether the National Treasury organised or hosted (a) an imbizo, (b) a seminar, (c)
conference and (d) any other function during the period 1 January 2006 up to the latest
specified date for which information is available; if so, (i) on what date, (ii) what was the
total amount spent on each, (iii) what is the breakdown of the cost in each case and (iv)
how many guests attended in each case;


(2) whether there were any related costs for the travel and accommodation of guests for
each of the events; if so, in each case, (a) what were the costs and (b) what was the
breakdown of these costs;


(3) whether any member of the Cabinet was present at any of these events; if so, (a) who,
(b) in what capacity and (c) why?

Reply available here

QUESTION NO. 1526

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 09 OCTOBER 2009 ( INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 20 )


1526. Mr M J Ellis (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental AHairs:

What was the (a) route for each international flight undertaken by her since 11 May 2009, including the (i) departing city and (ii) final destination and (b) reason for the flight in each case?


REPLY

Available here: Table