Questions & Replies: Question & Replies No 2276 to 2300

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2010-01-20

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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. 2300
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 29 of 2009
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 20 November200

Mr l Ramatlakane (Cope) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) Whether she has reviewed the department's performance with regard to the Public Service Commission report on the non-compliance 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 she has found that where senior managers failed to declare their interests, it was as a result of hiding any conflicting business interest; if so, what are the relevant details;


(4) whether any investigation will be undertaken in order to root out corruption in the department; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?


2300. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
(1) Yes, the Minister has reviewed the Department of Environmental Affairs' performance with regard
to the Public Service Commission report on the non-compliance with the Public Service regulation
that compels Senior Management Service (SMS) to declare all their interests yearly.


(a) All the SMS members 'In the Department of Environmental Affairs declared their interests.
(2) In light of (1) above, this question is not applicable,
(3) In light of (1) above, this question is not applicable,
(4) Any corruption found or reported to the Department will be dealt with in terms of the relevant
legislative framework pertaining thereto.

WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 2299

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 2009-11-20: INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 29-2009

"2299. Mr L Ramatlakane (COPE) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:

(1) Whether she has reviewed her 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 Interest 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 Interest have been charged with misconduct; if not, why not; If so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether she has found that where senior managers failed to declare their Interests It was as a result of hiding business interest; 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?" NW2781E

REPLY

(1) Yes, I did review my department's performance. All SMS members submitted their financial disclosure forms for the 2008/09 financial year through the Subdirectorate: Human Resource. I monitor compliance in this regard closely. A policy is being developed to address matters of compliance and corrective measures.

(a) None in the 2008/09 financial year.

(b) Not applicable.

(2) Not applicable.

(3) No SMS member who failed to submit their forms In the past had any hidden business Interest.

(4) Yes, my department has appointed Managed Integrity Evaluation, which is recommended by the National Intelligence Agency, as a service provider to perform financial interest checks on all SMS and non-SMS members from time to time. A list of SMS members' names and Identity document numbers will be supplied to the Companies and Intellectual Properties Registration Office to confirm whether members have declared registered business Interests. A conflict of interest policy is being developed to enhance awareness and root out corruption In the Department.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO. 2297

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 20 NOVEMBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 29)

Mr P F Smith (IFP) to ask the Minister of Health:

What has been or is the response of his department to the challenge facing those afflicted by HIV/Aids who rely upon the public health system but do not have access to state-supplied antiretrovirals (ARVs) and other appropriate interventions?

NW2763E

REPLY:

Not all people with HIV require antiretrovirals. The current policy is that only those patients with CD4< 200 and those in stages 3 and 4 are eligible for ARVs. The Department of Health attempts, within available resources to ensure that all patients that qualify are initiated in ARVs. With respect to other appropriate interventions – namely treatment for opportunistic infections – these patients are treated as any other patient would be by the public health sector. This means that any patient that needs treatment for opportunistic infections, including TB is able to access such treatment.

QUESTION No 2296

Mr P D Dexter (Cope) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:

(1) Whether a certain official (name furnished) has declared ownership of a certain company (details furnished); if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) what is the said person's relationship with a certain company (details furnished);

(3) whether a moratorium of ordinance removal was declared; if not, why not; if so, (a) when and (b) why was a tender issued during the moratorium;

(4) whether the successful company was fully compliant with all the criteria; if not, why not; if so, (a) how, (b) what was the (i) date of awarding the tender and (ii) payment date and (c) what are the further relevant details? NW1435E

REPLY

(1) Yes, the declaration is contained in the financial disclosure signed on 20 March 2009.

(2) None

(3) A moratorium was placed on tenders issued by the Department of Defence from 19 June to 31 July 2009. The tender for ordinance removal was approved on 11 June 2009.

(4) Yes, the tender was approved by Procurement Committee on 11 June 2009. The first payment was made on 24 August 2009

QUESTION NO 2292

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: MONDAY, 7 DECEMBER 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 28 – 2009)

Mr S B Farrow (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:

What (a) is the estimated (i) number of kilometers of railway lines for which maintenance backlogs exist and (ii) amount needed to eradicate these backlogs and (b) strategic plans has his department put in place to eradicate these backlogs?

NW3006E

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

(a) (i) The estimated number of kilometres of railway line for which maintenance backlogs exist is in the order of 230 kilometres (10% of national single track kilometre) of the PRASA track network.

