Questions & Replies: Question & Replies No 2151 to 2175
2009-11-25
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[PMG note: Replies are inserted as soon as they are provided by the Minister]
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 2175
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 06 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 27)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether, at the end of the 2008-09 financial year, any provincial departments had been owing service providers money for a period longer than 30 days for (a) blood, (b) food, (c) rates, (d) water, (e) electricity and (f) other specified services; if so, (i) what was the amount in each case, (ii) for what services was the amounts owed, (iii) what were the reasons for nonpayment in each case and (iv) when were the outstanding amounts paid;
(2) whether any findings were made on provinces that transgressed the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999; if so, (a) on which provinces, (b) what provisions were transgressed and (c) what steps have been implemented to prevent the situation from recurring?
NW2879EREPLY:
The following information has been obtained from out Provincial Departments of Health:
EASTERN CAPE
(1) At the end of the 2008-2009 financial year, the Eastern Cape Department of Health owed service providers for a period longer than 30 days as detailed below:
|
INSTITUTION | MUNICIPALITY | NHLS | SANBS | FOOD | OTHER | TOTAL R 000 |
| Head Office | R971 | R11 462 | R165 310 | R177 743 | ||
| EL Hospital Complex | R8 225 | R329 | R670 | R2 635 | R11 859 | |
| OR Tambo District | R17 | R13 517 | R1 187 | R1 170 | R12 721 | R28 612 |
| UKhahlamba District | R1 078 | R2 091 | R178 | R690 | R18 000 | R22 037 |
| Amathole District | R2 054 | R5 696 | R1 612 | R2 250 | R34 000 | R45 612 |
| Cacadu District | R482 | R1 405 | R183 | R804 | R12 000 | R14 874 |
| Chris Hani District | R431 | R3 450 | R512 | R425 | R20 000 | R24 818 |
| Emergency Medical | R19 | R1 590 | R1 609 | |||
| PE Provincial Hospital | R505 | R2 286 | R459 | R4 000 | R7 250 | |
| Livingstone Hospital | R7 686 | R1 439 | R569 | R8 000 | R17 694 | |
| Dora Nginza Hospital | R618 | R6 667 | R1 336 | R340 | R3 000 | R11 961 |
| Uitenhage Hospital | R330 | R1 800 | R490 | R300 | R1 633 | R4 553 |
| Nelson Mandela Metro | R65 | R736 | R679 | R1 480 | ||
| PE Pharmaceutical | R4 587 | R4 587 | ||||
| Alfred Nzo District | R694 | R234 | R424 | R330 | R2 670 | R4 352 |
| Mthatha Hospital Complex | R2 200 | R3 572 | R530 | R3 353 | R9 655 | |
| R388 696 |
(2) Yes
(a) The Eastern Cape
(b) Non-compliance with procurement procedures.
(c) The steps taken range from formal warnings given to those implicated, recovery of monies lost from persons implicated, and suspension without pay.
FREE STATE
FSPC
(1) Payments Outstanding on 27 March 2009
| DESCRIPTION | AMOUNT (R') |
| Food supply patients and night staff | R 950,000.00 |
| Coal | R 50,000.00 |
| Medical waste removal | R 31,238.82 |
| Garden Services February | R 36,990.00 |
| Pest Control February | R 16,625.00 |
| Lab tests January and February | R 45,000.00 |
| Photocopy charges | R 10,000.00 |
| Hire of photocopy machines | R 10,695.00 |
| Hire of photocopy machines | R 1,400.00 |
| Hire of photocopy machines | R 1,100.00 |
| Hire of photocopy machines | R 1,000.00 |
| Accommodation | R 70,000.00 |
| R 1,224,048.82 | |
| Possible Rejected/Bounced Payments | R 4,376,128.90 |
| Payments in progress | R - |
| Goods received not yet sent for payment | R 458,869.04 |
| TOTAL | R 6,059,046.76 |
Reasons for late payment.
· The first group of items were outstanding because as they were viewed as contract items. However arrangements were made with some companies because of the cash flow to continue rendering services with an arrangement of late payment from the Department.
· According to Supply Chain Management, payment orders were generated but because of the department not having funds the payments were held back, these were processed soon afterwards.
BONGANI
| Services | Amount |
| Blood Services | 1,150,721,27 |
| Food Services | 252,250,01 |
| Other – Laboratory | 1,398,565,56 |
| Other – Medical Waste Removal | 76,340,79 |
| Other – Cleaning Service | 686,050,45 |
| Other – Oxygen | 66,950,42 |
| Other | 1,435,222,13 |
| Total | 5,066,100,63 |
Reasons for non payments:
Payments not effected within 30 days – due to shortage of funds. Outstanding invoices were paid within the first three (3) months of the new financial year.
PELONOMI
| AMOUNT | ||
| Implants | 2,406,421.23 | |
| NHLS | 9,296,898.52 | |
| NHLS advance payment Sundry Payment | 11,365,526.82 | |
| 09/10 | ||
| Patient Food | 3,193,193.06 | |
| Netcare 911 | 97,448.86 | |
| Meditech Jul-Dec | 702,580.86 | |
| Meditech Jan-Mar | 351,290.43 | |
| Orion Feb 2009 | 3,759.95 | |
| AST Oct-Dec 2007 | 74 086.47 | |
| AST Jan-Mar | 86 221.60 | |
| Siemens | 277,200.00 | |
| Philips | 256,542.00 | |
| Agfa Healthcare | 20,520.00 | |
| TOTAL | 27,971,381.73 |
(iii) Reasons for non payments:
Goods and Services budget allocated to institution was not sufficient to ensure in time payment of suppliers.
There were also invoices not paid that was received from suppliers and after investigation into the none payment, paid late. Proper SCM procedures were not followed. A circular was send out and individual discussions was done to officials that delayed the payment process to prevent this from happening again.
(iv) All outstanding invoices were paid within the first three (3) months of the financial year, without suspending normal activities or core functions of the Department.
BOITUMELO
At the end of the 2008/ 9 financial year service providers for blood, food, rates and other specified services were owed money for longer than 30 days. It should be noted that the Department of Health pays rates, water and electricity through the Department of Public Works.
The amounts are as follows:
| DESCRIPTION | AMOUNT |
| Medical Equipment | 1,409.494.82 |
| Uniforms | 53,467.87 |
| Equipment Repairs | 390,629.60 |
| Other repairs | 243,357,13 |
| NHLS | 448,694.80 |
| Medical Consumables | 449,523.70 |
| Provisions | 154,238.60 |
| Stationary | 2,425.80 |
| Security | 71,006.69 |
| TOTAL | 3,222,839.01 |
GAUTENG
(1) Attached kindly find summary of accruals as disclosed in the financial statement for the 2008-2009 financial yea as at the 31 March 2009 for your information
(2) None
LIMPOPO
(1) The table below reflects the situation in this regard.
