Questions & Replies: Question & Replies No 2201 to 2225
2009-11-26
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[PMG note: Replies are inserted as soon as they are provided by the Minister]
QUESTION NO 2295
(Internal Question Paper No 29 - 2009)
Mr A P van der Westhuizen (DA) to ask the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
Whether (a) his department and (b) the SA Local Government Association (Salga) are involved in the verification of qualifications of incumbent employees at municipalities; if not, why not; if so, how? NW3009E
Answer
The Human Resources function at Local Government is governed by Council Adopted pOlicies which include the processes of verification of qualifications of incumbent employees. On the basis of that the department has no outright involvement in the verification of qualifications of municipal employees except when that need arises and could be done when the municipality is under section 139 intervention.
QUESTION NO 2274
(Internal Question Paper No 29 - 2009)
Mrs M Wenger (DA) to ask the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
1. Whether there are any reasons why the municipal manager of the Thaba Chweu municipality has not declared the three vacancies that occurred on 21 and 22 September 2009 in accordance with the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, Act 117 of 1998; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the reasons;
2. When will these vacancies be declared? NW2986E
Answer
1. In terms of section 25(3) of the Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998. the Municipal Manager must in conjunction with Electoral Commission call and set a date for the by-elections which must be held within 90 days. The fact that the municipality was put under administration, the date for by-elections was delayed to allow for the section 139 processes to settle.
2. The date for the by-elections has been declared as the 27 January 2010.
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. 2271
DATE OF PUBUCATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 NOVEMBER 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 28)
"2271. Ms M R Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:
(a) What initiatives is her department taking to drive vaccine production to combat both (i) human and (ii) animal illness, (b) What vaccines are being prioritised, (c) which entity will be responsible for producing them, and (d) under which departmental budgets In each case? (NW2981E)
REPLY:
(a)(i) Cape Biotech Trust, one of the Biotechnology Innovation Centres of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) , is In the final stages of obtaining 12,5% equity in the Biovac Institute, a public-private partnership created by the South African Government through the Department of Health in 2003. Funds provided through Cape Biotech Trust assisted the Biovac Institute with the building of a facility compliant with current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) to manufacture clinical trial material for new African vaccines; the construction of a new quality control building to a standard appropriate to support the manufacturing of cGMP-compliant vaccines; and the establishment of a development facility and conjugate cGMP-compliant vaccine manufacturing platform.
Furthermore. the DST continues to interact with the Biovac Institute at a strategic level to explore further funding mechanisms.
(ii) In addition to the above, the DST is busy conducting a feasibility study on the establishment of a vaccines research and development initiative In South Africa for both animal and human vaccines. The aim of the initiative would be the coordination of all human and animal vaccine research and development activities In South Africa, which would eventually culminate In the production of such vaccines in the country. The initiative should support a more concentrated and effective handling of the country's vaccines development and production challenges, for both human and animal vaccines. It would also provide better funding opportunities, access to new technologies and the pooling of knowledge, skills and technical resources from the various human and animal vaccine production facilities in the country.
(b) Vaccines that support the Department of Health's Expanded Programme on Immunisation and vaccines against neglected "third world" Infections will be given priority. Furthermore, the DST will support the creation of the necessary infrastructure for human vaccines production at Biovac, as well as any necessary improvement of the infrastructure for animal production in line with modern requirements. The DST will also facilitate close Interaction between the animal and human vaccines experts in the country so that In case of zoonotic infections or other unexpected pandemics such as the current H1N1 influenza pandemic, South Africa could produce Its own pandemic vaccines.
(c) Biovac will become the primary agency for the production and distribution of human vaccines. Animal vaccines in South Africa are developed and produced at the Agricultural Research Council's Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute and at Onderstepoort Biological Products.