(ii) The main reason for this backlog is the need of ballast stone material. The purpose of this material is to stabilise the horizontal and vertical alignment of the track. Metrorail infrastructure makes use of Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) wagons, which are specifically designed wagons to off-load the material. TFR uses the equipment (most of the time) itself, hence the backlog. The total cost to eradicate this backlog is an estimated value of R10 million and will be done over the next two years.

(b) The strategic approach is for PRASA to purchase its own AY-wagons as part of its current capital programme.

QUESTION NO 2291

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 28 – 2009)

Mr S B Farrow, DA MP, asked the Minister of Transport:

(a) What is the estimated (i) number of kilometers of maintenance backlogs in (aa) toll roads and (bb) non-toll roads and (ii) amount needed to eradicate these backlogs and (b) what strategic plans has his department put in place to eradicate these backlogs?

NW3005E

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

(a) (i) (aa) No routine or periodic maintenance backlog exists on toll roads.

(ii) Falls away.

(a) (i) (bb) No routine or periodic maintenance backlog exists on non-toll national roads. The backlog that exists is with regard to the strengthening of the network. Currently 4,142 kilometres (32%) of the non-toll national road network has a remaining structural life of less than five years and are in need of strengthening within the next five years.

(ii) There is no amount required since no routine or periodic maintenance backlog exists on the existing toll road network. The financial need for strengthening over the next five years is R35.2 billion (2009R). The current MTEF budget allocation for strengthening over the next five years is R16.8 billion (2009R). With the current allocation only an estimated 1,980 kilometres will be strengthened, resulting in a strengthening shortfall of 2,162 kilometres or R18.4 billion over the next five years for non-toll national roads.

(b) The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) identified various sections of the existing non-toll road network that can be maintained through the prudent introduction of the user pay principle (toll). By transferring these sections to the toll portfolio, the pressure on the non-toll budget allocation from National Treasury is reduced, since a smaller length of network then needs to be maintained by the National Treasury allocation.

______________________________________________________________________

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 2290

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 28 – 2009)

Mr S C Motau, DA MP, asked the Minister of Transport:

(1) Whether his department collects, maintains and updates records of overloaded vehicles; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in this regard in each province for each of the past three years;

(2) whether the statistics of fines and penalties issued for overloading vehicles are collected, maintained and updated by his department; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in this regard in each province for each of the past three years?

NW3004E

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

(1)No, the Department of Transport (DoT) does not collect, maintain and update

records of overloaded vehicles. These functions are the responsibilities of the respective traffic authorities, either at the Provincial, Metro or Municipal level.

The DoT is currently busy with a process to collect all available data from traffic authorities with regard to records kept at weighbridges and abnormal load permit offices. This information will be processed and incorporated into an Overload Control website, managed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Various Overload Control Management (OVC) reports will be made available to the traffic authorities to plan and budget for their overload control law enforcement operations.

Once this website is fully updated, it is expected that the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) would be responsible to collect the annual data to keep the website updated.

(2) The database for income generated from fines for any contraventions of the National Road Traffic Act that are detected at weighbridges, are not kept at these weighbridges. This is because the offenders are not required to pay their fines at the weighbridges. In many cases they go to the courts or make representations to get it reduced or cancelled and pay the fines elsewhere. A detailed monitoring system will become effective, on a national basis, after the full-scale implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO). The RTMC will be responsible for collecting, processing maintaining and updating statistics of fines and penalties issued for overloaded vehicles on behalf of the DoT.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 2289

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 28 – 2009)

Mr S C Motau (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:

Whether any bonds have been raised by the roads or rail agency through an auction; if not, why not; if so, (a) why was this done and (b) what (i) was the value in each case and (ii) what are the further relevant details?

NW3003E

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL)

(a) And (b) (i) and (ii)

SANRAL finances its toll road programme through the capital markets by issuing bonds. The bonds are listed and traded on bond exchange (Johannesburg Securities Exchange).

The table below shows the SANRAL Suite of bonds on the bond exchange. The first column gives the "name" of the bond, the second column shows the coupon rate, i.e. the interest rate, column three shows the "expiry" date and column four shows the dates on which interest is paid. The next two columns are self explanatory.

