Questions & Replies: Question & Replies No 901 to 950

An inclusive stakeholder management approach can be developed to
increase accountability and ownership for thelDZ programme.

QUESTION 941

Mr C M Lowe (DA) to ask the Minister for Public Enterprises:

Whether the Government intends taking over Eskom's Demand Side Management (DSM) programme and its associated costs; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1631E

Reply:

There are currently no plans in place for Government to take over Eskom's Demand Side Management (DSM) programme. The funding of the accelerated part of the DSM plan has, however been declined for 2008/9 by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) and will have to be provided for by the fiscus. The current focus is on the delivery of DSM programmes on a national scale to provide much needed relief in light of the current tight electricity supply/demand situation.

The Eskom DSM programme is being implemented in close co-operation with the National Energy Efficiency Agency (NEEA) established under the auspices of the Department of Minerals and Energy and the National Electricity Response Team (NERT) which includes a wide range of stakeholders. The structure and location of DSM will undoubtedly be the subject of much debate into the future and, should it prove optimal, government may consider relocating the Eskom DSM programme and its associated costs and funding to another, more suitable entity in time.

Question 942

Mr C M Lowe (DA) to ask the Minister for Public Enterprises:

Whether privatising of any state owned enterprises is currently being considered; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1632E

Reply:

No. Privatisation of State Owned Enterprises (SOE) is not being considered. Government has committed itself to restructuring of SOE as a means to improve efficiencies. As a component of such restructuring, certain non-core business units and assets of the SOE are being disposed of in order for the SOE to re-focus to their core business activities. In other cases, some SOE are entering into partnerships with the private sector to gain access to technology, skills and global markets.

With regard to property, SOE have undertaken an assessment of property required for current and future core operations (e.g. provision of electricity, freight movement). Such property required for core business will not be sold. The SOE will be responsible for the disposals of properties identified as non core. In recognition of the role the property disposals can play in helping to transform the property sector the Department of Public Enterprises has developed a set of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Guidelines to guide the SOE sales process. The Guidelines are aligned to the Department of Trade and Industry's gazetted Codes of Good Practice for B-BBEE. In addition, DPE has developed a Toolkit for B-BBEE Self Assessment to assist enterprises in measuring compliance with the Codes of Good Practice.

Question 943

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

What are the (a) academic qualifications, (b) nationalities and (c) previous work experience of each of Eskom's Board of Directors? NW1633E

Reply:

(a-c) The attached annexureindicates the academic qualifications,nationalities and previous work experience of each of Eskom's Board of Directors. Additional information can be obtained from the Eskom website: www.Eskom.co.za

ANNEXURE 1

QUESTION 944

944. Ms A M Dreyer (DA) to ask the Minister of Labour:

(1) (a) Why did the Director-General resign in December 2007, (b) what steps have been taken to fill this position, (c) when will this position be filled and (d) why did the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) resign at the end of 2007;

(2) whether the position of the CFO has been advertised; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) when will it be filled;

(3) whether any posts have been frozen in his department since January 2007; if so, (a) which posts, (b) for what period of time and (c) for what reason;

(4) (a) how many staff members have resigned since January 2007, (b) at which level were such staff members and (c) what were the reasons given for their resignation in the exit interviews?

Response

(1)(a) The Director-General did not resign in December 2007. The DG's three year contract expired.

(b) The position of Director-General has been advertised

(c) Once the recruitment process has been concluded

(d) The CFO did not resign but applied for an employee initiated severance package and his application was approved. His last day of service was 31 March 2008.

