Questions & Replies No 726 to 750

2010-04-08

THIS FILE CONTAINS 25 REPLIES.

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QUESTION 726 WRITTEN REPLY 15 March 2010

726. Mr S J Masango (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Works:

(1) In terms of what criteria is the allocation of state houses to judges determined;

(2) whether any state-owned houses are currently occupied by any judges; if so, what (a) are their names and (b) is the established value of the house in each case;

(3) whether any houses available to judges are not occupied at present; if so, where are these houses located and what is the value of each of these houses? NW853E

Reply:

The Department of Public Works caters for the Chief Justice accommodation only. For other judges, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development allocates housing in terms of the Department of Public Service and Administration prescripts.
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is better suited to provide response.
As per 2 above.

QUESTION 729

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19/02/2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 2-2010)

Dr H C van Schalkwyk (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

(1) Whether she intends closing down any farm schools in remote areas; if so,

(2) whether suitable accommodation will be made available for learners from farm schools; if not,

(3) whether learners will be transported to schools; if not, why not; if so, who will carry the cost;

(4) whether she will make a statement on the matter? NW856E

Draft response

1) The closing down of farm schools in remote areas is the prerogative of provincial departments of education. The South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act No. 84 of 1996) (the SASA) in Section 12 A provides for the merger and Section 33 for the closure of public schools. In that regard this responsibility resides with the provincial departments of education. However, my department in partnership with provinces has developed Guidelines for the Closure and Merger of Rural and Farm schools. These Guidelines provide guidance on the merger and closure process, the role of provincial coordinating and implementation teams, procedures to follow regarding the School Governing Bodies of schools and language, religious and cultural considerations.

2) Refer to question one.

3) Refer to question one.

4) Refer to question one.

QUESTION NO.: 730

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 05 March 2010

Dr S M van Dyk (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:

(a) What is the total amount required by Eskom to maintain a stable electricity supply for the next 10 years and (b)(i) how and (ii) where will Eskom obtain the required capital? NW857E

Reply

(a) The size and timing of the capacity required (supply and demand side) to ensure a stable electricity supply over the next 25 years will be determined by the Integrated Resource Plan for Electricity (IRP2) currently being drafted by the Department of Energy. It is estimated that the IRP2 process, which includes a comprehensive stakeholder engagement process will be complete by the end of September 2010.

It is envisaged that the IRP2 will designate which of the required capacity will be built by Eskom and which by the private sector. It is already clear that Eskom will not be able to provide for South Africa's security of electricity supply into the future on its own as it has done historically. Once the allocation between Eskom and the private sector is finalised in IRP2, funding requirements can be determined.

After the NERSA determination of its revenue allowance for the next 3 years (MYPD2), Eskom has a projected cumulative shortfall after anticipated access to finance of R46-billion in year 3 i.e. 2012/13 to deliver the existing projects that the State Owned Enterprise has committed.

(b)(i) Eskom has prepared a funding plan from traditional sources of debt capital i.e. Domestic and International bond markets, Export Credit Agency financing (Hermes, COFACE, SACE, ECGD etc) and Development Financing Institutions (AfDB, EIB, World Bank, AFD) etc.

(ii) Eskom accesses both domestic and international markets for debt issuance currently and the investor base is typically pension funds, life companies and banks. Work on providing for the funding requirements is ongoing and it is the subject of one of the workstreams supporting an Inter-ministerial Committee on Energy which is considering a myriad of alternate options to source funding.

QUESTION NO. 731

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 15 March 2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 7)

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

In each of the ten most recent financial years for which information is available, (a) what was the (i) budget for and (ii) actual expenditure of the head office of each provincial health administration, (b) how many staff were employed at each of these offices and (c) what amount was (i) budgeted for salaries for these employees and (ii) actually spent?

NW858E

REPLY:

The following information was obtained from the Provincial Departments of Health as attached.

(b) Provincialisation of services in this regard would imply that the Department would take over the control and management of the identified services. Once identified staff in this regard is transferred to the Province, they will be appointed in terms of the Public Service Act and all other relevant policies and prescripts that are applicable at that point in time. All powers and functions previously performed by Municipalities once Provincialisation took place, will be exercised by the Province.

QUESTION NO 732

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 16 APRIL 2010

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: MONDAY, 15 MARCH 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 7 – 2010)

Mr M S F de Freitas (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:

(1) How is jet fuel delivered to each international airport;

(2) whether there are any airports that do not receive their fuel via a pipeline; if so, (a) which airports and (b) how is fuel delivered to these airports;

(3) whether the transporting of fuel by tankers to airports takes cognisance of the damage to road infrastructure caused by such tankers; if not, why not; if so, how is this mitigated?