THE SANRAL SUITE (Nov 2009)

Spire Awards: BEST BORROWER 2008 and 2009
BEST ISSUER 2009 (HWAY20)

BOND

COUPON

MATURITY

COUPON DATES

ISSUE AMOUNT (Rmillion)

TYPE

NRA013

4.25

31 October 2013

30 Apr / 31 Oct

1 560

CPI

NRA01U

6.25

31 March 2013

31 March / 30 September

304

CPI

NRA014

11.25

30 April 2014

30 April / 31 October

140

Fixed

NRA018

12.25

30 November 2018

31 May / 30 November

2 556

Fixed

NRA022

12.25

31 October 2022

30 April / 31 October

2 200

Fixed

NRA023

5.00

31 May 2023

31 May / 30 November

515

CPI

NRA028

12.25

30 November 2028

31 May / 30 November

2 671

Fixed

HWAY20

9.75

31 July 2020

31 January /

31 July

2 763

Fixed

HWAY34

9.25

31 July 2034

31 January /

31 July

1 337

Fixed

Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA)

(a) The President of the Republic of South Africa assented to the Legal Succession to the South African Transport Services Amendment Act, 2008 (Act No 38 of 2008) on the 27th of November 2008. Section 5 (d) to (f) on objects and powers of the Corporation permits PRASA to:-

  • borrow, lend or invest money;
  • make, draw, issue, execute, accept, endorse, discount, buy or sell financial instruments, including promissory notes, bills of exchange, debentures, stock, shares and any other type of negotiable or transferable document, and may acquire or alienate them in any other manner; and
  • enter into indemnities, guarantees and suretyships and may secure payment in terms thereof in any manner.
  • To effect the above, PRASA is currently preparing for its readiness by putting the following steps in place:-

    • Balance Sheet restructuring;
    • improvement of financial performance;
    • development of a Treasury Strategy and a funding plan; and
    • long-term capital planning.

    (b) (i) Bonds have not been issued. However, PRASA's Autopax is in the market for R 1, 4 billion funding.

    (b) (ii) The above amount pertains to the acquisition of 570 buses, mainly meant for the 2010 Soccer World Cup event.

    NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

    WRITTEN REPLY

    QUESTION 2287

    DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2009 [IQP No 28 -2009]

    FIRST SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

    Question 2287 for Written Reply: National Assembly, Mr P J C Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

    (1) Whether any money has been paid out from the AgriBEE fund to any organisation to undertake an analysis and to do a forecasting of agricultural industry and market information; if so, (a) to which organisation has the money been paid, (b) how much has been paid out, (c) why was it regarded necessary to undertake the project, (d) when did the project start, (e) when was it concluded and (f) what was the outcome of the project;

    (2) Whether the contract was awarded after a tender process; if not, how was the decision taken; if so, what are the relevant details;

    (3) Whether a written contract was entered into between her department and the organisation prior to the organisation commencing the project; if not, why not; if so,

    (4) Whether the organisation has fulfilled its contractual obligations; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3001E

    REPLY:

    (1) Yes

    (a) KODU CONSULTING CC

    (b) R2 850 000.00

    (c) This project was commissioned, amongst others, through the AgriBEE approval committee. The process and workings of the committee are currently under investigation.

    (2) The approval was done by the AgriBEE committee, however the circumstances of approval are questionable hence the forensic investigation commissioned on the AgriBEE fund.

    (3) The approval was done by the AgriBEE committee, however the circumstances of approval are questionable hence the forensic investigation commissioned on the AgriBEE fund.

    (4) The initial forensic investigation has found that the written contracts on a number of AgriBEE projects including the one in question lack evidence of detailed project scope. This forms part of the ongoing investigation.

    NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

    WRITTEN REPLY

    QUESTION 2286

    DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2009 [IQP No 28 -2009]

    FIRST SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

    Question 2286 for Written Reply: National Assembly, Mr P J C Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

    (1) Whether any money has been paid out from the AgriBEE Fund to any organisation to conduct an assessment of the feedlot industry; if so, (a)(i) to which organisation and (ii) how much has been paid out and (b) why was it regarded necessary to undertake the project;

    (2) whether the contract was awarded after a tender process; if not, how was the decision taken; if so, what are the relevant details;

    (3) whether a written contract was entered into between her department and the organisation prior to the organisation commencing the project; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

    (4) whether the organisation has fulfilled its contractual obligations; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) when did the project (i) commence and (ii) conclude and (b) what was the outcome of the project? NW3000E

    REPLY:

    (1) Yes

    (a)(i) NZHELELE RESOURCES

    (ii)R3 500 000.00

    (b) The approval was done by the AgriBEE committee, however the circumstances of approval are questionable hence the forensic investigation commissioned on the AgriBEE fund.

