Questions & Replies No 526 to 550

2010-04-06

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

QUESTION 526

DAT OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER)

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

(1) Whether any steps are being taken to ensure that children and youth with disabilities are receiving quality education; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

Yes, the Department of Basic Education is taking steps to ensure that children and youth with disabilities are receiving quality education.

1. In 2008 as part of the Inclusive Education Field Test, the Department of Basic Education conducted a situational analysis to assess the needs of special schools and full-service schools. A total of 33 sampled special schools and 4 full-service schools across the country were visited. The findings of the situational analysis revealed that these institutions are contending with acute shortage of resources, making it difficult to provide quality and inclusive education to learners they serve.

2. Flowing from the findings of the situational analysis, between July and December 2009 the Department rolled out a tender to procure and supply assistive devices to 10 of the 37 schools visited. Through this tender:

· R9 million worth of assistive devices, material resources and assistive technology were supplied to the 10 selected schools (7 special and 3 full-service schools) in order to reduce the state of neglect that pervaded special schools in rural and remote areas.

· Learners with physical disabilities were fitted with appropriate, customized wheelchairs with fittings, standing and seating devices.

· Schools for learners with visual impairment were supplied with IT equipment to mitigate the effects of visual loss, such as computers with relevant software, desktop magnifiers, Perkins Braillers, etc.

· 80 Desktop computers were supplied to the schools.

· Devices and therapy packs for hearing-impaired learners were also supplied.

· Alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) software was supplied to enhance teaching and learning of children with communication problems.

· Training was provided in all schools on the use, management and maintenance of the devices and software, including a programme on fine-motor development for foundation phase learners.

The following schools were the beneficiaries:

SCHOOL	PROVINCE
Ebhotwe	Eastern Cape
Agape	Western Cape
Thiboloha	Free State
Silindokuhle	Mpumalanga
Re-Tlameleng	Northern Cape
Thuthukani	KZN
Tshilidzini	Limpopo
Vukuzenzele	Eastern Cape
Mphuphuthe	North West

3. The Department of Basic Education further rolled out a second phase of this tender process between January and March 2010 and 23 of the 37 schools were the added beneficiaries of two computers each, loaded with AAC software. The supply of the equipment happened concurrently with the training of teachers on the usage of such devices. The following schools were the beneficiaries:

Province	School
Eastern Cape	Nompumalanga
Eastern Cape	Ebhotwe
Eastern Cape	Zanokhanyo
Free State	Tswellang
Free State	Leboneng
Free State	Letlotlo
Gauteng	Ezibeleni
Gauteng	Nokuthula
KwaZulu Natal	Khalipha
KwaZulu Natal	Inanda
KwaZulu Natal	Sondelani
Limpopo	Tshilidzini
Limpopo	Tshisaulu
Limpopo	Mokgalabye
Limpopo	Bosele
Mpumalanga	Kamagugu
North West	Meerhof
North West	Ikalafeng
Northern Cape	Kimberley T.C.
Northern Cape	Jannie Brink
Northern Cape	Learamele
Northern Cape	Boitumelo
Western Cape	Noluthando

4. In February 2009, the Department engaged the services of a consultant on a one-year contract to develop a strategy for improving the quality of education for learners with visual loss. 26 Schools serving visually impaired learners were visited to audit services.

5. The Department supplied 25 schools with Brailled and enlarged print books through the Ithuba Books Project for learners with visual impairment in 2009.

6. A plan for procuring prescribed textbooks in Braille and Large Print copies for Blind and partially sighted learners has been drawn up for 2010/11. This is quite an involved process requiring:

· skilled translation and contraction from written text to Braille text;

· costly equipment in the form of embossing, printing and binding machinery and special Braille paper;

· Personnel to man the machines and package the Braille copies.

7. Visually impaired teachers across provinces are participating in a Training Project for Visually Impaired Educators to improve their curriculum delivery through the use of innovative technology.

(2) whether any steps are being taken to ensure that there is sufficient schools with the required, structural and communication accessibility for children and youth with disabilities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

The Department is taking gradual steps to ensure that there are sufficient schools with the required, structural and communication accessibility for children and youth with disabilities.

1. Education White Paper 6: Special Needs Education, Building an Inclusive Education and Training System, recommends the conversion of ordinary schools to full-service/inclusive schools as one of the first steps of building an inclusive system.

2. In line with the recommendation, the Department identified 30 ordinary schools for conversion into full-service/inclusive schools of which 10 were allocated funding for physical upgrading. R10 million has already been spent in the process.