NW859E

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

(1) Jet fuel is delivered to the international airports as follows:

§ OR Tambo International Airport is supplied via three sources:

- a dedicated fuel line from Sasolburg;

- via rail tank cars; and

- DJP multi-product pipeline from Durban.

§ Cape Town International Airport is supplied by road tanker only.

§ Durban International Airport is supplied by a direct pipeline.

§ King Shaka International Airport will be supplied totally by road tanker.

(2) (a) and (b)

Port Elizabeth Airport has a direct pipeline from the harbour. All other airports, including George, East London, Bloemfontein, Kimberly, Upington and Pilanesberg are supplied by road tanker.

(3) The transportation of fuel to the airports falls within the category of Dangerous Goods and has to comply with all the legal requirements relating to such transportation. In this regard the tanker has to comply with the design requirements for bulk transportation and the prescribed weight restriction imposed in terms of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act No 93 of 1996).

QUESTION NO 733

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 30 MARCH 2010

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: MONDAY, 15 MARCH 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 7 – 2010)

Mr M S F de Freitas (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:

(1) Whether there are any processes, procedures and/or mechanisms in place to ensure that jet fuel is always available at all international airports; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether a team or person is responsible to ensure the continuous availability of jet fuel at all international airports; if not, why not; if so, who is (a) this team or (b) the person responsible?

NW860E

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

(1) The processes, procedures and mechanisms to ensure the availability of jet fuel at the international airports are the responsibility of the fuel suppliers at OR Tambo, Cape Town and King Shaka International Airports. A fuel depot management company is in place to coordinate the supply, delivery and distribution of the fuel at these airports.

At all other Airports Company South Africa Limited (ACSA) airports there is a single fuel supply company that coordinates their own deliveries.

The supply chain of fuel to the airports is predominately reliant on the bulk transport of fuel via the Transnet Pipelines fuel lines or the Transnet Freight Rail Network, either directly to the airport or to regional fuel storage depots.

Since September 2009, a Department of Energy (DOE) Ministerial Task Team, consisting of various Ministries, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and suppliers oversee and monitor the security of supply of fuel to airports around the country.

(2) (a) and (b)

The fuel suppliers to the airlines are responsible for ensuring availability of the fuel for their customers. ACSA, the Airlines Association of South Africa (AASA) and The Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa (BARSA), together with the fuel depot managers, have regular meetings to deal with identified problems and possible mitigations. The fuel stocks at each airport are monitored daily.

QUESTION NO. 736

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 15 MARCH 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 736)

"736. Ms MR Shinn to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:

(1) Whether there is or was any discussions between her department and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to exchange information about the application of scientific improvements to food crops developed by entities under her department's control and institutions of higher learning; if not, why not;

(2) Whether she will take steps to implement such a mechanism to exchange information; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) What is the current process of sharing plant production information with Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' extension offices to ensure emerging farmers are advised on appropriate crop and farming methods developed by biotechnology researchers?

(NW863E)

REPLY

(1) Yes, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has had discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), and in 2006 entered into a collaborative agreement for agricultural science, technology and innovation activities. In broad terms, the cooperation framework signed by both departments embraced the need for high-level cooperation, and this has resulted in the quarterly meeting of the Agricultural Science, Technology and Innovation Activities Co-ordination Committee. Included in the mandate is the application of scientific technologies for the improvement of food crops in South Africa.

The DST is also a member of the Executive Council for Genetically Modified Organisms, established under the Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Act, 1997 (Act No. 15 of 1997). The Executive Council is the decision-making body for GMO permit applications. The Council is chaired and managed by DAFF, and vice-chaired by the DST representative. The DST member has kept the Executive Council informed of relevant developments in the South African biotechnology landscape, to ensure that DAFF and other key departments (the Department of Health, the Department of Water Affairs, the Department of Environmental Affairs, and the Department of Trade and Industry) are aware of such developments.

(2) The DST has formal mechanisms to exchange information with DAFF, including those described above. However, I am also exploring the possibility of other avenues for continued information sharing. I have tasked the National Advisory Council on Innovation and the DST to develop a position paper on biotechnology, and one of the recommendations this document will make is that an interministerial forum should be created to drive alignment in biotechnology at the highest level. Subject to Cabinet approval, this forum will include my counterpart at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

(3) The mandate provided to my Department's Biotechnology Innovation Centres, (BICs), which are soon to be incorporated into the Technology Innovation Agency, is to drive biotechnology innovation with the aim of successful entry into the market. The biotechnology programmes supported by the DST through the BICs have not yet yielded crop products that are ready to enter the markets. However, we believe that by the time products are developed the communication channels for sharing information with DAFF's extension offices will be used to reach subsistence farming communities to assist them in achieving sustainable economic development. The extension services play a catalytic role in technology transfer. It is for this reason that in 2006 my Department agreed to support and finance an assessment study on agricultural provincial research and extension capacity. The recommendations of that study have since been implemented by DAFF.