    (2) The process of awarding this project contract forms part of the forensic investigation.

    (3) The initial forensic investigation has found that the written contracts on a number of AgriBEE projects including the one in question lack evidence of detailed project scope. This forms part of the ongoing investigation

    NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

    WRITTEN REPLY

    QUESTION 2285

    DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2009 [IQP No 28 -2009]

    FIRST SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

    Question 2285 for Written Reply: National Assembly, Mr P J C Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

    (1) Whether any money has been paid out from the AgriBEE Fund to any organisation to develop an AgriBEE database for emerging farmers; if so, (a)(i) to which organisation and (ii) how much has been paid out and (b) why was it regarded necessary to undertake the project;

    (2) whether the contract was awarded after a tender process; if not, how was the decision taken; if so, what are the relevant details;

    (3) whether a written contract was entered into between her department and the organisation prior to the organisation commencing the project; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

    (4) whether the organisation has fulfilled its contractual obligations; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) when did the project (i) commence and (ii) conclude and (b) what was the outcome of the project? NW2999E

    REPLY:

    (1) Yes

    (a)(i) NATIONAL AFRICAN FARMERS UNION

    (ii)R3 000 000.00

    (b) The available record indicates that the project was meant to provide a database on emerging farmers in the country. It was meant to form a catalogue of emerging farmer farms, their location, size, capitalisation and their production practices and challenges that they face in graduating into commercial farming.

    (2) The approval was done by the AgriBEE committee, however the circumstances of approval are questionable hence the forensic investigation commissioned on the AgriBEE fund.

    .

    (3) The initial forensic investigation has found that the written contracts on a number of AgriBEE projects including the one in question lack evidence of detailed project scope. This forms part of the ongoing investigation.

    DEPARTMENT: JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

    REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

    NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

    PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

    QUESTION NO.: 2284 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 13 NOVEMBER 2009

    2284. Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:

    (1) Why has it taken so long for the National Policy Guidelines for Victim Empowerment

    to be developed and launched after the 1998 launch of the Victim Empowerment

    Programme as part of the National Crime Prevention Strategy;

    (2) whether the Victim Empowerment Programme reaches and services rural communities effectively despite the limited number of one-stop centres; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

    (3) whether there are any departmental initiatives in place to ensure comprehensive

    coverage of the programme in all areas; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant

    details?

    NW2997E

    REPLY:-

    I would like to refer the Honourable Member to the Department of Social Development. This Department is the lead department on this matter and has been allocated the budget for the Victim Empowerment Programme.

    QUESTION 2283

    FOR WRITTEN REPLY

    Date of publication on internal question paper: 13 November 2009

    Internal question paper no:

    Mrs. P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

    (1) Whether her department provides shelters or protective housing for victims of domestic violence, particularly women and children; if so, what are the relevant details; if not,

    (2) Whether she has taken any steps to provide such shelters or protective housing; if not; why not; if so, what step? NW2996E

    REPLY:

    (1) Yes, the Department of Social Development provides shelters for victims of domestic violence. The majority of the shelters are managed by Non–Governmental Organization (NGO's) and funded by the Provincial Departments of Social Development

    Currently a total of 96 shelters for abused women and children exist throughout South Africa. The Provincial distribution of these shelters is as follows:

    · Gauteng Province = 27 shelters

    · Western Cape Province = 15 shelters

    · KwaZulu-Natal Province = 13 shelters

    · Eastern Cape Province = 11 shelters

    · Free State Province = 10 shelters

    · Limpopo Province = 9 shelters

    · Northern Cape Province = 5 shelters

    · Mpumalanga Province = 3 shelters

    · North West Province = 3 shelters

    The following programmes are rendered at these shelters:

    · Life skills Programmes such as

    - Parenting skills,

    - Healthy life style (HIV/AIDS and family planning)

    - Anger and conflict management

    - Assertiveness (enhancement of self esteem)

    - Decision making

    · Economic Development Programmes

    - ABET Training

    - Computer Literacy

    - Arts and Culture

    - Catering

    - Flower arrangements

    - Food Gardening projects

    - Beadwork

    · Therapeutic Programmes

    - Group and Family Counseling

    - Individual counseling

    - Group Therapy (Support Groups)

    - Family conferencing (family integration)

    (2) Refer to (1)

    NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

    FOR WRITTEN REPLY

    QUESTION NO. 2282

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 NOVEMBER 2009

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 28)

    Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

    Whether her department has made use of temporary employment services and/or labour brokers in any of the specified provinces; if so, (a) why, (b) how many positions have been filled by temporary employment services in the (i) 2006-07, (ii) 2007-08 and (iii) 2008-09 financial years in each province, (c) what percentage of the total staff complement did temporary employment services contribute in each of these years and (d) how much money has been spent on temporary employment services in each year?

