Questions & Replies: Questions & Replies No 851 to 875
2010-04-09
THIS FILE CONTAINS 25 REPLIES.
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QUESTION NO. 851.INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 8 NW987E
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 23 March 2010
Mr M J Ellis (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether the chief executive officer (CEO) of the SA Weather Service (SAWS) is expected, in terms of her employment contract, to comply with certain targets regarding the commercialisation of the SAWS; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether the SAWS has met its commercialisation targets in any of the past three financial years; if not, why not;
(3) whether the director-general of her department and the board of the SAWS have taken any action against the CEO of the SAWS for poor performance in relation to commercialisation targets for the SAWS; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Mr M J Ellis (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENTHANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS851. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
1. Yes, commercialisation (growing commercial income) is one element of the Chief Executive Officer's overall responsibilities. Annual targets are based on the approved Business Plan and the Chief Executive Officer's Performance Agreement signed with the Board each financial year.
2. SAWS has done fairly well in the past three financial years, as summarised in the Table below. The implementation of the Go-to-Market Plan adopted by the Board in 2007, unfortunately required capital injection that SAWS did not have, given financial constraints. In order to grow "other commercial" revenue, SAWS first needed to invest in research and development in order to come up with new products and establish the market; hence not all targets had been fully met although exceeded in other areas.
| 2006/07 million | 2007/8 million | 2008/9 million | |||||||||||||||||||
| Aviation |
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| Other Commercial |
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3. In light of paragraph 2 above, the Board is of the view that the CEO has not performed poorly.
QUESTION NO. 853
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 MARCH 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 8)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether there are currently any law suits against his department or any of the provincial departments of health in respect of negligence; if so (a) how many in each case, (b) to what value is the department being sued in each case, (c) what are the reasons for the law suits and (d) how many are being contested;
(2) what is the total amount each provincial and national department has paid out (a) in the (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09 financial years and (b) during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available?
NW989EREPLY:
The Honourable Member is referred to the Reply to Question 883 tabled on 19 August 2010, as this suffices to respond to this question.
QUESTION NO. 854
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 MARCH 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 8)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether, with reference to his reply to question 945 on 10 September 2009, the final results of the pilot project have been released; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will it be released;
(2) whether his department intends to use private pharmacies to dispense medicines to state patients; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW990EREPLY:
(1) No, the final results of the pilot have not been released. (a) The pilot project is not finalized yet. (b) The final results will be released when the pilot project has been finalized.
(2) No decision yet has been taken by KwaZulu/Natal Provincial Department of Health as the final report of the feasibility study has not yet been finalised. The National Department of Health is currently exploring various options related to the supply of chronic medicines so that the long waiting times at public sector pharmacies are reduced.
QUESTION 856INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [No 8-2010]
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 23 March 2010
856. Mr M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:
(1) (a) How much land is owned by foreigners, (b) what is the value of this land and (c) where is the land in each case;
(2) whether he will do a land audit on land owned by foreigners; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW992E
THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:
(1)(a)-(c) The exact extent of South African land owned by foreigners is not known. Attempts by the Department between 2005 and 2007 to gather statistics on land ownership by foreigners were severely constrained by factors such as the limitations in the deeds registration system, land held by corporate bodies and indirect ownership (land beneficially owned by citizens on behalf of foreigners).
(2) A land audit of several categories of ownership, including foreign ownership, is one of the policy imperatives of the current administration. Details of the land audit will be unfolded after the finalisation of the White Paper on Agrarian Transformation, Rural Development and Land Reform.
QUESTION 857
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [No 8-2010]
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 23 March 2010
857. Mr M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:
(1) Whether any farms transferred to new owners are not currently being utilised for farming; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many farms, (b) what is the reason in each case, (c) where is each of these farms situated, (d) what amount in rand has been lost in this way by the Government in each specified case and (e) what are the further relevant details in each case;
(2) whether his department has taken any steps with regard to such farms; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW993E
MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:
(1)(a)-(e) and (2) Yes. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) is finalising a detailed implementation plan for the recapitalisation and development of all distressed land reform projects implemented since 1994. The plan is divided into five phases, namely:
- Phase 1: Mapping each farm on the Geographical Information System (GIS) with specific property details, location and municipal ward;
- Phase 2: Detailed farm/project assessment, due diligence exercise and development of a credible development plan;
- Phase 3: Signing of a new contract with the farmer/beneficiaries agreeing to the terms and conditions for recapitalisation;
- Phase 4: Approval of the development plans for the release of Funds; and
- Phase 5: Implementation of the development plan with the support of mentors, share equity partners or through co-management between the beneficiaries and an established farmer and/or a strategic partner.