(d) The DST, the national Department of Health, and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, are all providing some funding towards vaccine development and production.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLYWRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 2225INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [No 28-2009]
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 13 November 20092
2225. Mrs A Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:
Whether, with reference to his reply to Question 1382 on 29 October 2009, his department received the total amount of rent from lessees of state-owned farms in the 2008-09 financial year; if not, (a) why not, (b) what (i) amount and (ii) percentage of the total amount due was received and (c) what steps are taken against lessees who do not honour their payments; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2934E
THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:
No.
a), (b)(i)-(ii), and (c) Please refer to Annexure A
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
(For written reply)
QUESTION NO. 2223
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 28 of 2009
DATE OF PUBLICATIOM: 13 November 2009
Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
Whether she has put any measures in place to encourage (a) environmental footprint that include carbon, water and waste footprints and (b) the incremental reduction in environmental footprints as a mechanism to encourage environmental self-regulation; if not, (i) why not and (ii) when will this approach be adopted; if so, (aa) what sectors (aaa) are currently being targeted and (bbb) will be targeted in the future and (bb) what are the details of her departments involvement? NW2932E
2223. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
(a) The national carbon foot-printing exercise, namely the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, was completed and published for public comment in the Gazette and distributed and discussed at the 2009 Climate Change Summit held in Midrand in March 2009. This inventory has now been independently reviewed and will be finalised for submission to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as an annexure to South Africa's National Second Communication on Climate Change. The inventory covers all sources of greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the 2006 guidelines of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
(b) In this regard, and with a view to, among others, the publication of an annual national carbon footprint report. the second phase of the South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS Phase II) is to be initiated in early 2010. SAAQIS Phase II will develop a national atmospheric emission (including greenhouse gas emissions) monitoring and reporting system. As part of its development, the system will be piloted and tested using the 80-20 principle, i.e. sources responsible for 80% of emissions will be involved in testing the system. The tested system will then be used to develop greenhouse gas monitoring and reporting regulations in terms of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (Act No. 39 of 2004). In terms of the current plan for the roll out of the system, the system will be designed and developed by mid-2010, will be tested by end 2010 and will be fine-tuned for broad implementation by mid-2011 al which time the regulations will be published. The Department of Environmental Affairs has concluded its own, highly detailed, carbon foot-printing exercise which is being used to inform departmental initiatives aimed at mitigating its own greenhouse gas emissions.
(i) Not applicable
(ii) Not applicable
(aa) (aaa)
In terms of waste, Municipal initiatives to flare or capture methane gas (a strong greenhouse gas) are encouraged and supported through the environmental authorization process. The Department is also working on a landfill acceptance criterion which will discourage the disposal of organic hazardous waste to landfill to further reduce the production of methane within commercial hazardous waste sites. Finally, in order to encourage a culture of greenhouse gas monitoring, reporting and mitigation, the Minister has been actively supporting the National Business Initiative's (NBI) Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). This project has assisted the top 100 JSE listed companies to measure and report on their carbon footprints and disclose the various interventions they are making to reduce their footprints. Since 2000, the CDP has, on behalf of institutional investors, challenged the world's largest companies to measure and report their carbon emissions, integrating the long-term value and cost of climate change into their assessment of the financial health and future prospects of their business. South Africa's third CDP generated a response rate of 68% (as compared with last year's 59%), ranking South Africa as the fifth highest CDP response rate internationally.
(bbb) In the concluding remarks made in her foreword to the 2009 CDP Report, the Minister noted that "...it must be emphasized that as a high carbon emitter. South Africa has the responsibility to demonstrate leadership on the continent. Such leadership must be accompanied by target setting, measurement and verification of performance. Greenhouse gas emission reporting by industries will soon be mandatory in South Africa and non compliance shall be met by penalties. It is therefore to the benefit of industry to lake the lead in reporting greenhouse gas emissions to avoid such penalties and Litigation risks. Industries that have taken the lead in the Carbon Disclosure Project are congratulated and those that have not responded are encouraged to demonstrate leadership in the future".
