Question & Replies No 1926 to 1950

2009-11-17

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

QUESTION NO 1950

Mr A Louw to ask the Minister of Labour: NW2514

Date reply submitted:02/11/2009

With regard to the wasteful expenditure as reflected in the CCMA Annual Report of 2008/9:

1. (a) What was the wasteful expenditure spent on, and (b) what amount was overspent and/or wasted, (c) what were the reasons for this wasteful expenditure, (d) who (i) approved and (ii) made the payments?

2. Whether any individual has been identified for this wasteful expenditure; if so, (a) who are these individuals , (b) has any action been taken against them, if not, why not; if so what are the details.

Minister of Labour Replied:

1. (a)

· The entity was assessed by SARS for the financial years 2004 to 2006 in respect of part time commissioner taxes that were not withheld during these years. There was uncertainty over the tax treatment applied by the CCMA for payments to part time Commissioners and Interpreters.

· Late Payment of Assessments

· Fraud

(b) The amount overspent and/or wasted was R20 052 805.

SARS = R11 045 339

Interest EThekwini Municipalities = R 2 499

Legal costs on outstanding amount = R 1 154

Interest PEC Metering = R 813

Interest Telkom Invoices = R 9 000 000

Fraudulent Activity = R 3 000

TOTAL = R20 052 805

EThekweni is a legacy issue and happened sometime back, hence no individual could be identified as responsible for the misconduct.

Interest in late payments was as a result of Technical problems with the new system implementation which were not avoidable. No individual is responsible for the misconduct.

(d) (i) The CCMA Governing Body.

(d) (ii) Finance Department of the CCMA.

2 (a) The Part Time Commissioners and Interpreters who have not paid over the taxes are being pursued for recovery.

(b) The travelling claim expenditure was by a Commissioner based in Northwest. Disciplinary action has been taken and the employee relieved of his/her duties.

Reply to question 1950 approved by Minister

INTERNAL QUESTION

QUESTION 1949

Friday, 23 OCTOBER 2009

1949. Ms A M Dreyer (DA) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and Administration:

(1) Whether, with reference to the Government's stated commitment to root out corruption in the Public Service, any Public Service officials have been suspended since 1 April 2009 for irregular activities; if not, why not; if so, with regard to every person, (a) what is his/her (i) name and position, (b) in which department is he/she employed, (c) when was he/she put on suspension and (d) why was he/she put on suspension;

(2) Whether every person is still on suspension; if not, on what date was the suspension lifted with regard to every person; if so, what are the relevant details in each case;

(3) Whether every person was suspended with pay; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case;

(4) Whether any alternative action has been taken against any of the person; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details in each case;

(5) Whether any inquiry or investigation was done with regard to each of the said cases; if not, why not, if so, (a) when was it (i) done and (ii) concluded in each case and (b) what were the (i) outcomes, (ii) findings and (iii) recommendations in each case? NW 2513E

REPLY

The legislative framework for the public service places the responsibility for the management of discipline in the hands of individual departments. In terms of section 3(7) of the Public Service Act, 1994, as amended, an executive authority inter alia has all the powers and duties necessary for the dismissal and other career incidents of employees of the specific department. Section 7(3)(b) of the Act also places the responsibility for the maintenance of discipline in the hands of a head of department. Departments are therefore responsible for keeping their own disciplinary records.

We have approached all departments to provide the dpsa with a comprehensive report in this regard. (See Annexure A)

INTERNAL QUESTION 1948 QUESTIONS FOR ORAL REPLY Friday, 23 October 2009

1948. Ms A M Dreyer (DA) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and

Administration:

(1) Whether (a) he, (b) his deputy minister, (c) any specified officials and (d) any

other persons have been issued with a government or official credit card; if so,

what are the relevant details for him, his deputy minister and each holder of a

credit card in respect of the (i) name, (ii) job title, (iii) credit limit, (iv)

outstanding amount as at the latest specified date for which information is

available, (v) monthly expenses incurred for each month since receiving the

credit card, (vi) reason for such persons being issued with a credit card and (vii)

uses that such a credit card is intended for;

(2) Whether any such credit cards are over their credit limit; if so, (a) whose credit

cards are over the limit and (b) what is the reason for the credit cards exceeding

the limit;

(3) Whether any action has been taken against such persons for exceeding their

credit card limits; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2512E

1(a) The Minister has a credit card allocated to him in terms of Annexure G of the Ministerial Handbook.

