Question & Replies No 2026 to 2055

2009-11-26

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

QUESTION NUMBER 2055

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 30 OCTOBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 26)

Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:

(1) How many (a) applications did her department receive for (i) prospecting rights, (ii) mining rights, (iii) mining permits and (iv) conversions of prospecting and mining rights in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002, and (b) of these applications were still outstanding as at 1 October 2009;

(2) how many (a) appeals has she and her director-general received in terms of section 96 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002, as a result of refusals between 1 May 2004 and 30 April 2009 and (b) of these appeals were still outstanding on 1 October 2009;

(3) how many applications for judicial review have been instituted against her or her department as a result of their refusal to grant (a) prospecting rights, (b) mining rights or (c) the conversion of prospecting and mining rights;

(4) (a) how many of these judicial review applications were granted, settled or refused by the High Court and (b) what was the value of the cost orders made by the court against either her or her department in respect of every judicial review? NW2709E

REPLY

(1) Since the promulgation of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act 28 of 2002) on the 1^st of May 2004, the Department has received over 20 000 applications for prospecting rights, mining rights and mining permits. In terms of the timeframes set out in the Act, applications for prospecting rights are processed within 6 months from the date of acceptance and mining rights within 12 months from the date of acceptance. There is no time frame within which the conversions of old order rights must be processed. Therefore, only those applications whose timeframe have not elapsed still stand to be finalized.

(2) The Department has since the promulgation of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act received about approximately 780 appeals. This is in contrast to approximately 4500 prospecting rights and mining rights which have been refused.

(3) The Department has received approximately 180 applications for judicial review.

(4) Granted 21, settled 45 and refused 2.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO. 2054

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 20 NOVEMBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 29)

Mr G R Krumbock (DA) to ask the Minister of Health: (Interdepartmental transfer on 20 November 2009)

Whether any research has been conducted to establish the proposed National Health Insurance scheme's effect on the R300 million-and-growing health and medical tourism industry; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW2708E

REPLY:

There has been no research commissioned with regard to the impact of the proposed National Health Insurance scheme on the health and medical tourism industry. No need was found to do so yet.

QUESTION NO. 2053

1NTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 26 of 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 02 November 2009

Mr G R Krumbock (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) Whether any steps are being taken to protect beaches along the KwaZulu-Natal Golden Mile that

are retreating as a result of dammed rivers and sand mining; if not, why not; if so, what steps;

(2) whether any other departments are being engaged in this process; if not, why not if so, what are

the relevant details?

Mr G R Krumbock (DA)

SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

2053. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) The e Thekwini Municipality has been monitoring the beaches in their area of jurisdiction for many

years and has taken several proactive steps to address the challenge of managing their coastline. This includes the determining of a coastal erosion set-back line that caters for an anticipated 300 mm sea level! rise. This set-back line guides the placement of infrastructure along that coast, including along the Golden Mile. The eThekwini Municipality is aware that various sea level rise scenarios are being used by different scientists and has recognised the need for further studies in order to properly manage that coastline. One such study recently concluded that dams trap approximately one third of the sand washing down the rivers from the catchment, while a further third is removed as a result of sand-mining. Only one third reaches the estuaries and ultimately the beaches, This may be one of the reasons why the e Thekwini beaches have steadily eroded over the last number of decades. For example, the Bluff beaches have been retreating by approximately 1,25 m per year since 1971.

The eThekwini Municipality has embarked upon an initiative to develop Coastal Management Plans, as proposed in the Integrated Coastal Management Act (Act no. 24 of 2004}(ICM Act), for that entire coastline, Already plans covering 75% of the coastline have been completed, Currently a pilot study for a shoreline management plan is also underway. The study area comprises approximately 25 - 30 km of shoreline between the southern side of the Durban Harbour entrance and Umbogintwini. A key assumption of this project is that sea-level rise Is a consequence of global climate change and has the potential to:-

-Inundate wetlands and lowlands;

-Erode sandy shorelines;

-Exacerbate coastal flooding; and

-Increase the salinity of estuaries and aquifers and otherwise impair water quality.