QUESTION NO. 737

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 15 MARCH 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 7-2010)

"737. Ms M R Shinn to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:

(1) What is the name and details of the (a) production company and (b) producer of the video that was made of the launch of SumbandilaSat;

(2) Whether the production of the video has been completed; if not , (a) why not, (b) when will it be completed and (c) when will it be available; If so (i) when was it completed, (ii) when will it be available and (iii) (aa) when and (bb) where will it be broadcast;

(3) Whether it is the property of her department; if not, (a) why not and (b) whose property is it; if so what are the relevant details;

(4) Whether her department has distribution rights on the video; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(5) Whether her department has contributed and / or paid for any costs towards the production of the video; if not, why not, if so (a) what amount and (b) why?"

NW864E

REPLY:

(1)(a) The production company that was appointed for the launch of SumbandilaSat was Foster Brother Film Productions, which is based in Cape Town. Its details are as follows:

17 Blue Valley Ave, Bokkemanskloof, Hout Bay 7806

Tel.: 021 790 0549 or 083 2754978

Fax: 086 605 5371

[email protected]

www.senseafrica.com

(b) The producer was Lauren Foster, for whom the contact details in (a) above may be used.

(2)(i) The production of the video was completed three weeks after the launch event and it is in the possession of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

(ii) The video is available to the public on request.

(iii) The video was placed on the DST website for a period. Our plan is also to create a documentary from the video and broadcast it with one of the TV channels. DST also intends to use the video as an educational tool for its space science and technology public awareness campaigns.

(3) The video material is the DST's property. It is kept by the DST's Chief Directorate: Science Communication.

(4) The DST has distribution rights.

(5)(a) Foster Brother Film Productions did not charge the DST for the production of the video. However, the DST paid the accommodation, flights, and travel and subsistence costs for the two people who went to film the launch, as follows:

Accommodation R7 450

Flights R35 872

Travel and subsistence R7 214

Total R50 536

(b) The video is an important tool in the DST public awareness campaigns.

QUESTION NO. 738

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 7 NW865E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15 March 2010

Mr M Swart (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) Whether the department intends constructing a bridge over the Crocodile River at the Crocodile River Bridge entrance of the Kruger National Park to replace the current low-water bridge; if not, why not; if so, (a) when and (b) at what estimated cost;

(2) (a) what amount of materials have been purchased for the construction of the bridge and (b) what was the value at the time of the purchase;

(3) Whether any of the materials purchased for the construction of the bridge was stored in the open; if so,

(4) Whether any of the materials have disappeared since the time of purchase; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the current value of the remainder of the materials?

Mr M Swart (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

738. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) (a) Yes, KNP are in the process of reconstructing the existing low-level bridge at Crocodile Bridge to increase the height to accommodate a 1:10 year flood event.

(b) The estimated cost is R 7,3 million

(2) (a) Pre-cast bridge elements have been purchased

b) The value of the pre-cast bridge elements was R 1 430 000.00

(3) Yes, the pre-cast bridge elements are stored in the open.

(4) The pre-cast bridge elements have not disappeared; they are stored next to the bridge site.

QUESTION NO. 739

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 15 March 2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 7)

Mr M H Steele (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

(1) (a) What was the total value of the conditional grant made to LoveLife in the 2008-09 financial year and (b) what conditions were attached to this grant;

(2) what measures did his department put in place to ensure compliance with the set conditions;

(3) whether the recipient of the grant met all the conditions as set by his department; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW866E

REPLY:

(1) (a) R63 million;

(b) The conditions were spelt out in the service level agreement as part of the obligation and review and reporting of loveLife as follows:

(i) the allocated funds shall be used in accordance with the service plan and upon request of the Department, must refund any amount not utilised to the Department;

(ii) loveLife must at all times adhere to their constitution as submitted with the service plan;

(iii) loveLife shall provide written reports on the project according to the required format as and when may be requested by the project manager of the Department;

(iv) the Department or its agents will at any given time, be entitled to inspect all financial books and records of the project outlined in the agreement; and

(v) within three months of the end of the financial year loveLife shall submit an annual report on the activities of loveLife, including certified/audited financial statements and auditor's report.

(2) Four quarterly reports were received from loveLife and two follow-up verification site visits were conducted in loveLife offices to verify reported expenditure of funds transferred to the Organisation.

(3) loveLife has complied with the signed service level agreement. During the two site visits, the Department officials inspected financial records of the Organisation and found them to be compliant with the Department's requirements. loveLife submitted their quarterly and annual reports on their activities in accordance with their business plan. Bank statements and audited financial reports were submitted and reviewed.