The details requested can therefore only be provided on completion of Phases 1 and 2. The steps to be taken in respect of each farm requiring recapitalisation will depend on the results of the analyses conducted during Phases 1 and 2. Funding for the recapitalisation and development of all distressed land reform projects is provided for in the Departments baseline allocation for the MTEF period.
QUESTION 859
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 23 March 2010
Internal question paper no 8
Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
Whether any measures are in place to ensure that grants of children not attending school as a result of disability and long illnesses are not suspended or terminated; if not, why not; if so, what measures? NW995E
REPLY:
Honourable Member,
There is no provision in the Regulations made in terms of the Social Assistance Act, Act No.13 of 2004 which requires the child support grant to be suspended or terminated if a child fails to attend school as result of disability and long illnesses.
If a child fails to attend school for reasons other than disability or long illnesses, the Department of Social Development would despatch social workers or auxiliary social workers to investigate the underlying reasons for non-attendance and provide necessary support and advice thereof rather than suspending and or terminating the child support grant.
QUESTION 860
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 23 March 2010
Internal question paper no: 8
Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) Whether any steps have been taken to ensure that children leaving school at age 15 or older or in Grade 9 in terms of the South African Schools Act, Act 84 of 1996, are still eligible for their grants; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) how will the new Child Support Grant Regulations, stating that child support grants should be paid to children up to the age of 18, providing that school attendance records will be used as a guideline for payment, be affected by the SA Schools Act which allows children to leave school at age 15 or in Grade 9? NW996E
REPLY:
Honourable Member
(1) Yes, the Regulations made in terms of the Social Assistance Act, 2004 (Act No.13 of 2004) makes provision for children who leave school once they have attained the age of 15 years or older or have completed Grade 9 to continue receiving a Child Support Grant (CSG) until they reach the age of 18 years. Provided that such a child enrols and attends an educational institution such as the further education and training (FET) college.
(2) In terms of the said Regulations, school attendance record is not a strictly needed requirement for punitive measures to effect the payment for all the beneficiaries of the CSG.
Cabinet has, however, introduced soft conditionalities that require collaboration between the Departments of Basic Education and Social Development and the care giver to focus any potential problem that may prohibit any child to attend school, which must be resolved. Failure to produce a school attendance record would therefore not lead to the suspension and or termination of the CSG but to resolution of any challenge that a child may have.
The South African Schools Act, 1996 (Act No.84 of 1996) assigns responsibility to the Head of Department to investigate circumstances of learner's absences and institute remedial action. Such a remedial action would amongst other things include a thorough investigation and intervention by social workers and auxiliary social workers from the Department of Social Development.
QUESTION NUMBER 861
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 March 2010
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 8 OF 2010
Date reply submitted: 08 June 2010
861. Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities:
What role will she and her department play in light of the absence of an overarching national strategic policy framework to combat domestic violence which results in a lack of synergy between departments? NW997E
REPLY
The mandate of the Department for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities is that of broad oversight including monitoring and evaluation, mainstreaming, coordination and advocacy on issues pertaining to the three targeted groups.
In this regard, on the issue of domestic violence, which is one form of violence against women, it forms part of a comprehensive and integrated approach that government has adopted. This is outlined within the integrated 365 Day National Plan of Action.
As such, this National Action plan becomes the overarching national strategic policy framework which addresses the issue of domestic violence. Furthermore, it also provides for an integrated approach, ensuring that a compendium of services will be provided by several related departments such as the SAPS, Departments of Justice and Constitutional Development; Health; Social Development and the National Prosecuting Authority.