3. Eight of the 10 ordinary schools have been fully converted into full-service schools and the remaining two are nearing completion. Table below indicates the 10 schools that were identified for conversion into full-service schools:

PROVINCE	SCHOOL	STATUS
LIMPOPO	Mokgalabye primary	Complete
LIMPOPO	Tshisahulu primary	Complete,
MPUMALANGA	Tenteleni Primary	Nearing completion
NORTH WEST	Mphuphuthe primary	Phase 1 Complete Phase 2: is in progress
FREE STATE	Letlotlo primary	Nearing completion
KWAZULU NATAL	Sondelani primary	Complete
KWAZULU NATAL	Dover primary	Complete
WESTERN CAPE	J D Crawford	Complete
EASTERN CAPE	Ebhotwe primary	Complete
EASTERN CAPE	Zanokhanyo primary	Phase 1 Complete Phase 2: is in progress

Over and above environmental accessibility which is achieved through physical upgrading, the selected full-service schools have participated in other Inclusive Education activities including advocacy, training on Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS) and Inclusive Learning Programme (ILP) as well as other activities initiated by the provinces. The capacity building that full-service schools have received and continue to receive prepares them for inclusivity and therefore relieves special schools of burden due to long lists of referrals.

5. The responsibility for the physically upgrading of the remaining 20 selected full-service schools is in progress and has been taken over by provinces.

QUESTION NO: 527

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 5 March 2010

QUESTION PAPER NO: 6

DATE OF REPLY: 12 February 2010

Mr N J van den Berg (DA) to ask the Minister of Communications:

Whether there is any progress with regard to the roll-out plan of broadband connection; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the state of negotiation towards the next generation network (NGN) and (b) when will a detailed plan be available?

NW641E

REPLY:

The Department of Communications is responsible for policy making and does not own a telecommunications network.

QUESTION NO. 528

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 05 March 2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 6)

Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

Whether any provinces are projected to overspent and/or have already overspent their budgets for health for the 2009-10 financial year; if so, (a) which provinces and (b) by what amount are they projected to and/or how they overspend?

NW642E

REPLY:

The latest information available on the over expenditure for provinces is as at 31 December 2009. This information is detailed in table form for ease of comparison between the Provinces.

PROVINCIAL IYM AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2009 (PROVIDED BY NATIONAL TREASURY)
Provinces	Adjustment budget	Projection	Spending by Dec	% spend	Deficit
Eastern Cape	11,773,927	13,340,680	9,736,511	82.70%	-1,566,753
Free State	5,512,642	5,501,947	3,709,362	67.30%	10,695
Gauteng	17,200,765	18,724,578	13,737,710	79.90%	-1,523,813
KwaZulu/Natal	18,329,163	20,641,178	14,283,536	77.90%	-2,312,015
Limpopo	9,358,949	9,318,949	6,452,754	68.90%	40,000
Mpumalanga	6,047,714	6,043,600	4,390,904	72.60%	4,114
Northern Cape	2,301,429	2,310,267	1,723,290	74.90%	-8,838
North West	5,175,391	5,447,952	3,866,872	74.70%	-272,561
Western Cape	10,463,716	10,556,102	7,573,678	72.40%	-92,386
TOTAL	86,163,696	91,885,253	65,474,617	76.00%	-5,721,557

COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2009
Provinces	Adjustment budget	Projection	Spending by Dec	% spend	Deficit
Eastern Cape	6,267,262	7,598,284	5,608,713	89.50%	-1,331,022
Free State	3,183,257	3,221,823	2,300,875	72.30%	-38,566
Gauteng	9,601,125	9,930,040	7,163,460	74.60%	-328,915
KwaZulu/Natal	10,210,534	11,551,483	8,333,956	81.60%	-1,340,949
Limpopo	5,669,992	5,669,992	4,099,662	72.30%	0
Mpumalanga	3,226,236	3,164,794	2,267,041	70.30%	61,442
Northern Cape	1,078,394	1,034,642	757,769	70.30%	43,752
North West	2,883,728	2,920,281	2,106,055	73.00%	-36,553
Western Cape	5,748,979	5,830,387	4,230,861	73.60%	-81,408
TOTAL	47,869,507	50,921,726	36,868,392	77.00%	-3,052,219
GOODS AND SERVICES AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2009
Provinces	Adjustment budget	Projection	Spending by Dec	% spend	Deficit
Eastern Cape	3,561,203	3,796,924	2,886,061	81.00%	-235,721
Free State	1,776,115	1,713,910	1,120,822	63.10%	62,205
Gauteng	4,817,864	6,139,614	5,110,726	106.10%	-1,321,750
KwaZulu/Natal	5,328,983	6,210,849	4,553,779	85.50%	-881,866
Limpopo	2,511,150	2,502,720	1,649,275	65.70%	8,430
Mpumalanga	1,837,107	1,886,890	1,499,761	81.60%	-49,783
Northern Cape	710,125	820,809	619,407	87.20%	-110,684
North West	1,619,237	1,751,254	1,208,968	74.70%	-132,017
Western Cape	3,312,689	3,409,067	2,469,702	74.60%	-96,378
TOTAL	25,474,473	28,232,037	21,118,501	82.90%	-2,757,564

