Questions & Replies: Questions & Replies No 376 to 400

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2010-03-16

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QUESTION NUMBER 376

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26 FEBRUARY 2010

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

(1) Whether an implementation plan has been drawn up for the proposed SA Revenue Service (SARS) audit of individuals whose lifestyles do not match their declared earnings; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether an audit will be conducted into the affairs of a certain person (name furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW448E

REPLY:

(1) The South African Revenue Service (SARS) employs a risk-based approach to identify and investigate non-compliance with tax and customs laws. The "lifestyle audit" has been used over many years as one of several methods to establish non-compliance with tax / laws and obligations.

Risk-profiling is applied to all tax entities (individuals and businesses) and across all tax types or tax products – Personal Income Tax (PIT), Corporate Income Tax (CIT), Value-Added-Tax (VAT) and Customs and Excise duties.

Over time SARS has improved its capability to gather and analyse taxpayer information. This has significantly improved SARS' risk rules that identifies undesirable tax planning and tax evasion.

SARS obtains taxpayer information from various sources – verification and analysis from 3rd party data sources, the SARS anti-corruption and fraud hotline, income tax returns a taxpayer submits to SARS and suspicious activity reports from members of the public.

A lifestyle questionnaire is one method of obtaining information from a taxpayer and – together with other information sources – assists SARS in matching the lifestyle trends, income streams and the asset base of a taxpayer, to what has been declared in an income tax return. The accumulated wealth has to be explained by the taxpayer for tax purposes. Any unexplained wealth is taxed.

The Compliance and Risk Unit within SARS conducts the risk analysis of taxpayer information. If there is a mismatch between what the taxpayer has declared and what SARS has found, the case is referred for an audit.

If it is confirmed that the taxpayer has evaded tax, penalties are levied, interest is charged and additional tax of up to 200% of the evaded tax is charged. Depending on the circumstances, the case may then be handed to SARS criminal investigation who then engages the South African Police Service (SAPS) and a Specialised Tax Unit for criminal prosecution within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

A total number of 72 926 audits – across all tax types and on all categories of taxpayers - with varying degrees of depth were concluded during 2008/09. Of these 1 740 were in-depth investigations of individual taxpayers.

The key message to all South Africans is that they must declare all their income in their income tax returns and pay their fair share of tax in accordance with the law. Government's ability to deliver services to the vast majority of poor people in South Africa and implement its economic and other programmes depends upon the taxes paid by all citizens.

(2) Section 4 (1) of the Income Tax Act requires SARS to preserve and aid in preserving secrecy with regard to all matters that may come about in the performance of its duties and prevents the communication of any such matter to any person whatsoever other than the taxpayer concerned or his or her lawful representative. As a result, SARS is not legally in a position either confirm or deny whether an audit is being conducted on any particular person or legal entity.

QUESTION: NO 377

(Internal Question Paper No 4 – 2010)

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

(a) What

(i) Vehicles,

(ii) Aircraft and

(iii) Properties are currently owned by his department and

(b) With regard to each item,

(i) When was it purchased?

(ii) How much did it cost and

(iii) For what reason was it purchased?

NW449E

RESPONSE:

The Department of Sport and Recreation SA (SRSA), does not own any aircraft or properties.

The following vehicles are owned by SRSA:

Make/Model

Date of Purchase

Cost Price

Purpose of purchase

OPEL BAKKIE

2000

R31000.00

POOL CAR

NISSAN ALMERA

2005

R89968.8

POOL CAR

NISSAN ALMERA

2005

R89968.8

VIP PROTECTOR

NISSAN ALMERA

2005

R89968.8

VIP PROTECTOR

NISSAN ALMERA

2005

R89968.8

VIP PROTECTOR

NISSAN ALMERA

2005

R89968.8

VIP PROTECTOR

NISSAN ALMERA

2005

R89968.8

VIP PROTECTOR

NISSAN ALMERA

2005

R89968.8

VIP PROTECTOR

NISSAN ALMERA

2005

R89968.8

MESSENGER

NISSAN ALMERA

2005

R89968.8

MESSENGER

NISSAN ALMERA

2005

R89968.8

VIP PROTECTOR

NISSAN ALMERA

2005

R89968.8

VIP PROTECTOR

BMW 530D

2005

R613622

DEPUTY MINISTER: OFFICIAL VEHICLE – CAPE TOWN

MERCEDES S350

2005

R814540

MINISTER: OFFICIAL VEHICLE – CAPE TOWN

MERCEDES S350

2005

R814540

MINISTER: OFFICIAL VEHICLE – PRETORIA

QUESTION NO. 378

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 February 2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 4)

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

(1) Whether his department has any policies or programmes in place to reduce the extent of, and manage, the health-related consequences of human trafficking; if not, why not; if so, (a) what policies and/or programmes and (b) with regard to each of these policies and/or programmes, (i) when was it implemented, (ii) what budget has been allocated towards it and (iii) what successes has it achieved;

(2) whether his department has taken any specific steps to manage the problem of human trafficking during the 2010 Fifa World Cup Soccer tournament; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW450E

REPLY:

(1) (a) The Department of Health does not have specific policies or programmes for victims of human trafficking. However, people who come to public health facilities with health-related consequences of human trafficking are provided with medical treatment and if the person is a victim of sexual abuse for instance, the policy on "management of sexual assault" is applicable. A sexual assault kit is used to collect forensic evidence and an SAPS official will be called to take a statement from the victim. If the victim is identified as a victim of trafficking during the medical and forensic examination, SAPS and the Department of Home Affairs will be called to assist. Counselling will also be provided. Personnel working with victims of sexual assault are being sensitized to the possibility of human trafficking and informed of the correct steps to be taken where this is suspected.

Health personnel from the National and Provincial Departments of Health have received training to equip them to deal with issues of human trafficking. These include:

· two official from the National Department of Health and Clinical Forensic Medicine coordinators from the Departments of Health in KwaZulu/Natal, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and Free State attended a workshop to validate a training module on Prevention and Reacting to human trafficking;

· three officials from the National Department of Health and nine Clinical Forensic Medicine coordinators from the nine Provincial Departments of Health from each Province attended the National Technical workshop run to prevent and react to human trafficking by the International Organisation for Migration on Capacity Building and Training;

· officials attended other courses in prevention of human trafficking as facilitator, assessor and moderator and are currently training others.

The National Department of Health is a member of the National Task Team "Tshireledzani" on Prevention of and reacting to human trafficking with other departments including Home Affairs, Social Development, Justice and Constitutional Development, the NPA and the SAPS. As part of this, the Department participated in the human trafficking week ("4-10 October 2009) campaign against human trafficking in Limpopo.

(b) (i) A National Management guidelines for Sexual Assault care was implemented in 2004;

(ii) The Department does not have a special budget for human trafficked people, the budget allocated for victims of crime and violence is utilised in this regard;

(iii) The success of the interventions has not been measured but it is important that the Provincial Departments of Health have started to indicate in their quarterly statistics if any of the victims treated in their facilities are victims of human trafficking. For example, in Mpumalanga five victims of human trafficking were identified and treated between July and December 2009.