ACCRUALS FOR 2008 & 2009 FINANCIAL YEAR
CONSOLIDATED REPORT ON ACCRUALS: 2008 & 2009
| GOODS AND SERVICES | GOODS AND SERVICES | GOODS AND SERVICES | GOODS AND SERVICES | OTHER SERVICES | GRAND | |||||||
| NAME OFOF INSTITUTION | BLOOD | FOOD | RATES | WATER AND ELECTRICITY | OTHER | TOTAL | ||||||
| BOTLOKWA HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 401,137.03 | R 401,137.03 | ||||||
| CAPRICORN DISTRICT | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 4,539,340.33 | R 4,539,340.33 | ||||||
| DILOKONG HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 156,953.94 | R 156,953.94 | ||||||
| DONALD FRASER HOSPITAL | R 288,051.02 | R 14,378.00 | R 0.00 | R 88,759.97 | R 140,883.05 | R 532,072.04 | ||||||
| DR. C.N. PHATUDI HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 52,798.02 | R 0.00 | R 95,740.74 | R 190,268.07 | R 338,806.83 | ||||||
| DUIWELSKLOOF HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 67,473.11 | R 67,473.11 | ||||||
| ELIISRASS HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 207,275.23 | R 207,275.23 | ||||||
| ELIM HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 811,840.29 | R 811,840.29 | ||||||
| EMS | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 238,561.74 | R 238,561.74 | ||||||
| EVUXAKENI HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 103,567.20 | R 103,567.20 | ||||||
| F.H ODENDAL - MDR | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 47,896.00 | R 47,896.00 | ||||||
| F.H. ODENDAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 940,220.16 | R 940,220.16 | ||||||
| GEORGE MASEBE HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 197,835.55 | R 197,835.55 | ||||||
| GROBELARSDAL HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 163,917.61 | R 163,917.61 | ||||||
| HAYANI PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 164,628.03 | R 164,628.03 | ||||||
| HEAD OFFICE | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 9,724,229.24 | R 9,724,229.24 | ||||||
| HELENE FRANZ HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 5,325.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 783,815.90 | R 789,140.90 | ||||||
| HIV & AIDS &STI | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 318,525.14 | R 318,525.14 | ||||||
| JANE FURSE HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 674,036.61 | R 674,036.61 | ||||||
| KGAPANE HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 264,191.22 | R 264,191.22 | ||||||
| KNOBEL HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 74,103.50 | R 74,103.50 | ||||||
| LEBOWAKGOMO HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 1,965,680.72 | R 1,965,680.72 | ||||||
| LETABA HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 358,324.97 | R 358,324.97 | ||||||
| LIMPOPO COLL. OF NURSING | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 719,545.68 | R 719,545.68 | ||||||
| LOUISTRICHARDT HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 7,999.92 | R 7,999.92 | ||||||
| MALAMULELE HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 798,395.87 | R 798,395.87 | ||||||
| MALARIA CONTROL PROG | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 199,945.24 | R 199,945.24 | ||||||
| MANKWENG HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 2,856,815.89 | R 2,856,815.89 | ||||||
| MAPHUTHA L. MALATJI | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 378,699.70 | R 378,699.70 | ||||||
| MATLALA DISTRICT HOSPITAL | R 5,128.39 | R 30,962.26 | R 0.00 | R 50,331.97 | R 18,873.11 | R 105,295.73 | ||||||
| MECKLENBURG HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 226,963.76 | R 226,963.76 | ||||||
| MESSINA HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 94,671.11 | R 94,671.11 | ||||||
| MOKOPANE PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 938,123.24 | R 938,123.24 | ||||||
| MOPANI DISTRICT OFFICE | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 283,753.42 | R 283,753.42 | ||||||
| NKHENSANI HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 57,837.11 | R 57,837.11 | ||||||
| NURSING EDUCATION | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 820,333.91 | R 820,333.91 | ||||||
| PHARMACEUTICAL SERV | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 47,195,441.67 | R 47,195,441.67 | ||||||
| PHILADELPHIA HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 1,062,214.65 | R 1,062,214.65 | ||||||
| PHYSICAL FACILITIES | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 5,228,167.69 | R 5,228,167.69 | ||||||
| POLOKWANE HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 6,888,379.43 | R 6,888,379.43 | ||||||
| PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMMES | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 41,560.00 | R 41,560.00 | ||||||
| SEKHUKHUNE DISTRICT | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 2,633,391.28 | R 2,633,391.28 | ||||||
| SEKORORO HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 441,696.38 | R 441,696.38 | ||||||
| SESHEGO HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 682,102.53 | R 682,102.53 | ||||||
| SILOAM HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 29,688.51 | R 29,688.51 | ||||||
| ST RITAS HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 67,166.34 | R 67,166.34 | ||||||
| THABAMOOPO HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 185,290.83 | R 185,290.83 | ||||||
| THABAZIMBI HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 50,862.59 | R 50,862.59 | ||||||
| TSHILIDZINI HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 1,042,854.28 | R 1,042,854.28 | ||||||
| VAN VELDEN HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 353,593.65 | R 353,593.65 | ||||||
| VHEMBE DISTRICT OFFICE | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 3,310,664.00 | R 3,310,664.00 | ||||||
| VOORTREKER DITRICT HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 436,221.87 | R 436,221.87 | ||||||
| WARM BARTHS HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 699,121.20 | R 699,121.20 | ||||||
| WARM BARTHS HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 94,852.23 | R 94,852.23 | ||||||
| WATERBURG DISTRICT OFFICE | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 83,183.77 | R 83,183.77 | ||||||
| WITPOORT HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 599,204.43 | R 599,204.43 | ||||||
| WHITHOC ADMINISTRATION | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 28,540.66 | R 28,540.66 | ||||||
| WHITHOC DIST H SERV | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 16,538,497.89 | R 16,538,497.89 | ||||||
| ZEBEDIELA HOSPITAL | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 0.00 | R 337,363.24 | R 337,363.24 | ||||||
| R 293,179.41 | R 103,463.28 | R 0.00 | R 234,832.68 | R 117,966,721.72 | R 118,598,197.09 | |||||||
In summary, the reasons for nonpayment are as follows: Some of the invoices were received two days before the systems cut of date. While many were received in the new financial year. Banking details on the invoices differed from the information captured on the BAS. Checking for double submissions and calculations also played an effective role in that regard.
(2) Monitoring systems were put in palce to ensure that all invoices disclosed as accruals for 2008/2009, receive attention immediately at the beginning of the 2009 / 2010 financial year. The department can confirm that all invoices have been successfully settled.
MPUMALANGA
(1) The following table reflects the situation in this regard
(a) Blood: 7 408 152
(b) Food: 12 523 564
(c), (d) and (e) Rates, Electricity and Water: 2 255 870
(f) Others:- Laboratory Services: 81 628 873
- Electricity (Eskom): 961 527
- Medicines: 60 936 382
Others: 255 618 381
(iii) The reason for non-payment of these services is owing to a shortfall of cash flow from the Bank Account
(iv) The outstanding amounts were paid in this current financial year.
(2) The findings were that the Department did not always pay creditors within 30 days of receipt of the invoice as required by Treasury regulations 8.2.3. In addition R220 million of the amounts disclosed as accruals has been outstanding for a period exceeding 30 days. The Department did engage Provincial Treasury to review the cash flow of the Department. The Department has implemented cost curtailment measures to improve the financial situation.
