Questions & Replies No 901 to 925

2010-04-09

THIS FILE CONTAINS 25 REPLIES.

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QUESTION NO. 901.

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 8 NW1042E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 23 March 2010

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

(1) What (a) is the description of each commercial project of the SA Weather Service (SAWS) conducted in Australia during the period 1 April 2008 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) in the case of each project (i) what was the total revenue generated and (ii) total expenses incurred;

(2) whether expenses for these projects were defrayed by the revenue generated from these projects; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether any of these expenses were paid out of the operational maintenance budget of the SAWS; if not, from which budget was it paid; if so, (a) how much was paid and (b) how can it be justified?

Mr M J Ellis (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

901. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1)

a. The aircraft is used for revenue generating research whereby SAWS seeks to breakeven from research undertaken and is therefore not part of SAWS' core commercial activities.

Phase 1: An initial exploratory study conducted between December 2007 and March 2008 to do a baseline study on cloud properties in the region with some targeted seeding to test hypothesis.

Phase 2: A randomised experiment and detailed studies using new observational tools available to the project conducted between October 2008 and February 2009.

b. The Queensland Cloud Seeding Research Project was conducted in two phases:

I. Revenue Generated:

· Revenue Generated: Phase 1

ZAR 715 848.10

ZAR 684 214.30

_______________

Total: ZAR 1 400 062.40

· Revenue Generated: Phase 2

ZAR 1 065 434.01

ZAR 1 057 961.90

________________

Total: ZAR 2 123 395.91

II. Expenses Incurred:

· Expenses Incurred: Phase 1

Total: ZAR 518 493.78

· Expenses Incurred : Phase 2

Total: ZAR 1 470 648.59

(2) As per (1) (b) (i) & (ii) above, the revenue for each phase of the project was sufficient to cover the expenses.

(3) Aircraft related revenue is a separate line item whilst aircraft expenses are budgeted and reported separately in the Research department's budget. The aircraft revenue was included into the pool of funds required to fund the on-going operations of SAWS. Whilst, the revenue exceeded the expenses, for accountability purposes the expenses were paid from the aircraft expenses account. In the event that the expenses exceeded the amount that was originally budgeted for, the Research Department would then look for savings in other accounts that would be shifted (virement) after following proper approval processes. The Research Department therefore identified a savings of R300,000 which was re-allocated to the aircraft expenses account after following proper approval processes. All the expenses were therefore paid out of the aircraft expenses budget.

Unfortunately one of the engines was damaged during the project, with an estimated cost of approximately R2.5 million to repair the engine. However this expense has not been incurred to date. The engine will be overhauled during the 2010/11 financial year either from funds received from a potential project that SAWS is working on or from the capex budget.

QUESTION 902

WRITTEN REPLY

23 MARCH 2010

902. Mrs J D Kilian (Cope) to ask the Minister of Public Works:

(1) (a) Which ministers and deputy ministers (i) were allocated ministerial residences in accordance with the Ministerial Handbook and entitlements of executive members, (ii) have taken, (iii) have not taken occupation of their ministerial residences, (b) why those who have not taken occupation of their allocated residences did not do so and (c) on what date was the ministerial residence in (i) Cape Town and (ii) Pretoria allocated to the Minister of Communications;

(2) Whether he has moved into the ministerial residence in (a) Cape Town and (b) Pretoria; if not, why not, in each case; if so, when;

(3) (a) what is the breakdown of the costs, including the rate per suite per day, that have been incurred to accommodate (i) the Minister of Communications, (ii) his support staff, (iii) his additional staff and (iv) his bodyguards in hotels in (aa) Cape Town and (bb) Pretoria and (b) on what dates were they so accommodated? NW1043E

REPLY:

(1)(a)(i) In Pretoria 41 Ministers and Deputy Ministers were allocated ministerial residences in accordance with the Ministerial Handbook. In Cape Town 56 Ministers and Deputy Ministers were allocated ministerial residences in accordance with the Ministerial Handbook.

(ii) In Pretoria, 38 Ministers / Deputy Ministers have taken occupation of their ministerial residences.

In Cape Town, 55 Ministers / Deputy Ministers have taken occupation of their ministerial residences.

(iii) In Pretoria, 3 Ministers / Deputy Ministers have not taken occupation of their ministerial residences.

In Cape Town, 1 Minister has not taken occupation of her ministerial residence.

(b) In Pretoria, of the three houses where Ministers / Deputy Ministers have not taken occupation of their residences, two houses are in the process of being allocated and the third house is in the process of being renovated.

In Cape Town, the one house where the Minister has not taken occupation as yet, is due to the fact that the house is in the process of being renovated.

(c) (ii) No ministerial residence was allocated to the Minister of Communications in Pretoria. He resides at his private residence in Pretoria.

(2)(a) Yes, the Minister of Communications has moved into his allocated Cape Town residence, during May 2010.

(b) Not applicable.

(3) The costs of the Minister of Communications' hotel stay in Cape Town was borne by the Department of Communications.