(2) Health care practitioners in the dedicated centres for Clinical Forensic Medicine as well as in Thuthuzela centres in the provinces are able to assist victims of human trafficking who come to the centres for medical and/or forensic services. These centres will be able to assist all victims of crime and violence including human trafficked people during the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. Officials who have been trained on the above courses are currently training other officials in the Department of Health.

QUESTION NO. 379

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 February 2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 4)

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

(1) (a) What is the number of men that have died from circumcisions in traditional ceremonies since 1 January 2008 and (b) what is the breakdown according to province;

(2) whether his department is taking any legislative steps to reduce the number of deaths from circumcisions in traditional ceremonies; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether his department held discussions with traditional leaders about the practice of these circumcision ceremonies in order to reduce the number of deaths; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW451E

REPLY:

The following information was obtained from the Provincial Departments of Health listed. We are still awaiting information from the rest of the remaining Provinces, which will be submitted once received.

EASTERN CAPE

(1) 144 men

(2) The Department has taken legislative steps to reduce the number of deaths by promulgating Provincial Act No 6 of 2001:

Application of Health Standards in Traditional Circumcision. Unfortunately, parents are not keen to cooperate with legislative compliance standards such as opening of cases for deaths due to negligence on the part of Traditional Surgeons or Traditional Nurses or even any other persons that have committed offences resulting in the death of initiates.

The National Health Ministry is also in the process of regulating the circumcision schools based on the National Health Act no 61 of 2003 in terms of section 43 (3) of the said Act.

(3) The Provincial Department of Health continues to work in partnership with the House of Traditional Leaders as they are custodians

of customs and cultures, engaging in joint outreach campaigns, joint summits and visitations to initiation schools in seeking solutions to curb the deaths in circumcision schools.

FREE STATE

Regional hospitals

Hospital

Name of initiation school

Number of deaths since Year 2008

Number of deaths since Year 2009

Legislative steps taken to reduce deaths

If not, why

Discussions with traditional leaders

Yes/ No

Provide details

Bongani

0

0

No. Meetings with traditional healers, are held by Kapano.

Dihlabeng

Not applicable

MMM

Boitumelo

Pelonomi

FSPC

BONGANI REGIONAL HOSPITAL

During the past two years only one patient from Hoopstad was admitted with Septic Circumcision. Skin graft was done to repair the damage and he responded well and was discharged.

District Hospitals

Number of deaths since Year 2008

Number of deaths since Year 2009

Legislative steps taken to reduce deaths

If not, why

Discussions with traditional leaders

Yes/ No

Provide details

THABO MOFUTSANYANA DISTRICT

5

10

· Provincial Initiation school act implemented

· District & local initiation school committees

· Stakeholders workshopped on the stipulations of Act, Roles and Regulations

N/A

Yes

· Traditional Leaders are part of committees

· They were involved in Drafting Provincial Initiation School Act and Regulations

· Involved in monitoring and evaluation of the initiation schools

LEJWELEPUTSWA

4

2

· Monitoring of establishments of circumcisions schools is done by SAPS in line with present legislation

· Illegal or unregistered schools are immediately closed when discovered

N/A

Yes

· Quarterly meetings were held with all relevant stakeholders and the previous MEC until the end of his term of office

· To date under the present administration no meeting has been held

FEZILE DABI DISTRICT

2

8

· The FS Initiation School Act of 2004

· Traditional Surgeons hold workshops and meetings on a continuous basis.

· A district committee was also established in 2008.

N/A

Yes.

  • There is still resistance regarding the legislation as certain provisions of the act are perceived contradictory to the culture.
  • The act is also restricting the surgeons according to age and the number of initiates per school.
  • MOTHEO DISTRICT

    Not available

    7

    · The FS Initiation School Act 2004

    · District Initiation School Committee to be established

    · SAPS also intervene in solving some cases

    N/A

    Yes

    Traditional leader structures to be established

    XHARIEP DISTRICT

    4

    3

    · The FS Initiation School Act 2004

    · District Initiation Schools Committee established

    · SAPS also intervene in solving some cases

    N/A

    Yes

    • Traditional leaders are part of the committees
    • Meetings are held with the Traditional Leaders

    MOTHEO DISTRICT

    Not available

    7

    · The FS Initiation School Act 2004

    · District Initiation School Committee to be established

    · SAPS also intervene in solving some cases

    N/A

    Yes

    Traditional leader structures to be established

    XHARIEP DISTRICT

    4

    3

    · The FS Initiation School Act 2004

    · District Initiation Schools Committee established

    · SAPS also intervene in solving some cases

    N/A

    Yes

    • Traditional leaders are part of the committees
    • Meetings are held with the Traditional Leaders

    Response from Intergovernmental Relations

    (2) Yes, The Free State Initiation schools Health Act No 1 of 2004 is in place. The establishment of the Initiation schools committees in accordance with the Act at the district levels. Representatives from the Traditional leaders, SAPS, and the Prosecuting Authority are involved in this programme to reduce the number of deaths in the Initiation schools.

    (3) Yes, The Traditional Leaders had been involved since the beginning of the process of the Initiation Schools Health Act. Traditional leaders are members of the Provincial Initiation schools committee and District committees in their areas. They play a very important role in advising the department on the practices of initiation schools.

    GAUTENG

    (1) Estimated deaths from traditional circumcision schools in Gauteng province:

    - in 2008 = 30

    - in 2009 = 10

    Sources: Traditional leaders, Nkosi T Mahlangu of SANAPB who monitors initiation schools in collaboration with the SAPS.

    (2) The National Department to respond

    (3) The National Department to respond

    NORTHERN CAPE

    (1) Only 1 individual has died from circumcisions in traditional ceremonies since 1 January 2008 in the Northern Cape Province.

    (2) The Northern Cape Department of Health at his moment has only compiled draft legislation pertaining to this issue. The aim is to complete legislation during the 2010/2011 financial year.

    (3) The Northern Cape Department of Health, through the Quality Assurance and Health Promotion sub-directorates, conducts every year during December, district support visits to the Siyanda, John Taolo Gaetsewe, Frances Baard and Pixley-Ka Seme Districts respectively in the Northern Cape where circumcision ceremonies take place. These visits include clinical support visits to initiation schools to ensure safe and healthy practices are conducted, meeting with the traditional leaders and traditional surgeons to inform and listen as well as identifying, reporting and addressing any medical problems/discomfort experienced by participants.

    The following recommendations were identified by the Northern Cape Department of Health:

    · A workshop to be arranged with traditional surgeons and nurses during 2010.

    · A dedicated health district official should be identified to oversee the proceedings at initiations until the time of graduation of the initiates in all districts where ceremonies take place.

    NORTH WEST

    (1) According to information available to the Department, the total number of cases of initiates who passed on during 2008 is six (6). Two (2) cases were from the schools which have been monitored by the Department. The other four cases were those reported by the media from schools which were not registered. All such schools (unregistered) have since been closed by the police.

    (2) The Department has developed policy guidelines document which has been endorsed by the House of Traditional Leaders. The document is being used to provide guidelines on the registration and the management of traditional schools in the Province.