TRANSFERS AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2009
Provinces	Adjustment budget	Projection	Spending by Dec	% spend	Deficit
Eastern Cape	658,982	658,992	477,139	72.40%	-10
Free State	79,921	91,263	66,640	83.40%	-11,342
Gauteng	988,773	1,059,490	640,316	64.80%	-70,717
KwaZulu/Natal	534,921	543,656	340,983	63.70%	-8,735
Limpopo	270,188	270,188	185,359	68.60%	0
Mpumalanga	126,082	127,863	73,451	58.30%	-1,781
Northern Cape	40,060	38,551	31,964	79.80%	1,509
North West	163,045	162,925	92,486	56.70%	120
Western Cape	560,780	562,686	388,026	69.20%	-1,906
TOTAL	3,422,752	3,515,614	2,296,364	67.10%	-92,862

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2009
Provinces	Adjustment budget	Projection	Spending by Dec	% spend	Deficit
Eastern Cape	1,286,480	1,286,480	764,598	59.40%	0
Free State	473,349	473,469	219,543	46.40%	-120
Gauteng	1,793,003	1,590,326	818,100	45.60%	202,677
KwaZulu/Natal	1,496,725	1,577,108	1,054,736	70.50%	-80,383
Limpopo	907,619	876,049	518,458	57.10%	31,570
Mpumalanga	858,289	864,045	550,643	64.20%	-5,756
Northern Cape	472,850	392,201	290,086	61.30%	80,649
North West	508,958	613,492	459,363	90.30%	-104,534
Western Cape	841,268	751,561	482,682	57.40%	89,707
Tot	8,638,541	8,424,731	5,158,209	59.70%	213,810

QUESTION NO. 529

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 05 March 2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 6)

Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

(1) How many (a) specialists and (b) subspecialists were registered in each of the five most recent financial years;

(2) whether this is adequate to meet South Africa's needs; if not, what is the position in this regard;

(3) whether his department held any discussions with private hospital groups with a view to establish specialist and/or subspecialist training positions within private hospitals; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(4) whether any other measures are being considered to increase the number of specialists and subspecialists qualifying in South Africa; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what measures?

NW643E

REPLY:

(1) (a) An average of 14 Dental Specialists and 557 Medical Specialists were registered in each of the last five years. The table in the attached Annexure A provides the detail per field.

(b) An average of 76 sub-Specialists were registered over the most recent five years. The table in the attached Annexure B provides the detail per field.

(2) No, it is not. There are no adequate specialists in most parts of the developing world. This matter is however getting our attention and was also discussed in the recent World Health Assembly (WHA) held in Geneva, Switzerland in May 2010.

(3) The Department of Health is of the view that the training of specialists should be conducted in public facilities, so as to retain supervisors and clinical mentors in the public health system. However, health sciences learning and teaching infrastructure is urgently in need of upgrading in order to be able to contribute to national health service needs. As a result, a tri-lateral Health Sciences Review Committee was set up in 2007 with senior representatives from the Department of Health, of Education (now Higher Education and Training) and National Treasury to strengthen clinical training at public Higher Education Institutions. The work of this Committee has resulted in amounts of R800 million being allocated to public Higher Education Institutions to develop and strengthen production based on carefully planned interventions.

Further work is being done by this Committee on strengthening the mechanisms for resourcing and planning the training of health science professionals in our Country. Private providers will need to assist in these and other interventions in the health system.

(4) Yes, there are measures in place to increase the number of specialists and sub-specialists in the public sector. Currently, the indications are that the more general measures to increase the number of health science graduates will need to be supplemented by retention programmes for specialists in the public sector – taking account of career pathing preferences and the health needs of rural and under-served communities.

In addition, the College of Medicine of South Africa has been in discussion with the Department of Health about possible options and solutions to the challenge of training and allocation of specialists in the public sector. Some of these will be elaborated in the Department's Strategic Plans in the near future.

QUESTION NO. 530

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 05 March 2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 6)

Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

(a) How many foreign-qualified (i) doctors and (ii) nurses (aa) applied for and (bb) qualified for registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa in each of the five most recent financial years for which information is available and (b) from which countries were they?

REPLY:

(a) (i) 1 754;

(ii) 387

(b) The following tables reflect details in this regard.

See attached table 2

QUESTION NO 531

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 5 MARCH 2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6- 2010)

Date reply submitted : 24 March 2010

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

(1) (a) How many (i) biology, (ii) chemical and (iii) ballistic forensic science laboratories (FSL) are there of the SA Police Service in each province, (b) how many technicians are employed at each laboratory, (c) what is the vacancy rate at each laboratory for each type of a position and (d) what is the average salary for each technician;

(2) whether any laboratory technician receive any additional benefits besides the salary; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether the process of recruiting 352 personnel for the FSLs has been completed; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(4) whether any laboratory staff who has undergone State sponsored training is required to pay back the cost of training received if they wish to leave the FSL's employment; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(5) (a) what were the annual costs of training FSL staff in (i) 2007, (ii) 2008 and (iii) 2009, (b) what are the average training costs for each (i) technician and (ii) category of training course, (c) how long is each training course and (d) what is the breakdown of costs for each course?