QUESTION NO: 903

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 23 March 2010

QUESTION PAPER NO: 8

DATE OF REPLY: 29 March 2010

Mrs J D Kilian (Cope) to ask the Minister of Communications:

(1) With reference to the Ministerial Handbook and entitlements of Executive members, on what date (a) was his ministerial residence in Cape Town allocated to him and (b) did he take occupation of the residence;

(2) whether he has moved into the ministerial residences in (a) Cape Town and (b) Pretoria; if not, why not, in each case; if so, when in each case;

(3) (a) what costs have been incurred for temporary hotel accommodation, (b) what is the breakdown of the costs, including the rate per suite per day, that were incurred by his department, to accommodate (i) him, (ii) his support staff, (iii) his additional staff and (iv) his bodyguards in hotels in (aa) Cape Town and (bb) Pretoria and (c) on what dates were they so accommodated in each specified hotel?

NW1044E

REPLY:

(1) (a) May 2009.

(b) No, the house was not ready for occupation.

(2) (a) Yes, during April 2010.

(b) Not applicable.

(3) (a) R 515,118.92 from April 2009 until March 2010

(b) The Department recently change travel agents and is still in the process of reconciling its travel books. This information will only be known at a later stage.

QUESTION 904

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23/03/2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 8-2010)

Mrs. J D Kilian (Cope) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

(1) Whether the SA Democratic Teachers' Union (Sadtu) tabled a formal proposal with the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) to amend the constitution of the ELRC so as to increase the current threshold for the participation of teacher unions; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,

(2) whether she has considered any findings on the impact that Sadtu's proposal will have on the (a) constitutional right to freedom of association, (b) right to fair labour practices and (c) right to engage in collective bargaining; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether she will make a representation to Cabinet to endorse and implement Sadtu's proposal; if not, why not; if so, how will the labour rights and interests of the other teachers' unions and their members be protected if such unions are excluded from the ELRC;

(4) whether she has conducted a risk assessment of the (a) financial, (b) legal and (c) constitutional consequences of endorsing this proposal; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(5) whether she will make a statement on the matter? NW1045E

ANSWER:

(1) Whether, or not SADTU or any other union in the ELRC has submitted a proposal can only be answered by the ELRC. I am mindful of the rules governing bargaining and would not want to jeopardize this process. However should any such proposals have been tabled, research may have to be conducted and/or legal opinions may be obtained before any decision is made by council.

The state is the employer party in the ELRC and constitutes 50% of council. There can be no decision of council without the agreement of the state as employer and the state will only agree to proposals, and make decisions that accord with the constitution of this country and the relevant legislation.

(2) (a) All constitutional rights can only be limited in accordance with section 36 of the constitution.

(b) Section 14 & 16 of the LRA gives only majority unions in workplaces the right to trade union representatives and to disclosure of information;

Furthermore section 23(1)(d) makes collective agreements binding on employees who are not members of a registered trade union or trade unions party to the agreement if – that trade union or those trade unions have as their members the majority of employees employed by that employer in the workplace. The ELRC has enshrined these legal principles in their constitution and would continue to provide a basis for the right to fair labour practices.

(c) The right to Collective Bargaining and the formation of workplace forums are covered by the LRA. However admission to a Bargaining Council is directed by the Constitution of that Bargaining Council. It should be noted that such constitution must be registered and approved by the Registrar of Labour Relations in the Department of Labour.

(3) It is not my intention to make any representation to Cabinet on behalf of or in support of any trade union. The position of the employer party in the ELRC will be based on the values and principles enshrined in the constitution, the prescripts of the legislation, and the best interest of the basic education sector broadly.

(4) No, I will be guided by discussions in the ELRC and await a report on the processes within the ELRC before I make a full assessment on the matter.

(5) It would be premature to pronounce on any position prior to the discussions in the council of the ELRC, where the matter would be fully addressed.

QUESTIONS 905 FOR WRITTEN REPLY

TUESDAY, 23 MARCH 2010

905. Mr M E George (Cope) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and Administration:

Whether he has received the report and recommendation of the interministerial task team that was set up to examine wasteful or excessive Government expenditure, especially in areas such as travel, accommodation, entertainment and the purchase of expensive cars; if not, why not; if so, (a) what were the recommendations and (b) when will the Government enforce these regulations regarding wasteful or excessive Government expenditure? NW1047E

RESPONSE

The MPSA is part of the Interministerial Committee dealing with this matter and (a) the Committee has not yet finalised the matter and (b) the regulations will be enforced as part of the implementation.

QUESTION NO 907

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 MARCH 2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 8)

907. Mr N J J van R Koornhof (Cope) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) Whether her department tested the pollution levels of the Olifants and Sabie Rivers, the two perennial rivers in the Kruger National Park; if not, why not; if so, (a) when and (b) what was the outcome of these tests? NW1051E

---00O00---

REPLY:

(1)(a) Yes, my Department conducts monthly monitoring of the Olifants and Sabie Rivers.

(1)(b) On average, the tests indicate high values with regard to nutrients, microbiological indicators and salts.

QUESTION NUMBER 908

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 23 MARCH 2010

Mr N J J van R Koornhof (Cope) to ask the Minister of Finance:

Whether the National Treasury intends introducing preventative measures to ensure that departments do not waste money; if not, why not; if so, what measures?