    (3) The Department has engaged the traditional leaders on the issue of managing the cultural schools. As mentioned earlier, the document as drafted by the Department was referred to the House of Traditional Leaders for corrections and endorsement. Traditional leaders in districts are continuously being engaged to provide guidance and support in the management of these schools. The Department is playing a leading role in the management and control of these schools.

    WESTERN CAPE

    (1) The Department of ARTS, Culture & Sports (DECAS) is the lead epartment with traditional circumcision schools. The DECAS uses ward counsellors who work with each Municipality to ensure that monitoring of initiation sites takes place. Municipalities where possible would records deaths that occur at sites. The Department of Health only receives those initiates that have developed complications and as such does not record them as initiates but rather their diagnoses e,g. sepsis, etc and if they died the cause of death would reflect the medical cause and not circumcision as such.

    (2) The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, as the lead department, has proposed to the province that they consider a legislative route to regulate initiation schools.

    (3) The Department has developed a draft Traditional Circumcision Strategy which makes provision for collaboration with Traditional Leaders and training of traditional 'surgeons and nurses' in sterile methods for handling initiates.

    THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES

    QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

    Question 379

    Mr. K A Sinclair (COPE-NC) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

    Whether the 69 000 people in the textile industry who lost their jobs in the past six years are being encouraged or supported to form cooperatives to produce clothing on a more cost-effective basis; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?CW476E

    Response:

    A number of awareness campaigns on establishing cooperatives were conducted by the dti in partnership with the provincial departments of economic development in all nine provinces. Some of the awareness campaigns were attended by people in the textiles sector, who had lost their jobs and were looking for alternatives. Unions also participated in these campaigns.

    After the passing of the cooperatives legislation of 2005 (Act No 14 of 2005), a number of cooperatives were registered in the textiles sector. Between April 2005 and March 2010, 1,394 cooperatives were registered in the textiles sector with membership of more than 15,000. The majority of these cooperatives are in KZN (641), followed by Gauteng (250); Limpopo and Mpumalanga (112); Eastern Cape (125); North West (84); Free State and Western Cape (28); and Northern Cape (14).

    From September 2006 to date, over 50 cooperatives in the textiles sector have been funded by the dti through the Cooperative Incentive Scheme (CIS) to the tune of R15 million. Most of these cooperatives were formed by people who had lost their jobs in the textile firms but decided to utilise their skills by forming worker cooperatives. The cooperatives that were supported through CIS have close to 500 members and are spread through five provinces with the majority being in Gauteng and KZN (19 each); Western Cape (6); Eastern Cape (3); and Limpopo (3).

    QUESTION NO. 380

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 February 2010

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 4)

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

    (a) What (i) vehicles, (ii) aircraft and (iii) properties are currently owned by his department and (b) with regard to each item, (i) when was it purchased, (ii) how much did it cost and (iii) for what reason was it purchased? NW452E

    REPLY:

    (a) and (b) The Department owns the vehicles reflected in the table below. The Department neither owns any aircraft nor properties.

    (a) (i)

    (b) (i)

    (b) (ii)

    (iii)

    Volvo S 80

    01 January 2001

    R369,714.54

    For the then Minister - official purposes. This vehicle is being disposed of by the Department

    BMW 525 Automatic

    01 June 2004

    R400 000.00

    For the then Deputy Minister – official purposes, in Cape Town

    Toyota Lexus

    01 January 2009

    R642,599.80

    For the late Deputy Minister – official purpose in Pretoria

    Mercedes Benz E200

    01 January 2010

    R451,804.00

    For the current Minister – official purposes Cape Town

    Mercedes Benz E500

    01 January 2010

    R760,794.01

    For the current Minister – official purposes - Pretoria

    QUESTIONS NO 381 FOR WRITTEN REPLY 26 FEBRUARY 2010

    381. Dr H C van Schalkwyk (DA) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and Administration:

    Whether the Public Administration Leadership and Management Academy (Palama) will introduce a compulsory course for all public servants regarding the knowledge of the eight Batho Pele principles and the implementation thereof in the Public Service; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW454E

    REPLY

    The public service induction programme was introduced by a Ministerial Directive in March 2008 as a compulsory two-day training course for entrant public servants, introducing them to important topics such as the Batho Pele principles, the Constitution and the ethos of a public service committed to a developmental state.

    The training started in April 2008 and is offered to entrant public servants at levels 1 to 12. In the first year of implementation 22 533 public servants were inducted. This represented a 75% achievement against the target to train approximately 30 000 new public servants employed in the 2008/09 financial year according to PERSAL records of National Treasury. The target excludes nurses and educators whose induction is carried out separately through their departmental staff development programmes. In the current financial year 2009/10, 18 179 employees were inducted from April 2009 to February 2010.

    Palama also offers a similar course to senior public servants as part of its executive development portfolio.

    QUESTIONS NO 382 FOR WRITTEN REPLY 26 FEBRUARY 2010

    382. Dr H C van Schalkwyk (DA) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and Administration:

    Whether the Public Administration Leadership and Management Academy (Palama) will introduce a compulsory course for all public servants regarding the knowledge of the eight Batho Pele principles and the implementation thereof in the Public Service; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW454E

    REPLY

    PALAMAs public service induction programme was introduced by a Ministerial Directive in March 2008 as a compulsory two-day training course for entrant public servants, introducing them to important topics such as the Batho Pele principles, the Constitution and the ethos of a public service committed to a developmental state.

    QUESTION NUMBER 383

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 FEBRUARY 2010

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 04)

    383. Mr E J Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Mining:

    (a) What (i) vehicles, (ii) aircraft and (iii) properties are currently owned by her department and (b) with regard to each item, (i) when was it purchased, (ii) how much did it cost and (iii) for what reason was it purchased? NW455E

    REPLY

    The following response applies to both the Department of Mineral Resources and Department of Energy because they are still sharing the administration function until end of 31 March 2010.

    (a) (i) BMW X5

    BMW 750i

    BMW 525i

    BMW 525i

    BMW 523i

    BMW 528i

    Mercedes Benz E240

    Colt Bakkie

    Condor

    A6 2.4

    (ii) No Aircraft was purchased

    (iii) No Properties purchased

    (b)

    Vehicle Purchased

    (i)When

    Purchased

    (ii) Cost

    (iii) Reason

    BMW X5

    2010

    R 789 924.00

    Official use by the new Minister in Pretoria

    BMW 750i

    2010

    R 1,200,100.00

    Official use by the new Minister in Pretoria

    BMW 525i

    2002

    R 347,000.00

    Official use by the former Minister in Cape Town

    BMW 525i

    2005

    R 410,000.00

    Official use by the former Deputy Minister in Cape town

    BMW 523i

    2000

    R 280,000.00

    Official use by the former Minister in Pretoria

    BMW 528i

    2000

    R 302,000.00

    Official use by the former Deputy Minister in Pretoria

    Colt Bakkie

    2002

    R 93,000.00

    Official use by the DME Officials

    Condor

    2001

    R 84,000.00

    Official use by the DME Officials

    A6 2.4

    2003

    R 348,000.00

    Official use by the former Minister in Cape Town

    Mercedes Benz E240

    2002

    R 400,000.00

    Official use by the former Minister in Pretoria

    NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES

    QUESTION 383 Written Reply 22 OCTOBER 2010

    383. Mr. D B Feldman (COPE-Gauteng) to ask the Minister of Public Works:

    Whether his department has any plans in place to attract skilled personnel to avoid loosing them to the private sector; if not, why not; if so, what (a) plans and (b) incentives can be offered to skilled personnel?