QUESTION NO 2222
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 28)
2222 Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether a revised version of the National Water Resource Strategy will be published in January 2010; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will it be published; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) Whether a process of stakeholder consultation will be part of the development of the revised strategy; if not, why not; if so, when will the consultation process commence;
(3) (a) which government departments will be involved in the development of the revised strategy and (b) what is the (i) rationale for and (ii) detail of the involvement of each department? NW2931E
---00O00---
REPLY:
(1)(a) No, a revised version of the National Water Resource Strategy (NWRS) will not be published in January 2010. However, Instead My Department has been consulting on the Water for Growth and Development framework (WfGD), which sets the foundation for revising the NWRS. The WfGD framework is aimed at ensuring the centrality of water in all planning activities in the country.
(1)(b) The 2nd edition of the NWRS will be ready for Gazetting by January 2011.
(2) Yes, stakeholder consultation will form part of the revision of the NWRS. The process will commence in 2010, after the consultations on WfGD have been concluded.
(3)(a) The National Water Act (NWA), Act No.36 of 1998 does not specify the involvement of any particular government departments or organisations. However, subsection 1(b) of the NWA states that, "if any, interested person with appropriate contents to bring in the establishment of the NWRS (which I consider to be appropriate)", I must take notice and give attention to those interested people. In line with Intergovernmental Relations framework Act No. 13 of 2005, the following government departments will be consulted: Department of Mineral Resources, National Planning Commission, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry and Department of Rural Development & Land Reform and the Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs Department.
-2-
(3)(b)(i) The involvement will be in line with Section 21 of the National Water Act, (Act no. 36 of 1998), as follows:
(3)(b)(ii)
· Department of Minerals & Resources: Issue mining licenses, which impact on water quality.
· National Planning Commission: Facilitates national spatial development
· Department of Energy: Issue licenses for generation of hydro-power
· Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries: Administer use of water mainly for irrigation.
· Department of Rural Development & Land Affairs: Aligned water availability to enhance rural livelihoods and land productivity.
· Department of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs: Provision of Water Services.
QUESTION NO 2221 (NW2930E)
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO…)
2930 Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
Whether (a) water that is supplied for domestic use, (b) waste water that is discharged from waste water treatment works and (c) river water known to be used by communities for domestic purposes is analysed on a regular basis to determine the presence and level of Cryptosporidium oocysts; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details of such analysis in each case? NW2930E
REPLY:
(a) Yes. Water treated for the purpose of domestic use is continuously monitored to determine compliance with the physical, chemical and microbiological limits of the National Standard (SANS 241:2006) by the responsible water services institutions. Monitoring varies from filtration efficacy determination through high frequency operational monitoring, to highly sophisticated Protozoa (including Cryptosporidium) monitoring by means of high volume micro filtration. Generally smaller municipalities opt for the operational monitoring option due to the extremely high cost for cryptosporidium analyses. Bigger water services providers such as Rand Water has perfected the micro filtration option. The general indication of overall protozoa analyses is that tap water is free of cryptosporidium.
(b) The microbiological quality of waste water discharge is required to be determined continuously as part of license and General Authorization requirements. This monitoring is based upon highly dependable indicator determinants due to high cost to test for every possible determinant that might be present.
(c) River water known to be used by communities is not tested for Cryptosporidium oocysts. However, should the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts be expected due to the presence of other indicator organisms, analyses will be done at a regional or local level.
The reason for only conducting ad hoc/sporadic analyses is due to the fact that the cost of monitoring Cryptosporidium presence in raw river water is in the order of R3 000 per sample. To determine the viability of the organisms, will add R1 000 per sample. At the moment, the Department relies on the presence of other indicator organisms for further specific analyses. The cost for analyses and identification of these indicator organisms are substantially lower, and also relatively easy to do.