NW1052E

REPLY

The Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999) regulates financial management in the national and provincial spheres of government and aims to ensure that all revenue, expenditure, assets and liabilities of those spheres are managed efficiently and effectively. The Act also provides for the responsibilities of persons entrusted with financial management in government. Enabling public sector managers to manage and be held accountable as well as eliminating waste and corruption in the use of public assets are key objectives of the PFMA.

In terms of section 38(1) of the PFMA, the accounting officer of a department is responsible for the effective, efficient, economical and transparent use of the department's resources. This section also requires that that accounting officers take effective and appropriate steps to prevent unauthorized, irregular and fruitless and wasteful expenditure. To ensure this, the Act requires that accounting officers maintain effective, efficient and transparent systems of financial and risk management and internal control and a system of internal audit under the control of an audit committee. The Treasury Regulations, issued in terms of the PFMA, also require that accounting officers conduct regular risk assessments to identify emerging risks. All the aforementioned provisions are aimed at ensuring the prudent management of state resources.

From the aforegoing, it is clear that the responsibility to ensure that departments do not waste money rests with the accounting officer. The National Treasury has nevertheless issued several guideline documents and frameworks to assist accounting officers in ensuring the effective, efficient, economical and transparent use of state resources. These guidelines and frameworks include the Accounting Officer's Guide to the PFMA, Inventory Management Guidelines and frameworks related to Internal Audit, Risk Management and Supply Chain Management.

The National Treasury also supports departments through participation in various forums with a view to improving their financial management, including measures to curb the wastage of state resources.

QUESTION 909

MR L.J. TOLO (Cope) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS:

1. What is?

a. The latest outcome arising from the cancellation of the Airbus A400M contract, and

b. The position with regard to the Denel Saab Aerostructures (DSA) contract with Airbus? NW1053E

1. (a) Subsequent to a Cabinet resolution with regards to the cancellation of the contract with Airbus Military (AMSL), notification of contract cancellation was given to Airbus on 5 November 2009. Contractually, the pre-delivery payments made to Airbus Military had to be credited back to Armscor by 5 January 2010 and Armscor's legal Division has officially placed Airbus Military on terms regarding the repayment of the pre-delivery payments. Armscor may resort to legal action for the recovery of the funds from Airbus Military. The project has been deregistered and the Inspector General has been requested to perform an audit in support of a provisional closure report.

1. (b) The legal opinion provided by Armscor was that there was no legal nexus between the contracts signed by the DOD to acquire the eight aircraft and the contracts with DSA and Aerosud to produce components for A400M aircraft. The investment by AMSL (and also risk sharing) was done in proportion to the number of aircraft ordered, but without a contractual obligation for the DOD to remain in the program.

QUESTION 910

Mr L.J. Tolo (COPE) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:

1. Whether the increase in her projection for the number of person days for international operations from 156 381 in the 2009-2010 financial year to 515 516 in the 2010-11 financial year is owing to 2010 FIFA World Cup Soccer tournament, if not, what are the reasons for increase, if so what are the relevant details?

2. Internally the SANDF will deploy some 7150 personnel in support of the SAPS in securing the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament over the period 31 May to 16 Jul. In addition to this deployment the SANDF will commence its return to borderline protection duties by deploying an initial Battalion along the RSA's borders with Zimbabwe and Mozambique.NW1054E

REPLY

1. Providing assistance to SAPS in securing 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament will not affect the number of person days allocated to international operations. As such the SANDF will continue to deploy some 2000 personnel to the UN Missions in the DRC and Sudan during this financial year. It will also continue with its training assistance operations in the DRC and CAR. As per its Short Term Force Employment plan the SANDF will also maintain forces in reserve as its pledge to the SADC Standby Force for unforeseen eventualities.

2. Internally the SANDF will deploy some 7 150 personnel in support of the SAPS in securing the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament over the period 31 May to 16 Jul. In addition to this deployment the SANDF will commence its return to borderline protection duties.

QUESTION NO: 911

Ms B C Blaai (Cope) to ask the Minister of Correctional Services:

Whether the supply of (a) food ingredients or (b) prepared food is still being outsourced; if not, when was this process terminated in each case; if so, (i) to whom was it outsourced, (ii) for what duration, (iii) at what price and (iv) at what saving to her department? NW1055E

REPLY

(a) Yes, the supply of food ingredients is still being outsourced; however there are internally produced food ingredients such as eggs, milk, meat, butter and vegetables, but the production thereof has never been sufficient to provide for all centres. The sourcing of most of the food ingredients is therefore done through tenders/quotations. Such food ingredients include internally produced food ingredients and other ingredients such as maize meal, cereals, syrup, salts, powder drink, peanut butter, raisins, fish, samp, rice and others.

Food suppliers are locally based companies in the vicinity of the various centres.