QUESTION NO. 741 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO NW868E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: March 2010

Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) What (a) are the names of all companies that have won tenders to provide clothing to employees of the SA National Parks since 1 April 2009 and (b) is the (i) value of the contract and (ii) nature of the goods provided in each case;

(2) Whether the tender was advertised to the public in each case; if not, how is the awarding of the tender justified; if so, (a) how was it advertised and (b) what were the names of all companies that submitted bids in each of the above cases;

(3) Whether the tender procedures were followed in each case; if not, why not; if so, how was this conclusion reached;

(4) Whether, in any of the adjudication processes that led to the determination of the winning bidder in the above cases, any member of the relevant committee that made each decision was forced to withdraw due to a declared conflict of interest; if so, what are the relevant details?

Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

741. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) (a) Only a single award to Purim Creation CC.

(b) The value of the tender as per allowances provided by SANParks amount to approximately
R1 500 000.00 per annum.

(2) (a) The tender was advertised in the Sunday Times and City Press.

The evaluation process was transparent and conducted through the three committees as follows:

§ Screening of bid documents for legal compliance

§ Evaluation Committee

§ Adjudication Committee

§ Final Sign off by the CE

Evaluation Criteria

§ Functionality

§ Price

§ HDI

(b) 18 Bids were received and the names of the bidders are stated below as follows:

· Kgabane Print Works

· Gordys Corporate Clothing Solutions

· Ardov Clothing/Phambili Corporate

· Jade Corporate Clothing

· Purim Creations CC

· Mink Corporate Design

· Maby Clothing

· Assegai Clothing

· Londani Fashions

· Firefly

· Dipetle General Construction

· Zemdoc cc

· Julia Creation Fingers/ Khewinza

· Impact Gear

· Berg/umshezi

· Adventure Supply Co

· Bosec

· Smartly Fabulous

(3) The tender process was followed to the end. The conclusion was reached by observing the principles of evaluation as per SANParks Supply Chain Policy and Treasury Tender rules in all stages leading to awarding.

(4) No member of the Adjudication Committee had an interest in the subject matter. No member was accordingly forced to withdraw.

QUESTION NO. 742 (NW869E) INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 7

DATE OF PUBLICATION: March 2010

Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) (a) When was a certain commercial partner (name furnished) appointed to the SA Weather Service (SAWS), (b) when does this relationship end and (c) what are the names of any other companies that are commercial partners of the SAWS;

(2) whether SAWS intends renewing the contract with the said company; if not, why not; if so, on what justifiable grounds;

(3) whether the (a) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and (b) Board of SAWS have done a performance appraisal of the work completed by the said partner thus far; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(4) whether they are satisfied with the results; if not, why not?

Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) (a) The certain commercial partner was appointed on 1 November 2008.

(b) The duration of the contract is three years.

(2) SAWS is currently reviewing the contract to strengthen and revise a number of clauses in the contract in light of the experience gained in the last 16 months.

(3) (a) and (b) Yes, the revenue share is reviewed monthly by SAWS and an operational interface forum has been created where the day-to-day performance is evaluated and enhanced. The performance related to this contract is included in the CEO's Report which covers the Management Accounts, Quarterly Report and a Progress Report on Commercial Activities presented to the Board on a quarterly basis.

(4) Yes.

QUESTION NO 743

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 30 MARCH 2010

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: MONDAY, 15 MARCH 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 7 – 2010)

Mr G R Morgan (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:

(1) Whether the proposed development of the N2 Wild Coast Toll highway is being done in conjunction with a broader spatial planning process for the areas that will be impacted by the road; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) (a) how will the proposal for the new road benefit the broader development objectives of the area and (b) what are the negative effects of the proposed road in respect of the broader development objectives of the area?

NW870E

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport

(1) The proposed development of the N2 Wild Coast Toll Highway is being done with a broad spatial planning process. Government's Wild Coast Spatial Development Initiative (SDI) was undertaken in the mid 1990's, which focused on a developmental strategy that could address poverty, create jobs and uplift communities of the impoverished Wild Coast area. This included the toll road and the establishment of the Pondoland National Park.

Since roads are the catalyst for development, the potential of the area will not be realized without a good road and the people of the area will be continued to be consigned to a life of poverty.

The documentation covering the various studies such as the economic impact studies and the environmental impact assessment are voluminous. Detailed information is available on the following websites: www.nra.co.za and www.ccaenvironmental.co.za (chapter 15 and the specialist assessment report contained in Appendix 12 of the Final Environmental Impact Report).

(2) (a)

The positive benefits, inter alia, of the project are providing access to an area of South Africa that has virtually none, thereby unlocking the developmental potential of the Eastern Cape and the Pondoland area, in particular. Furthermore, the provision of this road will strengthen the national road network where it has been required for decades.

Listed below are some of the benefits of the project:

• Benefit-cost analysis shows a ratio as high as 2,44.

• The gross once-off investment in the area during construction - R4 773 million.

• Income from new business activity (after construction) - R1 666 million.