NW645E

REPLY:

In February 2010, I instructed a full investigation by the DPCI of allegations of criminal nature involving the Forensic laboratories. At the same time I instructed the Civilian Police Secretariat to conduct an assessment into problems that have been identified in the management and functioning of the Forensic Laboratories. The answer to the question fall within the scope of the investigation and assessment and therefore I will respond to the question once these processes have been completed

QUESTION NO 532

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 5 MARCH 2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6- 2010)

Date reply submitted : 24 March 2010

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

(a) What is the (i) case and (ii) sample backlog at each forensic science laboratory (FSL) of the SA Police Service, (b) what is the average delay between arrival and examination of samples at each FSL in each province (i) in the 2007-08, (ii) in the 2008-09 financial years and (iii) during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, (c) what is the total budget of the laboratory for the 2009-10 financial year, (d) what was the total amount spent in this period for (i) purchasing analytical equipment and (ii) infrastructure maintenance, (e) what is the average cost of building each type of FSL, (f) what is the total cost of the new FSL that is under construction in the Western Cape, (g) what is the estimated time for its completion and (h) when did its construction begin?

NW646E

REPLY:

In February 2010 I stated publically that I had instructed the Civilian Police Secretariat to conduct an evaluation and assessment into the backlogs at the Forensic Laboratories and to report to my office on outcome of this assessment. I will report back on the backlogs and steps taken to address these backlogs on completion of the assessment.

QUESTION NO: 535

Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Correctional Services:

1 With reference to the reply to question 840 on 4 August 2005 and 1925 on 31 October 2005, (a) what sentence was handed down to each offender, (b) how long did each offender serve, (c) what rehabilitation programme did each attend and (d) for how many hours did each offender attend this programme;

2 Whether a report was compiled by a social worker before each offender was released stating that the offender was no longer a threat to the society and (b) which social worker wrote the report in each case? NW 649E

NW 649E

1. (a) The Question was first posed in 2005 to the Minister of Safety and Security. In his reply the Minister of Safety and Security responded partly to the question and referred the two above-mentioned questions to either DoJCD or DCS for a response. There was a name list attached which SAPS provided. The question posed, sought to ascertain the sentences handed down to each offender on the list. The list provided contains only a Criminal Record Number and crimes without any reference to the name of the offenders. The list has been sent to the Criminal Records Centre to provide names to identify the offenders in the list. A full report in terms of the sentence(s) for each offender on the list will be provided once the report from the Criminal Record Centre is obtained.

(b) Upon receipt of the report from the Criminal Record Centre, it will be possible to indicate the exact time that each offender served in relation to his/her sentence.

2. Upon completion of all programmes a Social Worker/Programme Facilitator compiles a progress report for every offender who took part in the programme.

(b) Upon receipt of the report from the Criminal Record Centre, it will be possible to indicate

which Social Worker/Programme Facilitator wrote a report in relation to each offender on the list.

QUESTION NO: 536
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 05 OF 26 MARCH 2010

Mr M Walers (DA)-Cooperalive Governance and Traditional Affairs.

Whether, with reference to the Fire Brigade Services Act, Act 99 of 1987, his department has set minimum standards with regard to (a) training of fire fighters, (b) the number of fire fighters per shift and (c) equipment available to fire fighters for each shift; if not, why not; if so, what are the minimum standards in each case? NW650E

Reply

No, no minimum standards for the (a) training of fire fighters, (b) the number of fire fighters per shift and (c) equipment available to fire fighters for each shift have been set in terms of the Fire Brigade Services Act, 1987 (Act No 99 of 1987). This is largely due to the ineffectiveness of the Fire Brigade Board to set national policy.

The Fire Brigade Board is currently in the process of being re-constituted. It should also be noted that the Fire Brigade Services Act (1987) will be amended in 2010/11 financial year to address a number of weaknesses identified with this legislation.

QUESTION NO. 538 (NW652E)

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO.6

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 05 March 2010

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

(1) (a) How many beds will the proposed four-star hotel establishment at Malelane in the Kruger National Park comprise

(b) How many staff members will work on site?

(2) Whether an impact study has been conducted to determine (a) the effects of the hotel on the surrounding area

b) Any mitigating actions that may need to be taken; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details

(3) How was the location for the proposed site chosen;

(4) whether the SA National Parks (SANParks) (a) has or (b) will go through a public consultation process regarding the building of this hotel; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(5) Whether there is a plan that governs the building of new hotel establishments in the Kruger

Mr. MJ Ellis (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

538. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) (a) 100 Rooms, 200 guest beds and 40 staff beds

(b) The operator of the Hotel will decide on Staff needs.

(2) (a) The management plan of the Kruger National Park provides for the broad zoning system on which potential tourism and other infrastructure developments may take place.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be conducted by the winning bidder as per all other tourism development and the Environmental Impact Assessment will determine the impacts on the park and make recommendations on mitigation)

(b) EIA will determine

(3) The site was chosen according to the conservation development framework and the recreational zoning plan as a peripheral site with in the zone defined as "high intensity leisure zone" and in accordance with the Kruger National Parks Management Plan.