The role of the DWCPD is therefore to coordinate, drive and provide leadership and strategic guidance in this regard. It will also need to monitor the implementation of the different programmes as related to domestic violence and also assess the delivery of services by the relevant line departments. The DWCPD will also revise the National Policy Framework that would speak more clearly on this and other issues of violence against women. This national policy will then act as an overarching strategic framework for the implementation of issues pertaining to women.
As the honourable MP Duncan will also be aware, the recent presentation of the strategic plan of the DWCPD to the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth, Children and Persons with Disabilities, has outlined the plans of the department towards implementing recommendations of the hearings on the Domestic Violence Act undertaken by the Committee. In this instance, the DWCPD will play its coordinating role in bringing together the relevant stakeholders with the intention of developing an implementation plan, and a set of indicators for assessing this plan in order to attempt to redress the gaps that have emerged in implementing the related legislation.
Question 863.
Dr P J Rabie (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:
(a) When will the Government's procurement specifications mentioned in the Industrial Policy Action Plan 2 be finalised and (b) what was the response of public corporations regarding local and imported components for proposed infrastructure projects? NW999E
Response:
Government's commitment to strategic leveraging of public procurement requires amendment of preferential procurement legislation and regulations as well as to the National Industrial Participation Programme (NIPP). The Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) makes clear that 'these changes will be sequenced to avoid disruptive transitions. The first step in this process, for which the National Treasury is responsible, will be the amendment of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA) and its regulations.
Amendments required to the National Industrial Participation Programme must be carried out by the Department of Trade and Industry. Both these processes require sequential steps including agreement on a mechanism to designate large fleets, the alignment of discretionary points with BBBEE codes and the proposal for 'point matching' by domestic producers. In addition to the steps outlined above, engagement has to take place with the relevant procuring Departments, including the Department of Public Enterprises and the Department of Health.
The key milestones and timelines for this process has been set out in the IPAP Document which establishes a target of Quarter 4 in the 2010/11 MTEF cycle for the completion of this stage of the process.
(b) State-owned enteprises that fall under the Department of Public Enterprises are already part of the Competitive Supplier Development Programme (CSDP), which is aimed at promoting local procurement into the infrastructure build programme and the upgrading of local suppliers for this purpose. The intention is to combine the CSDP with the NIPP.
QUESTION NO.: 864
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 23 MARCH 2010
Dr P J Rabie (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:
(a) Who will decide which factories and/or businesses will qualify for financial assistance from the budget allocation of R1 8 billion to the clothing and textile industry in terms of the Industrial Policy Action Plan 2 and (b) on what grounds will the decision be taken? NW1000E
REPLY
(a) The funds are managed by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) through the Clothing & Textiles Competitiveness Programme unit (CTCP) which includes the Production Incentive (PI) Programme. The approved amount is R1,75 billion over three years. An Approval Committee (comprising IDC, the dti and independent representatives) is responsible for approval of the applications.
(b) The decision will be taken by the Committee based on recommendations from a due diligence exercise that will consider the manufacturing value add of a company to determine an upgrading "credit" that is ring-fenced and may only be redeemed against competitiveness-upgrading investment including upgrading equipment, developing people, improving manufacturing processes, materials used or developing new products. Qualifying companies will also need to comply with tax, environmental, labour and FICA legislation.
QUESTION 866 WRITTEN REPLY 23 MARCH 2010
866. Mr P J C Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Works:
(1) Whether any officials in the senior management of his department received performance bonuses in any of the past three financial years; if so, in each level in each year, (a) what was the total establishment and (b) how many officials received such bonuses;
(2) (a) what amount in performance bonuses was paid to the Director-General or Acting Director-General in each year, (b) what is the (i) name of each recipient and (ii) amount that was paid to each such official in each of the years and (c) what was the length of service in the position of each director-general or acting director-general at the time of receipt of a performance bonus;
(3) whether the Director-General or Acting Director-General is still in the employ of his department; if not, (a) when did the official leave the employ, (b) for what reason and (c) what was the total length of service in his department of such official;
(4) whether he approved the payment of performance bonuses to the Director-General or Acting Director-General; if not, (a) why not and (b) who approved the payment? NW1002E
REPLY
The response is tabled in the page below.