• Total investment in the area (during and after construction) - R6 439 million.

The annual increase in income in the service area of the proposed road during and after construction will be as follows:

• Wages and salaries to local population R 228,8 million

• Income increase to local industry R 171,6 million

• Retailers R 114,4 million

• Service providers R 57,2 million

• Number of permanent jobs 15 880

Multiplier effect in zone of influence: 4 – 6.

Tourism potential in the area:

• Expected tourists per annum - 1 400 000

• Projected new room developments - 784

• Positive economic impact as a result of increased tourism volumes

(b)

It is acknowledged that any kind of development causes disruption to the status quo, be it to the natural surroundings (environmental) or to human life. The disruption caused should, however, be considered in its proper context. The challenge is to find a balance between the improvement of the quality of life of human beings and the preservation of the environment. This challenge can be met through the application of mitigation measures. The reports mentioned earlier do suggest such mitigation measures that can be further refined at the implementation stage of the project.

It has been shown that the potential negative impact of the project is on the biodiversity of Pondoland – Ugu Sandstone Coastal Sourveld vegetation and in the Pondoland Centre of Endemism. However, this must be seen in the context of the size of the project. The road traverses some 560 km between the Provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. The entire road is in an existing road reserve area of which approximately 75 km is a greenfield site. The greenfield site is between Ndwalane and Mtanwena River in the Pondoland Centre of Endemism. This is approximately 13% of the entire length of the road.

The road reserve here will be 80 m wide; the road prism will generally vary between 20 and 50 m and the surfaced width will be 12,5 m. Thus, an area approximately 94 ha out of a total area of 600 ha (greenfield site) will be disturbed – i.e. approximately 16% - to the extent that the vegetation will be uprooted. This is a "small" price to pay for the upliftment of the people living in an underdeveloped part of South Africa.

QUESTION NO. 744 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO NW871E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15 March 2010

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

(1) Whether, with reference to her media statement (copy furnished), she has met with the Minister of Mineral Resources to discuss her concerns about the awarding of an unconditional New Order Mining Right to a certain company (name furnished) near the Mapungubwe Heritage site; if not, when will they meet; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether she intends establishing a formal process to engage the Minister of Mineral Resources on mining in sensitive areas; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether her department received a letter from the Department of Mineral Resources informing them that a New Order Mining Right had been granted to a company to mine near Mapungubwe; if so, when; if not,

(4) whether this has been requested; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, when;

(5) whether her department provided comment to the Department of Mineral Resources on this particular mining application; if not, why not; if so, what was the principal argument of her department?

Mr. G R Morgan (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

744. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) The initial discussion has taken place, awaiting a follow-up meeting

(2) I will continue to consult through co-operative governance measures.

(3) The Department has not received a letter from the Department of Mineral Resources regarding the awarding of the New Order Mining Right (NOMR) to Coal of Africa for the mining of coal on farms Overvlakte 125 MS (Ptn 3, 4, 5,6,13, RE), Bergen op Zoom 124 MS, Semple 155 MS and Voorspoed 836 MS. .

(4) The Department requested clarity on this matter as well as a copy of the NORM in a letter dated 16 February 2010.

(5) My department was not involved in the process from the initiation of the project and became aware of the proposed Vele Colliery at a very late stage in the process when the Peace Parks Foundation brought it to our attention. It was then followed up with the Limpopo Regional Office of the Department of Minerals and Energy who afforded the department an opportunity to comment on the Environmental Management Programme and Scoping Report dated December 2008. The departmental comments were forwarded to the relevant competent authority within the legal time frames.

It was the expressed opinion of the Department that the proposed open cast coal mine is an undesirable development for the area where it is proposed.

The proposed development has the potential to cause both local as well as trans-boundary impacts including, but not be limited to, noise-, air-, water- and visual pollution. It could further impact negatively on the "Sense of Place" and tourism potential of the Mapungupwe World Heritage Site and its buffer zones, the Mapungupwe National Park and its direct adjacent landscape and the Greater Limpopo Shase Trans-Frontier Conservation Area.

It was also indicated that down stream from the site, pollution of the Limpopo River may impact negatively on the floodplains of the river in the Makuleke and Pafuri areas of the Kruger National Park, registered as Ramsar wetland sites.

The associated infrastructure like roads, waste dumps, power lines and electricity generation facilities in this specific area will also require environmental authorization.

QUESTION NO: 746

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 01 OF 15 March 2010

Mrs M Wenger (DA) to ask the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:

Whether his department has taken any measures to ensure that there are no service delivery protests that can disrupt the 2010 Fifa WorId Cup Soccer tournament; if not, why not; if so, what measures? NW873E

Reply

Yes,

It must be noted that community protests against poor service delivery are not a crime, but a way of communities airing their unhappiness with the provision of services. However, the Host Cities have been advised to engage all stakeholders on service delivery issues to limit, if not eliminate, such protests.