NORTHERN CAPE
(1) The table below reflects the situation in this regard:
| Description | Amount (R) |
| Rates,Water And Electricity | 4,294,978.99 |
| Eskom Electricity | 162,753.17 |
| Blood Services | 620,890.60 |
| Food Surplus | 5,508,825.47 |
| Other - Laboratory | 10,042,247.37 |
| Other- Medical Waste Removal | 391,763.89 |
| Other- Medicines And Drugs | 15,416,015.68 |
| Other- 0xygen | 5,320,425.21 |
| Other -Interdepartmental | 792,420.36 |
| Other | 87,527,965.14 |
| TOTAL | 130,078,285.88 |
(iii) Reasons for non payments:
· The Department experienced a shortfall in its monthly cashflow, especially the last month of the financial year.
· Provincial Treasury had mistakenly included departmental surrenders (R90, 952, 000), as part of cash outflow of the Department. Cashflow was, accordingly, reduced by that amount.
· Had this not happened, the Department could have paid 70% of the total outstanding invoices before 31 March 2009.
(v) All outstanding invoices were paid within the first three (3) months of the financial year, without suspending normal activities or core functions of the Department.
(2) The table below reflects the situation in this regard
| Transgression of the PFMA | Steps implemented to prevent future occurrence |
| Irregular expenditure: Contravening of delegation of authority. | · Financial delegations have been compiled, and will be concluded by no later than December 31st, 2009; · These are issued per level of authority, to all programme and cost centre managers. |
| Irregular expenditure: Contravening of supply chain management process. | Control measures have been implemented to ensure that irregular expenditure is identified, and reported as such, to the accounting officer. |
| Unauthorised expenditure: Payments made not in line with the Division of Revenue Act (DoRa). | · The provisions of the Public Finance Management Act and Treasury Regulation will be applied, in order to facilitate the process of holding managers accountable for their activities; · All payments to laboratory services are been pre-audited, in order to ensure that they are in line with the DoRA. · Delays may be inevitable, due to the volumes involved, as all payments must be verified per cost centre first, prior to the release of the funds; · Processes of expediting the payment process, especially w.r.t. to NHLS, are being discussed with the relevant service providers. |
| Unauthorised expenditure: understating of expenditure | · The Department will ensure that unauthorized expenditure is disclosed as such, in the appropriation statements; · We are currently in liaison with Provincial Treasury, in order to ensure compliance with the disclosure requirements of all unauthorised expenditure; · The Department is also using the guide template, for the annual financial statements, in order to ensure familiarity with all the disclosure requirements, including the disclosure of unauthorised expenditure; · Pre-approval of expenditure control measures have been put in place, in order to ensure that all expenditure is in line with the provision of the Division of Revenue Act, in this way, severely limiting the potential for the incurrence of irregular expenditure. |
NORTH WEST
(1) The former North West Department of Health (now called Health & Social Development) ended the 2008/09 financial year with accruals of R186,526m in addition to over spending on its budget by R56,994m.
· Of the total accruals, R185.722m related to goods and services, the remaining R0.804m related to employees' benefits that could not be paid due to lack of budget;
· R84.833m was under 30 days (45.7%) and R100.889 (54.3%) was over 30 days;
· R18.929 was owed on capital projects of which R17.879m (94.5%) was within 30 days;
· The National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) was owed R45.411m of which R25.869m (56.9%) was over 30 days;
· The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) was owed R9.556m of which R3.594m (37.6%) was over 30 days.
The main reason for the accruals was lack of budget. The Department ran out of budget in the last quarter of the 2008/09 financial year. This budget deficit equates to about 2% of the equitable share allocation. All provincial health departments should receive 26% of the provincial allocation. To date the North West Health department only receives about 24%. This finding was confirmed by the Ministerial investigation by the Integrated Support Team (IST) in their report of May 2009 which stated "The provincial Treasury should allocate an amount to the NWDOH, which is in line with the equitable share indicated by the National Treasury in the national budget". If the correct allocation was given to the department there would not have been any accruals.
(2) The North West Department of Health transgressed in the following areas:
· Payments not effected within 30 days (owing to lack of budget)
· Tariff/fee structure and interest exemption granted by the Provincial Treasury were not disclosed in the annual report (the tariff fee structure is a long document that would not fit neatly in the annual report. Reference to this was made in the Accounting Officer's report)
· Payments in excess of R2000.00 were effected by manual cheque and not electronically without Provincial Treasury approval (these payments were made to micro businesses which did not have bank accounts to avoid delays and unnecessary hardships)
(c) Disciplinary measures were taken with those officials who did not pay within the 30 days. This followed standard disciplinary progressive and corrective process of ensuring that the officials had the necessary skills and resources, thereafter, initiating disciplinary procedures.
WESTERN CAPE
(1) The following table reflects the situation in this regard
| Goods and Services | Blood | Good and Services provision | Municipal Other | Total | |
| Amount | R4,322,603 | R472,301.70 | R3,296,438.73 | R68,157,656.57 | R76,249,000.00 |
(ii) Payments are made within 30 days after resolution of any reason why the account could not be paid within 30 days of the invoice date.
(ii) Reasons for non-payment included:
- Some invoices were partial payments.
- There we disputes on the delivered goods e.g. quality as per the tender and other matters.
- The amounts do not correspond with what was delivered e.g. calculation per box instead per item. Some suppliers submitted their invoices late.
- Many legitimate reasons exist why invoices are not paid within 30 days upon receipt as per NTR 8.2.3. e.g errors on invoices.
(2) (a) None for the Health Provincial Government Western Cape
(b) None
(c) Not applicable
END.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
INTERNAL QUESTION
QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN REPLY
11 November 2009
2174. Dr H C van Schalkwyk (DA) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and
Administration.
1. Whether the persons from the State Information Technology Agency (Sita) responsible for the leaks which led to the cancelling of a tender to issue smart identity cards have been identified; if not, why not.
2. Whether they have been investigated; if not, why not; if so, what steps were taken against them
3. Whether the Auditor-General's report on procurement practices will be made available; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, when? NW2878E.
REPLY
We are still investigating the matter and we will be able to respond at a later stage.
_____________________________________________________________________
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 2272
DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2009 [IQP No 28 -2009]
FIRST SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT
Question 2272 for Written Reply, National Assembly: Ms M R Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:
(1) Whether the moratorium on new applications for pesticide or fungicide registrations has been lifted; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2)(a) what is the status of the backlog of new applications for registration, (b) at which research entity is the backlog occurring, (c) what is the cause of the backlog and (d) what steps are being made to rectify the situation? NW2982E
REPLY:
1. The department has never had a moratorium on the registrations of pesticides or fungicides.
2. (a) There has been a significant improvement in registrations since I granted the use of conditional registrations for pesticides containing new molecules.
b. The backlog is at the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
c. The backlog is created by delays with the handling of toxicological evaluations to determine maximum residue limits for public health and safety which is a mandate of the Department of Health. There is a general shortage of toxicologists in the country. The registrations have therefore to be forwarded to DoH before finalization by DAFF.
d. The Registrar has requested the Minister to grant approval for conditional registrations. The conditions require that the product is independently evaluated by a toxicologist and such reports made available to the Registrar. Clearer guidelines have been given to industry on how to prepare requests for approval to achieve conditional registrations. At the same time additional staff is being recruited.