(b)(i) The preparation of food is only outsourced in eight (8) management areas to Bosasa Operation (Pty) Ltd as mentioned below:

· Johannesburg

· Modderbee

· Krugersdorp

· Pretoria

· Durban Westville

· Pollsmoor

· St Albans

· Waterval

(ii) Johannesburg, Modderbee, Krugersdorp, Pretoria, Durban Westville, Pollsmoor and St Albans Management Areas: for a period of three years, from 1 February 2009 to 31 January 2012.

Waterval Management Area: for a period of five years, from 1 October 2006 to 30 September 2011.

(iii): Johannesburg, Modderbee, Krugersdorp, Pretoria, Durban Westville, Pollsmoor and St Albans Management Areas:

The estimated total price over the three-year period is R 839 392 436-39, based on the estimated lock-up totals and subject to annual price adjustments according to the CPIX effective from the second year of the contract.

Waterval Management Area:

The estimated total price over the five-year period is R 123 253 955-65, based on the estimated lock-up totals and subject to annual price adjustments according to the CPIX effective from the second year of the contract.

(iv): A service provider is appointed to conduct a feasibility study to be able to provide the Department with a comprehensive cost benefit analysis and value for money report. As soon as the final report is submitted, the information will be made available.

QUESTION NO: 912

912. Ms B C Blaai (Cope) to ask the Minister of Correctional Services:

Whether her department has considered joining with other departments to procure new computerised systems and information system maintenance to achieve a substantial reduction in consultancy costs; if not, why not; if so, what has been done interdepartmentally in respect of information technology and communications (ITC) to gain the best value for money?

NW1056E

REPLY

The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster has already recognized that for purposes of effective communication flow and cost-reductions, such co-operation is necessary.

Discussions in this regard are underway

QUESTION NO: 913

Ms B C Blaai (Cope) to ask the Minister of Correctional Services:

(1) Whether the procurement problems at the State Information Technology Agency (Sita) which prevented the purchase of tracking devices for the 12 targeted facilities have now been resolved; if not, (a) what is the exact nature of the problem, (b) how long has the problem existed, (c) what is the prognosis for the problem being overcome successfully and (d) when will the tracking devices be available to the department; if so,

(2) whether the necessary procurement has been made; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW1057E

REPLY

1. Yes. The procurement problems have been resolved. The tender was cancelled because the tender process was overdue and this affected:

· the pricing on the solutions

· changes in the technologies

2. No procurement has been initiated at this point owing to financial constraints. A phased process of procurement will be proposed and implemented in due course.

Question 914

Mr L S Ngonyama (Cope) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

Whether the Government has moved away from the duty credit certificate model to a system based on credits where qualifying companies can now use the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) for accessing finance; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Response:

Yes, the government is in the process of moving away from the Duty Credit Certificate Scheme (DCCS) with the following reasons:

(1) The DCCS's only supported the exporting part of the SA industry, which forms a tiny part of the production of the industry- approximately 5%.

(2) These DCCS's are one way or another sold/traded into the SA market and further undermine that part of the industry which seeks to serve the domestic market.

(3) There is strong evidence of abuse of DCCS by other Southern African Customs Union (SACU) countries.

In light of this, a different mechanism or set of instruments is required for SA. Thus there has been a decisive shift to the Clothing and Textiles Competitive Programme (CTCP) model which focuses on competitiveness upgrading aimed in the first instance at recapturing domestic market share by improving efficiencies which makes it more attractive for retailers to source locally. This is being supplemented by efforts to tackle illegal imports.

This programme is being managed and operated by the IDC for government, through its Clothing and Textiles Competitiveness Desk. A number of submissions from the industry have been processed and approved on this basis.

Finally, SACU commissioned consultants, to investigate and make recommendations for a new, long term incentive for the replacement of the DCCS. On the basis of this report the SACU countries are finalising an alternative approach following the tabling of the consultants report in Namibia at the beginning of March 2010. A statement on the final report will be made in due course.

QUESTION N0 915

Mr L S Ngonyama (Cope) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

Whether the Government will expand the mandate of the Competition Commission to ensure that empowerment companies are included in mergers; if not, why not; if so, how will the Government ensure that the Competition Commission assist empowerment companies in this regard? NW1059E

Response:

Section 12A (1) (ii) of the Competition Act, 89 of 1998, obliges the Competition Commission or Competition Tribunal to assess whether a merger can be justified on public interest grounds by assessing, inter alia, the ability of small business, or firms controlled or owned by historically disadvantaged persons, to become competitive. This means that even if a proposed merger should not be approved because it is likely to substantially prevent or lessen competition, it may be approved if it will assist small businesses, or firms controlled or owned by historically disadvantaged persons, to become competitive. Therefore, the Government has already catered for the interests of empowerment companies in the existing legislation.

QUESTION NO: 915

Ms B C Blaai (Cope) to ask the Minister of Correctional Services:

(2) whether the necessary procurement has been made; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW1057E

REPLY

1. Yes. The procurement problems have been resolved. The tender was cancelled because the tender process was overdue and this affected:

· the pricing on the solutions

· changes in the technologies

2. No procurement has been initiated at this point owing to financial constraints. A phased process of procurement will be proposed and implemented in due course.