This study aims to highlight the potential effects that a sea level rise of 0.3, 0.6 and 1 m will have on both the socia-economic and biophysical features within the study area, as well as describe potential defense options. The study is currently underway and once the pilot study has been completed, this will also be extended to the Durban Beachfront area.

(2) The eThekwini Municipality regards stakeholder involvement, both government and private sector,

as crucial and will embark upon a full public participation process as recommended in the ICM Act Copies of the above studies can be obtained directly from the Municipality, while people interested in participating in the shoreline management plan can register as an interested and affected party with WSP Environment and Energy consultants (www.wspgroup.co.za).

QUESTION NO, 2051

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 26 of 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 02 November 2009

Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and: Environmental Affairs:

(1) (a) What is the current price of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) permit for recreational divers, (b)

how often do these permits need to be renewed, (c) how many MPA permits were issued (i) in the 2008-2009 financial year and (ii) during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for

which information is available and (d) what is the total amount of revenue that was raised in each

of the said periods;

(2) whether Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) has a coordinated plan to check the permits of

divers in MPAs; if not, why not; if so, what plan;

(3) whether (MCM) keeps statistics on the number of permits checked by the MCM officials; if not, why

not; if so, how many (a) divers diving in MPAs were checked for permits in the said periods and (b)

of those divers who were checked in the said period were found to be in transgression of permit

requirements?

Mr G R Morgan (DA)

SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

2051. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1)(a) The cost of a recreational permit for scuba diving in a Marine Protected Area (MPA) is R79 for an annual permit and R45 for a monthly permit.

(1)(b) The Department does not renew these permits. The applicant has to purchase a new permit from the post office once it expires (either after a month or a year, depending which one had been purchased).

(1)(c) & (d) This information is not available separately from the other marine recreational activity figures

(2) Yes. The department has contracted rnanaging agencies (SAN Parks, EKZNW, CapeNature, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, City of Cape Town and East Cape Parks Board) to manage MPAs. One of the deliverables in their annual workplans is to ensure effective compliance within MPAs, including patrols aimed at the checking of permits, and taking measures against individuals who do not comply with regulations and permit conditions. The number of scuba divers varies very much between MPAs, and some permit conditions also vary, and therefore the frequency and approach to compliance take this into account. MPAs where SCUBA diving is carried out include Table Mountain National Park, St Lucia and Maputaland (lSimangaliso Wetland Park), Aliwal Shoal and Pondoland (mainly commercial filming). Management agencies submit quarterly reports on overall progress in terms of these contracts, and MCM's Monitoring, Control and Surveillance also checks permits when appropriate.

(3)(a)&(b) Yes. The number of dive boat inspections in various categories (e.g. point of entry, on the water) at iSimangaliso is 42 in the 2008-2009 year of which one resulted in an incident report. There have been over 10 000 angling and 200 spearfishing inspections. As the MCM-SANParks operational Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was on1y signed in August 2009, only estimates are available for the main SANParks dive MPA (Table Mountain National Park), Here, it is estimated that 200-300 SCUBA divers were inspected with 10 cases resulting in follow-up action. SANParks noted that where appropriate, people were informed and warned.

QUESTION NO. 2050 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 26 of 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 02 November 2009

Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) What are the statistics regarding the number of (a) black rhinos and (b) white rhinos that have been poached in (i) national parks, (ii) provincial parks and (iii) private conservancies (aa) in 2005, (bb) in 2006, (cc) in 2007 and (dd) in 2008 and (ee) during the period 1 January 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;

(2) whether initiatives are being taken to reduce the number of rhinos that are being poached; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether any circumstances exist under which rhino horns can be legally exported; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) circumstances, (b) laws and (c) conventions that govern the export of rhino horns;

(4) what is the estimated number of rhino horns that were smuggled out of the country illegally (a) in 2008 and (b) during the period 1 January 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available? NW2704E

2050. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) The statistics as provided by provincial conservation authorities are as follows:

	RHINO POACHED 2005 TO 2009
	ECAPE	GP	KZN	LIMPOPO	MP	NWEST	SANParks	TOTAL
2005
National				5		2	10
Provincial			1
Private			1
2006
National							17
Provincial			4 (1black)
Private			5 (1black)		2
2007
National							10
Provincial				1
Private					4(1black)
2008
National							36 (1black)
Provincial			13	1	2
Private	1		7	21(1black)		6 (3black)
2009
National							41(1black)
Provincial			21(2black)	2	4	6
Private	3(1black)	7	6	13(1black)	1
Total	4	7	58	43	13	14	114	253

(2) The Department of Environmental Affairs has implemented various initiatives aimed at addressing the illegal killings of rhinoceros and the subsequent trade in illegally obtained rhinoceros horns such as:

The publishing of a national moratorium on the sale of individual rhinoceros horns and any derivates or products within South Africa on 13 February 2009 to ensure that no legally obtained horns end up in the illegal trade;

The publishing of national norms and standards for the marking of rhinoceros horn and the hunting of white rhinoceros for trophy hunting purposes on 20 July 2009 to further regulate marking and hunting of rhinoceros;

The establishment of a national, multi-departmental biodiversity investigators forum in March 2009 which had its first meeting in May 2009. Provincial conservation and South African National Parks investigators and police officers use the Forum to discuss, share and exchange information on wildlife related law enforcement organised crime incidents such as the increased illegal killing of rhinoceros. This Forum coordinates and acts as a contact point where all biodiversity related law enforcement information could be collected, accessed, distributed and tasked to specific subgroups of the Forum.

South African was nominated to participate in the newly established CITES Rhinoceros Enforcement Task Force at the CITES Standing Committee meeting in 2008, where investigators from all CITES Parties involved in the illegal trade in rhinoceros horn met to discuss problems and solutions to the increase in illegal killing of rhinoceros and the subsequent illegal trade in the horn.

The Department is in the process of establishing a biodiversity enforcement unit to coordinate and investigate biodiversity related crimes on a national basis.

In addition, the Department is also actively engaged with International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) Wildlife Crime Working Group as evidenced by recent participation in a meeting in Brazil, in September where law enforcement officers from 29 INTERPOL Member States discussed Wildlife Crime issues including the current illegal killing of rhinoceros and smuggling of illegally obtained rhinoceros horn.

(3) (a) Rhinoceros horn can only be exported legally if the rhinoceros has been legally hunted and the horn is exported as part of the personal sport hunted trophy or where a person who owns an individual horn(s) is emigrating or moving to another country which will accept the import of the horn as part of the person's household goods or where the rhino horn has been obtained before the CITES convention applied to it (thus pre 1975).

(b) The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 10 of 2004, the Threatened or Protected Species Regulations and the related National Norms and Standards for the marking of rhinoceros horn and the hunting of white rhinoceros for trophy hunting purposes.

c) Convention on International trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

(4) (a) and (b) Do not know. No stats available.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION 2049

DATE OF PUBLICATION: MONDAY 02 NOVEMBER 2009 [IQP No 26 -2009]

FIRST SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

Question 2049 for Written Reply, National Assembly: Mr. G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

Whether her department or any entity reporting to her department (a) has dispatched officials to monitor the killing of a bull at the annual First Fruits Festival in KwaZulu-Natal in the past two years that the event took place, (b) has engaged with organisers of this festival in an attempt to (i) stop the killing of the bull or (ii) ensure that the killing of the bull is more humane and (c) intends to issue a directive to (i) stop the killing of a bull at the festival or (ii) institute measures to ensure that the killing of the bull is more humane; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case? NW2703E

REPLY:

(a) No,

(b)(i)(ii) No,

(c)(i)(ii) No, The mandate of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in matters of animal handling are outlined in various Acts including, inter alia the Animal Protection Act, 1962 (Act No.71 of 1962), the Performing Animals Protection Act, 1935 (Act No. 24 of 1935) and Meat Safety Act, 2000 (Act No. 40 of 2000). These Acts regulate issues around animal welfare and handling including the handling of performing animals. They do not make stipulations on matters of ceremonial and religious rituals.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO. 2048