DEPARTMENT: JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 2220 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 13 NOVEMBER 2009Dr A Lotriet (DA) to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:
(1) (a) How many indigenous language courts have been established and (b) which (i)
courts are indigenous language courts and (ii) languages are used in each of the said courts;
(2) whether an evaluation has been done on the indigenous language courts project; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2929E
REPLY:-
1. There are 31 indigenous language courts already established. The table below depicts the indigenous language courts and the identified dominant language based on the Statistics South Africa Report of 2001:-
Courts identified per Region
| Province | Court | Dominant Language | |
| 1 | KZN | 1. Msinga 2. Hlabisa 3. Impendle 4. Nongoma | isiZulu isiZulu isiZulu isiZulu |
| 2 | Free State | 1. Thaba' Nchu | Sesotho and Setswana |
| 3 | North West | 1. Lehurutshe 2. Ganyesa 3. Mankwe | Setswana Setswana Setswana |
| 4 | Western Cape | 1. Khayelitsha | IsiXhosa |
| 5 | Eastern Cape | 1. Zwelitsha | isiXhosa |
| 6 | Northern Cape | 1. Kimberley 2. Calvinia 3. Keimos 4. Prieska 5.Colesberg | Setswana |
| 7 | Limpopo | 1. Malamulele 2. Dzanani 3. Sekhukhune 4. Giyane 5. Mutale 6. Masisi Periodical Court 7. Mankeng | Xitsonga/Shangaan Tshivenda Sepedi Xitsonga Tshivenda Tshivenda Sepedi |
| 8 | Mpumalanga | 1.Mdutjana 2.Lydenburg 3.Eerstehoek | isiNdebele, siSwati siSwati |
| 9 | Gauteng | 1. Attridgeville 2. Pretoria 3. Pretoria North 4. Sebokeng 5. Johannesburg 6. Soshanguve | Setswana isiZulu Sepedi and Setswana Sesotho and Setswana All indigenous languages Setswana, Sepedi, Xitsonga and Nguni Languages (isiZulu, SiSwati, isiZulu) |
(2) No intensive and independent evaluation has been conducted to assess the impact of the use of indigenous languages in the courts as language of record. However, plans are already under way to conduct the impact assessment in each of the identified pilot sites. The approach considered is to obtain a proper and unbiased assessment towards the use of indigenous languages in each of the pilot courts is by way of engaging independent research resources.
DEPARTMENT: JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 2219 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 13 NOVEMBER 20092219. Dr A Lotriet (DA) to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:
Whether his department has established a language unit in accordance with the National Language Policy Framework; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2928E
REPLY:-
The Department is the process of establishing a Language Unit in line with the National Language Policy Framework. The establishment of this new Chief Directorate will focus on Specialized Services which will deal specifically with Small Claims Court and Language Services within which this language unit will reside. Currently the Business Process Improvement Directorate is conducting Job Investigations and Evaluations for the re-alignment of the Branch: Court Services. As soon as this process is completed and the budget allocations are set aside, the Language Unit will be established.
THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITEN REPLY
2218. Mr A P van der Westhuizen (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:
Whether any members of boards or governance structures who were appointed by him attended fewer than 60% of board meetings in the 2008-09 financial year;
if so,
(a) who are they,
(b) what percentage of meetings did they attend.
(c) on what board did they serve and
(d) what steps were taken to improve their attendance of board meetings? NW2927E
Please See the Table here
THE NAVONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2217. Mr A P van der Westhuizen (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:
(a) What were the costs that are directly related to the governance functions of each of the boards or governance structures of institutions of his department and ignore
(b) what percentage of the total turnover or income were the costs of governance of these institutions?NW2926E
Please see the Table Here
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NUMBER: 2216
DATE FOR PUBLICATION: 13 NOVEMBER 2009
DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 15 DECEMBER 2009
THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND EVALUATION AND ADMINISTRATION IN THE PRESIDENCY:
(1) Whether there are any criteria to mark complaints to the presidential hotline as "resolved" if not, why not; if so, what are these criteria;
(2) Whether his ministry has implemented or plans to implement systems and structures to (a) ensure that complaints are resolved efficiently and effectively and (b) measure the success of the hotline effectively; if not, why not; if so, what are these systems and structures;
(3) What process are used to recruit operators for the Presidential Hotline;
(4) Whether there are any skills required for the operators; if not, why not; if so
(5) Whether any training has been provided to the hotline staff; if not, why not, if so, what training?
NW2925E
REPLY:
Answer 1: Yes there is a criterion. The callers must be given feedback with respect to their issues raised. This may be information provided that indicates current status and / or way forward to address the issues raised.