Question 916

Mr L S Ngonyama (Cope) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

Whether the Government has taken steps (a) to enable the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to be recapitalised regularly and (b) for the interest it charges to be reduced substantially; if not, why not, in each case; if so, how will the cost of capital be reduced for small and medium enterprises? NW1060E

Response:

(a) The Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) commits government to securing ongoing sources of concessional funding for disbursement by the IDC, in addition to on budget incentives, which also play a critical role with respect to industrial financing. This process will include a review of the IDC business model to identify ways to free up capital for this purpose. In addition the IPAP commits government to a process of securing intra-governmental agreement to identify and create long-term ongoing sources of concessional funding for the IDC. In the case of the former process, work is already well under-way and announcements on the final proposal will be made at an appropriate date in the future. This may or may not include the option to 'recapitalise regularly' the IDC.

b) The essence of the concessional industrial financing proposal, contained in the IPAP, envisages the provision of industrial financing at concessional rates. The procedure to arrive at an appropriate concessional rate for any given date is still to be determined by the processes referred to above. The stated intention of the industrial finance policy intervention is to reduce the cost of industrial financing for companies involved in the IPAP, labour absorbing and value-add productive sectors. This will include industrial financing for small and medium enterprises involved in these sectors, over and above other forms of government support for SMME's and subject to due processes of evaluation and due diligence.

QUESTION NO 917

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED:

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: TUESDAY, 23 MARCH 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 8 – 2010)

Mr D A Kganare (Cope) asked the Minister of Transport:

(1) Whether he has been informed of the gravity of potholes in the Free State and Mpumalanga; if so,

(2) whether his department has taken any steps to solve this problem; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether his department has allocated any funds to eradicate these potholes; if not, why not; if so, how much will it cost to solve this problem in these provinces;

(4) how many accidents have been caused by these potholes in the past two years?

NW1062E

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

(1) I am aware that the condition of some of our country's road network is poor, but I have not been informed about the gravity of potholes in these two Provinces.

The road network in South Africa is divided among the three spheres of Government and, as such, the Department of Transport, through our agency, the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL), is responsible for the proclaimed national road network.

The proclaimed national road network comprises of 16 170 km of roads, of which 81% are non-toll (funded from tax based revenues) and 19% toll (funded from borrowings) including 8 000 large bridges and culverts. There are no potholes on the national roads passing through the Provinces of Mpumalanga and the Free State, and when and if they occur, these are attended to within 48 hours.

(2) Although my Department cannot take direct action, it has undertaken to engage the Provinces concerned on this matter.

(3) Each Province is responsible to allocate funds for the maintenance of roads from their respective Provincial budgets. Again, in terms of the relevant legislation, I have no control over how the Provinces allocate their revenues between the different departments.

(4) We will endeavor to obtain this information from the Provinces and make it available once obtained.

QUESTION NO. 918

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 MARCH 2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 8)

Mr D A Kganare (Cope) to ask the Minister of Health:

(1) Whether he has been informed of the backlogs at his department's forensic chemistry laboratories; if so, (a) how large is this backlog per laboratory and (b) how many patients were affected negatively by this backlog;

(2) whether his department has taken any steps to alleviate the problem; if not, why not; if so, what steps?

NW1063E

REPLY:

(1) (a) I am aware that there are backlogs at the Forensic Chemistry Laboratories, which are as follows:

February 2010	Johannesburg	Pretoria	Cape Town
* DD Alcohol	8 157	4 018	5 523
* PM Alcohol	5 671	3 050	2 066
Toxicology	5 327	5 347	3 492
Food	-	509	438

(b) Most of those affected are not "patients" in that they are not ill or in need of health care. Rather it is resolution of court cases that are affected or families waiting to hear the outcome of the reason for a family member's death, finalisation of insurance payouts etc. in this sense with each sample that is not analysed someone or some process is affected.

(2) The following steps have been taken to alleviate the problem:

(i) The Department requested additional funding for these laboratories as backlogs are largely affected by lack of analysts to conduct the work. Additional amounts of R2 million, R3 million and R5 million for the next three financial years have been allocated by Treasury for this purpose. We will however be engaging with Treasury to increase these amounts.

(ii) The Department delegated responsibility for procurement of goods and services to the amount of R150 000 to the laboratory heads as a way to fast-track provision of chemicals, repairs to equipment etc.

(iii) Interviews have been conducted for the post of Director – Forensic Services to ensure inter alia managerial and technical oversight of the laboratories.

(iv) The Department set up a Task Team together with the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) to investigate whether or not the NHLS could assist with reducing the backlogs and also to investigate whether the Forensic Chemical Laboratories could be better placed within and under the management of the NHLS. This Task Team has now concluded its work and decisions will be made soon in this regard.

QUESTION NO. 919

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 MARCH 2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 8)

Mr D A Kganare (Cope) to ask the Minister of Health:

(1) (a) How many (i) fœtal and (ii) maternal deaths occurred in each state hospital in the past five years and (b) which of these hospitals had the highest number of these deaths;

(2) whether his department has identified the reasons for these deaths in these areas; if not, why not; if so, what are the causes?