(b) The Deputy Minister has no credit card.

1(i) The credit limit for the Minister's credit card is

R50 000.00

Outstanding amount as at 27 October 2009, Nil.

The Minister began using the credit card from August 2009 and the monthly expense for August was R1 673.55 and R1 978.35 for September.

The credit card was issued for official purposes.

(2) The credit card is not over its credit limit.

INTERNAL QUESTION

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL REPLY 1947

Friday, 23 October 2009

1947. Ms A M Dreyer (DA) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and

Administration:

(1) In respect of each version of the 2008-09 annual report of his department and the

annual reports of each statutory and other entity reporting to his department, (a)

what was the (i) budgeted cost (ii) actual cost and (iii) breakdown of cost in

respect of (aa) printing, (bb) graphic design, (cc) other costs and (dd) unit cost of each annual report and (b) how many copies of each were (i) produced and (ii) distributed;

(2) Whether any version of the abovementioned reports was retracted or withdrawn; if

so, (a) how many times were each annual report withdrawn or retracted, (b) what

(i) were the reasons for each withdrawal or retraction and (ii) was the amount spent on each version and (c) how many copies were withdrawn in each case;

(3) How was the decision taken to award the contract to the (a) graphic design

Company and (b) printing company;

(4) Whether (a) his department or (b) any of those public entities that fall under his

department held a function on tabling their 2008-09 annual report; if so, in each case (i) what was the name of the public entity, (ii) how much did the function cost, (iii) What is the breakdown of that cost, (iv) where was the function held and (v) how many guests were invited? NW2511E

REPLY

1. (a)(i) The budgeted cost for the annual report of the Department of Public Service and Administration was R500 000,00,

(ii) The actual cost incurred was R425 790, 00

(iii) Breakdown of cost in respect of;

(aa) Printing - R425 790, 00

(bb) Graphic design - No costs incurred for graphic design as it was done internally by the Department's Graphic Designer.

(cc) no other costs were incurred.

(dd) Unit cost of each annual report is R283.86

(b) (i) Number of copies produced: 1 500.

(ii) Number of copies distributed: 987.

2. No version or copy of the report was withdrawn or retracted.

3. (a) No Graphic designer was involved.

(b) Printing company appointed on the basis of low quotation, SMME status and agreement to deliver on the date determined by the DPSA.

4. (a) No, the Department did not hold any function on tabling the 2008-09 annual report.

5. (b) None of the public entities that fall under DPSA had

held a function on tabling their 2008-09 annual report

Public Service Commission

1 (a) (i) The budgeted cost for the annual report of the Public Service commission was R250 000, 00

(ii) The actual cost was R233 032, 61

(iii) Breakdown of cost in respect of;

(aa) printing and (bb) graphic design: The actual cost included design, layout and printing

(cc) other costs incurred; None

(dd) unit cost of each annual report: R 105, 92.

(b) (i) Number of copies produced: 2 200

(ii) Number of copies distributed: 2 030

2. Number of versions of the annual report retracted or withdrawn: None

3 (a) and (b) The supply Chain Management Procedure was followed and one service provider was appointed for the design, layout and printing of the annual report.

4. No, the Public Service Commission did not hold any function for the tabling of the annual report.

QUESTION NO: 1946

DATE SUBMITTED:

MR AT FRITZ (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

1. Whether the investigation against the Gauteng Regional Commissioner concerning the renting of an expensive house and allegations of a conflict of interest have been concluded; if not, (a) why not; (b) when is it expected to be completed; if so, what are the details? NW 2510E

REPLY

1(a) No, the investigation into rented accommodation relating to the Regional Commissioner: Gauteng has not yet been completed. It is expected that the investigation will be completed by mid-December 2009. On the allegations of a conflict of interest, the Department has done the necessary verification internally and the company involved has confirmed that the RC Gauteng had no interest in the company at the time of doing business with the Department. The company is currently taking steps to remove the RC Gauteng's name from their records.