This matter was raised at the recent COGTA MinMEC to limit, and for stakeholders to leverage on the Local Government Turnaround Strategy to ensure that no disruption of the tournament is experienced. The government will continue to engage organised labour, especially the Congress of South African Trade Unions, to ensure that the 2010 FIFA World Cup is not disrupted.

QUESTION NO: 747

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 07 OF 15 March 2010

Mrs M Wenger (DA) to ask the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:

(a) What was the (i) purpose and (ii) total cost of the referendums in (aa) Moutse and (bb) Matatiele, (b) which department(s) paid for each of the referendums and (c) from which budget vote did the money come in each case? NW874E

Reply

(a) The processes in Moutse and Matatiele were not referenda, but a process of testing the views of communities in relation to demarcation of their areas. (i) the purpose was to ensure that all people participate in the process so that everyone will have an ownership of the final outcome of the process, after organisations that represented those people could not reach an agreement. (aa) and (bb) there were no financial implications incurred. The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs paid its staff and the respective provinces paid their staff who assisted with the process.

(b) We do not have an exact figure for the total expenditure as some documents for the hiring of schools has not been received. We can however estimate that at least R2 million was spent in both Moutse and Matatiele.

QUESTION 748

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [No 7-2010]

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15 March 2010

748. Mrs A Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:

Whether a certain farm (details furnished) in KwaZulu-Natal was bought by his department; if so, (a) under which programme, (b) what was the price of the land and (c) what amount did the beneficiaries receive as a development grant? NW875E

THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:

Yes. The Department bought the Remainder and Portions 12, 13 and 15 of the farm in question. Details of the two projects to which the acquisitions relate are indicated hereunder.

(a) The Remainder of the farm in question was bought under the Settlement Land Acquisition Grant (SLAG). Portions 12, 13 and 15 were bought under the Settlement Production and Land Acquisition Grant (SPLAG).

(b) The Remainder and Portions 12, 13 and 15 of the farm in question were bought for R3 720 600.00 and R748 437.00 respectively.

(c) The beneficiaries of the Remainder and Portions 12, 13 and 15 of the farm in question received a Balance of Grant to the amount of R16 954 272.00 and R2 664 665.00 respectively. The Balance of Grant is the sum available after the purchase price has been paid and is used for development purposes by the beneficiaries.

QUESTION 749

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [No 7-2010]

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15 March 2010

749. Mrs A Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:

Whether he has been informed of any incidents of conflict between his department and foreign land owners regarding land claim issues; if so, (a) of how many instances and (b) what is his department doing to resolve these issues? NW876E

THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:

(1) No.

(a) and (b) Fall away.

QUESTION 750

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [No 7-2010]

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15 March 2010

750. Mrs A Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:

(1) Whether his department investigated the impact of land reform on the economic climate of rural towns, especially in provinces with very high number of land claims; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether such a study will be undertaken; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW877E

THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:

(1) and (2) No, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) has not yet conducted such a study. The DRDLR's main tool for impact assessment currently is the Quality of Life (QOL) survey which at this stage focuses on the impact of land reform programmes on beneficiaries. However, the Department is reviewing the QOL survey to ensure that it is aligned to the objectives of the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP).

QUESTION NO 734

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: TUESDAY, 06 JULY 2010

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: MONDAY, 15 MARCH 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 7 – 2010)

Mr M S F de Freitas (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:

(1) How many positions in (a) his department and (b) each specified entity reporting to him (i) were vacant, (ii) have been advertised and (iii) have been filled in the past 12 months up to the latest specified date for which information is available;

(2) (a) what was the reason for the number of vacant positions in each case and (b) when will the vacant positions be filled? NW861E

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

Department of Transport (DOT)

There are (a) six hundred and seventy seven (677) posts on the approved establishment of the Department of Transport.

(1) (a)

(i) There are currently one hundred and forty eight (148) posts vacant;

(ii) Seventy four (74) posts have been advertised, and

(iii) Seventy eight (78) posts have been filled in the past 12 months until 18 March 2010.

(2) (a)

The reason for the hundred and forty eight (148) vacancies, is summarized as follows:

(b)

Due to the unavailability of funds and the moratorium that was placed on the filling of posts, no posts were filled during the period 1 July 2009 to 31 March 2010. The department will embark upon a project to fill all vacancies starting from the 2010/2011 financial year.

Airports Company South Africa Limited (ACSA)

(1) (b) (i) (ii) (iii) & (2) (a) and (b)

The Airports Company South Africa focused stringently on the employee structures, roles of individuals and number of employees employed to ensure delivery on the strategy. During the past year, specific attention was given to optimization of structures as to ensure efficient delivery.