(4) The management plan review makes provision for this type of development through a public participation process

The EIA process will include a public consultation process

(5) The Conservation Development Framework is the plan that guides development in national parks. It is supplemented by the Kruger National Parks management plans. The Kruger National Parks Management Plan provides for zonation which determines the extent and scope of potential development. This, together with a market demand analysis, as well as availability of bulk infrastructure, will determine what type of development is most appropriate at any given time.

QUESTION 540

Mr M.H. Steele (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans: 1. With reference to each specified (a) battalion, (b) regiment and (c) squadron of the SA Army, what is the (i) total number of posts (aa) planned, (bb) filled, (cc) vacant/surplus and (ii) percentage of posts vacant/posts surplus in respect of each specified occupation in the SA Army?

WRITTEN REPLY

1. The attached document explains the mustering group and the approved production posts compared to the current strength. The last column indicates the vacancies See attached documents. 654E

Question 541

Mr M H Steele (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:

What was the (a) total cost and (b) breakdown of such costs (i) to establish her department's VIP lounge at the OR Tambo International Airport, (ii) since 1 April and (iii) budgeted for the 2009-10 financial year? NW655E

The Department of Defence's VIP lounge at O R Tambo International Airport was established and budgeted for by my predecessor. The matter was covered in the Department's Annual Report and the following statistics are available to the Member. Statistics of the delegations accommodated at DoD VIP Lounge (ORTIA) during international and domestic arrivals since it commenced operations in Sep 08 to Mar 10 are as follows:

Serial No	Date	Department of Defence Principals			Foreign Dignitaries			Total
		MoD	Secretariat	SANDF	SADC	Other	SAPS
1.	Sept 08 to Mar 10	100	55	361	174	252	41
TOTAL		516			467			983

Statistics of the delegations accommodated at DoD VIP Lounge (ORTIA) during international and domestic departures since it commenced operations in Sept 08 to Mar 10 are as follows:

Serial No	Date	Department of Defence Principals			Foreign Dignitaries			Total
		MoD	Secretariat	SANDF	SADC	Other	SAPS
1.	Sept 08 to Mar 10	99	52	353	144	233	21
TOTAL		504			398			932

The total number of the delegations accommodated at the DoD VIP Lounge (ORTIA) for both departure and arrival during the official visits from and to the RSA over the period September 2008 to March 2010 is 1 915. Since its establishment in 2008, the DoD VIP Lounge (ORTIA) has ultimately contributed to the development of defence relations with regional and international partnerships and has demonstrated the DoD's competency to play an integral role in the establishment and sustainment of defence diplomacy globally.

(a) (i) The total cost to establish the department's VIP lounge is R9, 494 219m.

(b) & (ii) Breakdown of such costs:

No.	Item	Cost
1.	Construction & Interior fit-out costs	RM5,406 581
2.	Hiring of floor space for one year	RM884 104
3.	Installation & Maintenance of security system	RM1, 330 81484
4.	Vehicle costs	RM1, 872 720
	TOTAL	RM9, 494 219

(b) (iii) The total budgeted amount for the 2009-10 Financial Year is R1, 818 600m.

QUESTION 542

Mr M.H. Steele (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:

1. Whether any investigation has been conducted into the failure of her department to pay fees for military students at the University of Stellenbosch in 2009; if not, why not; if so,

2. whether the investigation has been completed; if not, why not; if so, what are the (a) findings and (b) recommendations;

3. whether any disciplinary action has been taken against any member of her department; if not, why not; if so, what disciplinary action in each case;

4. whether she has put any measures in place to prevent it from happening again; if not why not; if so, what measures?

REPLY

1. Yes

2. Yes

The results of the investigation indicated that, due to the restructuring of the procurement processes, a contract number was required to effect the payment, as opposed to the system that existed previously, which did not require a contract number. A new contractual agreement has been concluded between the DOD and the University of Stellenbosch and the outstanding tuition fees for 2009 were paid. It is not foreseen that a similar situation will re-occur.

3. No disciplinary action was deemed necessary.

4. Yes, a new contractual agreement has been concluded with the University of Stellenbosch and the new procurement process has been established to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.

QUESTION 543

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 5 March 2010

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6 of 2010

Mr M Mnqasela (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

(1) Whether any of her department's offices had their telephone lines cut as a result of non-payment and/or late payment of telephone accounts (a) in 2008, (b) in 2009 and (c) during the period 1 January 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, (i) which offices were affected, (ii) how many lines were cut, (iii) how many were supposed to be in operation in each case, (iv) for how long were each of the lines cut and (v) what was the amount owing in each case;

(2) Whether any action has been taken to (a) resolve and (b) avoid this situation in the future; if not, why not; if so, what action?

NW657E

REPLY

(1)(a) Yes. For 2008, telephones lines were cut, due to the late payments, caused by cash flow problems in the affected offices. However, only out-going calls were off.

i) 57 Offices were affected.

ii) In all the 57 Offices, the main lines were affected.

iii) All lines were supposed to be operational.

iv) Lines were cut for 4 days.

v) The total amount owed, was R1,291,812.03.