Answer 2: Yes there are tracking and monitoring mechanisms in place to evaluate performance. Various channels of engagement are also in place to drive improvement. Trending statistics are available to inform government decision making.
Answer 3: There is a HR process that is followed that involves advertising, selection and recruitment.
Answer 4: Yes there are specific skill requirements with the following being some of the key areas, (Language proficiency, verbal communication skills, people skills and analytical skills.)
Answer 5: Yes there has been extensive training covering the following:
ü Process training
ü Technology training
ü Training focused on Government knowledge and understanding
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 2215
(Internal Question Paper No 29 - 2009)
Mrs P de Lille (10) to ask the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
1. Whether, with reference to a certain document (details furnished) the Sekgopo Community, Ward 10, Greater Letaba Municipality, Mopani District, Limpopo Integrated Development Plan (lDP) for 2007-08 financial year will be put in place; if not, why not; if so, (a) what has been the delay and (b) when will it commence;
2. What assistance does his department provide to persons and communities with (a) suggestions or ideas that will help develop the community and (b) grievances against the council;
3. Why a certain person (name furnished) has not yet had any assistance, despite having been to different spheres of Government with his grievances;
4. Whether he intends introducing measures to ensure more accountability of government officials in the future; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2923E
Answer
1. The understanding of the department pertaining to the document submitted by Ward 10 in Greater Letaba, is that the lOP has been put in place but projects not being implemented. The department has requested a collective engagement with the Greater Letaba municipality to provide the reasons and remedies and timeframes as to ratifying the situation.
2. The department encourages the community members to attend ward committee meetings and engage municipality on any innovative suggestions which the municipality may not necessarily be obliged to adopt but should listen to the community members.
3. The matter is being handled by Limpopo province and the province has been requested to improve the response turn around on this matter in the midst of similar and related cases that the province is handling.
4. The department is exploring establishment of contact centers to improve response and feedback to communities with grievances and compliments. The contact centre system is aimed at assisting the department to monitor, track and ensure real time knowledge of officials in a sphere that handles the grievance.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY INTERNAL QUESTION QUESTIONS FOR ORAL REPLYFriday, 13 NOVEMBER 2009
2214. Mr J J McGluwa (ID) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and Administration:
Whether his department has any outstanding or incomplete projects that directly affect other departments; if so, (a) which projects, (b) what departments are affected, (c) why are they (i) outstanding or (ii) incomplete, (d) what was the financial cost to (i) his department and (ii) other departments because of the outstanding or incomplete projects, (e) what other projects have been affected because of the outstanding or incomplete projects and (f) when will each outstanding or incomplete project be completed?
REPLY:
The Department of Public Service and Administration has identified the projects listed below to be postponed as they are still on operational planning.
| Programme 1: Human Resource Management & Development | ||||||
| (a) Project | (b) Departments affected | (c) Reasons/incomplete | (d) (i) Financial costs to DPSA | (d) (ii) Financial costs to other departments | (e) Other projects affected | (f) Completion date |
| Development of the guideline for institutional support programmes for engagements | All departments | Resources for this project has been reprioritized and exhausted (financial) in favour of the NMOS Programme, which is a Cabinet priority | Voted funds | None | Framework on functional analysis developed to inform a blueprint of government functions | Project will be included in the 2010-2011 operational plan |
| EHW Indaba IX postponed | All departments | Recession and internal focus reprioritization with respect to Health Sector Revitalisation | Voted funds | None | None | Project will be included in the 2010-2011 operational plan |
| Update of the SMS Handbook | All departments | There is capacity constraints in implementing the project | Voted funds | None | None | Project will be included in the 2010-2011 operational plan |
| Programme 2: Management of Compensation | ||||||
| SMS salary review | All departments | Cabinet to take a decision on the categorization and grading of departments and HODs. | Voted funds | None | None | Project will be included in the 2010-2011 operational plan |
| Programme : 3 Governance | ||||||
| Project | Departments affected | Reasons/incomplete | Financial costs to DPSA | Financial costs to other departments | Other projects affected | Completion date |
| Implementation of the strategic plan monitoring system | All | Project discontinued for this current financial year due to unclear roles and responsibilities between DPSA, Presidency and National Treasury. | Voted funds | None | none | Project will be included in the 2010-2011 operational plan once clarification of roles is obtained |
QUESTION 2213
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2213. Ms C M P Kotsi (Cope) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:
(1) Whether an audit has been done into the total amount of money that had been committed, directly and indirectly, in establishing a certain smelter (name furnished) in Coega; if not, why not; if so, what was the amount expended.