QUESTION NO 2172
Mr A P van der Westhuizen (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:
(1) What (a) steps were taken against the five staff members of the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (Cipro) who were suspended in 2009, (b) were the charges and (c) the outcome;
(2) whether the chief executive officer (CEO) of Cipro laid charges with the SA Police Service or submitted a signed statement to enable them to proceed with the investigation regarding possible charges against persons who are reported to have committed fraud within Cipro; if so, when;
(3) what impact has ValorIT's new system had on (a) name duplications and (b) the electronic submission of annual returns of companies and close corporations to Cipro;
(4) whether measures are in place to ensure that no more name duplications will occur at Cipro; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2875E
REPLY:
(1) (a) Disciplinary action against the five (5) Cipro officials will be determined after the disciplinary hearings in November 2009.
(b)The five (5) Cipro official face charges ranging from corruption, fraud to the non compliance of procedures.
(c)The disciplinary hearings are scheduled for November 2009 as per agreement with organised labour.
(2) The CEO is awaiting the outcome of the disciplinary hearing in November 2009 to determine whether any criminal charges should be laid against guilty parties.
(3) (a)-(b) ValorIT was appointed to replace all business application systems currently in use. However, it is not yet operational and has not been implemented.
(4) The following measures have been implemented at Cipro to ensure that no further name duplications will occur in future-
· New search criteria were implemented which ensures a wider set of results from the system, giving the name approver a wider choice
· Formal daily spot checks by the supervisor and manager, and using such input for the formal weekly training on Thursdays
· A quality improvement team conducts a 10% sample quality audit report of the work produced by the names team daily. The quality reports also allow for mitigation of actions that can be taken by management
· A name search manual was developed by Cipro and has been circulated amongst the team members for ease of reference and ensuring consistency of practice
· There are new controls measures with regards to companies that claim association with a mother entity. Applicants are required to submit a certified copy of their ID as well as obtain consent from the mother company on the particular company's letterhead before any approval can be granted
· The new ECM system will add further internal control measures to prevent registration of duplicate names
QUESTION NO 2171
Mr A P van der Westhuizen (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:
(1) Whether there was any external persons who served on the bid evaluation panel when the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (Cipro) awarded the enterprise content management (ECM) tender to ValorIT; if so, (a) who were these persons, (b) who invited them to be part of the panel and (c) why;
(2) whether the use of external persons on a bid evaluation panel is in line with the Supply Chain Management policy of Cipro; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) what was the State Information Technology Agency's (Sita) involvement in the bid process;
(4) why were the senior management staff members, who were implicated in irregularities regarding the ECM tender of Cipro, not put on precautionary suspension;
(5) why was the said company paid R77 million by Cipro from 1 March to 30 September 2009? NW2874E
REPLY:
(1) (a) The following external persons namely Messrs. Julius Segole, Coltrane Nyathi and Shadrack Katuu served on the Cipro bid evaluation panel to evaluate and award the ECM tender.
(b) Dr Michael Twum-Darko of Cipro contacted Mr. Phops Masiphe, General Manager of SITA, to assist by identifying tender evaluators for CIPRO's ECM tender. The following names were suggested by Mr. Phops Masiphe:
· Ms Nikewe Momoti, Chief Information Officer of the OR Tambo Municipality and former Director: Application Management at Department of Home Affairs (DHA)
· Mr Zwaleke Sithole, Head of Communication Security at NIA, as he has assessed Cipro's network for vulnerability in the past
· Ms Portia Maluleke - IT Director of SAMAF and a former SITA employee
· Mr Coltraine Nyathi, an Enterprise Content Management security expert suggested by Mr Zwaleke Sithole, as he worked on the DHA ECM architecture and solution
· Mr. Shadrack Katuu, Workflow and Document Management Specialist employed by the Mandela Foundation. He was nominated by the Chief Information Officer of the Presidency, but he declined the invitation to assist due to a prior commitment
Furthermore, the Chief Information Officer of CIPRO contacted Mr. Julius Segole, the chairperson of the Government Enterprise Architecture Committee, a standing committee of the Government Information Technology Officers' Council (GITOC) with a request to assist in the evaluation of CIPRO ECM tender. Mr Segole is also the Chief Information Officer of the Dept of Social Services.
The names and contact details of the proposed panel members were given to Ms Mary-Anne Wauts and Mr Peet Pienaar to interview and determine their suitability for appointment as members to the bid evaluation panel. Ms Wauts and Mr Pienaar were internal consultants appointed by Cipro and employed to work on CIPRO's ICT at the time. Subsequently they recommended to the Supply Chain Management of Cipro that Messrs Julius Segole, Coltrane Nyathi and Shadrack Katuu respectively be appointed as bid evaluation panel members.
(c) External persons were invited to sit on the bid evaluation panel due to the complexity of the technical evaluation of this bid and to ensure objectivity of the evaluation process. The specific technical knowledge and expertise of the said individuals would ensure the objectivity of the evaluation process.
(2) The Guide for Accounting Officers/Authorities, promulgated by the National Treasury in February 2004 inter alia states that when it is deemed necessary, independent experts may also be co-opted to a bid evaluation/adjudication committee in an advisory capacity. Due to the complexity of the technical evaluation of this bid and to ensure objectivity in the evaluation process, Cipro has decided to follow this process to invite independent experts to evaluate the ECM tender.
(3) The draft Business Case was sent to SITA to be reviewed by SITA ECM experts for comments. The reason being that SITA has designed the transversal tender nr 384, as SITA is in the best position to comment if Cipro has fully adhered to the requirements of the transversal tender nr. 384 in terms of the content, process and technology alignment.
SITA ensures that the procurement of ICT goods and services of departments are concluded through the appropriate transversal contracts by means of the competitive bidding process (in the best interest of government). All government departments source their ICT goods and services through the relevant SITA tenders. The transversal tender nr. 384 is the one used to procure a service provider for ECM.
(4) SMS members were not suspended as a precautionary measure, as no member was implicated in irregularities regarding the ECM tender. The draft forensic audit report published by the Auditor General has confirmed that no SMS member of Cipro was implied in any way.
(5) Payments to the value of R 77 million were made on the completed deliverables in terms of the signed service level agreement entered into between Cipro and ValorIT during the period 1 March 2009 to 30 September 2009.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO: 2170
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 6 November 2009
QUESTION PAPER NO: 27
DATE OF REPLY: 19 November 2009
Mr N J van den Berg (DA) to ask the Minister of Communications:
What is the (a)(i) total amount and (ii) breakdown of cost for each specified medium used, in which the SA Broadcasting Corporation has spent in all forms of media on its television licence campaigns (aa) in the 2008-09 financial year and (bb) during the period from 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) amount of revenue that was generated from TV licences in the abovementioned period?