    NW2995E

    REPLY:

    The following information has been obtained from our Provincial Departments of Health

    EASTERN CAPE

    The Department does not utilize labour brokers routinely as a policy. There have been two exceptions, however, in the following cases:

    (a) TB hospitals have historically been staffed through agencies in an attempt to provide a service in a service delivery area challenged to recruit staff. The numbers of staff for each year and the amount spent on each is listed below:

    Yr 09

    Yr 08

    Yr 07

    Periodical TB Hopitals

    8

    R 106,502.80

    13

    286,366.16

    388

    2,136,727.36

    Total No of Staff

    43,117

    40,246

    42,045

    % of total staff

    0.019

    0.032

    0.92

    (b) In the event of a strike where it is unavoidable, nursing service agencies are utilized as a last resort. These are paid through goods and services allocations.

    FREE STATE

    (a) (i) 2006/2007:

    Request to make use of a personnelagency was made in December 2007 to cope with the workload in the Medical Depot. As the Depot was not able to fill the posts due to financial constraints, a solution was made to have temporary posts to be able to cope with the increase in demand for medication from the institutions. The other reason was the posts could not be filled as there was a work-study being performed on the SCM posts within the Supply Chain Chief Directorate, the vacant posts could not be filled.

    (ii) 2007/2008:

    The new micro structure could not be implemented at the medical depot as the depot could not meet the requirements of the Medical Control Council regarding personnel handling medicines. The structure had to be reviewed for pharmacist assistants to receive the qualification and be registered with the Pharmacy Council. The process had to go through work-study investigation to assess and identify the number of posts required.

    (iii) 2008/2009:

    The new Medical Depot structure was approved in December 2008. Due to the financial challenges experienced by the Free State Department of Health which also affected the filling in of the vacant posts, the Medical Depot could not fill permanent posts and an approval was given to fill temporary posts instead of permanent posts, to relieve the work-load.

    2006/2007 2007/2008 2008/2009

    (b)

    12 temporary workers

    12 temporary workers

    12 temporary workers

    (c)

    12%

    12%

    12%

    (d)

    R222, 943.66

    R297, 327.73

    R356, 852.23

    LIMPOPO

    Yes, the Department did make use of temporary employment services during the financial years 2006/07; 2007/08; and 2008/09;

    (a) The temporary employees were used for malaria spray which takes place during August to January every year. There is no malaria spray for the part of 6 months of the year.

    (b) The total number of employees appointed, percentage of the total staff compliments and money spent on temporary employment services are as indicated hereunder.

    Financial Years

    Total temporary employees

    Amount spent

    % of total staff compliment

    2006/07

    181

    R 4 181 100

    0.6%

    2007/08

    206

    R 5 115 495

    0.7%

    2008/09

    221

    R 6 064 129.5

    0.7%

    NORTHERN CAPE

    Yes, the Northern Cape Department of Health has made use of temporary employment services.

    (a) In some instances it becomes a challenge to find the needed skill when following the normal recruitment processes;

    (b) (i) 63

    (ii) 63

    (iii) 62

    (c) (i) 2006-2007 = approximately 2%

    (ii) 2007-2008 = approximately 2%

    (iii) 2008-2009 = approximately 1.9%

    (d) (i) 2006-2007 = R1 484 835.00

    (ii) 2007-2008 = R 6 471 922.00

    (iii) 2008 –2009= R7 436 427.00

    WESTERN CAPE

    Sum of Total

    Period

    Item Description

    2006/2007

    2007/2008

    2008/2009

    Senior Admin Service and Support Staff

    32,771,129

    Nursing Staff

    140,069,048

    Professional Staff

    68,362,359

    Cons&Spec Ser:Agen Adm&Sup Staff

    35,277,769

    29,297,519

    Cons&Spec Ser:Agen Nursing Staff

    150,627,958

    140,303,875

    Cons&Spec Ser:Agen Prof Staff

    53,757,506

    47,760,759

    Grand Total

    239,663,233

    217,362,153

    241,202,537

    QUESTION 2281

    FOR WRITTEN REPLY

    Date of publication on internal question paper: 13 November 2009

    Internal question paper no:

    Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development.