Response
The department made a payment of R300 million to Eskom as contribution to the cost of constructing power lines to the Coega Industrial Development Zone, which power lines would have among others provided power to the planned aluminum smelter project. The department is in the process of conducting an assessment in order to determine whether to claim these funds from Eskom or alternatively to redirect them to the supply of electricity for other planned projects at the Coega IDZ.
QUESTION 2212
Ms C M P Kotsi (Cope) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:
Whether he has commissioned an enquiry into the collapse of a certain smelter (name furnished) in Coega; if not, why not; if so, (a) who will serve on this enquiry, (b) what is its terms of reference and (c) when will the report be produced?NW2919E
Reply
The project by Rio-Tinto Alcan was cancelled by mutual agreement between government, Eskom and Rio-Tinto Alcan. The cancellation came about as a result of the current context regarding the supply of electricity which has changed significantly from the time when Eskom entered into agreement with Alcan. No enquiry has been commissioned into the cancellation of the project as the circumstances that brought it about are well known to the Minister.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION 2211
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 04 DECEMBER 2009
2211. Ms C M P Kotsi (Cope) to ask the Minister of Energy
(1) Whether Eskom has established a task team to ensure that the needs of a certain smelter (name furnished) will be met and honoured; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) Whether this task team has succeeded in securing enough electricity to the smelter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) Whether she has put any measures in place to ensure that Eskom will succeed in providing the requisite need of the smelter; if not, why not; if so, what measures?
REPLY
1. The Electricity Supply Agreement between both parties was terminated in October 2009, in accordance with its terms and conditions.
Eskom, Rio Tinto Alcan, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Industrial Development Corporation formed a Task Team early 2008 at the request of the former Department of Public Enterprise Minister, Alec Erwin, to monitor progress with pre-conditions and explore solutions relevant to the appropriate timing of the smelter.
2. The Task Team jointly developed a set of indicators that would indicate the most appropriate time to construct the smelter, but at that time had agreed in principle to a three year delay. The Electricity Supply Agreement was terminated in October, in accordance with its terms and conditions.
3. The Electricity Supply Agreement was terminated in October, in accordance with its terms and conditions. Although some progress was made in discussions, it was insufficient to proceed.
DEPARTMENT: JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 2210 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 13 NOVEMBER 20092210. Mr J H van der Merwe (IFP) to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional
Development:
(1) How many judges of the high courts have fulltime researchers allocated to them;
(2) whether he intends to introduce the positions of researchers for all judges; if not, why
not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether he will make a statement on the matter?
NW2916E
Reply:-
(1) 24 Judges of the High Courts have fulltime researchers allocated to them.
(2) The Department is in the process of investigating the capacity needs, including that of the positions of fulltime researches, at the Constitutional Court and all the High Courts countrywide, as part of the process of the transformation of the Judiciary and the Courts.
ATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION 2209
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2209. Mrs C Dudley (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Energy:
(1) Whether the National Energy Regulator of SA (NERSA) has introduced different tariffs for company-specific programme technologies, if not, what is the position in this regard, if so, on what were the diversified tariffs based;
(2) Whether the tariffs are based on an international comparison for this; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2915E
REPLY
(1) No.