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 02 NOVEMBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 26)

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

(1) Whether any provinces require student nurses to work back the equivalent number of years they studied once they graduate; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, which provinces;

(2) whether any student nurses paid back the province a stipulated amount in lieu of working it back; if so, (a) how many nurses, (b) in which provinces are they situated and (c) what percentage of the total number of newly-graduated nurses does this figure constitute?

NW2702E

REPLY:

The following information was obtained from the Provinces

EASTERN CAPE

(1) The Eastern Cape does require student nurses to work back the equivalent number of years they studied once they graduate.

(2) No student has paid back the Province a stipulated amount in lieu of working it back, as they have honoured their service obligations.

FREE STATE

(1) Yes the Free State Province requires student nurses to work back the equivalent number of years they studied once they graduate.

Clause 2(k) of the contract they sign reads as follows: "to accept appointment and serve my contract period in a designated position for a period equal to each individual year of study in respect of which bursary moneys were paid to me (herein called "service obligation")".

(2) (a) There are no student nurses that paid back the Free State Province a stipulated amount in lieu of working it back as they all honored their service obligations.

(b) N/A

KWAZULU/NATAL

(1) The Provincial Department of Health does require student nurses to work back the equivalent number of years they studied once they graduate to serve the contractual obligation.

(2) The Provincial Department of Health instituted the contract for student nurses as a retention strategy for Professional Nurses since January 2002. The first batch of 216 qualified at the end of 2005 and began the service obligation on 01 January 2006 to 31 December 2009.

(a) A total of 1,543 nurses qualified for service obligation. From this 52 had to pay back the Province for breach an amount of between R40,000 and R120,000.

(b) The percentage of the total = 3,5% that breached the contract. The reasons for breach of contract is mainly due to migration to other provinces, public and private sector and abroad.

LIMPOPO

(1) A Memorandum of agreement had been made and entered into by and between the Provincial Government in its Department of Health and Social Development and the student.

The Student sign this contractual obligation during the first year of study which affirms that she will contractually be bound by the contents.

Clause number 2 (g) stipulates , the student shall after completion of the course serve the Department for a period equivalent to the contract and study period or such other periods , which the Department may from time to time determine.

The first year of serving the contract runs concurrently with the community service for professional nurses as stipulated by the Nursing Act, Act no. 33 of 2005.

There after the professional nurses continue serving the province for the period they were funded

(2) Not applicable.

MPUMALANGA

(1) The Department selects nurses in terms of the underserved areas of the Province and expects that they serve back the number of years according to the training received.

(2) The Department has not had a nurse having to pay back so far.

NORTHERN CAPE

(1) In the Northern Cape Province, on commencement of training, students enter into a contract with the Northern Cape Department of Health so that at the end of four years of training, students go back to the areas they came from to serve their communities for the number of years in which they were trained, alternatively, they are deployed to where the need is within the department across the province.

Since January 2008, Community Services for Nurses has been made law for students who have followed the four year program. This entails that immediately after completion of training, students get placed within the province as per choice of facility to address the professional nurse shortage in the Department of Health. In the case of the Northern Cape Province, students ,because they are bursary students, are compelled to serve within the province and thereafter absorbed/get job offers/apply for permanent employment within the Department of Health for at least four years.

(2) Students graduating:

YEAR	NUMBER OF GRADUATES	NUMBER OF STUDENTS EMPLOYED IN THE NORTHEHRN CAPE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
2006	21	21
2007	23	19
2008	34	38

These figures constitute 100% of newly graduated nurses.

In 2009, it is expected that 67 potential graduates will complete training in this financial year and measures are already in place to absorb them in the Northern Cape clinical facilities for community service for nurses and therefore to serve the Northern Cape Department of Health and the Northern Cape Province for another 3-4 years.