NW2871E
REPLY:
I was informed by the SABC as follows:
(a) (i) and (ii)
(aa) The total amount as well as the breakdown of the cost of each specified medium used in respect of the Corporation's television licence campaigns for the 2008/09 financial year is as follows:
| Paid for directly | |
| Total TV | R 3,443,157.00 |
| Total Print | R 1,476,721.64 |
| Total Radio | R 2,914,766.88 |
| Total Outdoor | R 653, 635.40 |
| Total Cinema | R 182, 970.00 |
| Total BTL | R 619, 469.00 |
| Online | R 149, 022.40 |
| Grand Total | R 9,439,742.32 |
(bb) The total amount as well as the breakdown of the cost of each specified medium used in respect of the Corporation's television licence campaigns for the period from 1 April 2009 up to 31 October 2009 is as follows:
| Paid for directly | |
| Total TV | R 664,700.00 |
| Total Print | R 782,836.00 |
| Total Radio | R 2,159,563.13 |
| Total Outdoor | R 300, 000, 00 |
| Total Cinema | R - |
| Total BTL | R - |
| Online | R 934,799.70 |
| Grand Total | R 4,841,898.83 |
(b) The amount of revenue that was generated from TV licences for the 2009/10 financial year to date is R579 million.
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 2166
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 06 November 2009
2166. Mr M Swart (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:
Whether a certain company (name furnished) has procured contracts with Eskom by way of its 25% shareholding in a certain company (name furnished); if so, (a) what are the value of the contracts and (b) why the company discontinued future contracts with Eskom? NW2867E
REPLY
(a) Eskom does not have any procurement contracts with Company 1. However, Eskom has procurement contracts with company 2, which are still in force. In terms of procurement processes, the Eskom has a dedicated tender committee which sits at board level. The tender committee assists the board with procurement decisions, tender and contracts within its delegated authority and approves procurement policies. It ensures that procurement system is equitable, transparent, competitive and cost effective. The procurement contracts with Company 2 were awarded according to the independent process mentioned above.
(b) The contractual provisions between Eskom and Company 2 are sensitive and confidential and therefore cannot be made public. Permission will have to be sought from company 2 to disclose details of the contract.
QUESTION NUMBER: 2165
DATE FOR PUBLICATION: 13 NOVEMBER 2009
DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 20 NOVEMBER 2009
MS M R SHINN (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND EVALUATION AND ADMINISTRATION:
(1) (a) which departments and ICT programmes were specifically targeted in his programme of action for ICT projects in government departments in the past four months of the financial year, (b) what deadlines were set for delivery in each case, (c) how do these deadlines compare with their original delivery deadlines and (d) what penalties will be imposed if these deadlines are not met;
(2) Whether any of the targeted programmes are ahead of the year-end deadlines; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2863E
REPLY:
(1&2) The Ministry is in the process of developing performance outcomes which are expected to be adopted early next year, therefore there were no projects or departments targeted until the outcomes are adopted which will form the basis for our work.
QUESTION NO 2164
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 6 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 27- 2009)
Date reply submitted : 7 December 2009
Mrs D A Schäfer(DA) to ask the Minister of Police:
How many (a) security guards who did not take part in the SA Transport and Allied Workers' Union strike in 2008 were killed as a result of their nonparticipation and (b) people who perpetrated these killings have been (i) arrested, (ii) prosecuted, (iii) convicted, (iv) imprisoned and (v) fined?
NW2861E
REPLY:
The Crime Administration System (CAS) does not make provision to distinguish victims who are killed for non-participation in strike actions. The required information is therefore not readily available and will entail a labour intensive and time consuming manual exercise necessitating the re-deployment of police personnel to gather the required information. This exercise may be to the detriment of essential duties or service to the community.
The required information can be obtained by the physical perusal of case dockets, but will require a much longer period of time to gather such information (+-2 months.)
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 2163
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 6 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 27- 2009)
Date reply submitted : 15 December 2009
Mrs D A Schäfer (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:
Whether he will consider proposing an amendment to the Domestic Violence Act, Act 116 of 1998, to scrap the provision for exemption from internal prosecution by SA Police Service members who contravene the Act; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2860E
REPLY:
QUESTION 2161
DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 06 NOVEMBER 2009 [IQP No 26 -2009]
FIRST SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT
Question 2161 for Written Reply, National Assembly: Mr Mr P J C Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
(1) Whether her department has a programme to collect undesirable insecticides and pesticides from farms; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) (a) What quantities of (i) insecticides and (ii) pesticides were removed in the (aa) 2007-08 and (bb) 2008-09 financial years,
(b) What are the commercial names of (i) insecticides and (ii) pesticides that were declared undesirable and
(c) When will all of these insecticides and pesticides be removed? NW2855E
REPLY
1. No, the Department does not have such a programme. However, the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs is running such a programme to address the issues raised in this question under the banner of Africa Stockpile Programme (ASP). In terms of the Departmental definition of undesirable pesticides the following, amongst others, are included: expired products, officially banned products, products voluntarily withdrawn by industry due to their hazardous nature, unregistered products in terms of Act 36 of 1947, products not accepted by the market due to trade restrictions and substandard products.
2(a) There were 45 705 Litres and 78 670 Kilograms of pesticide collected through the ASP in the Limpopo Province during the 2007/8 financial year. These quantities include other unknown pesticides / chemicals. The programme was not implemented in 2008/9. (The plan is for the programme to be rolled out to other provinces in the near future).
(b) Below are the tables of the pesticides collected from the farms, including banned and withdrawn pesticides.