    Reply

    (a) The current human resource capacity in general and for the built environment in particular, is way below what the country requires to achieve its objective of service delivery. As a response to this situation, the National Department of Public Works (NDPW) committed itself to make a contribution towards the Skills Development Act, 1998, the Skills Development Levy Act, 1999, the South African Qualification Authority Act, 1995, and the Employment Equity Act, 1998. The Department purported to support the National Skills Development Strategy, the Human Resources Development Strategy and the Departmental Human Resources Planning needs through the implementation of the Bursary Scheme, and Human Capacity Development Programmes namely; Learnerships, Internships, Artisan Training, Young Professional, Mentorship and Exchange programme.

    In the department's intermediate strategy, the department undertakes the following;

    · Source graduates for candidacy and placement in the Young Professional programme;

    · Ensure ongoing development before and after candidacy registration;

    · Provide Life skills training;

    · Exposure to national and international projects/ Exchange opportunities;

    · Placement of candidates in selected centres of occupational development and professional firms;

    · Experiential learning, coaching, on the job-training and on-site experience is provided. Learners sourced from disadvantaged communities, bursary scheme, and a targeted recruitment in Universities/ Universities of Technology

    · Create flow of professionals into Built Environment sectors through awareness, attraction, retention and implementation of Internships in the following identified shortages of skills;

    · Engineering (Structural, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical)

    · Quantity Surveying

    · Construction Project Management

    · Architectural

    · Town Planning

    · Property Valuation

    · Water Care & Chemistry

    · Interior design

    · Create flow of property practitioners through Internships and Understudy

    · programmes in;

    · Property Management: Leasing, Contracts and Utilisation

    · Asset Management: Industry Research, Investment Analysis, Portfolio Performance Management, Key Account Management, Asset Registry

    · Create flow of Artisans into the Built Environment through Learnerships, NYS, Bursary scheme and internships in these areas of shortage of skills

    · Electrical

    · Mechanical

    · Plumbing

    · Carpentry

    · Bricklaying and Painting

    (b) Further the department has put in place the following in attracting and retaining its skilled personnel;

    · Recognises retention of professionals as per cost, time and effort through Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD). That recognises years experience, level of competencies, qualifications and professional registration and remunerates accordingly.

    · Use professionals as Centre Of Excellence,

    · Attract retired professionals back into industry by appointing them as Mentors

    · Encourage existing practicing employees to be incorporated into the Young Professional programme for the accelerated registration process as professionals

    · Support training programmes that lead to obtaining of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points

    • Grade progression without competing for vacancies or promotion to higher posts.

    • OSD's are not general salary increases, but a systematic way to improve the salaries of employees after predetermined periods based on the following: Performance; Qualifications; Scope of work; Experience, etc.

    • Provides for longer salary bands and overlaps to incentivize employees to stay in production and not supervisory or specialist.

    • Qualifying periods and criteria for progression are prescribed in the relevant OSD's.

    • Provide for accelerated progression at production levels to higher grades for employees who consistently perform above average.

    • Recognition of experience in a discipline.

    QUESTION NO 384

    DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 30 MARCH 2010

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 4 – 2010)

    Mr E J Marais (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:

    (a) What (i) vehicles, (ii) aircraft and (iii) properties are currently owned by his department and (b) with regard to each item, (i) when was it purchased, (ii) how much did it cost and (iii) for what reason was it purchased? NW 456E

    REPLY:

    The Minister of Transport:

    (a) (i), (ii) and (iii) and (b) (i), (ii) and (iii)

    The Department of Transport owns one vehicle outright, i.e. a 2006 Lexus LS460, which was purchased on 17 August 2009 for a sum of R624,000-00, inclusive of VAT, for the use of the Minister of Transport in Pretoria.

    The Department acquired a BMW 545i E60 in February 2005 on a full maintenance lease for use by the former Minister of Transport, Mr J T Radebe in Cape Town. The same 2005 vehicle is currently utilized by the Minister of Transport in Cape Town. In 2005, the full maintenance lease amounted to R758 126.00.

    No vehicles existed for the Deputy Minister and new vehicles were acquired as the Deputy Ministry is a newly created portfolio under the new dispensation. The Deputy Minister of Transport utilizes the following vehicles for his use in Pretoria and the Western Cape:

    REGIS-

    TRATION

    MAKE AND MODEL

    YEAR MANU-FACTU-RED

    DATE OF PURCHASE

    METHOD OF ACQUISITION

    PRICE

    REASON FOR PURCHASE

    YSV473GP

    BMW 530i E60

    2009

    2009/11/23

    Full Maintenance Lease

    R753,845.65

    Used by the Deputy Minister in Pretoria

    CA389527

    BMW530i E60

    2009

    2009/12/14

    Full Maintenance Lease

    R760,265.58

    Used by the Deputy Minister in the Western Cape

    All other required road transport is rented on a short or long term basis in terms of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Agreement.

    The Department of Transport does not own any aircraft or property.

    NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES

    QUESTION 384 Written Reply 22 OCTOBER 2010

    384. Mr. D B Feldman (COPE-Gauteng) to ask the Minister of Public Works:

    Whether his department has addressed the issue of information technology (IT) and asset management successfully within the department; if not, why not; if so (a) how has IT been upgraded to deal with the current issues and (b) how successful has it been?

    CW490E

    Reply

    The Department has addressed the Information Technology system for Asset Management through the inclusive Integrated Asset Management System (IEworks), the Asset Register Module was signed of by the Deputy Minister in October 2009 and presented during the budget vote in May 2010. Over a billion rands has been paid through IEworks on rates and taxes module to municipalities by both National and Provincial Public Works.

    QUESTION NO. 385 (NW457E) INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 4

    DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26 February 2010

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

    (1) Whether she communicated the information on the Government's voluntary mitigation actions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) by 31 January 2010 as required by the Copenhagen Accord; if not, why not; if so, what are the exact details of the mitigation actions provided to the UN;

    (2) whether these proposed actions are in line with the scenario outlining the scientific requirements under the Long Term Mitigation Scenarios for South Africa; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

    Mr GR Morgan (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

    HANSARD

    PAPERS OFFICE

    PRESS

    385. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

    (1) Yes. South Africa submitted information on its nationally appropriate mitigation action to the UNFCCC secretariat in a letter sent on 29 January 2010. This action was announced by President Zuma on 6 December 2009. Specifically, South Africa will implement nationally appropriate mitigation action to enable a 34% deviation below the 'Business As Usual' emissions growth trajectory by 2020 and a 42% deviation below the 'Business As Usual' emissions growth trajectory by 2025. In accordance with the provisions of the Convention and the agreement captured in the Bali Action Plan, the extent to which this action can be implemented depends on the provision of financial resources, the transfer of technology and the provision of capacity building support by developed countries. Therefore, this support needs to be delivered through an ambitious, fair, effective and binding multi-lateral agreement under the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol, in line with the relevant decisions taken at COP 13 and CMP 3 in 2007, which now is to be agreed at COP 16 and CMP 6 in Mexico in December 2010. With financial, technology and capacity building support from the international community, this level of effort will enable South Africa's green house gas emissions to peak between 2020 and 2025, plateau for approximately a decade and decline in absolute terms thereafter.