    (1) Whether she has taken or will be taking any steps to ensure that (a) the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) awards the right social grants to the right person and (b) wasteful expenditure is eliminated within SASSA; if not, why not; if so, what steps in each case;

    (2) whether she has implemented or will be implementing any steps to ensure that (a) fraud is minimised and (b) money is being recovered; if not, why not; if so, what steps? NW2994E

    REPLY:

    (1)(a) Yes, steps are taken to ensure that the right grant is paid to the right person. The pilot project for the Improved Grant Application Process (IGAP) which is currently launched in the Free State, aims to reduce turn around times for grant applications without compromising process controls. The grant application process has been streamlined adding value to clients contributing to service delivery improvement in general and equally ensuring compliance with legislation. The project yielded positive results, improving the quality and ability to track applications. In addition, grant reviews are being prioritised, to ensure that beneficiaries continue to qualify for the grant they are receiving.

    (b) The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SASSA appointed the Financial Misconduct Board in accordance to Section 81 of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (PFMA), whose responsibility is to investigate, deliberate and make recommendations on corrective action against employees who were found to have violated all provisions of the PFMA.

    (2) (a) SASSA continues to work with the Department of Home Affairs and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to ensure early detection and investigation of fraudulent grants as well as prosecution of perpetrators. In addition, a number of internal initiatives to combat fraud are being implemented, namely: the Fraud Prevention Strategy, Risk Management Framework and Risk Register, as well as the Code of Conduct and Ethics. Going forward, SASSA intends to implement a more proactive strategy to minimize fraud and error. This includes the implementation of the integrity model, which will focus on verifying high risk benefits before the grant is paid. This will prevent the capturing and payment of fraudulent grants, thereby minimizing the need to investigate. The model also seeks to change the attitude of employees towards their work through the introduction of strict measures to deal with neglect of duty and/ or error. The implementation of the model, unfortunately, requires the appointment of a number of integrity officers, which is currently unaffordable due to budgetary constraints.

    (b) The SIU continues to ensure that people, who received social grants illegally, sign an acknowledgement of debts (AOD) and recover the fraudulent grants. In addition to the AODs, SASSA engaged the services of the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) to recover the fraudulent paid grants from the dormant bank accounts. Good progress has been made in this regards despite the lengthy legal process that are required.


    NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

    QUESTION 2280

    FOR WRITTEN REPLY

    (Interdepartmental transfer on 20 November 2009)

    Date of publication on internal question paper: 13 November 2009

    Internal question paper no:

    Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

    (1) Whether any studies have been conducted to determine the harm of all drugs to users, including alcohol and tobacco; if not; (a) why not, and (b) when will such a study be conducted; if so, (i) what were the findings of the study and (ii) ranking of all drugs according to harm;

    (2) Whether her department is considering classifying all drugs according to the harm caused to the user; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2992E

    REPLY:

    (1) No, the Department intends to conduct a comprehensive survey on the nature, prevalence and extent of substance abuse and impact of programmes in the communities in South Africa. This survey will determine the harm of all drugs to users, including alcohol and tobacco.

    (a) Funding for this survey has been made available for 2009/10 –2010/11 and

    (b) a survey of such magnitude has commenced during the 4th quarter of the 2009/2010 financial year. DSD followed all prescribed tender procedures and the survey has been outsourced to the consortium Mark Data at the end of November 2009.

    (i) No, there are no findings yet as the study only commenced in December 2009 and the first draft report is expected after eight months.

    (ii) The information on ranking of drugs according to harm will only be available after conducting the survey on substance abuse.

    (2) No, the Department of Social Development is not considering classifying all drugs according to the harm caused to the user. The classification of harm caused by drugs is the responsibility of the Department of Health, the Medicine Control Council and the relevant Directorate, addressing mental health issues. The Department of Social Development will only ensure that such information is available to the users and everyone.

    NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

    FOR WRITTEN REPLY

    QUESTION NO. 2279

    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 patients who are utilising the public health institutions are entitled to the same prescribed minimum benefits (PMBs) that private medical patients are entitled to; if not, (a) why not and (b) which benefits are not offered; if so, what is the average waiting time for each benefit in the (i) public and (ii) private health institutions;

    (2) whether any costing has been conducted into the cost of providing PMBs to public health care patients; if not, why not; if so, what will additional cost be?