QUESTION NO: 1945

DATE SUBMITTED:

MR A T FRITZ (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

(1) Whether there are any social workers employed in terms of Section 7 of the Public Services Act at Correctional Services in South Africa; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many at each specified correctional services facility? NW 2509E

REPLY

(1) There are four (4) Social Workers at Western Cape Region employed in terms of section 7. It is only Western Cape Region which employed social workers in terms of Section 7 of the Public Services Act(sessional social workers).The Social Workers are placed in the following Correctional Centres

Ø Robertson Correctional Centre –One Social Worker

Ø Worcester Correctional Centre-Two Social Workers

Ø Dwars Rivier Correctional Centre-One Social Worker

QUESTION NO: 1944

DATE SUBMITTED:

MR AT FRITZ (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

While awaiting-trial children are transferred from B4 Medium A Children's Section in the Medium A Youth Centre, Pollsmoor, where juveniles (18 – 21 years old) are detained:

Whether detaining the children with the juveniles is in contravention of the Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998; if not, why not; if so, what are the details? NW2508E

REPLY

Firstly the Child Justice Act No. 75, Section 30. (1) as well as Section 29 of the Prison Services Act, 1959 make provision for children to be held in correctional centres as a last resort. The presiding officer has to consider all and any recommendations relating to the probation officer's report and evidence before ordering a correctional centre to detain the child.

According to Section 7(2) (c) of the Correctional Services Act, 1998 (Act No 111 of 1998) inmates who are children (under 18 years) must be kept separate from adult inmates and in accommodation appropriate to their age.

However, Section 7(3) of the Correctional Services Act, 1998 determines that there may be departures from the provisions of Section 7 (2) (c) if such departures are approved by the Head of Prison and effected under supervision of a correctional official, but under no circumstances may there be departures in respect of sleeping accommodation.

The B5 unit is built to house 169 persons. When this unit was used (2005) it housed 250 ATD children. The number of ATD children decreased due to cooperation from the Courts, Department of Social Development and the diversion program by Nicro. During the past months, the number of children further decreased to below 50 while gross overcrowding is experienced at Pollsmoor and the rest of the region. Management then took a decision to empty a section in Medium A and to move the children to alleviate overcrowding and to house all the ATD young offenders together.

The B5 unit is part of Pollsmoor Medium B which houses sentenced offenders. Pollsmoor Medium A has been earmarked as a Remand Detention Center for Young offenders. The move of the Children from B5 (Medium B) is therefore also a purifying action and to utilize the accommodation in Medium A optimally.

Pollsmoor experiences gross overcrowding with regard to adults. Pollsmoor Admission Center ("Maximum") was previously used to admit sentenced offenders from courts and is now earmarked as a Remand Detention center. The accommodation in B5 is now used optimally to alleviate overcrowding in Pollsmoor Admission and Pollsmoor Medium B since 194 sentenced offenders are being detained there.

8 sentenced and 42 unsentenced male children were accommodated in Pollsmoor Medium A Correctional Centre on 19 October 2009. These children are also separated by being kept in and sleep in single cells and all possible and reasonable measures are taken to ensure that they do not come into contact with juveniles.

All the personnel that worked with the ATD children at B5 and all the programs (including sport) has been moved to Medium A with the children. An investigation was done as well as an inspection in locum by the Regional Management as well as the Department of Social Development. It was found that, under the circumstances of overcrowding and shortage of accommodation, the move of the ATD children from B5 to Medium A is in the interest of Department as well as the children.

The Department of Social Development takes over a school in Kraaifontein from 1 January 2010. It is mentioned by the Department of Social Development that part of the accommodation shall be allocated to these high risk Awaiting Trial children that are detained in Pollsmoor. It is thus foreseen that the number of ATD children is to decrease further during 2010.