NW1064E

REPLY:

(1) (a) (i) It is important for the Honourable Member to note that the Department of Health uses "stillbirth" instead of "foetal death" because they are recorded as such in the District Health Information System (DHIS). However, there are countries which use foetal death and stillbirth interchangeably like the United States of America. Stillbirth is therefore used in this reply for consistency purposes.

The Table below indicates the annual total number of stillbirths from 2004 to 2008. Compiling data per facility would necessitate manual calculations at facility level using registers kept at facility level and it would not be possible to complete this in the given time-frame.

Year	Total
2004	21 248
2005	21 479
2006	22 082
2007	21 710
2008	20 809

(2) The main causes of stillbirths are -

· unexplained stillbirths where a cause cannot be found (this makes up more than half of the stillbirths);

· Infections such as syphilis and HIV;

· Diseases affecting the placenta such as high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes;

· Conditions related to the placenta such as bleeding before delivery caused by premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall;

· Intrauterine growth retardation from whatever cause;

· Congenital birth defects and abnormalities;

· Poor blood and oxygen supply during labour;

· Abnormalities developed during growth in the uterus

(1) (a) (ii) Maternal deaths in South Africa 2005-2009

The following data comes from the National Committee on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths (NCCEMD) register in the National Department of Health. Notification and reporting of maternal deaths has improved with each subsequent year.

Maternal death is defined as the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management, but not from accidental causes.

Year	Total
2005	1250
2006	1465
2007	1375
2008	1529
2009	1674

(b) Hospitals with the highest notified deaths grouped per province are:

Kwa-Zulu Natal:

Addington Hospital

GJ Crookes Hospital

Lower Umfolozi War Memorial Hospital

Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital

RK Khan Hospital

Free State:

Boitumelo Hospital

Bongani hospital

Manapo Hospital

Pelonomi Hospital

Universitas Hospital

Mpumalanga:

Rob Ferreira Hospital

Tintswalo Hospital

Themba Hospital

Tonga Hospital

Witbank Hospital

Northern Cape:

Barkly West Hospital

Gordonia Hospital

Postmasburg Hospital

Kimberley Hospital

Kimberley MediClinic

Western Cape:

George Hospital

Groote Schuur Hospital

Helderberg Hospital

Tygerburg Hospital

Vredenburg Hospital

North West:

Gelukspan Hospital

Job Tabane Hospital

Klerksdorp Hospital

Mafikeng Hospital

Potchefstroom Hospital

Eastern Cape:

Cecilia Makiwane Hospital

Dora Ngiza Hospital

Frere Hospital

Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital

Tafalofefe Hospital

Gauteng:

Charlotte Maxeke Hospital

Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital

Germiston Hospital

Natalspruit Hospital

Steve Biko Academic Hospital

Limpopo:

Jane Furse Hospital

Letaba Hospital

Mankweng Hospital

Mokopane Hospital

Pietersburg Hospital

(2) The five main causes of maternal deaths as assessed in the NCCEMD reports are –

· Infections that are not related to the pregnancy, for an example, HIV, pneumonia;

· Complications of hypertension such as stroke and seizures;

· Bleeding of the woman before and after birth;

· Infections related to the pregnancy such as kidney and genital tract infections;

· Pre-existing diseases in the mother, for an example, cardiac disease

QUESTION NO 921

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 MARCH 2010: INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 8-2010

"Mr P Ntshiqela (Cope) to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture:

(1) Whether (a) the planned national museum policy has now been fully implemented and (b) funding was meeting the sector's strategic needs; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case;

(2) whether she has found that all items (a) catalogued by and (b) in the museums were safe, intact and in a good and desirable state; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?"

NW1066E

REPLY:

(1.a) No, the National Museums Policy has not been implemented as the Department of Arts and Culture is currently in the process of developing the Policy. It is envisaged that the Policy document should be finalised by 2011.

(1.b) The National Museums Policy will amongst others develop a transparent and objective funding model. It will also outline grading criteria for various types of museums. The grading will influence funding to museums.

(2) Not all items (a) catalogued by and (b) in the museums are safe, intact and in a good and desirable state. Heritage objects are mostly housed in museums, academic institutions or private collections. Some of these collections are in good condition, catalogued and conserved according to best practice. However, some collections are not properly catalogued or conserved according to best practice, and in some cases, housed in venues with inadequate security.

The Department of Arts and Culture has therefore commissioned the South African Heritage Resources Agency to undertake the National Audit Project. A major aim of this project is to identify and inventorise state owned movable collections and objects, especially focussing on those at risk. Although this project is still ongoing, it does indicate that many of the state national museums keep updated catalogues of the collections in their care and that these collections are stored according to the best archival standards and under relatively safe security. However, lack of resources, such as funds, proper equipment and skilled personnel, has in some cases resulted in poor maintenance of storage areas.

Heritage objects under the control of other government departments, which are used and stored in government buildings around the country, are mostly poorly managed, mainly due to lack of monitoring and resources. In some cases, these items are moved around, placed in storage and sold without regard to their heritage value. There are often no dedicated heritage resources personnel and items are often lost and damaged through lack of knowledge.