(1)
| Financial Year | (a) Number of SMS' on the establishment | (b) Number of SMS' who received bonuses |
| 2007/2008 | Level 13 (96) | Level 13 (43 ) |
| Level 14 (30) | Level 14 (12) | |
| Level 15 (5) | Level 15 (5) | |
| Level 16 (2) | Level 16 (1) | |
| 2008/2009 | Level 13 (87) | None |
| Level 14 (37) | ||
| Level 15 (6) | ||
| Level 16 (2) | ||
| 2009/2010 | Level 13 (89) | Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) not yet finalized |
| Level 14 (38) | ||
| Level 15 (6) | ||
| Level 16 (0) |
(2)
| Financial Year | Name of Recipient | Status of Recipient | Amount Paid | Length of Service |
| 2007/2008 | Manye Moroka | DG | R106 800.30 | 1 year |
| 2008/2009 | Manye Moroka | DG | None | 2 years |
| 2009/2010 | Solly Malebye | Acting DG | None | 7 months |
| Sam Vukela | Acting DG | None | 5 months |
(3)
| Financial Year | Recipient Name | Departure Date | Reason | Length of Service |
| 2007/2008 | Manye Moroka | 2 April 2009 | Resignation | 2 years |
| 2008/2009 | Manye Moroka | 2 April 2009 | Resignation | 2 years |
| 2009/2010 | Solly Malebye | 12 March 2010 | Resignation | 2 years & 8months |
| Sam Vukela | Still Employed | Still Employed | 5 years |
(4) Yes. The performance bonus was approved by the then Minister of Public Works
QUESTION NO: 867
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 08 OF 23 March 2010
Mr P J C Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
(1) Whether any officials in the senior management of his department received performance bonuses in any of the past thrce financial years; if so, in each level in each year, (a) what was the total establishment and (b) how many officials received such bonuses;
(2) (a) what amount in performance bonuses was paid to the Director-General or Acting Director-General in each year, (b) what is the (i) name of each recipient and (ii) amount that was paid to each such official in each of the years and (c) what was the length of service in the position of each director-general or acting director-general at the time of receipt of a performance bonus;
(3) whether the Director-General or Acting Director-General is still in the employ of his department; if not, (a) when did the official leave the employ, (b) for what reason and (c) what was the total length of service in his department of such official;
(4) whether he approved the payment of performance bonuses to the Director-General or Acting Director-General; if not, (a) why not and (b) who approved the payment? NWI003E
Reply
Table is available here
QUESTION 868 WRITTEN REPLY 23 March 2010
868. Mr P J C Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Works:
(a) What is the total amount spent on (i) agency and (ii) support/outsourced services to his department in the (aa) 2007-08 and (bb) 2008-09 financial years and (b) how are these amounts made up in each financial year?
Reply
(a)
| 2007-2008 (R'000) | 2008-2009 (R'000) | |
| Agency | 89 935 –Travel | 100 468-Travel |
| Support/Outsourced Services | 139 806 | 144 993 |
(b)
2007 – 08 R'000
Business and Advisory Services R65 797
Infrastructure and Planning R41 142
Legal Costs R 3 405
Contractors R 6 183
Support / outsourced services R23 279
TOTAL R139 806
2008 – 09 R'000
Business and Advisory Services R16 822
Infrastructure Planning R14 322
Laboratory Services R 6 000
Legal Costs R 8 157
Contractors R16 789
Support / outsourced services R88 897
TOTAL R144 993
QUESTION NO.:869
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 23 March 2010
869. Mr P van Dalen (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:
How many senior officials have resigned from the National Ports Authority (NPA) (a)(i) during the period 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2009 and (ii) during the period 31 December up to the latest specified date for which information is available, (b) what is the name of each person who has resigned, (c) what post did each such person hold at the time of his/her resignation, (d) what were the reasons for the resignation and (e) what was the nature of the retrenchment package each person received?
NW1005E
REPLY
(1)(a)(i) The senior officials who have resigned from Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) over the period 01 January 2007 to 31 December 2009 is ten. Within the same period, four senior officials were retrenched and one was dismissed in line with Transnet's Disciplinary Code and Procedure.