(2)(a) The position of the CFO has been advertised

(b) Once the recruitment process has been concluded

(3)(a) There are no posts that were frozen by the Department since January 2007

(4)(a) 182 staff members have resigned since January 2007

(b) The staff members that have resigned were at levels ranging from SR 3 – SR 15

(c) The reasons for resignation are as follows :

§ 83 left for better remuneration

§ 41 left for personal reasons

§ 58 applied for and left in terms of employee initiated severance packages

946. Ms AM Dreyer (DA) to ask the Minister of Labour: (Interdepartmental transfer on 13/06)

(1) Whether the level of service delivery rendered by the Umsobomvu Youth Fund has been satisfactory; if not,

(2) Whether any steps have been taken to improve the Fund's efficiency, effectiveness and economical use of resources; if not, why not, if so, what steps;

(3) What is the (a) number of project proposals (i) received for each of the past four years up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (ii) approved during this period, (b) duration of the time between receiving a project proposal and the final acceptance thereof and (c) number of programmes currently running that are facilitated by the Fund?

NW1637E

The Minister replied:

1. The Client Satisfaction Survey conducted in September 2007 shows that the overall service delivery of the services rendered to beneficiaries of UYF is satisfactory. Of the sample done:

· 63% of people say the UYF products and services processes was explained clearly to them

· 86% know where the UYF nearest office to them is located

· 45% always read information published about UYF

· 75% are fairly satisfied with products the UYF is offering and are happy from the service they received from UYF Representatives

· 73% of them have called the UYF Call Centre and were happy with the service received.

Having adopted the route of being ISO 9001:2000 certified, UYF has had to further develop customer satisfaction processes and continual improvement. The data collected and analysis of these customer surveys is audited by DEKRA (a German certifying body for ISO). These surveys are ongoing and are currently being conducted at all UYF branches. The analysis of surveys is done quarterly and communicated to key stakeholders.

2. UYF was ISO 9001:2000 certified in 2006 and has retained their certification status. Their operations are driven by effective business processes and systems. Quality audits are conducted regularly to ensure that they implement according to the standards set and corrective actions are implemented as identified. Through this the processes are evaluated for effectiveness then improvement and/or corrective actions are effected to the processes. The quality management system implemented by UYF looks at the organisation holistically ensuring that there is effective and efficient use of all resources and that the output from the processes matches the input.

As part of its strategy to complement its allocated resources, the Fund has leveraged additional funds from both private and public sector. Entrepreneurship Finance continues to be self sustainable and continue to operate at a profit since its inception.

Economical use of resources:

This is what R1, 4 billion of tax payers money has bought since 2001:

(i) Trained over 240 000 youth including: 74 000 youth participating in the National Youth Service Programme to engage in community service and thereby acquire skills;

(ii) Over 15,000 youth trained in scarce skills including with 28 FET Colleges which received capacity building support;

(iii) 129 000 youth trained in various Entrepreneurship Education programmes including 62 000 learners in schools;

(iv) Supported over 214 000 youth entrepreneurs including committing over R647 million for Enterprise Finance (loans & investments) and Business Development Support Services valued at R235 million through the Voucher Programme;

(v) Leveraged approximately R2 billion from the Private Sector (including R220 million from First National Bank, R100 million from Old Mutual, R25 million from Business Partners and from the Public Sector including the Expanded Public Works Programme and various SETAs);

(vi) Created a network of 121 Youth Advisory Centres accessed by over 1, 6 million youth;

(vii) The first and only development funding institution in South Africa to receive ISO 9001:2000 certification confirming the Fund's status as the World's leading Youth Development Institution; and

(viii) Over 100 000 jobs created and or sustained. If each of these beneficiaries contributes R12,000 per annum in tax (through Pay as You Earn or VAT), over 5 years they have contributed R4.3 billion to the economy.

3(a) Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise Finance Projects: For the period approximately 7 300 loan applications have been received of which 432 have been approved;

· Micro Enterprise Finance : For the period approximately 140,000 loan applications have been received of which 49,669 have been approved;

· Skill Development Projects (including National Youth Service, Project Management, Graduate Development and Entrepreneurship Education) 515 projects registered of which 203 have been approved;

· Business Consulting Service : 52,261 Voucher applications of which 35,000 have been issued;

· Business Opportunity Support Service 33 BOSS Projects registered of which 11 have been approved and are operational benefiting 165 young entrepreneurs;

· Volunteer Mentorship: 723 mentees applications registered and 269 mentoring pairs matched; and

· JOBS: 56,152 CVs registered on the JOBS database and 4,371 unemployed youth placed in economic opportunities.