QUESTION NO.: 1943

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 20 OCTOBER 2009

Ms M Smuts (DA) to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:

1. Whether any individual in the department, including the Minister, Deputy Minister and officials, are in possession of a government/official credit card; if so, (a) who are in possession of such a credit card, including the individual's job title, (b) what is the (i) credit limit and (ii) outstanding amount, as at 30 September 2009, and (iii) monthly expenses incurred for each month since receiving such a credit card, for each of the individuals, (c) what is the reason for such an individual having such a credit care, (d) what are the uses for such a credit card?

2. Whether any such credit cards are over their credit limit; if so, (a) who's credit cards are over the limit, (b) what is the reason for the credit card exceeding the credit limit, (c) whether any action has been taken against such an individual for exceeding their credit limit; if not; if so, what are the relevant details.

NW2507E

REPLY

1(a) Deputy Minister Andries Nel, MP is the only official from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development that is in possession of an official credit card.

1(b)(i) R25 000 (ii) R2 242,45 (iii) June 2009: R3 155; July 2009; R3676, 50; August 2009: R3677.85; and September 2009: R2 242.45

1(c) To cater for the expenditure incurred by the Deputy Minister in the performance of his official duties, for example, official meetings and entertainment; hotel accommodation and subsistence;.

1(d) I refer to the response in 1(c) above.

2. No

QUESTION NUMBER: 1942

DATE FOR PUBLICATION: 23 OCTOBER 2009

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: NOVEMBER 2009

MRS D ROBINSON (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES:

(1) In respect of each version of the 2008-09 annual report of her department and the annual reports of each statutory and other entity reporting to her department, (a) what was the (1)budgeted cost (ii) actual cost and (iii) breakdown of cost in respect of (aa) printing, (bb) graphic design, (cc) other costs and (dd) unit cost of each annual report and (b0 how many copies were (i) produced and (ii) distributed;

(2) Whether any version of the above-mentioned reports was retracted or withdrawn; if so, (a) how many were each annual report withdrawn or retracted, (b) what (i) were the reasons for each withdrawal or retraction and (ii) was the amount spent on each version and (c) how many copies were withdrawn in each case;

(3) How was the decision taken to award the contract to the (a) graphic design company and (b) printing company;

(4) Whether the Presidency held a function for tabling their 2008-09 annual report; if so, (i) how much did the function cost, (ii) what is the breakdown of that cost, (iii) where was the function held and (iv) how many guests were invited? NW2506E

RESPONSE

As the Honourable MP Robinson is aware, the Department for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities was only established following the proclamation by H.E. Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, following the 2009 National Elections in April.

As such the Department, being newly established, has not as yet produced any Annual Reports thus far, with the result that it has not incurred any financial debts towards this end.

However, given that the former Office on the Status of Women, the Office on the Rights of the Child, and the Office on the status of Disabled People carried out the mandates for promoting and protecting the rights of these targeted groups, which were championed by the former Minister in the Presidency, annual reports from these three programmes have been included as part and parcel of the Presidency Annual Report 2008-09. As such, all costs incurred for the Report has therefore been that of the Presidency and not of the three individual Offices.

Commission for Gender Equity was previously reporting to the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development. Consequently the costs incurred for their Annual report 2008-09 will be under the control of the Minister for Justice. As a result the CGE has therefore not reported on

this matter to me as such.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 1940

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 OCTOBER 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 24 – 2009) )

Mrs. Van de Walt (DA) b ask the Minister of Ads and Culture:

(?) In respect of each version of the 2008.09 annual report of her department and the annual reports of each statutory and other entity reporting to her department, (a) what was the 0) budgeted cost, {ii) actual cost and (iii) breakdown of cost in respect of (aa) printing, (bb) graphic design, (cc) other costs and (dd) unit cost of each annual report and (b] how many copies of each were (i) produced and (ii) distributed;

2 ) Whether any version of the abovementioned reports was retracted or withdrawn; if so, (a) how many times were each annual report withdrawn or retracted, (b) what (i) were the reasons for each withdrawal or retraction and (ii) was the amount spent on each version and (c) how many copies were withdrawn in each case;

(3) How was the decision taken to award the contract to the (a) graphic design company and (b) printing company

(4) Whether (a) her department or (b) any of those public entities that fall under her department held a function on tabling their 2008 - 2009 annual report; if so, in such case (i) what was the name d the public entity, (ii) haw much did the function cost, (iii) what is the breakdown of that cost, (iv) where was the function held and (v) how many guests were Invited?