NORTH WEST

(1) Yes, the North West Province Department of Health and Social Development require student nurses to work in their facilities within the Province once they graduate.

(2) (a) 10 ( Years 2006 to 2007)

(b) In North West but could have moved to other provinces in the meantime.

WESTERN CAPE

(1) Yes

(2) Yes

(a) 30 Student nurses

(b) Western Cape

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NUMBER 2047
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 2 NOVEMBER 2009

Dr D T George (DA) to ask the Minister of Finance:
(1) Whether any report has been received with regard to the use of funds by the government
of Zimbabwe in the past two financial years; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will such
report be received; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) Whether South Africa is coordinating with other donors to reduce duplication of effort and
to ensure that international assistance is used effectively; if not, why not; if so, what are
the relevant details?
NW2701E

REPLY:

(1) Yes. The South African government has received reports relating to the utilisation of the two
amounts allocated to Zimbabwe.

(2) Yes. South Africa is co-ordinating its efforts with multilateral development banks and major
donors that are operating in Zimbabwe.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 2045

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 2 NOVEMBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 26 - 2009)

Date reply submitted : 15 December 2009

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

(1) Whether any police officers in whose care of 1144 prisoners escaped from custody have been (a) investigated and (b) charged; if not, why not; if so, how many in each case in each province;

(2) whether any of the SA Police Service members were (a) discharged from the SAPS and (b) arrested; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case in each province?

NW2698E

REPLY:

(1)(a) & (b) Yes.

· Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (Legislation directorate)

· South African Police Service (Organised Crime and Ports of Entry components)

· Department of Home Affairs (Inspectorate)

· Department of Labour

· Department of Social Development

· International Organisation for Migration (IOM)

· United Nation's Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

· Molo Songololo (NGO)

· South African Revenue Service (SARS)

(c) The staff at the Programme Coordinating Unit (PCU) comprises of a National Coordinator (Chief Director), a Project Manager (Director) and an Administrator (Chief Administrative Assistant).

(d) (i)-(iii) The National Task Team does not keep statistics in terms of the only legislation which criminalises a form of trafficking in persons, ie "Part 6: Transitional provisions relating to trafficking in persons for sexual purposes" in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007 (Act No 32 of 2007), which came into operation on 16 December 2007, due to the transitional nature of the provisions.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRlTTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 2043

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 02 NOVEMBER 2009: INTERNAL QUESTION PAPEF NO 26-2009

"2043. Mrs D Van Der Merwe (DA) to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture:

(1)Whether her department has conducted any research since 2000 on the establishment of Tourism Accommodation on Robben Island; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

Yes. In 2001 the Robben Island Museum commissioned a study on overnight sleep-over facilities mainly on Hospitality and Conferencing.

Subsequently to this study an additional report was produced in 2004, where a catalogue of affected buildings was published detailing restoration and rehabilitation work that would be required.

However, the issue of providing overnight accommodation should be viewed within the broad- context of the conservation and use of the built environment and facilities on Robben Island. Therefore, due to the urgent need for conservation intervention in the Prison Landscape, priority was given to restoration and rehabilitation of the Maximum Security Prison built environment, including the Medium B prison. The Maximum Security Prison restoration was completed in May 2009, whilst the latter was completed in 2004. The Medium B Prison was turned into a Multi Purpose Centre used for Educational Activities.

This Centre is made up of dormitories and single quarters which currently offer overnight stays for learning purposes only, under programs of the RIM Education Department.