    (2) This announced nationally appropriate mitigation action is informed by the scientific evidence based study of South Africa's mitigation potential detailed in the Long Term Mitigation Scenarios study. In this regard, the action is envisaged to be in the form of policies and measures in a comprehensive energy efficiency programme in the renewable and low carbon energy sector; industry, housing, commercial and public buildings; the transport sector; liquid fuel measures; industrial process emission reduction; waste sector; and the agriculture, land use and forestry sector.

    QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

    QUESTION NO.:385

    DATE OF PUBLICATION: 22 October 2010

    385. Mr D B Feldman (COPE-Gauteng) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:

    (1) Whether the role of the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) is adequately defined in the Government's National Economic Strategy as stated in his department's Strategic Plan for 2009-2012 which assists his department to systematically justify the allocation of capital to the SOEs; if not, why not; if so, on what basis is the capital being allocated to the SOEs at present;

    (2) whether any processes are being implemented to ensure that the role of the SOEs is defined in the Government's National Economic Strategy; if not, why not; if so, what are the timeframes that are attached to such a process? CW491E

    REPLY

    (1) The conceptualisation of the role of State Owned Enterprises (SOE) in the South African economy has evolved post the democratic transition in 1994. Up to the end of 2003, the Department of Public Enterprises was focused on the implementation of restructuring and privatisation initiatives. From 2004, the DPE strategy was changed to direct the SOE in its portfolio to focus on the consolidation of core services that supported a strategic purpose in the economy and the disposal of non-core assets and operations. This strategy also aligned SOE business strategies with sector department policies and regulatory authorities. In addition to the focus on a core strategic purpose, the DPE has directed key SOE to adopt targeted long range strategic interventions, such as major investment programs, to enhance their impact on the economy.

    (2) The Presidential SOE Review Committee is reviewing and will make recommendations on, amongst others:

    § A common understanding and definition for SOEs;

    § The place of SOEs in a developmental state; and

    § The strategic importance and value creation of SOEs.

    QUESTION NO 386

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 FEBRUARY 2010

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 4)

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

    (1) (a) What are the current locations where acid mine water is decanting in Gauteng, (b) into which water courses are they decanting, (c) what is the size of the decant each day, (d) how many (i) people and (ii) farming operations are (aa) directly and (bb) indirectly affected by the decanting at each of these locations and (e) how was these figures arrived at;

    (2) whether efforts are being made to warn people about the dangers of using water from water courses into which acid mine water has decanted; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

    (3) whether steps are being taken to (a) reduce and (b) treat the decant at each of these sites; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

    NW458E

    ---00O00---

    REPLY:

    (1)(a) Acid mine water is currently decanting from two derelict mine shafts in the Mogale City (Krugersdorp) / Randfontein area.

    (1)(b) The decanting water is entering the upper part of the Tweelopies Spruit, which is a tributary of the Crocodile River in the Crocodile West catchment.

    (1)(c) Based on the February 2010 figures, the average decant volume is 16 megalitres per day with a peak volume of 30 megalitres per day during the high rainfall season. On a low rainfall season, and subject to the mining companies engaging in their routine pumping and treatment schedule, the volume of decanting acid mine water is reduced to zero.

    (1)(d)(i)(aa) In terms of drinking water, no persons are directly affected by the decanting acid mine water. People around the area either use water from the Rand Water or alternative water sources.

    (1)(d)(ii)(aa) In terms of drinking water, there are no farmers directly affected by the decanting acid mine water. The farmers either use water from the Rand Water or alternative water sources. There is no known farming activity that uses the affected water for irrigation.

    (1)(d)(ii)(bb) There are two farms that may indirectly be affected by the decanting acid mine water entering the groundwater. However, these farms do not make use of the groundwater.

    (1)(e) The magnitude of the decant per day is determined by continuous engagement with interested and affected parties through the Western Basin Void Technical Group.

    (2) My Department disseminates the relevant information and also addresses concerns regarding the decanting water through the Western Basin Void Technical Group which comprises of My Department, other organs of state as well as interested and affected parties.

    (3)(a) In view of the potential for acid mine drainage to emanate from mines in the Witwatersrand, a Public Private Partnership with the mining companies is presently being considered for the management of mine water in the area. Furthermore, in an attempt to minimise the volume of decanting acid mine water during the high rainfall season and to prevent decanting in the dry season, the relevant West Rand mining companies have implemented acid mine water pumping and treatment operations.

    (3)(b) In 2005, My Department apportioned liabilities between the relevant mines in the West Rand for the pumping and treatment of mine water having the potential to decant as acid mine drainage. Over and above the routine pumping and treatment processes of the two mining companies concerned, the neutralisation of the acidic water under emergency conditions is undertaken through doses of non-hazardous alkaline material.

    QUESTION 388

    FOR WRITTEN REPLY

    Date of publication on internal question paper: 25 February 2010

    Internal question paper no: 2

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

    (1) Whether she has been informed that a certain crèche of Mshwati Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal has not received a monthly subsidy from her department since February 2009; if not,

    (2) whether she will investigate this matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

    (3) whether the subsidy and subsidy arrears to the crèche have subsequently been paid; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

    (4) whether there is any reason for the termination of the subsidy; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW460E

    * Khonya Child Minding Creche

    REPLY:

    (1)Yes, through Question 238 for written reply in the National Assembly in 2009 I replied that Khonya's Child Minding Crèche had not received the monthly subsidy from the KZN Department of Social development since February 2009. My reply then highlighted the fact that the early childhood development (Khonya's Child Minding Centre) did not comply with Section 18.3 (c) and Section 38 (1)(j) of the Public Finance Management Act. Khonya's Child Minding Centre had failed to sign the service level agreement which led to the suspension of the funding in February 2009. The response additionally highlighted the steps that the KZN Department of Social Development had undertaken to ensure compliance and this included the following actions:

    · Requirements for signing the service level agreements

    · Non Profit Renewal

    · Submission of audited financial statements

    · Submission of completed and correct monthly claims

    · General administration of the centre

    · Meetings with the ECD association for support

    · Training on basic financial management

    The reply further stated that the funding to the ECD centre was reinstated in November 2009 as they have complied with outstanding requirements.

    (2) The matter was investigated and the relevant details are as follows:

    · Khonya Child Minding Crèche is registered with the Provincial Department of Social Development in terms of Section 30 of the Child Care Act, No 74 of 1983, as amended which makes provision for provincial departments of Social Development to register early childhood development centers providing services to children .The Khonya Child Minding Crèche is registered to accept children from 0 to 5 years.