REPLY:

(1) The detailed table for the Department of Arts and Culture and its Institutions annual report expenditure for 200812009 is attached in Annexure A

(2). The first version of 2008/09 National Heritage Council Annual report was retracted.

(a) The National Heritage Council Annual report was retracted one.

(b) (i) The report was retracted after realizing some printing errors.

(ii) The amount spent to reprint and replace the withdrawal copies was R90,000,00.

(c) five hundred (500) copies were retracted,

(3).The decision to award the contract was as follows:

(a) Three quotations were sourced from the bidders and one suitable service provider was awarded a tender to do graphic design.

(b) The same company that was awarded the tender did graphic design and printing of documents.

(4) (a) There was no function held by the Department of Arts and Culture for the fabling of the 2008/09 annual report.

(b) One public entity held function on tabling of the annual report, (i) Northern Flagship Institution held a function an the tabling of their 2008/2009 annual report (ii) The cost of he function was: R4,218, 80, (iii) An amount of R2, 636, 36 was spent on food, drinks costed R1,237,30,an d the tip was R345.15.

(iv). The function was held at Tuscan BBQ. (V) Twenty four (24) guests were invited.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 1938

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 OCTOBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 23 – 2009)

Date reply submitted : 15 December 2009

Ms D Kohler-Barnard (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

(1) Whether he has used a suite at (a) the Hilton Hotel in Durban and (b) any other hotel in KwaZulu-Natal; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) what are the total costs of this accommodation per stay, (ii) how many nights of such accommodation have been utilized since his coming into office and (iii) what type of room did he stay in during each hotel visit;

(2) whether this accommodation is permanently available; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) how many (a) officials does he travel with and (b) of them stay at the hotel, in each case;

(4) whether any family members stayed at the hotel, in each case; if so, (a) which family members, (b) how many members of his entourage have family members who stayed at the hotel, in each case and (c) what has been the total cost of accommodation for (i) family members and (ii) officials who travel with him?

NW2502E

REPLY:

All bookings and travel of the Minister is governed by the rules and regulations of the department and by the provisions of the Ministerial handbook. Accommodation and travel of the Minister related to his stay at hotels in Kwazulu Natal was in line with these rules as outlined in the Ministerial Handbook.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 1937

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 OCTOBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 24 - 2009)

Date reply submitted : 15 December 2009

Ms D Kohler-Barnard (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

(1) Whether his department has taken, or will be taking, any action against the commission of inquiry into effective policing in KwaZulu-Natal (details furnished) for not delivering a report; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) why was a certain person (name furnished) paid approximately R2 million for a service he did not provide;

(3) whether any action will be taken against the said person; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(4) what was the total cost of this report?

NW2501E

REPLY:

(1) to (4) The South African Police Service is not responsible for the setting up of a Commission of Inquiry and is therefore not in a position to respond to this question. This question should be directed to the Office of the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 1936

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 OCTOBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 24 - 2009)

Date reply submitted : 15 December 2009

Ms D Kohler-Barnard (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

(1) Why was a certain person (details furnished) refused entry to the war room at the North West SA Police Service Headquarters in Potchefstroom by a certain provincial commissioner (name furnished) on 23 September 2009;

(2) whether it is a policy to limit access to Members of Parliament to the war room; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) why and (b) why the said member was initially given permission to enter?

NW2500E

REPLY:

(1) The room is used for planning regarding crime strategy operations and thus by virtue of that becomes a restricted area in terms of the Minimum Information Security Standard Document and the Protection of Information Act, Act No 84 of 1982 read with National Strategic Intelligence Act, Act No 39 of 1994.