Additionally, the Robben Island Museum has begun work on some of the identified overnight facilities with restoration work on the Female Asylum Building (single quarters) and the Guest House due for completion in February 2010. The Single Quarters are fitted with modern fittings for comfort and convenient use.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 2042

DATE OF. PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 02 NQVEMBER

2009: INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 468-2009

"2042. Mrs D Van Der Merwe (DA) to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture:

(1) Whether, with regard to the proposed changes of geographical names she published in the Government Gazette in September and October 2009, the process and procedures as contained in the handbook on geographical names were fallowed in each case, if not, why not, if so, what are the further relevant details? NW2695E

REPLY:

In terms of the South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC) Handbook On Geographical Name the SAGNC receives all applications for the approval of geographical names under its jurisdiction and ensures that proper consultation has taken place and that the name meets the Council's requirements in all respects. In respect with names gazetted in September and October 2009 the Council was of the view that the names were dealt with in accordance with the Handbook.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 2039

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 2 NOVEMBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 26 - 2009)

Date reply submitted : 15 December 2009

Ms D Schäfer (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

Whether the SA Police Service (SAPS) track the percentage of calls to 10111 that are (a) picked up by operators, (b) put on hold, (c) not answered and (d) abandoned before being answered; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details for the (i) 2008-09 financial year and (ii) period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available?

NW2692E

REPLY:

	Calls:	(i) 2008/2009	(ii) 1 April 2009 to 31 October 2009
(a)	Picked up by operators	999 551 160	3 976 543
(b)	Put on hold	Not recorded	Not recorded
(c)	Not answered	Not recorded	Not recorded
(d)	Abandoned before being answered	Not recorded	Not recorded

Current available equipment does not have the functionality to retrieve the information requested in (b), (c) and (d).

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 2038

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 2 NOVEMBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 26 - 2009)

Date reply submitted : 15 December 2009

Mrs D A Schäfer (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

Whether the special task team that was created in July 2002 for the purpose of dealing with human trafficking still exists; if not, why not; if so, (a) where is it located, (b) how many staff are employed in this unit, (c) what are their ranks and (d) how many (i) cases have they dealt with (ii) prosecutions have been instituted and (iii) people have been convicted of traffic-related offences (aa) in 2004-05, (bb) in 2005-06, (cc) in 2006-07, (dd) in 2007-08, (ee) in 2008-09, and (ff) during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available?

NW2690E

REPLY:

Yes.

(a) The National Task Team is located within the Sexual Offences and Community Affairs Unit (SOCA) of the National Prosecuting Authority.

(b) There are no full-time staff members appointed in the National Task Team. Task Team members represent the following departments and organisations only on a "needs basis":

· Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (Legislation directorate)

· South African Police Service (Organised Crime and Ports of Entry components)

· Department of Home Affairs (Inspectorate)

· Department of Labour

· Department of Social Development

· International Organisation for Migration (IOM)

· United Nation's Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

· Molo Songololo (NGO)

· South African Revenue Service (SARS)

(c) The staff at the Programme Coordinating Unit (PCU) comprises of a National Coordinator (Chief Director), a Project Manager (Director) and an Administrator (Chief Administrative Assistant).

QUESTION NO. 2032 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 26 of 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 02 November 2009

Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) Whether her department has been actively involved in an assessment of the environmental impact of the FIFA 2010 World Cup; if not, why not; if so,

(2) whether her department has been actively involved in ensuring that mitigating measures are in place to minimise the possible negative environmental impact of the World Cup; if not, why not; if so, what (a) involvement and (b) measures?

NW2684E

Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

2032. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) No. It is not a requirement in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2006 to undertake an EIA for the FIFA 2010 World Cup. However, most of the 2010 infrastructure projects, like the stadia, require an Environmental Authorisation in terms of the EIA Regulations. The majority of these applications were dealt with by the relevant provincial environmental departments in terms of their mandate. The Department is also actively involved in the review and authorisation of several supporting projects where it is the competent authority. These projects also deal mainly with the construction and upgrading of infrastructure for the World Cup such as railway lines and stations, and roads.