    · The relevant details of the early childhood development center is as follows

    The Konya Child Minding Crèche is situated in Trustfeed (near clinic) which is a rural farming area and the structure was built by the Mshwati Municipality.

    · The postal address is: PO Box 639, Wartburg 3233.

    The Khonya Child Minding Crèche was registered with the KZN Department of Social Development on the 28 February 2008 to accept children from 0 to 4 years.

    · Number of children registered for - 100 Children

    · Number of children subsidized - 45 Children

    · Registration Number - 10/1/7/3//1-62

    · NPO Registration Number - 046- 915

    (3) Yes, the KZN Department of Social Development reinstated the subsidy payment for 45 children in November 2009, when the center fully complied with the outstanding issues. Khonya Child Minding Crèche received the payment of the current subsidy in January 2010.

    No, the KZN Department of Social Development was not in a position to pay the backdated subsidy, as they experienced financial problems and did not pay the arrears to all the affected early childhood centres, including Khonya Child Minding Crèche.

    · The National Department of Social Development consulted the Director Ms Bizani Beauty Hlophe of Khonya Child Minding Crèche, who confirmed that the centre had received the subsidy payments in January 2010.

    (4)The reason for the termination of the subsidy was the non-compliance of Khonya Child Minding Crèche in terms of the Public Financial Management Act (PFMA).

    As stated in Question (1), Khonya Child Minding Crèche failed to submit the audited financial statements as required by Public Finance Management Act of 1999. The PFMA requires that any non profit organisation which receives state funds, provides an audited financial statement and signs al service level agreement on an annual basis. A circular to this effect was sent out by the KZN department of Social development and Khonya Child Minding Crèche failed to comply. The matter was successfully resolved with the assistance of the KZN Department of Social Development.

    QUESTION NUMBER 390

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 February 2010

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 03)

    390. Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mining:

    (1) With reference to her reply to Question 2055 on 7 December 2009, how many (a) applications did her department receive since 1 October 2009 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 February 2010;

    1 (a) Applications received from 01 October 2009 to 12 March 2010

    (i)Prospecting rights; 1049

    (ii) Mining rights ; 63

    (iii) Mining permits ;485

    (iv) Applications for conversion of old order prospecting rights into new prospecting rights; 388 received (372 accepted, 21 rejected, 342 granted and 10 withdrawn) Of the 342 granted, 302 issued.

    Applications for conversion of old order mining rights into new mining rights; 1102 received (1080 accepted, 21 rejected, 362 granted, and 39 withdrawn. Of the 362 granted, 214 issued.

    (b) Applications outstanding since 01 October 2009 until 01 February 2010;

    (i) Prospecting rights; 759 accepted, 31 granted, 55 refused, 1 issued, 38 withdrawn. Therefore 634 applications outstanding.

    (ii) Mining rights ; 51 accepted, 0 granted, 0 refused, 0 issued, 2 withdrawn. Therefore 49 applications outstanding. However still in time.

    (iii) Mining permits ; 359 accepted, 39 refused, 45 issued, 19 withdrawn. Therefore 256 applications outstanding.

    (iv) Conversion of old order prospecting rights into new prospecting rights ; 40 Not issued as yet.

    (v) Conversion of old order mining rights into new mining rights ; 714 not yet decided upon.

    (2) how many of the approximately 780 appeals 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, were still outstanding as at 1 February 2010;

    (3) how many of the 180 applications for judicial review were 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) what was the value of the cost orders made against either her or her department in respect of each of the 21 judicial reviews granted by the court?

    REPLY

    (2) Of the approximately 780 appeals received in terms of section 96 / 103(4) of the Act, approximately 200 is still outstanding.

    (3) Of the 180 application for judicial review instituted against the Department, (a) 30 where as a result of refusal of prospecting rights, (b) 18 as a result of refusals of mining rights, and (c) none were instituted as a result of refusal of conversion of prospecting and mining rights.

    (4) The information is not currently readily available, as it resides with the various offices of the State Attorney an Department of Justice. It is also currently subject to an investigation during which the Department will be verifying its records with those of the various offices of the State Attorney.

    Question 390

    Mr K A Sinclair (COPE-NC) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

    Whether he will provide the details of the 25 year contract entered into by a certain company as a private concessionaire responsible for providing fully serviced office accommodation at his department's campus in Pretoria; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?CW496E

    Response:

    The 25 year contract is a lease contract in respect of office accommodation for the department. The accommodation was procured in 2003 through a due process of Public Private Partnership (PPP) as prescribed by the Treasury Regulations. Unitary payments are made to cover the capital and operating costs.

    QUESTION NUMBER 391

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 February 2010

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 03)

    391. Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Mining:

    (1) Whether her department will have a cadastral map drawn up for the purposes of indicating (a) applications for rights and permits (i) accepted but not yet finalized and (ii) already issued in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002, and (b) mining and prospecting operations (i) being conducted currently or (ii) that have been abandoned; if not, why not; if so, (aa) when will such a map be put into operation and (bb) what details will it contain;

    (2) whether it will be available to the public; if not, why not; if so,

    (3) whether it will be accessible on her department's web-based internet site; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW464E

    Reply

    1) The Department is utilising the National Mining Promotion System and is investigating a possibility of integrating the Cadastral maps relating to mining, into the system.

    2) The Department will be guided by the provisions of the Promotion of Access to information Act of 2000

    3) The accessibility of the information will depend on the investigation referred to in (1) above.

    QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

    QUESTION NO.:391

    DATE OF PUBLICATION: 22 October 2010

    391. Mrs E C van Lingen (DA-EC) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:

    (1) Whether Alexkor plays any role in the allocation of all concessions for diamond mining, including (a) land and (b) shallow water in the Richtersveld; if so, (i) how is the Richtersveld community represented in the process, (ii) who represents Alexkor in the process of allocating concessions, (iii) in what capacity is Alexkor represented and (iv) which functions are executed by Alexkor's representative(s);

    (2) whether the Pool Sharing and Joint Venture play any role in the allocation of mining concessions; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what role and (b) who represents the Pool Sharing and Joint Venture? CW497E

    REPLY

    (1) (a-b)(i-iv) The Department of Mineral Resources is responsible for the allocation of diamond concessions. Alexkor does not play any role in the allocation of concessions for diamond mining in the Richtersveld.

    Currently Alexkor holds various land, shallow water, mid-sea and deep sea mining concessions. The land mining rights are in the process of being transferred to the Richtersveld Mining Company.

    Alexkor is involved in the awarding of contracts to mine the Alexkor concessions. Alexkor recently went through a process of awarding new contracts to mine the shallow water, middle water, deep sea areas, beach areas and the land area. This process was conducted in consultation with the Richtersveld Property Association (CPA). The CPA representatives were invited to be part of the process but they declined as they felt that they might be conflicted. The allocation of contracts was done by the Tender Committee of the Alexkor Board. The Tender Committee consists of Alexkor Board Members:

    · Mr. C Towell (Chairperson of the Tender Committee)

    · Mr. R Muzariri (Chairperson Alexkor Board)

    · Dr. R Paul (Alexkor Board Member)

    · Ms. K McClain (Alexkor CEO)

    (2)(a-b) The Pooling and Sharing Joint Venture (PSJV) becomes effective when Alexkor's land mining rights are transferred to the Richtersveld Mining Company (RMC). The PSJV is currently in a preliminary establishment phase. Alexkor and the RMC have each appointed three members to the Joint Board of the PSJV, who are authorised to represent each party in respect of all matters relating to the pooled operations. The contract process was conducted in consultation with the Joint Board.