(2) It will be contrary to the provisions of the Protection of Information Act read with the National Strategic Intelligence Act to allow any person who is not a member of the South African Police Service to have access to such police operations planning within the restricted area. This office is not aware of any initial permission given to Mr Hattingh.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NUMBER: 1935

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 23 OCTOBER 2009

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

Whether any company has been appointed to take charge of the financial management of the Government Employee Pension Fund; if not, who is its chief financial officer; if so, how was this company appointed? NW2499E

REPLY:

Yes. A company (Vcoms Pty Ltd) has been appointed to provide financial management services.

The appointment was made through an advertisement. We requested a placement agency contracted by GEPF to assist with the identification of profiles of qualified individuals and/or SMME service providers to provide CVs to assist us to obtain interim financial management services.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NUMBER 1934
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 23 OCTOBER 2009

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

(1) Whether the scorecard that was introduced by the Pension Fund Adjudicator will be
applied on an ongoing basis; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether the retirement fund industry was consulted in the design of the scorecard; if not,
why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether the scorecard will be evaluated to ensure that it is a valid measurement of
performance for a pension fund; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:
(1) Yes, the Acting Pension Fund Adjudicator has indicated that that the scorecard will
continue to apply this year to all complaints lodged on or after 1 October 2009. Her
predecessor introduced the scorecard system before she left office in September 2009.
The first scorecard results released on 28 September 2009 evaluated service delivery in
respect of complaints lodged over more than one year, but which were dealt with
substantively during the period 1 September 2008 to 31 August 2009.

(2) Yes, the Acting Pension Fund Adjudicator has indicated that workshops were conducted
with the retirement industry, including:
• the Pension Lawyers Association Annual Conference in March 2008,
• the Institute of Retirement Funds in August 2008,
• the Principal Officers' Association in Durban, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria and Cape
Town on the 18, 20, 21 and 25 November 2008 respectively,
• the Financial Services Board on 24 April 2009.
Details of the scorecard are available at the adjudicator's website www.pfa.org.za in a
document dated 1 October 2008.

(3) The scorecard was developed in collaboration with independent actuarial and legal
consultants to measure the turnaround time and quality of the resolution of complaints
lodged by members against retirement funds. It is my expectation that the Pension Funds
Adjudicator will, after an initial implementation period, take into account any feedback
from the industry and revise the scorecard if necessary, to ensure that it is a valid
measurement of turnaround time and quality of resolution of complaints lodged by
members against retirement funds.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NUMBER 1933
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 23 OCTOBER 2009

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

Whether, with regard to non-payment of pension fund contributions by the Private Sector
Security Provident Fund and the Contract Cleaning National Provident fund, the
Financial Services Board (FSB) laid criminal charges with the SA Police Service against
defaulting employers; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

No. The Financial Services Board has indicated that it has not laid any criminal charges
against the defaulting employers of the Private Sector Security Pension Fund and the
Contract Cleaning National Provident Fund. This is the responsibility of the pension
fund's "monitoring person", who by the extension of the board of trustees of the fund,
are required to institute relevant action. This includes the reporting of non-payment of
contributions to the prosecuting authorities. these responsibilities are in terms of section
13A of the Pensions Fund Act 24 of 1956, read with subsections (4) and (5) of regulation
33.

It is important that trustees of a fund exercise their responsibilities and do not shift such
responsibility to the FSB or to any other person. Given that the FSB has over 6000
pension funds to supervise, it is not feasible for the FSB to be doing work that the
trustees should be doing.
However, the FSB does monitor the extent of delays which extend beyond 90 days, as
the trustees are obligated in terms of subsection 4 (b) of the Pension Fund Act

Regulations to report such material transgressions to the FSB, and also to state what
action they have taken or intend to take.

The new Enforcement Tribunal set up by the FSB, which came into effect from
1 November 2008, assists in providing a more cost effective and expedient process to
deal with late or non-payments. By contrast as the formal process of prosecution is far
more lengthy. It is up to the trustees to decide whether to lay charges or use the new
enforcement tribunal to seek payment.