A medium to long term outcome of the National Audit Project is to establish the South African Heritage Resources Information System, which will serve not only as a digitised inventory of cultural heritage resources, but also as a management tool to effectively and efficiently monitor heritage objects. This system will also allow SAHRA to more effectively assist other heritage and cultural agencies to manage the heritage resources in their care.

QUESTION 922-2010

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO.8-2010 DATE OF PUBLICATION 23 MARCH 2010

"Mr P Ntshiqela (COPE) to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture"

What has been her department's contribution to economic growth, employment opportunities, poverty alleviation, national reconciliation and social cohesion since 1994?

NW1067E

REPLY

The economic contribution of the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) in terms of the arts, culture and heritage can be accounted for in two different ways, namely, through the creation of jobs, and through the creation of job opportunities. These in turn promotes nation building, national identity and social cohesion.

It is estimated that the technical services and events management industry is worth R7 billion per annum. It is also estimated that the craft sub-sector contributes in excess of R2-billion or 0.14% to South Africa's GDP annually. In addition, it provides jobs and income for approximately 38 000 people through an estimated seven thousand (7000) small enterprises.

The crafts industry can also be used as a catalyst for rural economic development and can create opportunities for expanded participation in the economy, especially for women and young people.

The Department of Arts and Culture has established a meaningful partnership with other government departments, the private sector and other strategic partners such as the Media, Advertising, Publishing, Printing, and Packaging (MAPPP) SETA to form a basis for the second –economy framework, which aims to sustain the activities beyond departmental funding.

2. The Investing in Culture Programme

DAC has contributed to economic growth through the Investing in Culture (IIC) program which was (established) adopted in 2005. It was previously known as poverty alleviation. It subsequently included skills development and economic participation of beneficiaries. The IIC program provides empowerment opportunities for unemployed people from the second economy through training and job creation in arts, culture and heritage. The programme had more than 400 projects in which 60% are for women, 30% for youth and 2% for people living with disability had benefited. (What happened to the remaining 8%)

3. Entertainment Industry

The Entertainment industry was valued at R7.4 billions and employed an estimated 20 525 people. The Music Industry had grown by an estimation of 70.7%. More than 100 000 people are employed in the music, film and television while in the craft, publishing, and related-trade sector has a further 1.2 million people earning a living (Report from the Creative South African Report)

The DAC is therefore aware of strategic importance of culture and heritage in economic development. This is one of the reasons why most of our museums market themselves and are on the route/itinerary of tourism operators. The extensive heritage and cultural infrastructure also plays a direct role in job creation and poverty alleviation. Some of the DAC museums namely Robben Island museum generate millions of rand that are in turn ploughed back into those institutions. The UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Mapungubwe and others also make an important contribution to World Heritage as well as boost economies of localities where they are found.

4. National Legacy Projects

The National Legacy Project of the Department of Arts and Culture was approved by Cabinet in 1998. This mandate gave the Department of Arts and Culture the necessary approval to utilize Government resources, such as financial and human capacity resources, to establish new monuments and museums in South Africa.

With regard to the new Monuments and Museums, the job opportunities are created in terms of the capital investment in either the building of a new museum, or the renovation and or / restoration of an existing building into a museum. Work is therefore created in the building industry, architectural fraternity, and the construction business. And with regard to the development of a monument or statue, work is created for the sculptural artists, and the foundry which casts the statue. Where possible, the DAC includes an empowerment element, through the incorporation of EPWP principles in the construction industry. In the case of the Luthuli Museum, job opportunities and skills training opportunities were created for the Groutville community.

In terms of hosting opening events for new museums, work opportunities are created in the areas of events management, catering, stage and lightning production, security, and artistic expression, such as musicians and dancers.

The development of new monuments and museums and the development of related projects' eventual aim are nation-building, through a process of reconciliation, peace-building, and addressing the imbalances of the past. The latter necessitates sustainable development project management. The mandate therefore, is understood to not only pertain to events and persons who are associated with the anti-Apartheid struggle, but, other struggles and wars for liberation, such as the Anglo-Boer/South African War.

The following projects, most of them under the rubric of the National Legacy Project fulfill the mandate for the symbolic reparation and the "remaking of cultural and art forms; symbols and monuments of the freedom struggle."

The projects which have been completed since 1998 include:

The Ncome Museum; Nelson Mandela Museum; the Luthuli Museum; the Women's monument; the Samora Machel Monument, which includes the establishment of the community library; the Commemoration of the Anglo- Boer/South African War; the Freedom Park; and the hosting of the Albert Luthuli Annual Memorial Lecture.

New projects include:

· The establishment of the Sarah Bartmann Centre of Remembrance in ;

· The establishment of a statue of O R Tambo, and development of exhibitions on his life in Nkantolo and Mbizana;

· The establishment of the Khoi-San Heritage Route in all nine provinces in South Africa;

· The establishment of a memorial in Matola to commemorate the Matola Raid in Maputo;

· The establishment of the Women's Museum and Development Centre in East London; and

· The renovation of the house of Rev. J L Dube in Inanda;

In this manner, the economic benefit of the establishment of these sites of memory is measurable as a mixed non excludable good, which is accessible to all members of the community, both domestic and international, in most times at a nominal cost.