| TRADE NAME OF PRODUCTS COLLECTED FROM FARMERS |
| 1.DISYSTON 2.CARBONATES 3.HERBICIDES .4FERTILISERS |
| 2,4-D |
| 2,4D AMINE |
| ABATE |
| ACAROL |
| ACCESS |
| ACEPHATE, GUZATHION |
| ACETOCHLOR |
| ACETOCHLOR |
| AGROPHARM AGROTOX |
| ALACHLOR |
| ALACHLOR |
| ALIETTE |
| ALPHAMETHRIN |
| ALSYSTON, PARATHION |
| ANT BARRIER |
| APPLAUD |
| ATRAZINE |
| ATRAZINE+TRIAZINES |
| AWARE, ALSYSTON, + OTHER |
| BASAGRAN |
| BAYCOX |
| BAYGON |
| BEE LURE |
| BENDAZID |
| BENDAZID +OTHER |
| BENDAZIN |
| BENDIOXIDE |
| BENLATE |
| BENOMYL |
| BIO TERRA, SOYGRO, POTATOFLO, MAXIFLO |
| BIS-356 |
| BLAD BUFF |
| BRAVO, RELAY, WENNER |
| BRAVO, SCORE, BENOMYL |
| BROMOXYNIL |
| BUCTRIL, TRIFLURALIN |
| BULLET |
| BUPROFEZIN |
| BUSAN |
| CALSENATE |
| CAPTAN |
| CARBARYL |
| CHEETAH |
| CHLORDANE |
| CHLORO ACETANILIDE |
| CHLOROBENZILATE |
| CHLOROPICRIN |
| CITRIMIX |
| CITRIMIX FOLIAR FEED |
| CITROLE |
| COOPERS DIP |
| COPPER AMMONIUM ACETATE |
| COPPER FLO |
| COPPER FLO COPPER CUINT |
| COPPER OXYCHLORIDE |
| COPPER-COUNT N |
| COUNTER, BONUS, FRUMIN |
| CURACRON,ULTRACIDE, AFUGAN, MERCAPTOTHION,CHLORPYRIFOS |
| CURALRON |
| CURATERR, LANNATE, CARBARYL, FURADAN |
| CYANOGAS FLAKES, SODIUM ARSENATE |
| DARACHLOR |
| DDT |
| DEMETHOATE |
| DEMETON, AFUGAN, DIMETHOATE, SELECRON, GIBBERILLIC ACID |
| DEMETON-S-METHYL |
| DIELDRIN, DDT + OTHERS |
| DIGERMIN, GALLEON |
| DIGERMIN, VERNAM |
| DIMETHOATE |
| DIPTEREX, FOLIDOL |
| DISULFOTON |
| DITHANE |
| DIURON |
| DUAL, BUTISAN, GOAL, TRIFLURALIN |
| EDB |
| EDB + CHLOROPICRIN |
| EDB MO |
| EKATIN |
| EMBUTOX, LASSO |
| ENDOFLO, THIODAN |
| ENDOSULFAN |
| ENDOSULFAN, QUINTOZENE |
| ENIDE+PREEGLONE |
| EPTC-PLUS |
| FALGRO 4SC |
| FENITROTHION, AVIMEC, TETRADIFON |
| FENTHOATE |
| FOLIDOL |
| FOLIDOL, KOPMITE |
| FOLITHION, AZINPHOS-ETHYL |
| FORMALIN |
| FRUMIN |
| FUNDAZOL |
| FUNDAZOR |
| FUSILADE SUPER |
| GAMMA-BHC |
| GARDOPRIM |
| GAURDIAN, HARNESS, LASSO |
| GESAPRIM |
| GLYPHOSATE |
| GLYPHOSATE |
| GRAMOXONE |
| GRAMOXONE + OTHER |
| GROWMIN GERMINATION MIXTURE |
| GUARDIAN |
| HIGHLY CONTAMINATED MIXTURE OF MICROBIALS |
| HYDROCHLORIC ACID |
| HYVAR-X |
| INSECTICIDE |
| ISOFENFOS, METHAMIDOPHOS |
| ISOFENFOS,METHAMIDOPHOS, THIOMETON |
| ISOPROPALIN |
| KAPTAN, PARATHION |
| KARBASPRAY |
| KOP-MITE |
| KUMULUS |
| LANNATE |
| LANNATE + OTHER CARBAMJATES |
| LANNATE, SEVIN, BAYCON |
| LASSO |
| LASSO, BRAVO |
| LASSO, VERNAM |
| LEAD ARSENATE |
| LIME SULFUR, DITHANE |
| LINDANE |
| LIQUID ACARICIDES |
| MAGNESIUM PERCHLORATE |
| MALATHION |
| MALATHION, FRUMIN |
| MALATHION, NEMACUR |
| MALATHION, NEMACUR |
| MALATHION, TRICLORFON, PARATHION |
| MALOPRIM |
| MANCOZEB |
| MARSHALL, MESUROL, OXAMYL, VYDATE, LANNATE |
| MCPA |
| MCPA, HVVAR-X |
| MELHAMIDOPHOS |
| MESUROL + OTHER CARBAMATES |
| METHAMIDOPHOS |
| METHAMIDOPHOS, PARATHION, DIMETHOATE |
| METHAMIDOPHOS, PARATHION, DIMETHOATE |
| MEVINPHOS, DEMETON-S-METHYL, MONOCROTOPHOS |
| MINERAL OILS+WETTEING AGENTS |
| MONOCROTOPHOS, ROGOR, TEMEPHOS |
| MSMA |
| NAPHTHALENE |
| NEMACUR, PARATHION METHYL, MALASOL |
| N-HEXANE |
| NTHEXANE |
| O-METHOATE |
| O-METHOATE, FOUMAT, FRUMIN |
| OO-CIDE |
| OTHORS |
| OXIDISINE AGENTS |
| PAARLAN |
| PARATHION, DISYSTON |
| PARATHION, FENAMIPHOS |
| PARATHION, FRUMIN |
| PARATHION, ROGOR, COTTON DEFOLIANT |
| PARATHION-DIELDRIN |
| PARATHION-METHYL |
| PARATHION-METHYL, KOPMITE |
| PCNB |
| PERACETIC ACID, PHOSPHORIC ACID |
| PHOSPHORUS ACID |
| PLAMAVIN, BUTISAN, XANBAC, VISOR, PAARLAN |
| POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE |
| PROFENOFOS |
| PROPACHLOR |
| PYRETHROID LIQUIDS |
| QUININE |
| RINOXIN, STERISEAL |
| ROGOR, MEVINPHOS, O-METHOATE |
| ROGOR, PARATHIN, PROFENOFOS |
| ROGOR, RUGBY, MEVINPHOS |
| SAPRON |
| SEDRESAN, COOPERS, CYANOGAS, BITUMEN ASBESTOS |
| SEVERAL |
| SORGOMIL |
| SOYGRO |
| STING, ROUNDUP |
| STOMP |
| SULFURIC ACID |
| TARTAR EMITIC |
| TECTO |
| TERBO, BUCTRIL, SIMIAZINE, FOMESAFEN (FLEX) |
| TERBUTRYN |
| TERRACHLOR |
| THIMET |
| THIOVIT |
| TREFFER |
| TREFLAN, NIMROD, VERNAM, GRAMOXONE |
| TRIFLURALIN |
| ULTRACIDE |
| ULTRACIDE 40 |
| USTILAN, ATRAZINE, LINURON, BASAGRAN |
| VYDATE |
| WENNER |
| XANBAC |
| ZINC SULFIDE |
Aldrin (HHDN Withdrawn in 1992
Arsenic All uses of any inorganic arsenic containing compound on plant material (except on citrus) were banned in 1983. In 1983 it was also totally prohibited as a stock remedy.
Atrazine Withdrawn from use on heavy clay soils (Springbok Flats) in 1977. The industrial use withdrawn on 31 March 1995.
Azinphos-ethyl Withdrawn as an agricultural remedy in 1997.
BHC (mixture of variousisomers). Banned in 1983.
Binapacryl All registrations expired in 1988.
Camphechlor (CLC). Withdrawn as an agricultural remedy in 1970 and as a stock remedy in 1985.
Chlordane. In 1993 use restricted to stem treatment of citrus and vineyards and the treatment of structures by pest control operators. Withdrawn as an agricultural remedy in 2000. Chlordane. Banned in 2005.
Chlordimeform. Withdrawn as an agricultural remedy in 1978.
Chlorobenzilate. Withdrawn as an agricultural remedy in 1978.
2,4-D (dimethylamine salt). In 1991 aerial application in Natal was banned and it has been totally prohibited in parts of the magisterial districts of Camperdown, Pietermaritzburg and Richmond.
2,4-D esters. In 1980 it was withdrawn from all agricultural uses in the Western Cape and prohibited in 1991 in Natal.
2,4-DB (sodium salt). In 1991 aerial application in Natal was banned and it has been totally prohibited in parts of the magisterial districts of Camperdown, Pietermaritzburg and Richmond.
Dicamba. In 1991 aerial application in Natal was banned and it has been totally prohibited in parts of the magisterial districts of Camperdown, Pietermaritzburg and Richmond.
DDT. Banned in 1983 except for the control of malaria by the Government.