From 448 vacancies that were recorded, 335 were advertised, whilst 91 were not advertised. There are others (22 instances) that were identified as learning opportunities, which were note filled permanently. The reasons related to the decisions to advertise or not, are indicated in the detailed tables.

The table attached indicates the vacancies as they occurred, indicating the action taken:

Air Traffic & Navigations Services (ATNS)

(1) (b) (i) (ii) (iii) & (2) (a) and (b)

Department	No of vacancies	Reason for Vacancies	Advertised	No of vacancies filled March '09 – Feb '10
Operations	30	1 x Transfer 23 x Resignations 1 x Retirement 4 x New Positions 1 x Restructuring	30	18 x Filled by Feb '10 11 x Will be filled after Feb '10 1 x Withdrawn – Re-grade
Human Capital	23	20 x Resignations 1 x Transfer 1 x Retirement 2 x Restructuring	22	15 x Filled by February 2010 8 x Will be filled after Feb 2010
Finance	10	7 x Resignations 1 x Dismissal 1 x New Position 1 x Restructuring	10	6 x Filled by February 2010 4 x Will be filled after Feb 2010
Engineering	16	14 x Resignations 1 x Restructuring 1 x New Position	14	6 x Filled by February 2010 8 x Will be filled after Feb 2010
Executives	9	9 x Restructuring	9	9 x Filled in March 2010
TOTALS	88		85

Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (C-BRTA)

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

Number

Vacant Positions

Advertised

Positions filled

1 position

Chief Executive Officer

Advertised

Yes (April 2010)

16 positions

Road Transport Inspectors

Advertised

Yes (April/May 2009)

(2) (a)

The CEO resigned in April 2009.

The 16 Inspectors were replacing those who left the Agency.

(b)

The vacancies have since been filled as above.

South Africa Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

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

SACAA has an approved staff establishment of 470. The estimated target for staff establishment for the year 2009/2010 is 445. Currently, SACAA has 437 employees in its employ. 64 vacancies were filled between January 2009 to date.

(2) (a) and (b)

The reasons for the 8 vacancies are as a result of 1 promotion, 2 resignations and 5 new positions. The 8 vacancies will be filled before the end of the financial year 2009/2010 of which successful candidates would resume with their duties with effect 1 April 2010.

DIVISION	POSITION	NO VACANCIES	DATE VACANT	REASON FOR VACANCY	STATUS
Aircraft Safety	Certification Engineer	2	Oct-09	New positions	Interviews scheduled for 23rd March 2010
Air Safety Ops.	Inspector part 135	1	Oct-09	Resignation	Interviews scheduled for the 02 & 26 March 2010
Legal	Enforcement Paralegal Officer	1	Sep-09	New position	Interviews scheduled for the18th March 2010
Risk & Compliance	Telephone Administrator	1	Oct-09	New position	Interviews held on the 11th March 2010
Risk & Compliance	Client services cordinator	1	01-Oct	Incumbent promoted	Offer made to the recommended candidate
Finance	Revenue Officer	1	01-Sep	Incumbent resigned	Offer made to the recommended candidate
Finance	Administrator	1	Aug-09	New position	Interviews held on the 11th March 2010

South Africa Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)

(1) (b) (i) (ii) and (iii)

There are 38 essential posts vacant in the South African Maritime Safety Authority

Posts that were advertised	Filled
Chief Financial Officer	Not filled
Chief Human Capital Officer	Not filled
Chief Information Officer	Not filled
Information Officer	Not filled
Eighteen (18) Marine Surveyors	Seven appointed
Executive Head: Centre for Seafarers	Not filled
Executive Head: Centre for Inland Boating	Not filled
Nine (9) Small Vessel & Inland Boating Surveyors	Not filled
Executive Head: Centre for Corporate Services	Not filled
Executive Head: Centre for Excellence	Not filled
Executive Head: Centre for Maritime Industry Development & National Cluster	Not filled
Senior Project Manager	Not filled

(2) (a) and (b)

Post	Reason for vacancy	Filled by when
Chief Financial Officer	Resignation	June 2010
Chief Human Capital Officer	New	May 2010
Chief Information Officer	New	June 2010
Information Officer	New	May 2010
Eighteen (18) Marine Surveyors	New	The process of appointments is ongoing but will be concluded in October 2010
Executive Head: Centre for Seafarers	New	July 2010
Executive Head: Centre for Inland Boating	New	June 2010
Nine (9) Small Vessel & Inland Boating Surveyors	New	Five has been filled already, the remaining four will be filled by July 2010
Executive Head: Centre for Corporate Services	New	The appointment in this position has been held in abeyance.
Executive Head: Centre for Excellence	New	Will be merged with Centre for Industry Dev.
Executive Head: Centre for Maritime Industry Development & National Cluster	New	May 2010
Senior Project Manager	New	June 2010

South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL)

(1) ((b) (i), (ii) and (ii) SANRAL has no positions vacant.