5. Participation in the Indigenous Knowledge System EXPO

The purpose of the Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) Expo is to expose the role and contribution of IKS in the global knowledge economy and sustainable development, to showcase the strong link between Culture, Environment, Technology and Science and to bring IKS experts, knowledge holders/practitioners, government officials, students, researchers and communities together, to debate issues around the protection and promotion of IKS and to promote awareness on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Innovation, and to showcase governments efforts in promoting and developing IKS products and innovations

In August 4 – 9, 2008 the Department of Arts and Culture, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Health and other departments and tertiary institutions hosted an IKS EXPO. The EXPO consisted of exhibitions on various facets of indigenous Knowledge and presentations of papers on various IKS issues by speakers from Limpopo, Gauteng, KwaZulu – Natal and Eastern Cape Provinces. In addition, cultural groups from the University of Venda and Zululand performed during the EXPO as well as a marimba group that consisted of members from Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

The EXPO promoted cultural diversity and social cohesion as well as the contribution of Indigenous Knowledge on economic development of communities.

6. Indigenous music and oral history research at the University of Fort Hare , Zululand and Venda

The mandate of the above mentioned universities was to conduct research on indigenous music and oral history. As part of this mandate, expects in indigenous music and instrument who did not receive western form of education taught students at the above mentioned universities on how to manufacture and play indigenous music instruments. This created job opportunities for resident artist who transferred their skills to students. In addition, students were taught skills that were initially not part of the university curriculum. The research enabled the relationship between university and communities as well as exchange of ideas and skills by experts in various aspects on Indigenous Music.

QUESTION 925

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Tuesday, 23 March 2010

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 8 of 2010

Mrs Z B Balindlela (Cope) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

Whether her Department has achieved a turnaround in the quality of service it renders in respect of identification documentation and the availability of staff to process all applications; if not, why not; if so, (a) what structures were put in place to ensure good service delivery, (b) what were the achievements through the structures that were put into place and (c) what measures were put in place to afford clients the opportunity to hold her Department accountable for the services they provide?

NW1070E

REPLY

Yes. The Department of Home Affairs has made significant progress in improving the quality of the services it renders in respect of identification documents. More work, still, needs to be done, as errors do occur, from time to time. The necessary officials are, also, available to process all applications.

(a) The following structures were put in place to ensure good service delivery:

· The identity workflow processes have been re-designed to remove all non-value added functions. This reduced all unnecessary handovers, resulting in the turnaround times for the issuing of identity books being reduced from 120 days to less than 60 days. Processes have, also, been streamlined, and new technology has, also, been introduced, such as Online Verification, and the Track and Trace System, has been optimized.

· Additional quality assurance measures have been implemented in the identity document processing facility to ensure that the photo, and demographics on the BI-9 application form correspond with the identity book to minimize the possibility of errors in the processing of enabling documents, with specific emphasis on areas where manual functions are involved.

· To assist clients, an information booklet of "Frequently Asked Questions" has been distributed to offices. This booklet incorporates requirements for applications, documentation to be submitted, and procedures to be followed.

· Online Verification enables instantaneous fingerprint verification to be conducted to safeguard the integrity of identity document applications. This speeds up the processing of identity documents compared to the previous manual system.

· The electronic Track and Trace System, enables identity document applications to be traced, and monitored, at all stages, of the issuing process. Operating in conjunction with this, is an SMS message system by means of which clients utilising their cellular telephones, are informed by text messaging, when their applications have been received, as well as, when their identity documents are ready for collection at offices.

· A dedicated Client Service Centre, with a toll-free number (0800 60 1190) has been established to assist clients with their queries.

· Dedicated secure courier services are being utilised. Furthermore, the security of identity documents is enhanced by scanning the documents into the Track and Trace System, until the point of collection by the applicant.

(b) The following, are achievements due to the necessary structures which were put in place:

· A reduction in the turnaround time to less than sixty (60) days in the cases of re-issuing of identity documents, as well as, first issuing of identity documents, where the birth is, already, registered.

· A reduction in identity document errors, and missing applications.

· Clients can monitor the progress of their applications by means of a SMS functionality, or the Department's Client Service Centre.

(c) The following, include measures put in place to afford clients the opportunity to hold the Department accountable for services provided:

· The Client Service Centre, and the Compliments and Complaints Unit (Minister's office) provide reference numbers to clients for each case for easy tracking on the progress made. Poor service delivery (the office name, and name of official concerned) can be reported to the Client Service Centre, and the Compliments and Complaints Unit. Officials are required to wear name tags for easy identification by the public.

· The Track and Trace System, also, creates an audit trail which enhances accountability by pin-pointing bottlenecks in the system, and the status of the identity application, at any given time.

· Upon application, all applicants are issued with an acknowledgement of receipt with a bar-coded (necessary for the Track and Trace system) number, as well as, the date of application.

· The outreach programmes implemented at Provincial level, and stakeholder forums are, also, effective communication methods in providing the public the opportunity to voice their service delivery concerns.

2010-04-09

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