(2) Not applicable.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 2207
DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2009 [IQP No 28 -2009]
FIRST SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT
Question 2207 for Written Reply, National Assembly: Ms D Carter (COPE) to ask the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:
(1) Whether she has been informed of problems afflicting the KwaZulu-Natal department of agriculture for many years; if so,
(2) whether she has taken any steps to deal decisively with corruption, wastage and maladministration prevalent there; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether she has investigated or intends investigating the controversy surrounding the suspension of the chief executive officer (name furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY:
(1) As the Minister responsible for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, I interact with MECs for Agriculture in the various provinces to discuss among others, policy related issues, challenges experienced in the different provinces and mapping a way forward. These discussions keep me updated on all strategic issues in the Provincial Departments.
(2) The Honourable Member need to take into account that as Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, my influence over provincial departments of agriculture is limited to sector policy issues only. The question raised by the Honourable Member relates to issues of governance and administration which, in terms of the Public Service Act, 1994 (as amended) are the responsibility (nationally) of the Minister for Public Service and Administration (MPSA) together with the relevant Premier of a Province. It is for this reason that the question concerned needs to be referred to the MPSA and the Premier in KwaZulu-Natal.
(3) No. As above.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION 2208
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
2208. Mrs C Dudley (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Energy:
(1) Whether wind energy is expected to contribute 400 MW to the grid once the renewable energy feed-in tariffs (Refits) and the associated power purchase agreement (PPA) have been concluded; if so, why is the contribution only 400 MW when wind energy can contribute at least 2000 MW or more;
(2) When will this process become possible? NW2914E
REPLY
(1) No, 400 MW is the contribution of wind energy to the 2013 renewable energy target. Beyond 2013 more wind energy will be introduced in line with the Integrated Resource Plan, which will be developed after a public consultation process starting in January 2010.
(2) The Department is facilitating arrangements to get an Independent System Operator in place, who will then sign PPAs with developers. NERSA is developing rules for the licensing of the renewable energy projects under the REFIT project. NERSA, National Treasury and DoE are currently developing a standard PPA for all IPPs (renewable energy included). It is anticipated that the standard PPA and the licensing rules will be completed by March 2010.
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 2206
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 20 November 2009
2206. Mr P D Dexter (Cope) (p 920) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:
(1) Whether the turnover of Alexkor has fallen by approximately 80% in the past
10 years; if so, why;
(2) whether the company makes any profit from its diamond mining operations; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2909E
REPLY
(1) No, although information for 1999 is not readily available, turnover has fallen by 42% during the period 2000 to 2009. This is primarily due to factors of price and volume reduction.
(2) Profitability from the diamond mining operations has been erratic between 2000 and 2009 with profitability recorded between 2001 and 2006 whilst losses were recorded in the latter years. Results differ materially due to fluctuations in diamond prices and foreign currency exchange rates. The economic crisis negatively impacted diamond market prices and this resulted in reduction in the Rand diamond revenues. The diamond prices reduced as much as 50% in 2008 and 2009. This has been exacerbated by a decline in available sea days (days when safe mining can be conducted in the sea) from 79 in 2002/3 to 10 in 2008/9. Alexkor undertook a restructuring programme in order to contain costs. However, given the fixed nature of mining operational cost structure, Alexkor's cost structure could not be adjusted proportionately to the reduction in revenue.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 2205
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 28)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) sets limits with regard to the number of medical student posts available each year; if so, (a) what is the limit, (b) when was the current limit first implemented and (c) what are the reasons for the limit;
(2) whether his department has had any discussions with the HPCSA with regard to lifting the limit on medical student posts; if not, why not; if so, (a) when did these discussions take place and (b) what are the outcomes of the discussions;
(3) whether he will allow the private sector to train medical students as doctors; if not, why not; if so, by when will they be allowed to train medical students?
NW2881EREPLY:
(1) The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) does not set limits on the number of student posts at education and training facilities, instead it recommends the number of students that can be admitted by a facility, based on the available capacity at the time of assessment and accreditation of that facility. This means if a facility increases its capacity, maybe even doubling it, the HPCSA will not dictate in anyway. It is up to the institution.
(2) The HPCSA has not set any limit with regard to the number of medical student posts available each year, and therefore this question is irrelevant.
(3) The decision to allow private sector to train medical students as doctors is also a mandate for the Department of Education and there are processes that need to be followed by individuals interested in opening private training institutions. Interested parties should contact the Department of Education. The Department of Health will be involved in the discussions as and when required.