(1)(a)(ii) There were no resignations, retrenchments or dismissals of TNPA senior officials for the period 31 December 2009 to March 2010.
(1)(b-e)The table below indicates senior officials resigned from the National Ports Authority.
| 1(b) NAME | 1(c) POST | 1(d) REASON | 1(e) NATURE PACKAGE |
| JA Diepenbroek | Chief Operations Officer | Resigned | Package was only for the notice period |
| 1(b) NAME | 1(c) POST | 1(d) REASON | 1(e) NATURE PACKAGE |
| OA Moosa | Executive: Legal, Risk & Compliance | Resigned | The payment was in accordance with the contract of employment, ie receive normal salary whilst serving notice. Package was only for the notice period |
| H Claassens | Principal Engineer | Resigned | Package was only for the notice period |
| MM Molefe | Executive Manager: Property | Resigned | Package was only for the notice period |
| SE Slagter | Senior Manager: Financial Accounting | Resigned | - Package was only for the notice period |
| VC Yeboah-Mensah | Senior Manager: Property | Resigned | Package was only for the notice period |
| NR Zubane | Senior Manager: Legal | Resigned | - Package was only for the notice period |
| CR Mundell | Senior Manager: Legal | Resigned | Package was only for the notice period |
QUESTION NO. 870
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 8 NW1006EDATE OF PUBLICATION: 23 March 2010
Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether the commencement of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Amendment Act, Act 15 of 2009 has taken place; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether she has taken steps to ensure the enforcement of those sections of the Amendment Act that amended Section 47 of the Principal Act; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether the South African National Parks, (b) provincial parks or (c) any World Heritage site have used this section to (i) provide for flight corridors over their land and (ii) manage aircraft landing on their land; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENTHANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESSTHE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
(1) Yes, the commencement of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Amendment Act, Act 15 of 2009 has taken place with effect from 23 October 2009 (Proc 69/GG 32660/20091023).
(2) Yes, the management authorities of the special nature reserves, national parks and world heritage sites are aware of the Amendment Act. The Civil Aviation Authority has been informed and provided with relevant maps and highest points for the areas.
(3) The South African National Parks allow aircraft to fly into both the Satara and the Pafuri airstrips in the Kruger National Park to service concessionaires. These flights are controlled through a set of operational procedures and conditions of use (b) this section of the Act is not relevant to provincial nature reserves (parks) (c) no World Heritage site management authority has made use of this section, as no need has been identified yet.
QUESTION NO 872
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 MARCH 2010 (iNTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. ~}
812. Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether the Grootvlei mine on the banks of the Blesbokspruit is complying with the terms of its water licence; if not, why not; if so, how was this conclusion reached;
(2) whether officials of her department visited this mine to assess compliance with the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998; if so, (a) on what dates and (b) what was the outcome of each visit;
(3) whether any directives have been issued at any time since 1 January 2009 against this mine for noncompliance with the Act; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) whether mine water being pumped by this mine into the adjacent water course poses a threat to the Marievale Ramsar site; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1008E
REPLY:
(1) No, the Grootvlei Mine is not complying with the terms of its water use license, as the mine is not using any chemicals to treat the final effluent being discharged into the B!esbokspruit
(2) Yes, My Department undertook three (3) site inspections within the mine premises.
(2)(a) The site visits were undertaken on 5, 10 and 12 March 2010.
(2)(b) During the 5 March 2010 site inspection, the Genera! Manager of the Mine undertook to start dosing the mine effluent with effect from 6 March 2010.
During the follow up site inspection on 10 March 2010, My Department learnt that the dosing of the effluent had not taken place due to non delivery of chemicals for treatment.
During the 12 March 2010 site inspection, My Department's Blue Scorpions Unit took water samples and the results will be compared with follow up samples scheduled to be taken on 29 March 2010. Although analysis is conducted in five (5) days, due to the Easter Holidays, the results will only be available on 6 April 2010.