The current practice is for the FSB to schedule a compliance visit should the FSB
Registrar of Pension Funds become aware of non-compliance in respect of the above
mentioned reporting requirements by a pension fund,
.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

TYPE: WRITTEN QUESTION

MINISTRY: SPORT AND RECREATION SA

QUESTION: NO 1932

(Internal Question Paper No 24 – 2009)

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

(1) In respect of each version of the 2008-09 annual report of his department

And the annual reports of each statutory and other entity reporting to his

department,

(a) What was the

(i) Budgeted cost?

(ii) Actual cost and

(iii) Breakdown of cost in respect of

(aa) Printing?

(bb) Graphic design?

(cc) Other costs and

(dd) Unit cost of each annual report and

(b) How many copies of each were?

(i) Produced and

(ii) Distributed?

(2) Whether any version of the abovementioned reports was retracted or

Withdrawn? If so,

(a) How many times was each annual report withdrawn or retracted?

(b) What

(i) Were the reasons for each withdrawal or retraction and

(ii) Was the amount spent on each version and

(3) How was the decision taken to award the contract to the

(a) Graphic design company and

(b) Printing company?

(4) Whether

(a) His department or

(b) Any of those public entities that fall under his department held a function

on tabling their 2008-09 annual report? If so, in each case

(i) What was the name of the public entity?

(ii) How much did the function cost?

(iii) What is the breakdown of that cost?

(iv) Where was the function held and

(v) How many guests were invited?

NW2496E

QUESTION: NO 1931

(Internal Question Paper No 24 – 2009)

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

(1) Whether

(a) He (Minister),

(b) His Deputy Minister,

(d) Any other persons have been issued with a government or official credit

Card? If so, what are the relevant details for him (Minister), Deputy

Minister and each holder of a credit card in respect of the

(i) Name,

(ii) Job title,

(iii) Credit limit,

(iv) Outstanding amount as at the latest specified date for which information is available?

(v) Monthly expenses incurred for each month since receiving the

Credit card?

(vi) Reason for such persons being issued with a credit card and

(vii) Uses that such a credit card is intended for?

(2) Whether any such credit cards are over their credit limit; if so,

(a) Whose credit cards are over the limit and

(b) What is the reason for the credit cards exceeding the limit?

(3) Whether any action has been taken against such persons for exceeding their

Credit card limits; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW2495E

REPLY:

A reply to question no. 1932 for WRITTEN reply in the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY is attached for the Executive Authority's approval.

(a) Yes the Minister has been issued with an official the credit card

(b) Yes the Deputy Minister has been issued with an official the credit card

(d)

(i) Rev.Dr.MA Stofile Mr.GC Oosthuizen

(ii) Minister Deputy Minister

(iii) Combined pre funded limit of R20 000

(iv) Outstanding amount as at 05 October 2009 is R2 424.82

(v) Monthly expenses incurred for each month

Month	Total amount spent per month
April 2009	R8 374.96
May 2009	R5 027.27
June 2009	R3 677.22
July 2009	R9 806.32
August 2009	R2 806.32
September 2009	R4 292.98
October 2009	R2 424.82

(vi) Reason for such persons being issued with a credit card

The ministers by virtue of their positions are expected to host functions, entertain foreign visitors and also colleagues.

(vii) Incidental expenditure to cover Chapter 11.1 and 2 of the ministerial handbook.

(2) No credit cards over the limits

(a) Not applicable

(b) Not applicable

(3) Not applicable

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO. 1930

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 OCTOBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 24)

Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

(1) Whether any responsibilities of his department have been devolved to any other organisation or body; if so, (a) what responsibilities, (b) to which organisation or body and (c) on which date was the responsibility devolved;

(2) whether his department has estimated the cost of fulfilling the devolved responsibilities; if not, why not; if so, what is the amount in each case;

(3) whether his department has funded these devolved responsibilities; if not, (a) why not and (b) how does his department expect these devolved responsibilities to be fulfilled; if so, what amount has been funded in each case for each of the past three financial years?

NW2494E

REPLY:

(1) No responsibilities of the National Department have been devolved to any other organization or body.

(2) and (3) Fall away.