DEPARTMENT: JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 2203 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 13 NOVEMBER 20092203. Mr L Ramatlakane (Cope) to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional
Development:
(1) Whether he has reviewed his department's performance with regard to the Public
Service Commission report on the noncompliance with the Public Service regulation that compels Senior Management Service (SMS) to declare all interests yearly; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many did not declare their interest and (b) what are the (i)
names and (ii) ranks of the noncompliant members of the SMS;
(2) whether senior managers who failed to declare the interests have been charged with
misconduct; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether he has found that where senior managers failed to declare their interests it was as a result of hiding any business interest with any department; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) whether any investigation will be undertaken in order to root out corruption in her department; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2779E
Reply:-
(1) In terms of Chapter 3 of the Public Service Regulations on financial disclosures of Senior Management Services (SMS) officials, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has achieved one hundred percent (100%) compliance in the submission of the financial disclosure forms to the Public Service Commission for the 2008/2009 financial year.
(2) All SMS officials employed by my Department complied with the Public Service Regulations on financial disclosures. There was therefore no need to take disciplinary action against any SMS official in regard to this matter.
(3) My Department submitted the completed financial disclosure forms to the Public Service Commission. The Commission will then independently verify the information on the forms. My Department has not found any evidence of senior managers who have not disclosed their business interests. As indicated in my response in para. 1, all SMS officials in my Department submitted their financial disclosure forms.
(4) My Department has put in place a Fraud Prevention Plan that caters for the combating and prevention of corruption. The Fraud Prevention Plan is supplemented by the Fraud and Corruption Communication Strategy, Whistle-blowing policy and the Business Code of Ethics. My Department has also established:-
a) A Forensic Audit Unit that is responsible for the investigation of fraud and corruption within the Department, as well as the investigation of all the referrals from the National Anti-Corruption Hotline that is hosted by the Public Service Commission.
b) An Integrity Management Unit that focuses on the prevention of fraud and corruption. Part of the activities and functions of this unit includes the implementation of a Fraud and Corruption Prevention Communication Strategy, the development of a Fraud Prevention Plan, ensuring the security clearance of all employees in the Department and conducting anti-corruption awareness campaigns.
c) An Enterprise-wide Risk Management Unit which together with Integrity Management Unit ensures the facilitation of fraud and corruption risk assessments in accordance with the Treasury Regulations and good corporate governance guidelines.
d) An Employee Relations Unit that is responsible for resolution mechanisms and disciplinary hearings, including allegations of fraud and corruption as well as financial misconduct.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 2202
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 28)
Mr L Ramatlakane (Cope) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether he has reviewed his department's performance with regard to the Public Service Commission report on the noncompliance with the Public Service regulation that compels Senior Management Service (SMS) to declare all interests yearly; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many did not declare their interest and (b) what are the (i) names and (ii) ranks of the noncompliant members of the SMS;
(2) whether senior managers who failed to declare have been charged with misconduct; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether he has found that where senior managers failed to declare their interests it was as a result of hiding any conflicting business interest with any department; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) whether any investigation will be undertaken in order to root out corruption in his department; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2778EREPLY:
All members of the Senior Management Service of my Department have declared their interest. All aspects of this question therefore fall away.
RESPONSE TO WRITTEN QUESTION 2201
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13/11/09
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 28-2009)
QUESTION 2201
Mr PF Smith (IFP) asked the Minister of Basic Education:
Whether physical education and/or sport are a standard part of the curriculum in public schools; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will it be a standard part of the curriculum; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2762E
Minister of Basic Education: Mrs A Motshekga REPLY:
Yes, Physical Education forms an integral part of the public schools' curriculum and is part of the Life Orientation curriculum. Life Orientation is one of the eight learning Areas that all schools have to offer to Grade R-9 learners during the General Education and Training band and one of the fundamental (i.e. compulsory) subjects that all Grade 10-12 learners must offer as part of their 7 (seven) package for a National certificate.
Not applicable
Not applicable