    QUESTION NO 392

    DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 30 MARCH 2010

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 4 – 2010)

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

    (1) Whether, in light of the Financial and Fiscal Commission's statement that the increase in the volume of road transport usage is one of the primary contributing factors to the rate of the deterioration of the roads, his department has formulated a policy to reduce the amount of freight transport on roads; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

    (2) whether he has considered the possibility of creating a dedicated freight transport lane on national roads to reduce the rate of deterioration of roads; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

    NW465E

    REPLY:

    The Minister of Transport:

    (1) Yes. Currently two key projects are in progress with a long term objective to achieve the optimum split of freight transport on our road and rail networks. These are the Rail Branch Line Strategy and the Road Freight Strategy.

    Upon finalization of these strategies, the necessary supporting policies will be formulated to support and fast-track the implementation of the above-mentioned strategies.

    (2) No.

    Firstly, it must be noted that national roads are generally (i) adequately designed to cope with heavy vehicles carrying freight or are being structurally upgraded to cope and (ii) are predominantly consisting of "duel-carriageways" or provisions are made along long sections of "single-carriageways" for safe overtaking. The key challenges to be addressed through the above-mentioned projects are to (i) reduce the heavy traffic volumes on the load and (ii) reduce the practice of overloading within the heavy vehicle transport industry.

    Secondly, with the limited resources at its disposal, the Department of Transport has to give priority / lobby support to address the collapsing secondary road network and developing access roads to a fair and reasonable standard.

    QUESTION NO: 393

    393. Mr T W Coetzee (DA) to ask the Minister of Correctional Services:

    (a) What (i) vehicles, (ii) aircraft and (iii) properties are currently owned by her department and (b) with regard to each item, (i) when was it purchased, (ii) how much did it cost and (iii) for what reason was it purchased?

    NW466E

    REPLY

    (a)(i) The Department has 3 995 Pool Vehicles (see attached list).

    Category of Vehicle

    Quantity

    (b)(iii)Reason for Purchase

    Motor Cycles

    27

    Utilised on Prison Farms and monitoring of offenders working on fields

    Sedan

    1 451

    Transport of members to various destinations during the performance of their tasks, e.g monitoring of probationers

    LDV/4X4

    602

    Transport of members to various destinations during the performance of their tasks, transportation of rubbish to rubbish dumps as well as transportation of ration for inmates

    Panel Vans/Prisoner Vans

    1 224

    Transport of Inmates to courts, other correctional centres and hospitals.

    Trucks

    275

    Transport of ration, transportation of rubbish to rubbish dumps

    Busses

    248

    Transport of members and public visiting inmates

    Ambulances

    168

    Transport of Inmates to hospitals

    Total

    3 995


    Vehicles utilized by the Ministry;

    MAKE

    MODEL

    CONTRACT DATE

    AMOUNT

    LEXUS LS460

    2009

    2009/09/04

    968 821.24

    PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS TIPTRONIC

    2009

    2009/09/16

    759 070.00

    MERCEDES BENZ E350

    2007

    2007/06/05

    711 969.10

    BMW 530 D

    2006

    2006/10/27

    623 681.40

    (a)(ii) No aircrafts are owned by the Department.

    (b)

    (i) The age of vehicles varies from 1973 to 2010

    (ii) The cost value of the departmental vehicles:

    R 420 230 531.58 pool vehicles

    R 3 063 541.74 leased vehicles

    QUESTION NO. 395 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4

    DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26 February 2010

    Mr T W Coetzee (DA) to ask the Minister of Tourism:

    (a) What (i) vehicles, (ii) aircraft and (iii) properties are currently owned by his department and (b) with regard to each item, (i) when was it purchased, (ii) how much did it cost and (iii) for what reason was it purchased? NW468E

    MR T W COETZEE (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

    HANSARD

    PAPERS OFFICE

    PRESS 395. THE MINISTER OF TOURISM ANSWERS:

    (a) (i) None. The accountability and procurement is still vested with the Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism

    (ii) Not applicable

    (iii) Not applicable

    (b) (i) The Department of Tourism is sharing the vehicles that were procured by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

    (ii) Not applicable

    (iii) All Government vehicles are utilized to perform various functions of the Department.

    QUESTION NO: 396

    PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 04 OF 26 February 2010

    Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:

    Whether he has promulgated the recommendation by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers that an amount to which section 8 (1 )(d) of the Income Tax Act, Act 58 of 1962, applies form part of the basic component in the recent salary negotiations; if not, why not; if so, when will he do so? NW469E

    Reply

    No. The Recommendations of the Commission relating to the Allowance contemplated in section 8(1)(d) of the Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962, could not be implemented, This is due to the fact that section 6(4) of the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act, 20 of 1998, provides that section 8 (1 )(d) of the Income Tax Act shall apply to the remuneration of a Premier, Member of Executive Council, Member of Provincial Legislature concerned. Therefore section 8(1)(d) strictly relates to members mentioned above and not to the councillors and traditional leaders,

    It is therefore significant to note that no such authority has been provided for in respect of determination of the remuneration packages of councillors and members of traditional leaders. Consequently recommendation of the Commission could not be implemented as the principal law, in this case the Remuneration Act, could not be amended by way of proclamation, Therefore provisions of section 8(1)(d) may only be extended to councillors if an appropriate amendment is effected to the Remuneration Act.

    Shortly the bill to propose the amendment to the Remuneration Act will be introduced to the cabinet to extend this allowance to councillors.

    QUESTION NO 397

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 FEBRUARY 2010

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 4)

    397. Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

    (a) How much of the R611 billion allocation for the delivery of free basic water by municipalities for the 2009-10 financial year has been spent as at the latest specified date for which information is available, (b) what was the five biggest projects on which the money was spent and (c) what are the reasons that some of the money still remain unspent? NW470E

    ---00O00---

    REPLY:

    (a) The Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) Programme which has a budget of R616.8 million for the 2009/10 financial is not intended to provide funding to Municipalities for the delivery of free basic services.

    The Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) is an "indirect" support programme to Water Services Authorities (WSA's) which was established in 2007 and is managed by My Department. This grant mechanism was established to supplement the financing for the development of regional bulk water infrastructure and regional bulk sanitation collection as well as regional Water Treatment Works and regional Waste Water Treatment Works. Due to its unique character, bulk infrastructure mostly serves both social and economic users and therefore requires co-funding from both user groups. This Grant (fund) primarily serves the social component of the bulk infrastructure, but most schemes will also require co-funding for the economic component (higher levels of services, business and industry), which could be sourced through loans, cost-recovery and other mechanisms. Although this fund is dedicated for the social component it should be recognised that it may not be able to address all such funding needs due to the limited available funding.

    As of the 25 February 2010 a total of R 473.3 million of the R 616.8 million allocated for the 2009/10 financial year to the Regional Bulk Infrastructure programme has been spend.