1(b) Yes. For 2009, telephone lines were cut, due to late payments, caused by cash flow problems in the affected offices.

I. 57 offices were affected.

II. All lines were supposed to be operational.

III. Lines were cut for 3 days.

IV. The total amount owed, was R309,216.45.

1(c) Yes. For 2010, telephone lines were cut, due to late payments, caused by cash flow problems in the affected offices. 10 Offices were affected.

I. In all the 10 Offices, the main lines were affected.

II. All lines were supposed to be operational.

III. Lines were cut for 1 day.

IV. The total amount owed was R27, 807.52

(2)(a)(b) Each Province was requested to submit a BI requisition form, at the beginning of the Financial year, in order to generate an order to Telkom, and upon receipt of the invoice, the payment will be paid. Furthermore, the Department appointed Provincial Heads, at each Province, and, also, appointed Managers as Responsibility Managers, to ensure compliance, and accountability. In addition, the Department re-implemented Logis, to monitor all orders placed, to ensure that invoices are paid within 30 days.

QUESTION 544

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 5 March 2010

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6 of 2010

Mr M Mnqasela (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

(1) Whether any portable bar scanning units (PBSUs) could not be accounted for (a) during and (b) after the registration for the April 2009 elections; if so, in each case (i) how many could not be accounted for, (ii) at which registration points, (iii) on what date and (iv) who was responsible for each unaccounted unit at the time it got lost.

(2) whether any of these PBSUs have been recovered; if not, why not; if so, in each case (a) which ones were recovered, (b) on what date and (c) where?

NW658E

REPLY

(1)(a) Yes.

(1)(b) No.

(1)(b)(i)(ii) One (1) could not be counted for at Bongolethu Junior Secondary School at Intsika Yethu Municipality in the Eastern Cape.

(1)(b)(iii) On 07 November 2008, a day before the registration weekend of 08 and 09 November 2008.

(1)(b)(iv) The PBSU was stored in the Principal's office and was part of the material stored there that was stolen during a burglary. The burglary was reported to the South African Police.

2. No. The PBSU has not been recovered, as yet. The criminal investigation by the SAPS is ongoing. On receiving the report of the burglary, the particular PBSU was blacklisted on the Commission's Voter Registration System to prevent any data from that PBSU from being uploaded into the system.

QUESTION NUMBER: 545

DATE FOR PUBLICATION: 5 MARCH 2010

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 11 MARCH 2010

MR M SWART (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: PERFOMANCE MONITORING AND EVALUATION AS WELL AS ADMINISTRAION:

(1) Whether, with reference to his reply to question 99 on 18 February 2010, the leave gratuities paid to (a) former Deputy President P G Mlambo Ngcuka and (b) Minister E G Pahad were paid in terms of a pension payout payable to members on retirement; if not, in terms of which rules the amounts were payable; if so, why the amounts were paid to members who did not retire, but resigned;

(2) Whether former President Thabo Mbeki received any similar payments; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?

NW659E

REPLY:

(1) In reference to the reply received on question 99 on 18 February, the payments were not leave gratuities but once off terminal payment as mistakenly stated in the earlier response, the amounts are paid to the former political principals in terms of government gazette no 31597 of 12 November 2008.

The gazette states in section 3.2 that "Members of the National Assembly or permanent delegates who have served 5 years or less should not be entitled to pension but rather a once-off terminal payment equal to 45% of pensionable salary for every year of service."

(2)Former President Thabo Mbeki did not receive any such payments. The payment is for members of the National Assembly and a sitting President is not a member of the National Assembly.

QUESTION NO 546

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 5 March 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 6-2010)

"546. Ms MR Shin (DA) to ask Minister of Science and Technology:

1. Whether the astronomical research programme at the Southern African Large Telescope (Salt) has begun; if not, (a) why and (b) when will research begin; if so, (i) what are the details of the research programmes and (ii) how many South African astronomers are assigned to these programmes;

2. how much of the 2010-11 budget has been allocated to these research programmes;

3. whether any international partners in Salt started their research programmes; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

4. whether any revenue and/or revenue equivalent will be received by the Government for the international partners' use of Salt; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?" NW660E

REPLY

1. Scientific observations (for research purposes) at the South African Large Telescope (SALT) began in 2006, during the commissioning and performance verification phase.

(i). Science programmes at SALT are many and varied with larger key projects dominating the observing time. The following are the research programmes running at SALT:

· Study of the early Universe & cosmology;

· Hubble medium deep survey, luminosity functions ;

· XMM & Chandra surveys; and

· Distances to supernovae as a probe of cosmological models.

(ii). SALT observations are open to South African astronomers with optical astronomy projects. A total of 45 South African astronomers and postgraduate students are currently accessing SALT for their research projects.