Dibromochloropropane. Withdrawn in 1984.
Dieldrin. Banned in 1983.
Dinoseb. All registrations as an agricultural remedy expired in March 1995.
DNOC - Withdrawn as an agricultural remedy in 2001.
Endosulfan. Registration on fodder crops was suspended in 1970.
Endrin (Nendrin). Withdrawn in 1980.
Gamma-BHC (lindane). All stock remedy registrations were withdrawn in 1971.
Heptachlor. Registration was withdrawn in 1976.
Kepone. In 1971 a decision was taken not to allow this product in South Africa.
Leptophos. Registration was suspended in 1980.
MCPA (dimethylamine salt). In 1991 aerial application in Natal was banned and it has been totally prohibited in parts of the magisterial districts of Camperdown, Pietermaritzburg and Richmond.
MCPA (potassium salt). In 1991 aerial application in Natal was banned.
MCPB (sodium salt). In 1991 aerial application in Natal was banned.
Mercury compounds. It was withdrawn from all agricultural uses in 1974. In 1983 the use of all mercury compounds on seed, bulbs, tubers, stems or any other plant material was banned.
Methyl bromide. All small packages (680 g) were withdrawn in December 1995.
Monocrotophos.The use as leaf application on citrus, cutworm control in carrots and use on tomatoes were withdrawn in 1997. On 25 February 2005 all products containing monocrotophos approved by the Registrar was banned.
Monocrotophos. Banned in 2005.
Nicotine. It was withdrawn from use as a stock remedy in 1971.
Parathion. Only certain uses allowed from June 1993.
Phosphorus containing formulations. In 1979 all formulations containing phosphorus were withdrawn.
Propham. Withdrawn as an agricultural remedy in 1997.
2,4,5-T. All registrations expired in 1989.
Triclopyr. In 1991 aerial application in Natal was banned.
TDE. Withdrawn as an agricultural remedy in 1970.
(c) They will be removed once all the logistical and legal processes have been sorted.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 2159
DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 06 NOVEMBER 2009 [IQP No 27 -2009]
FIRST SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT
Question 2159 for Written Reply: National Assembly, Mr P J C Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:
(1) Whether, as part of the unbundling of the KWV, an empowerment fund was created to benefit previously disadvantaged groups or persons; if not, why not; if so,
(a) what was the value of the fund at the time of unbundling,
(b) what is the current value of the land,
(c) who are the (i) shareholders and/or (ii) beneficiaries of the fund and
(d) what are the main objectives of the fund? NW2853E
REPLY:
(1) According to information received from the KWV, no empowerment fund was created.
(a) As part of the unbundling of the KWV in 2003, a KWV Employee Empowerment Trust (KEET) was created with a Board of Trustees. The beneficiaries of the KEET are the current permanent black employees and retrenched employees, who will remain beneficiaries of the Empowerment Trust until 2014.
A new company was established for the operational activities of the KWV. The KEET acquired seven and a half percent (7,5%) in both the original KWV entity and the new operational company.
The KEET received an interest-free loan from KWV to acquire the 7,5% equity stake. A further soft loan was received by KEET from the South African Wine Industry Trust (SAWIT). The dividends which the beneficiaries of the KEET received were used to service the loan.
The goal of the KWV Employee Empowerment Trust is to increase its empowerment shareholding in the operational company which employ the beneficiaries.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 2155
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 06 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 27)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) What are the current restrictions on foreign-skilled health professionals entering and practicing in South Africa;
(2) whether, in light of the chronic shortage of health professionals, he intends relaxing the regulations on foreign-skilled health professionals; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2847EREPLY:
(1) Foreign-skilled health professionals may enter and practice in South Africa, subject to them meeting the requirements of the relevant health professional council and immigration legislation (if they are not South African citizens). Non-South African citizens are not allowed to obtain independent (private) practice until they obtain permanent residence. However, recruitment can be done where there is government-to-government agreement to allow for the recruitment of health professionals.
(2) In view of the answer provided in question (1) above, there is currently no reason to relax any of the regulations and policies for the registration or employment of foreign-skilled professionals.
QUESTION NO. 2153
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 27 of 2009
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 06 November 2009
Mr. G R Krumbock (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) What progress has been made in the Greening SA project in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Soccer tournament host cities;
(2) Whether any important project milestone deadlines have been set in each host city to ensure proper implementation and monitoring of the project;
(3) Whether any of the deadlines have been missed in any of the cities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2845E
Mr. G R Krumbock (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENTHANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS2153. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
(1) It must be noted that the Greening programme for the 2010 FIFA World is being coordinated by the LOC for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The department on the other hand has provided support on guiding the process through the development of the following documents:
· The National 2010 Greening Framework,
· The Guideline for greening of sporting events,
· The feasibility study and establishment of the carbon footprint for the event,
· A volunteers training manual,
· Prefeasibility study in all host cities on potential implementation of non-motorized transport (specifically, bicycles and pedestrian lanes).
All nine host cities have their greening business plans in place and have been implementing aspects of their business plans. The department has assisted 3 of the nine host cities in developing their business plans. These include Mbombela, Rustenburg and Polokwane municipalities. Further to this the department in partnership with InWent – Germany, hosted two workshops on environmental management and waste management and a third training workshop was hosted in partnership with DEFRA – UK on the guideline for greening of sporting events. Host cities and representatives from provincial environmental departments were invited to attend the sessions. The Department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Eskom and through this initiative, green energy will be supplied between 11 June 2010 and 11 July 2010, from Eskom and the Southern African Power Pool. In addition several projects with respective host cities are being implemented through the Expanded Public Works Programme. Projects include:
· Rat eradication project which is currently being implemented in three host cities (Johannesburg, Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay) to ensure that the cities are in good environmental health conditions prior, during and post the world cup;
· Waste collection project: Waste management in majority of the municipalities in South Africa is an area that requires much needed support. From engagements held with the earlier-mentioned cities it was concluded that the city will have limited capacity during the hosting of the games during 2010 and will require additional support for waste collection. Therefore, the department, through it Expanded Public Works Programmes decided to assist the earlier-mentioned cities on waste collection. The appointment of service providers to assist three host cities (Rustenburg, Polokwane and Mangaung) with waste collections prior, during and post the world cup is at an advanced stage. Temporary staff will be trained and employed by the respective appointed service providers, during this period. The main objective of the project is to ensure that the cities are clean during the hosting of the World Cup games.
· National Environmental Volunteer project: Process and plan to appoint 500 volunteers who will advocate on environmental issues during world cup, has commenced. The Volunteer training manual has been developed. A project implementer will be appointed through EPWP. In addition to advocating for sustainable environmental management practices, the volunteers will specifically draw attention to both international and domestic visitors to waste separation at source. This is for the first in the Country, that nine municipalities, i.e., the nine host cities, will implement a project of such nature and thus requires education and awareness-raising to ensure that the effort is not wasted. Further, the volunteers will also be trained on tourism-related products which address the tourist attractions in the nine provinces and as such these volunteers will be in the position to assist international visitors with such related matters. Finally, volunteers will also be trained on FIFA 2010 World Cup match related information and therefore will serve as a point of contact on the ground, having the necessary information at hand to impart to tourists requiring such related information.