(3) No, My Department has not issued directives to the mine. My Department's approach in dealing with mines is to issue water use licences with specific compliance conditions. In the event of non compliance to such conditions, my Department can proceed with immediate prosecution rather than issuing of a directive.
(4) Yes, the untreated mine water poses a threat to the Marievale Ramsar site as high levels of iron content cause colouration of the effluent which could damage the wetland if exposed over a long period.
QUESTION 873
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
873. Mr S C Motau (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy
(1) Whether, with reference to her stated commitment that there will be no energy-related supply disruptions during the 2010 Fifa World Cup Soccer tournament, her department has taken any steps or intends taking any steps to ensure that Eskom's generation capacity does not fail during the tournament; if not, why not; if so, what steps;
(2) whether her department has adopted any measures to ensure that there is no shortage of (a) jet fuel and (b) fossil fuel during the 2010 Fifa World Cup Soccer tournament; if not, why not; if so, what measures? NW1009E
Reply
(1)My Department has undertaken projects to ensure that the problematic distribution areas of supply are addressed. The following two projects to address the security of power supply during the FIFA World Cup were initiated by the Department.
1. Back-Up Generator Project
2. Network Strengthening Project
(2) Yes the Department has adopted measures to ensure that there is no shortage of jet fuel and fossil fuel during the 2010 FIFA World Cup Soccer tournament. The following measures have been adopted
2.1 A task team was established in August 2009 that is, inter-alia, responsible for putting in place a consolidated supply and logistics plan for all motor fuels (jet fuel, petrol and diesel) to ensure security of supply during the World Cup.
2.2 The task team is convened and chaired by the Department of Energy. Key role players of the team are Transnet Pipelines, Transnet Freight Rail, South Africa Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA) and six of its members (BP, Chevron, Engen, Sasol, Shell and Total) and Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA). Other stakeholders are consulted as part of the work of the Task Team and these include DOT, DTI and others.
2.3 The objectives of the task team are, inter-alia, the following:
· Develop a consolidated 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa fuel logistics and supply plan for all motor fuels (jet, petrol and diesel) for the industry and a consolidated emergency response plan including a communication protocol.
The task team continues to meet on a monthly basis to review and finalise plans to ensure adequate supply of fuel during the WC2010.
QUESTION 874
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
874. Mr SC Motau (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy:
(1) Whether a decision has been taken by Eskom to abandon the implementation and/or construction of the pebble-bed modular nuclear reactor; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) what has been the total cost of the project to the taxpayer since the date of inception up to the latest specified date for which information is available;
(3) what does her department intend to do with the assets which have accrued to the project? NW1010E
Reply
(1) Decisions regarding PBMR are taken by the Management of the PBMR Company and the Ministry and Department of Public Enterprises.
(2) The total cost is about R9billion.
(3) The PBMR company report to the Minister of Public Enterprises and decisions on what to do with the company's assets will be taken by the Minister of Public Enterprises in consultation with the Ministers of: Energy, Finance, Science and Technology and Trade and Industry.
QUESTION 875
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
875. Mr SC Motau (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy:
Whether the town of Thyspunt in the Eastern Cape has been selected as the site for Eskom's planned pressurised water reactor (PWR) plant for the generation of electricity;
(2) whether she is able to provide an estimation of the costs of this project; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether she has formulated a budget for the implementation of the project; if so, from which portion of the national budget will funds be made available to her department for this project;
(4) whether the funding of this project will necessitate a further tariff increase in the price of electricity; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1011E
Reply
(1) Eskom has not communicated final decisions on any site.
(2) No estimated costs are available.
(3) The nuclear energy programme is part of the work of the Inter Ministerial Committee (comprising of DoE, DPE, NT, DTI, DST, EDD, DWAE, including Minister National Planning and COGTA) on Energy. The formulation of the project and its funding requirement and how it will be met will be determined and communicated through the IMC, as part of a broader programme to develop the Integrated Resource Plan for electricity.
(4) The nuclear energy programme is part of the work of the IMC on Energy. The formulation of the funding requirement and how it will be met is yet to be finalised. All new build projects will be done within the context of the Integrated Resource Plan.