    NW2991E

    REPLY:

    (1) The Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998 (MSA) creates a protective framework whereby discrimination based on health status is prohibited. The key provisions toachieve this ensure open enrolment, community rating and mandatory minimum benefits (PMBs). The intention of the Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs) are to regulate medical schemes and to prevent the "dumping" of medical aid members on state facilities when their benefits have run out. This protects members from the most important catastrophic health-care expenses. The Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998 (MSA) requires that medical schemes fund certain benefits in full without attracting a co-payment by the member. The MSA requires that the benefits offered by medical schemes must be at least at the level of predominant public hospital practice.

    The PMBs include medical emergencies, a list of 270 groups of clinical conditions and their treatment (Diagnosis Treatment Pairs - DTPs), a list of 25 chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, and AIDS.

    The PMBs represent a subset of the comprehensive essential care that is available to patients utilising public health institutions, where more benefits are available. Patients who are utilising the public institutions are entitled to a comprehensive set of benefits found in the Primary Healthcare Package, as well as other secondary and tertiary health benefits that range from specialised to highly specialised services.

    We do not have information available on the waiting times in either the private or public sectors for these benefits.

    (2) There has not been any costing conducted of providing PMBs for public health care patients, as legislation requires costing of PMBs for medical schemes members utilising public institutions or designated service provider networks (DSPN) as selected by the respective medical scheme. The cost thereof is included in public healthcare expenditure. These expenses are not available as a specific line-item in public health facilities.

    NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
    (For written reply)
    QUESTION NO. 2278
    INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 28 of 2009
    DATE OF PUBLICATION: 13 November 200
    9

    Mr. MJ Ellis (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

    (1) What (a) pilot sites were identified for aquaculture projects, (b) processes were followed in choosing these sites, (c) is the total budget that has been allocated to date to the Marine Aquaculture Programme and (d) is the breakdown according to each pilot site;


    (2) Whether there is a policy to (a) invite, (b) screen and (c) select partners for the pilot sites; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;


    (3) Whether any partners have been (a) earmarked, (b) invited, (c) screened and (d) selected for any of the pilot sites; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;


    (4) Whether the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is involved in this programme; if not, why
    not; if so, what are the relevant details?

    Answers for Question 2278



    NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
    (For wrillen reply)
    QUESTION NO. 2277
    INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 28 of 2009
    DATE OF PUBLICATION: 13 November 2009


    Mr. MJ Ellis (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:


    (1) What (a) is the (i) name, (ii) location, (iii) date of commencement and (iv) description of each
    project that has been run by a certain consulting company (name furnished), (b) is the amount that has thus far been paid to the said company in each case, (c) are the names of the alternative project implementers for each project that the said company was selected to run that were considered in coming to the final conclusion on what entity will run the projects and (d) procedures were followed in selecting the project implementers for each of these projects;
    (2) Whether the Director-General participated in the selection process for any of these projects; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

    2277. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
    (1 )(a)(i) EC - Mhlontlo Waste Recycling Project, (ii) Mhlontlo District Municipality, (iii) 03/07/2006, (iv) Placement of containers for a buy-back centre in Mhlontlo Local Municipality (identified land adjacent to permitted landfill).
    (i) EC - Ukhahlamba Waste Management and Food Gardening, (ii) Ukhahlamba Municipality, (iii) 01/02/2006, (iv) Implementing a recycling project 'In Sterkspruit and two food gardens in Senqu and Elundini Local Municipalities.
    (i) APi Umtata Greening Project, (II) Mthatha, (iii) 01/12/2004, (iv) Tree planting and beautification in Mthatha and Mqanduli, vegetable gardens in homes and schools in Mthatha and environmental rehabilitation in Mthatha and Mqanduli
    (i) EC - Ngcobo Waste / Alien Species Removal Project,(ii) Ngcobo Municipality, (iii) 11/05/2006,(iv) Waste management through clean-up and erection of litter bins, and also the removal of alien vegetat'lon in and around Ngcobo town i.e. battle/Blue gum/Poplar, small invasive trees and other small invasive plants.
    (i) EC - WftC Mthatha mouth to Xhora River,(ii) King Sabatha Dalindyebo Municipality, (iii) 27/12/2005,
    (iv) Conservation and rehabilitation of coastal environments and ecosystems between Mthatha Mouth and the Xhora River areas, including: Beach clean up; coastal community footpaths; Litter picking and removal; and providing litter bins and picnic sites which are demarcated and have benches and braai places. The area of the coastline covered is about 70km, this being the area between Mthatha mouth and the Xhora River areas.
    (i) EC - WftC Mtamvuma to Mbotyi, (ii) Mthentu, Msikaba and Mbotyi, (iii) 15/12/2005, (iv)
    Conservation and rehabilitation of coastal environments and ecosystems between Mzamba and Mbotyi. In 3tourism nodal areas which are Mthentu, Msikaba and Mbotyi intensive coastal clean-up takes place. The entire coast line from Mthamvuna to Mbotyi (80km) will also be cleaned and rehabilitated. Alien vegetation will also be cleared in an area of about 120ha (scattered in different pockets of the forest along the coast). Installation of braai stands, signage and park benches in the tourism nodal areas.
    (i) EC - Bulhoek Massacre Heritage Site, (ii) Bulhoek (iii) 01/04/2008 (iv) Establishment of a Museum (Interpretive Centre), Monument( Construction of a Tabernacle, renovation of the existing ablution block and face-lifting of the existing monument) and Cultural village (Craft Centre).