2. South Africa is allocated 33% of SALT observing time and the rest is for international partners. The Department of Science and Technology has made allocations to astronomy research in various ways:

(i). Two research chairs have been awarded of which the budget could be used

at the researchers' discretion to access SALT observations at R5 million per annum.

(ii). In the 2010/11 budget, multi-wavelength astronomy (excluding radio astronomy that is covered by the SKA budget) has been allocated R3,4 million per annum. Astronomers are also enabled to obtain SKA grants that would link their SALT observation to SKA. The allocation depends on the number of applications in this field.

(iii). SALT astronomers also have access to part of the R900 million allocation provided by the different NRF research funding programmes.

3. The following are some of the international partners that participate in SALT observations: the UK SALT Consortium occupies 7% observing time; Poland occupies 7% observing time; University of Göttingen occupies 2% observing time; Rutgers University occupies 2% observing time; University of Canterbury occupies 1% observing time. The international partners on the SALT project are the United States, Germany, Poland, India, the United Kingdom and New Zealand

4. There is no revenue that is generated by SALT for Government to collect. No one is profiteering from SALT. International partners are paying an annual operations levy for the use of SALT since it began, an operation that is determined by their shareholding percentage and the annual SALT operations budget.

QUESTION NO. 547

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 5 MARCH 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 6-2010)

547. Ms M R Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:

(1) Whether her department has a strategy in place to retain the nuclear science skills/resources that may become redundant with the scaling back of pebble-bed modular nuclear reactor (PBMR): if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) How many nuclear scientists are employed by PBMR?

NW661E

REPLY:

(1) The Department of Science and Technology (DST) together with the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) have a strategy to retain nuclear science skills/resources that may become redundant with the scaling back of the Pebble Bed Modular (PBMR). This is being done in order to ensure that the nuclear science skills/resources that may be required by the envisaged nuclear build are available when the nuclear build is rolled out.

A rationalisation committee has been formed to oversee the process of the scaling back of the PBMR. This committee includes Eskom, Denel, Sasol, DPE, DST, and Department of Energy (DoE). The organisations in the committee have expressed their willingness to utilise the skills that may become available due to the PBMR scaling down depending on the availability of positions in their respective organisations.

(2) There are 108 nuclear scientists employed by the PBMR.

QUESTION NO: 548

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 5 March 2010

QUESTION PAPER NO: 6

DATE OF REPLY: 12 February 2010

Ms M R Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister of Communications:

(1) Whether any progress has been made with providing a broadband network to the Dinaledi schools; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether the initiative will be opened up to network service providers other than Sentech; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW662E

REPLY:

(1) The Department is collating and analysing the results of the audit on the connectivity of the Dinaledi schools, which was recently conducted by the Department of Basic Education.

(2) The Departments of Communications and Education will use the findings of the audit to enter into discussion with various network operators, other than Sentech, to assist the Department in facilitating connectivity to the un-connected schools.

QUESTION NO 549

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 05 MARCH 2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 6)

549. Dr L L Bosman (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(a) How often is the determination of (i) 100-year and (ii) 50-year flood lines revised and (b) what are the implications with regard to (i) permanent structures and (ii) associated sewage infrastructure that are built below established flood lines? NW663E

---00O00---

REPLY:

(a)(i)

and

(a)(ii) The flood lines are determined during the planning stage of the dam. The flood lines are revised when necessary, for instance when the dam has silted up considerably or when there are indications that the existing flood lines are not applicable any more.

(a)(i) During flooding, structures below the flood line can form obstructions which could cause a rise in water levels. This rise in water levels can then be detrimental to upstream infrastructure.

(b)(ii) During flooding, sewage infrastructure below the flood line can cause severe pollution downstream.

QUESTION NO. 550 (NW664E) INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 05 March 2010

Dr L L Bosman (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) Whether action is being taken to ensure that the awarding of boat-based whale watching is (a) transparent, (b) fair and (c) efficient; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether, with reference to an insert broadcast during a certain television programme (details furnished), her department conducted an investigation into the alleged corrupt activities; if not, why not; if so, who (a) conducted the investigation and (b) authorised it;

(3) Whether any action was taken against any individual; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Dr L L Bosman (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

1) A number of steps have been taken and measures put in place to ensure that the Boat-Based Whale Watching permit allocation process will be (a) transparent (b) fair and (c) efficient. In that regard the following were undertaken:

§ The process is being managed in accordance with policies and general regulations that were in place for over a year before the application process started. These were discussed in workshops with operators and interested parties from as far as Cape Town to St Lucia after their publication in 2008.

§ The number of permits available for the different areas were published upfront, several months before the application process; indicating that a realistic and sustainable approach was being followed.

§ The application process was widely advertised and reasonable time (about two to three days at each centre) given to ensure that all interested parties could register and collect application forms at four (4) centres, namely Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, and St Lucia. Completed forms were received at these same centres five (5) weeks later.

§ The "Information Pack" distributed to applicants with their application forms was comprehensive, and contained guidelines on how to apply, the policies and all regulations, including maps as well as notes on how to complete application forms.