· Non Motorized Transport project of which feasibility studies were conducted for all 9 host cities. The project is an attempt to reduce carbon emissions. From the study it was found that at least 3 of the nine host cities have considered the implementation of bicycle lanes in strategic locations for 2010 FIFA World Cup as well as post the World Cup, whereby further expansion of the programme will continue. The department will fund for maintenance of bicycles in three host cities; namely, City of Cape Town, City of Joburg and Polokwane municipality.
· Training of Energy Auditors: The intention of this project is to address the skills shortage of Energy Auditors in South Africa. The Department of Public Works has embarked on a process of conducting energy audits and retrofitting public buildings with energy efficient lighting due to the increasing energy demand in South Africa. Since energy efficiency and reduction of carbon emissions fall within the thematic areas of the Greening programme, the training of energy auditors as part of the legacy projects, from the department, and for South Africa was decided upon. This project will be implemented jointly with Indalo Yethu and other key stakeholders such as the National Cleaner Productions Centre, Eskom and the Central Energy Fund. Processes toward the development of the training manual are current. The manual will be used to train 100 energy auditors for the pilot project. GTZ, Germany, has shown keen interest to support the department on the project and as such will provide funds required for the development of the Energy Auditor training manual.
Carbon Offset Programme:
· Steps toward a carbon offset programme commenced in January 2008. The United Nations Development programme assisted the department by appointing a service provider to map out the carbon offset programme. Subsequently, the department secured a sponsorship from the Norwegian Embassy through its NORAD programme, which funded a service provider to conduct a feasibility study and determine the carbon footprint as a result of hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The carbon footprint for the event has been estimated at 2 753 000 Tons of carbon emissions. This footprint comprises of energy use in stadia and accommodation sector, stadia construction, domestic inter and intra city travel as well and international travel. The Greenhouse Gas Protocol and the Global Emissions Model of Integrated Systems were used in order to establish the footprint. These tools take into consideration both the embodied emissions in construction material and life cycle assessment. Currently, some progress has been conducted toward processes for offsetting the footprint. However, even the footprint on its own is huge in comparison to the 2006 FIFA World Cup footprint. This has been mainly due to South Africa being a long haul destination as well as the geographic location between cities which requires substantive inter city travel in order to attend matches. The offset of the carbon footprint will be conducted in collaboration with the Local Organizing Committee.
The department is also focusing on the Greening Legacy Programme for the Country. The brand has been developed and administrative processes are underway for the development of the Framework to guide the process.
(2) Since the responsibility of Green Goal Programme for 2010 is with the LOC for the FIFA 2010 World Cup, it has instead put in place national targets which the cities would need to aspire toward achieving. These targets include:
· 10 % increase in energy efficiency,
· 20 % reduction of waste generated at source,
· 10 % saving on water use and
· 50% of spectators to use public transport to matches.
The LOC will liaise closely with the host cities on achieving the earlier-mentioned targets.
In addition the Department in close collaboration with InWent and the LOC has assisted in development of a monitoring and evaluation tool for 2010 and against the earlier targets mentioned.
(3) A deadline for development of business plans was missed by the Nelson Mandela Metro. However, this has been since rectified and its greening business plan is in place.
QUESTION NO.: 2158
DATE OF PUBLICATION:06 November 2009
2158. Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:
(1) Whether she has been informed of the state of disrepair of the Gillitts Railway
station building in Durban; if so,
(2) whether any plans are in place to rejuvenate the station; if not, why not; if so, what plans;
(3) whether Transnet will consider leasing the building to a community organisation as it is no longer in use; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2850E
REPLY
(1) Yes, I have been informed that owing to the station building having been vacated by the lessee in 2001, it is no longer occupied and has fallen into disrepair.
(2) Transnet was restrained by a legal dispute with the previous lessee of the building from using the building. With that dispute recently being resolved, Transnet now intends to lease this building through a public tender process and to facilitate the revamping of the building once a new tenant has been found.
(3) Transnet will lease the building to any tenant at a market related price provided that such a tenant meets Transnet's leasing criteria.
QUESTION NO 2156
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 06 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 27)
2156 Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether, with reference to her reply to Question 303 on 18 September 2009, a letter of refusal has been issued to Vuna Mining Enterprises for a water licence at their operation in Bronkhorstspruit; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether any application for a water licence is currently before her department for approval; if so, what are the relevant details; if not, why is the mine still operating? NW2156E
REPLY:
(1) A letter of refusal has not been issued to Vuna Mining Enterprises. My Department is still awaiting further outstanding information from the applicant to be able to make an informed decision on the application.
(2) Yes, however My Department has not taken a decision based on the incomplete application that was submitted by the mine. My Department has also issued a Directive to Vuna Mining Enterprises to stop with the unlawful Water Use activities. It should however be noted that the responsibility and authority to stop a mining operation rests with the Department of Mineral Resources and the mandate of the Department of Water Affairs is limited to water use. My Department is currently following up to investigating as to whether the mine has complied with the issued Directive (i.e. stopping the unlawful water use). Should the investigation reveal that the Directive has not been complied with, My Department will lodge a criminal case against the mine.
QUESTION NO 2151
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 06 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 27)
2151 Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
Whether she will assist farmers with the high cost of removing alien vegetation from their land as a water-saving measure; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2151E
REPLY:
The Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act 43 of 1983) and the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 700 of 2004) place the responsibility for the control of invasive alien plants on the land-user (including land-owner). The land-owner is therefore accountable for the land being clear of invasive alien plants.
Notwithstanding the legal provisions, it is recognized that there are many circumstances where it is necessary to support land-owners in bringing invasive alien plants under control, such is the extent of invasions, the difficulty that many be encountered identifying invasive alien plants, and the costs involved.
Certain of these plants have very negative impacts on people other than the land-owners on whose land the plants have invaded, including water quantity, water quality, wild fires, soil erosion, siltation, flooding, the productive use of land, biological diversity and many other considerations. In such circumstances, an argument can be made for a level of "payment for ecosystem services" – i.e. where those receiving more water as a result of the invasive alien plants being cleared pay towards the costs of control of the invasive species.
The Working for Water Programme is driven, amongst others, by the principle that it would be unfair to put the responsibility for assistance solely on those benefiting from the ecosystem services. It is through this programme that My Department provides assistance to land-owners to take control of invasive plants on their land. This is done in a systematic manner, including the identification of priority species and priority land, and working in a co-ordinated manner to ensure that there can be sustained control of the species on all land within prioritized areas.
It is recognized that the invasion of alien plants is an on-going threat, and that follow-up clearing is essential if the species are to be brought under control. The land-owner agreements provide for an appropriate level of support for follow-up clearing, to a point where it is reasonable and fair to expect the land-owner to maintain the land in a cleared state.
It has however become apparent that the programme needs to review its approach regarding working on private land. This is because the programme has helped some land-owners who have not managed invasives on their land, who in turn have sued the programme for alleged or actual damages. There will be a shift to providing incentives to land-owners for them to manage labour-intensive work on their land, and be accountable for the associated risks. It is also felt that this approach will strengthen the sense of ownership of the problem more than where Working for Water takes responsibility for the clearing, and build relationships with the contract workers.