    (b) EC - Mhlontlo Waste Recycling Project R1954000
    EC - Ukhahlamba Waste Management and Food Gardening R5373 500
    APi Umtata Greening Project R24 625 000
    EC - Ngcobo Waste 1Alien Species Removal Project R5862 000
    EC - WftC Mthatha mouth to Xhora River R4 830 439
    EC - WftC Mtamvuma to Mbotyi R5 634 320
    EC Bulhoek Massacre Heritage Site R11 700 000

    (c) The following service providers submitted an expression of interest to implement the projects that are mentioned above: Keiplan, Asante Management and Development Services, Ninham Shand Consulting Services, Sisasethu Construction CC, MJ Constructions, Coega Development Corporation, Rapid Infrastructure Development Agency, EcoAfrica Environmental Consultants, Thompson's Quality Management (TQM), Deyi Mdlulwa & Hall CC tla D.M.H Consulting, Leap Digital, MJ Mboya Project Managers, Sektor Egineering Queenstown, PondoCROP Socio Economic Services, MBB Consulting Services (EC) Inc, Seaton Thomson & Associates, KaNtu Southern Trails, Zedek Trading 582, The National Services and Distribution Corporation (Pty) Ltd, Thombo Resource Centre, Wild Breaks, Abongi Bemvelo Environmental Management Services, CSIR-Transportek and Mamlys, Small Projects Foundation, Somila Accounting and Business Services (Pty) Ltd, Nemal Consulting, SPF Infoshop Company, Nola Projects, Institute of Natural Resources, Pndani Environmental Technologies, Nnite Trading Enterprizes, Adhocracy Resource Development, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Silver Solutions 648 CC, Alri-cost Egineers SA (Pty) Ltd,
    VML Trading cc, IDET Development (Pty) Ltd, Bethelsdorp Development Trust, Intengu
    Communications, UWP Consulting (Pty) Ltd, Ntinga OR Tambo Development Agency, Khano
    Social Plan Services, Mega Phase 603.

    (d) An expression of interest was advertised. Criteria for the selection of an implementer established.
    Evaluation by a panel of evaluators who recommended a prospective implementer to a Projects
    Evaluation and Selection Committee consisting of representatives of the Chief Directorate: Social
    responsibility, Policy and Projects and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. Recommendations
    approved by the then Director-General.
    (2) The current Director-General chaired the said committee as then Chief Director: Social
    Responsibility, Policy and projects.


    NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

    FOR WRITTEN REPLY

    QUESTION NO 2276

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 NOVEMBER 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 28)

    2276. Mr M J Ellis (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

    (1) Why, with reference to her replies to Question 1528 on 3 November 2009 and to Question 60 on 28 September 2009, she only provided the names of 38 mines operating without water licences while the estimated number of mines operating without water licences is 104;

    (2) whether she will provide the (a) names and (b) locations of the remaining mines operating without water licences not mentioned in the reply to question 60; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2988E


    REPLY:

    (1) The 38 mines that were provided were already confirmed as operating without water use licences. The difference is still being verified.

    (2)(a) and

    (2)(b) Yes, the names and the locations of the remaining mines operating without Water Use Licences will be provided once the verification of the status of their Water Use is finalised.