    (b) This is a multi year programme, the implementation of many of the projects such as the five biggest projects listed below will be implemented over more than one financial year. The five biggest projects that the RBIG allocated funds to during 2009/2010 financial year are:

    Ø Olifantspoort Water Treatment Works, estimated project cost is R303.5 million.

    The project is in the Capricorn District Municipality within the Lepelle Nkumpi Local Municipality. The villages which are to benefit from the project include: Tswaing, Lehlokwaneng, Nkotokwane, Matinkane, Lesetsi, Mashite, Seleting, Tjiane, Lekurung, Bolopa, Standplaas, Lenting, Morotse and Mamoolo. The scope of the project includes the upgrading and extension of the existing Olifantspoort WTW from 30 to 60Ml/day.

    Ø Sterkfontein Bulk Water Project, estimated project cost R211.7 million.

    The Sterkfontein dam Bulk Water project will provide bulk water to settlements in various areas of Maluti A Phofung Local Municipality. The municipality falls within the Thabo Mofutsanyana district which is located in the eastern part of the Free State province. The project is divided into two phases. The phase one covers the construction of a 3Ml/d water treatment works at the Sterkfontein Dam, a 3Ml/d reservoir and a 6.8km 400mm diameter UPVC pipeline. Phase two of the project will cover the construction of three reservoirs, a 46km water supply pipeline and related works from the Sterkfontein Dam scheme to the areas of Qwaqwa, Bluegumbush and Uniqwa.

    Ø Greater Mbizana Bulk Water Supply Scheme, estimated project cost R830.0 million.

    The current phase of Greater Mbizana Regional Bulk Water Supply project is the upgrading of the Nomlacu Water Treatment Works (NWTW). The project focuses on Greater Mbizana area, which is part of the Mbizana Local Municipality, located in the OR Tambo District Municipality in the Eastern Cape, and incorporates the town of Bizana.

    Ø Nebo Bulk Water Supply Scheme, estimated project cost R254.6 million.

    The project is divided into two phases. Phase 1A is on the construction of a 33Km 450 mm diameter steel pipeline and two pump stations from the Steelpoort River to Jane Furse. Phase 2 is about the construction of 8,5 Km of pipeline, Water Treatment Works and Reservoir.

    Ø Magalakwena Bulk Water Supply Scheme, estimated project cost R800.1 million.

    The project aims to deliver water to Mokopane town and villages to the immediate north of Mokopane Town. The project comprises of the construction of bulk pump lines and the rehalibitation of boreholes and pump station. The project serves as a bulk conveyance infrastructure that would ultimately carry water for both domestic and mines from Flag Boshielo Dam augmentation scheme to the residential areas in the Mogalakwena Municipality area (Urban and Rural areas).

    The table below illustrates a short description of each of the projects

    (c) This is a multi year programme and expenditure takes place up to the last day of the financial year. Based on our current cash flow projection the budget allocation for the 2009/10 financial year will be expended by the 31 March 2010.

    QUESTION 399

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26/02/2010

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 4-2010)

    Dr W G James (DA) to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training:

    (a) What (i) vehicles, (ii) aircraft and (iii) properties are currently owned by her department and (b) with regard to each item, (i) when was it purchased, (ii) how much did it cost and (iii) for what reason was it purchased? NW472E

    REPLY:

    (a) (i) Mercedes Benz ML320 CDI and BMW 750i.

    (ii) The Department does not own any aircraft.

    (iii) The Department does not own any property.

    (b) (i) - Mercedes Benz ML 320 CDI – Purchased on 19 March 2008.

    - BMW 750i - Purchased on 25 June 2009.

    (ii) - Mercedes Benz ML 320 CDI – Purchase price – R576 379.98.

    - BMW 750i - Purchase price – R1 110 750.01.

    (iii) - Mercedes Benz ML 320 CDI – Purchased as official vehicle for the former

    Minister of Education in Cape Town.

    - BMW 750i - Purchased as official vehicle for the Minister of Higher Education and Training

    It may be noted that following the re-organisation of government after the 2009 elections, the Department is in the process of transferring assets from the Department of Labour, which will be effective as from 1st April 2010.

    QUESTION NO 400

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 FEBRUARY 2010

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 4)

    400. Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

    (1) Whether the mining companies conducting mining operations (details furnished) (a) applied for a water permit, (b)(i) were approved and (ii) issued with and/or (c) were denied a water permit; if so, on what date did the listed individual and respective mining operations (aa) apply for, (bb) were issued with or (cc) denied a water permit;

    (2) whether any of the listed individual and respective mining operations submitted an environmental management programme (EMPR); if so, (a) for which of the listed mining operations (details furnished) has an EMPR been submitted and (b) on what date (i) was the EMPR approved and (ii) did the mining operations as listed commence? NW473E

    ---00O00---

    REPLY:

    (1)(a) Refer to Annexure A

    (1)(b)(i)

    And

    (1)(b)(ii) Refer to Annexure A

    (1)(c) No mining company was denied a water use licence.

    (1)(aa) Refer to Annexure A

    (1)(bb) Refer to Annexure A

    (1)(cc) Refer to Annexure A


    Annexure A is available here

    (2) The Environmental Management Programme Report (EMPR) is the compliance requirement administered by the Department of Mineral Resources and it is therefore the appropriate Department to respond on this question.

    QUESTION NO. 389 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4

    DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26 February 2010

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

    Whether his department is facilitating any codes of conduct agreements amongst tourist industry stakeholders to establish frameworks for reasonable pricing in the 2010 Fifa World Cup Soccer tournament host cities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

    NW461E

    MR G R KRUMBOCK (DA)

    SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

    HANSARD

    PAPERS OFFICE

    PRESS 389. THE MINISTER OF TOURISM ANSWERS:

    There has always been a common understanding between Government and the tourism industry that inflating accommodation prices during the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be detrimental to the sustainability of the industry beyond the event.

    As a destination, South Africa is known to suit tourists' pockets, and the Department of Tourism intends to protect that reputation. At every one of the engagements with stakeholders in the tourism industry since 2004, we have reiterated that price-hiking could be harmful to the reputation of our tourism industry.

    South Africa is a value-for-money destination, and this reputation should be safeguarded. Price-hiking could damage the reputation of our tourism industry. However, at the same time it must be kept in mind that June and July 2010 will be high season in South Africa, and tourists should not expect the normal low-season prices for that time of the year.

    However, we have noted allegations that accommodation establishments in the tourism industry are not responsible, and are inflating prices excessively. Until now our impression has been that this is not the case, but we believe it should be investigated and the results of the investigation made public.

    We therefore believe that as a responsible government we should conduct an independent and scientifically sound survey to avoid a case where perceptions are created based on anecdotes. The Department of Tourism has therefore appointed Grant Thornton to conduct such a survey.

    It must also be kept in mind that prices are determined by supply and demand, and the government cannot interfere in the functioning of the market in this regard. We believe this survey will assist us in getting to the bottom of the allegations. As soon as the survey is completed, I will discuss the outcomes with the tourism industry and we will map a way forward.