§ The policies, at all centres, were also made available in Afrikaans, English, Xhosa and Zulu. The Department received positive feedback from applicants relating to these information packs.

§ While the allocation process is being managed by the Department, it is strongly supported by an experienced service provider.

§ Once the assessment phase of the process is completed, all applicants will be provided detailed feedback on how their applications were assessed and reasons for their success or failure. This will allow for a proper "appeal process" to be conducted, prior the finalization of the entire process.

2) On 5 January 2009, the Department was made aware of an alleged fraud and corruption activity relating to Boat Based Whale Watching (BBWW) and White Shark Cage Diving (WSCD) within the sub-directorate Sustainable Coastal Livelihoods; a unit within Marine and Coastal Management (MCM) responsible for these non-consumptive activities. As soon as the department was alerted of these allegations, in the form of formal affidavits to South African Police Service, the following were undertaken:

a) A decision was taken to immediately suspend the alleged perpetrators and Mr. Nasir Daniels, the Director: Facilities Support Management and Mr. Arthur Frans, the Deputy Director: Labour Relations were instructed to immediately conduct a formal investigation.

b) The investigation was authorized by the Acting Deputy Director-General of Marine and Coastal Management (DDG – MCM), Dr. Razeena Omar.

3) During the investigation period, one official resigned while her alleged accomplice resigned on the day of his disciplinary hearing. The disciplinary hearing happened in his absence anyway, and resulted in his dismissal from the department. Besides, the disciplinary investigation and action, formal criminal charges were laid against these officials on 25 December 2009. SAPS investigated the matter, prosecution took place and the court found them not guilty. This preceded the broadcast on the television programme.

QUESTION 543

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 5 March 2010

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6 of 2010

Mr M Mnqasela (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

(2) Whether any action has been taken to (a) resolve and (b) avoid this situation in the future; if not, why not; if so, what action?

NW657E

REPLY

(1)(a) Yes. For 2008 the following telephones lines were cut, due to the late payments. However, only out-going calls were off.

i) 57 Offices were affected, as listed below.

ii) In all the 57 Offices, the main lines were affected.

iii) All lines were supposed to be operational.

iv) Lines were cut for 4 days.

v) The total amount owed, was R1,291,812.03.

2008

PROVINCE	No of Offices	Amount Owed
EASTERN CAPE	2	39,919.07
FREE STATE	4	107,645.69
GAUTENG EAST	4	104,314.82
GAUTENG WEST	4	131,475.25
KZN	19	376,134.76
LIMPOPO	6	154,854.69
MPUMALANGA	12	245,744.50
NORTH WEST	6	131,723.25
Grand Total	57	1,291,812.03

1(b) Yes. For 2009, the following, telephone lines were cut, due to late payments. 57 offices were affected, as listed, below:

I. In all the 128 Offices, the main lines were affected.

II. All lines were supposed to be operational.

III. Lines were cut for 3 days.

IV. The total amount owed was R309,216.45.

2009

REGION	No of Offices	Amount Owed
Eastern Cape	24	56,474.39
Free State	10	22,955.46
Gauteng East	13	34,011.69
Gauteng West	5	16,716.96
KZN	22	47,771.14
Limpopo	10	25,071.38
Mpumalanga	17	34,367.41
Mpumalange	1	1,931.47
North West	14	28,621.72
Northern Cape	3	5,014.53
Western Cape	9	36,280.29
Grand Total	128	309,216.45

1(c) Yes. For 2010, the following telephones lines were cut, due to late payments. 10 Offices were affected, as listed, below:

I. In all the 10 Offices, the main lines were affected.

II. All lines were supposed to be operational.

III. Lines were cut for 1 day.

IV. The total amount owed was R27,807.52.

2010

REGION	No of Offices	Amount Owed
Eastern Cape	2	4,706.20
Free State	1	2,295.54
North West	2	4,088.82
Gauteng West	5	16,716.96
Grand Total	10	27,807.52

QUESTION NO. 537

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO.6 NW651E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 05 March 2010

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

(1) (a) How many (i) accommodation establishments are currently in existence and (ii) new accommodation establishments are planned for the Kruger National Park and (b) for each of these establishments how many (i) beds are there and (ii) new beds are envisaged;

(2) (a) what is the current overnight capacity for visitors that the Kruger National Park can accommodate (b) what is the maximum overnight capacity that the park management envisage as feasible (c) how was this latter figure established?

Mr MJ Ellis (DA)

SERETARY TO PARLIAMENT
HANSARD
PAPER OFFICE
PRESSS

THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) (a) (i) and (ii) and (b) (i) and (ii) See attached excel spread sheet.

(2) (a) The current total beds capacity for the Kruger National Park is 8734 (Excluding proposed new

accommodation) (b) this will be determined by a combination of demand and availability of the development sites and associated infrastructure, in line with the Park Management Plan (PMP) and the Conservation Development Framework (CDF) (c) these figures are determined periodically in line with the PMP and the CDF, as indicated in (b).

2010-04-06

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