(2) Yes. For all activities that require an Environmental Authorisation, mitigation measures must be proposed and implemented to reduce the impact of the activity on the environment. It is required in terms of the EIA Regulations. Mitigation measures are included in an environmental management plan (EMP) that must be implemented and adhered to by the applicant. The mitigation measures and EMP form part of the EIA documentation that must be accepted/approved by the competent authority.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES

WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 2031

(Internal Question Paper No 29 - 2009)

Dr A Lotriet (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:

1. Whether his department has determined the extent of the damage caused during the protests in lntabazwe in the Eastern Free State; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

2. whether his department has determined the reasons for these protests; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

3. Whether he has taken any steps to deal with the reasons; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2683E

Answer

1. The department has not done assessment of the damages caused by any protests in Intabazwe in the Maluti a Phofung municipality

2. The department is supporting the task team in the determination of the actual reasons for the protest

3. The Free State Government is attending the grievances of the Intabazwe community and has formed a task team comprising of members of the community and government representatives.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO. 2030

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER N0.26-2009, PUBLISHED FRIDAY 02 NOVEMBER 2009: QUESTION 2030 FRCM DR. A LOTRIET (DA) FOR WRITTEN REPLY.

Dr. A Lotriet (DA) to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture:

When will the conference an Social Cohesion be held and (b) What will be the cost of the conference?

REPLY:

(a) The National Conference on Social Cohesion will be held during the last quarter of 2009/2010 financial year.

(b) At this moment the estimated total cost has not been finalized yet.

This is an ongoing programme which was launched at the colloquium in Durban on 29 to 30 October 2009. Provincial programs will continue in the coming six months which will culminate in the conference in March 2010.

QUESTION 2029

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

(1) Whether the salary of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (Cipro) has increased by approximately 29% in the first year of his appointment; if not, why not; if so, what are the reasons for this salary increase;

(2) whether the total turnover of VALORIT cc was only R2 million before being awarded a tender to the value of R152, 7 million by Cipro;

(3) whether any risks to Cipro have been reduced; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2681E

REPLY

(1) The salary of the CIO of Cipro has increased by 19, 53 % in the period 08 January 2008 to 01 January 2009. This increase is a result of the normal annual cost of living salary adjustments for SMS members in the Public Service and the Occupation Specific Dispensation for SMS members within the Public Service.

(2) The terms and conditions of the tender document submitted by VALORIT did not require that the turnover of VALORIT cc be specified as part of the evaluation criteria. However, the vendor profile information submitted as part of the tender documentation indicated that VALORIT had a turnover of R 8 million. Cipro made use of the SITA 398 contract that listed suppliers that were approved as category A suppliers. In this regard Cipro accepted that SITA had followed due Supply Chain Management processes before classifying suppliers.

(3) In order to mitigate any risks relating to the non-delivery of work, one of the conditions in the contract entered into between Cipro and VALORIT states that should VALORIT be unable to deliver the Enterprise Content Management (ECM) Solution, Cipro reserves the right to engage directly with the software suppliers to ensure that the ECM solution is delivered.

Governance structures such as a project steering committee and a contracts board have been established by Cipro to ensure successful implementation of the ECM solution. In addition, a Service Level Agreement (SLA) entered into between Cipro and VALORIT will ensure that payments to VALORIT will only be made if the work delivered is of an acceptable standard and on the successful completion of the deliverables as set out in the SLA.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY INTERNAL QUESTION QUESTIONS FOR ORAL REPLY

Monday, 2 November 2009

2026. Ms A M Dreyer (DA) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and Administration:

Whether there is a policy regarding non-governmental organisations and other civic organisations using public service delivery outlets that are available through Thusong Centres; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2678E __________________________________________________________

REPLY:

No, there is no written policy regarding the use of Thusong Centres by Non-Governmental Organizations and other civic organizations.

But standard practice is that Thusong Centres are used for government standard functions only, not for other entities.

During the establishment of the Thusong Service Centres, communities identify the services that they need, and if there are NGOs/ CBOs that can provide such services, and there is space for them to set offices in the centres, they would do so, on a rental basis.

In some instances, Community centres run and managed by NGOs/ CBOs, would rent out space to government departments to provide services that are needed by the communities, especially if there are no other physical outlets that government can use.

This whole practice ensures that a variety of services that are needed by the communities are provided in one centre – a one stop shop.

_____________________________________

2009-11-26

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