QUESTION 858
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 23 March 2010
Internal question paper no: 8
Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) Whether, in view of the child extension and school attendance requirement regulation that all beneficiaries of grants between the ages of seven and 18 years should submit reports to the Director-general (DG), any systems are in place to effectively deal with the increased paper work; if not, how was this matter dealt with; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) What measures are in place to ensure that no corruption takes place with the interaction between her department and the Department of Education in this regard;
(3) Whether any monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are in place to ensure the accuracy of the enrolment and the attendance of each child; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details
(4) What (a) degree of non-attendance will require her Director-general to take steps and (b) appropriate steps will be taken. NW994E
REPLY:
(1) Yes, there are processes and mechanisms in place to enable us to deal with the increased workload. We are working in close collaboration with the Department of Basic Education (DoBE) whose role is to provide our department with a list of all learners whose attendance is deemed unsatisfactory. We will also be working more closely with our provincial counterparts and the MEC's to ensure that we are in a better position to deal with the increased paper-load in an integrated and holistic manner. However, accountability will still remain the national function.
(2) The integrated information technology management system that is being discussed by the Departments of Social Development and Basic Education would mitigate fraudulent activities in the implementation of the conditionalities related to child support grant. Furthermore, we will continue to intensify our effort and collaboration with the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to root out fraud and corruption in our social grants system.
(3) In terms of the South African Schools Act, Act No 84 of 1996), the quarterely school reports must indicate the number of days that a learner has been absent fromm school. According to the Department of Basic Education, almost every school has a record of a child's enrolment and attendance in a class attendance register. The Department of Basic Education's new policy on Learner Attendance (soon to be gazetted) will strengthen the monitoring, recording and management of daily attendance. Over the past three years, the Department of Basic Education, has undertaken audits (including learner headcounts) to verify learner enrolment figures reported by schools to the Department.
(4) The degree of non-attendance is already prescribed by the Department of Basic Education in terms of its norms and standards. Accordingly, a remedial action from the Department of Social Development would be instituted support where a learner is absent from school for ten (10) consecutive days without a valid reason. Such a remedial action or steps or steps would, amongst other things, include a thorough investigation and intervention by social workers, auxiliary social workers or the Masupa-Tsela and Community Development Workers from the Department of Social Development.
QUESTION NO. 852
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23 MARCH 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 8)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) How many patients died of septicaemia at each specified health facility (a) in the (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09 financial years and (b) during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;
(2) whether any investigation was conducted into any of the deaths; if not, why not; if so, what (a) were the contributing causes in each case and (b) were the recommendations to improve the situation in each case;
(3) whether all the recommendations for the said reports have been implemented; if not, (a) why not, in each case and (b) which recommendations have not been implemented in each case?
NW988EREPLY:
(1) The number of patients per facility that have died of septicaemia during the period mentioned is not known. The current patient information system(s) employed by public health facilities does not routinely capture this information. The information system employed by Statistic South Africa that is based on the Department of Home Affairs's Death Notification form and on the ICD-10 coding also does not provide for the required information.
(2) Investigations into all deaths including death due to septicaemia caused by a wide range of possible microbes, are conducted by clinicians during morbidity and mortality meetings at facility level and/or by provincially-based Clinical Risk Committees when the cause of death is reported as an adverse event. However, due to the absence of an electronic patient record system, determining the contributing causes of death in each individual case will require a comprehensive retrospective medical record review/audit of all cases.
The formal process followed during the Confidential Equiries into Maternal Deaths requires a thorough investigation of each maternal death and a subsequent provincial assessor's report that is sent to the National Committee on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths (NCCEMD). This Committee compiles a final report that is distributed to Provinces who in turn distribute information to Regions and Districts. The recommendations contained in the NCCEMD report to improve maternal health services are generic and aimed at improving the delivery system. It is not case specific.
(3) Provincial health departments manage all facility-acquired infection outbreaks in their respective provinces. Their investigations culminate in reports that include recommendations on interventions needed. On average these outbreaks are usually caused by a break in applying universal infection prevention precautions such as sound hand washing practices that could easily be addressed. However, in some instances more long-term interventions are required, for example where structural changes to the building are required due to the initial poor layout and design of the health facility.