(2) (a) and (b) Fall away.

Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA)

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

· Total number positions vacant at PRASA Group= 1295

· Positions advertised in the past 12 months= 1071

· Positions filled in the past 12 months = 1059

(2) (a)

· A large number of the positions were from Autopax (Bus Subsidairy) - bus drivers that were going to be recruited for the 2010 FIFA World Cup (1200) and operational Staff (42)

· Resignations

· Dismissal

· As a result of the Merger between Metrorail and Shosholoza Meyl in to a single entity (PRASA Rail)

· The restructuring process has created new positions to suit the Business needs.

· Statutory – where it is Corporate Governance requirement to have that particular position in a Company

· Removal of incumbents to other positions which suited them best.

(b)

Management has prioritized the filling of the vacant posts, and has started the process of filling the essential ones.

Road Accident Fund (RAF)

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

During the period 1 March 2009 to 28 February 2010, an average of 170 permanent positions became vacant; 275 positions were advertised and filled internally and externally.

(2) (a) and (b)

Currently the RAF is in the process of transformation where the previous operating model will be run down and in the new model capacity will increase over the next 2 to 5 years. Therefore, the number of current vacancies that requires new skills sets by external candidates is negligible.

Railway Safety Regulator (RSR)

(1)(b)

(i) The Railway Safety Regulator has eleven (11) positions vacant.

(ii) A total of 5 posts were advertised, being three (3) Railway Safety Inspector

posts, a Communications Manager post, Senior Manager: Financial Administration and Technology Manager.

(iii) All 5 advertised posts were filled.

(2)(a) The vacancies are as a result of the severe financial constraints the RSR is

experiencing.

(b) The filling of vacancies is depended on the RSR's ability to raise additional

revenue to augment its baseline budget.

Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)

(1) (b)

(i) RTMC has a total establishment of 590 posts of which 343 posts are vacant. Since the establishment of the RTMC, the idea was to fill the vacant posts in phrases within a period of 3 – 5 years dependant on critical needs and the availability of financial resources.

(ii) 19 positions were advertised

(iii) 16 positions were filled and 3 are in the process of being filled.

(2) (a) The vacant positions are unfunded.

(b) Vacant positions will be filled in a phased approach over the next 3 – 5

years depending on need and availability of finances.

Ports Regulator

(1) (b) (i)

Position	Vacant	Reason
Chief Financial Officer	1	Awaiting approval of regulatory documentation
Executive Manager: Legal	1	Awaiting approval of regulatory documentation
Executive Manager: Policy, Strategy and Research	1	Awaiting approval of regulatory documentation
Executive Manager: Industry Development	1	Awaiting approval of regulatory documentation
Manager: Corporate Services	1	Awaiting approval of regulatory documentation
Manager: Regulatory and Compliance	1	Awaiting approval of regulatory documentation
Manager: Policy, Strategy and Research	1	Awaiting approval of regulatory documentation
Manager: Industry Development	1	Awaiting approval of regulatory documentation
Manager: Tribunal	1	Awaiting approval of regulatory documentation
Specialist: Economic Regulation	1	Awaiting approval of regulatory documentation
Specialist: Monitoring	1	Awaiting approval of regulatory documentation
Specialist: Industry Development	1	Awaiting approval of regulatory documentation
Processor: Tribunal	1	Awaiting approval of regulatory documentation
Personal Assistant: E: Legal and E: PSR	1	Awaiting approval of regulatory documentation
Intern: Regulatory & Compliance	1	Awaiting approval of regulatory documentation
Driver / Usher	1	Awaiting approval of regulatory documentation
	16

(ii) No positions have been advertised.

(iii) Positions filled in the past 12 months

Position	Filled	Reason
Chief Executive Officer	1	5 year fixed term contract
Regulator Secretary	1	Permanent – appointed by Regulator
Specialist: Finance	1	Temp, 3-months term
Specialist: Case Manager	1	Temp, 3-months Fixed term
Personal Assistant: CEO, CFO and E: Ind. Dev.	1	Temp, 3-months Fixed term
Intern: Tribunal	1	Temp, 3-months Fixed term
Intern: Policy, Strategy and Research	1	Temp, 3-months Fixed term
Intern: Policy, Strategy and Research	1	Temp, 3-months Fixed term
Intern: Policy, Strategy and Research	1	Temp, 3-months Fixed term
Administrative Assistant: Admin & HR	1	Temp, 3-months Fixed term
Administrative Assistant: Finance	1	Temp, 3-months Fixed term –
Receptionist	1	Permanent – appointed by Regulator
General Assistant	1	Temp, 3-months Fixed term
	13

(2) (a)

As indicated, awaiting approval of regulatory documentation.

(b)

As soon as documentation is approved, the process to appoint will commence.

2010-04-08

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