QUESTION NO. 1929

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 OCTOBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 24)

Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

(1) Whether his department has conducted any study to determine the health (a) benefits and (b) risks of the use of canola oil regarding cardiovascular diseases; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether his department intends promoting the increased use of canola oil to assist in stemming the high prevalence of heart disease; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether he will make a statement on the matter?

NW2493E

REPLY:

(1) The Department of Health itself has not done any study or risk assessment to determine the health (a) benefits and (b) risks of the use of canola oil regarding cardiovascular diseases. The Department is aware of the consensusthat was reached on, among others, key nutrients in low erucic acid rapeseed (canola) oil by the Environment Directorate's Joint Meeting Chemicals Committee and the Working Party on Chemicals, Pesticides and Biotechnology of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2001.

(2) No, although canola oil is considered to be an important advance in human nutrition considered to be beneficial in promoting good health, the Department is aware of the fact that oil from other sources possesses similar characteristics.

(3) No.

QUESTION NO. 1928

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 OCTOBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 24)

Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

(1) What was the maternal mortality rate in each of the years that were measured for the Development Indicators 2009 report;

(2) whether South Africa is on track to meet its millennium development goal on maternal mortality; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW2492E

REPLY:

(1) The maternal mortality rate (per 100,000 deliveries) in each of the years that were measured for the Development Indicators 2009 report are as follows:

1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
80.69	84.25	93.19	97.64	116.18	123.71	165.50

(2) The Department of Health is implementing the following strategies to reduce maternal mortality and to meet the Millennium Development Goals.

(a) The ten key recommendations from the latest Saving Mothers Report is being implemented in all nine provinces;

(b) Essential guidelines on maternal health are distributed to each facility for development of facility specific protocols;

(d) Basic Antenatal care is being strengthened throughout the country; this is a quality improvement strategy working towards reduction of both maternal and perinatal mortality;

(e) Mothers are encouraged to be seen 3 days post partum as the Saving Mothers report indicates that many deaths occur during the post natal period;

(f) The Health Summit was hosted on 25 August 2009 with provincial and district health managers to identify bottlenecks and come up with strategies to overcome those bottlenecks and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes;

(g) As HIV/AIDS is a major cause of death, the Department is in the process of strengthening the identification and treatment of HIV in pregnant women.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 1920

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 OCTOBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 24 - 2009)

Date reply submitted : 15 December 2009

Mr G R Krumbock (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

(a) What are the (i) actual and (ii) required levels of SA Police Service personnel at the Maseru Bridge port of entry, (b) how do these statistics compare to the SAPS organogram of desired personnel at this port, (c) what are the reasons for under-staffing at this port and (d) by which date are all the vacancies expected to be filled at this port?

NW2484E

REPLY:

Back ground: Before the approved new structures by the National Commissioner the ideal structure according to the then Resource Establishment Program was 640 members and the actual number of members was 846 for all Ports of Entry. A total of 609 permanent members were placed at 53 Land Ports, 110 permanent members were placed at 8 Sea Ports and 127 permanent members were placed at 10 Air Ports. Since 2006, the Ports of Entry structure was upgraded from 640 posts to 14782 posts. Based on an annual allocation, the department is trying to staff all Ports in order of priority starting with major commercial ports.

The number of members placed at all Ports of Entry has increased from 846 to 5588.

Maseru bridge:

(a)(i) 61 Functional members, 7 Civilian members, 2 Dog Handlers deployed on a rotation basis`

(ii) 294 Functional members, 10 Civilian members

(b) Shortage of 234 members

(c) The initial approved structure for Maseru Bridge Port of Entry in terms of the then Resource Establish Program (REP) was a total of 72 members and the actual number of all members was 36. The structure was upgraded by the National Commissioner on 2006-04-03 to increase the total number of members to 304, based on the new developments, challenges and increased migration patterns. Since then, the SAPS began to build capacity at all Land Ports, Sea and Air Ports of Entry according to the approved new structures.

(d) Depending on the availability of funds, it is envisaged that 50% capacity will be reached by 2015.

2009-11-17

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