3(b) Small & Medium Enterprise Finance Projects:

4 to 6 weeks from application to approval (this depends on the timely submission of all documentation from the customer)

· Micro Enterprise Finance:

· 4 weeks for approval (this depends on the timely submission of all documentation from the customer)

· Skill Development Projects (including National Youth Service, Project Management, Graduate Development and Programme, Entrepreneurship Education):

· 4 to 6 months, depending largely on the processes of the implementing agents which include incl. government departments, municipalities, service provider organisations, etc.

· Business Consulting Services (Vouchers):

· 2 weeks (this depends on the timeous submission of all documentation from the customer)

· Business Opportunity Support Service Projects:

· 6 weeks (depending on the readiness of the Opportunity Provider and the timely submission of all documentation from the customer)

· Volunteer Mentorship: average of 3 months (depending on the decision of the mentees and availability of the mentors. There is a rigorous process regarding the matching of mentees and mentors to ensure a greater success rate)

3(c) There are currently 14 programmes running. These are:

1. SME Finance

2. Micro Enterprise Finance

3. Co-operatives

4. Business Consulting Services

5. Volunteer Mentorship

6. Business Opportunity Support Service

7. JOBS (Training and placement of unemployed youth)

8. National Youth Service

9. Graduate Development

10. Entrepreneurship Education

11. SAY Card

12. Information Provision (through the UYF Call Centre, Youth Advisory Centres, Internet Portal and Outreach Mobiles)

13. Counselling & Advice

14. Basic Life Skills Training (at YACs)

QUESTION NO: 947

MR M R J SELF (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

(1) Whether the four persons appointed to represent the public as contemplated in section 83(2) (h) of the Correctional Services Act, Act 111 of 1998, serve on the National Council for Correctional Services; if not (a) why not and (b) when will such person be appointed; or if so (i) who are they and (ii) when were they appointed;

(2) Whether prior to the appointment of such person consultation took place with the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services; if not why not; if so when in respect of each such appointment. NW1638E

Answer:

(1). When the current NCCS members were appointed on 1 March 2005, the following appointments were made in relation to each clause of the Act:

(a). two judges of the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa or of the High Court of South Africa appointed after consultation with the Chief Justice - Judge Desai And Judge Khampepe was appointed

(b) a magistrate of a regional division appointed after consultation with the chairperson of the Magistrates Commission; Ms Mpofu was appointed

(c) a director or Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions appointed after consultation with the National Director of Public Prosecutions; Adv Batohi was appointed

(d) two members of the Department, of or above the rank of director, appointed after consultation with the Commissioner; Ms Schreiner and Ms Sishuba were appointed, Ms Sishuba was subsequently replaced by Mr Motseki

(e) a member of the South African Police Service, of or above the rank of director, appointed after consultation with the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service; Commissioner Moonoo was appointed

(f) a member of the Department of Welfare, of or above the rank of director, appointed after consultation with the Director-General of Welfare; Ms Mabetoa was appointed, subsequently replaced by Ms Nxumalo

(g) two persons with special knowledge of the correctional system who are not in full-time service of the State; and Prof Cilliers and Prof Van Der Merwe were appointed

(h) four or more persons not in the full-time service of the State or members of Parliament appointed as representatives of the public after consultation with the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services. Mr Giffard, Ms Solomons, Adv India, Ms Ngobeni, Adv Silas Nkanunu, and Prof Sodi

In hindsight, the appointments of the last category of members were not made after consultation with the Portfolio Committee as required by the Act. This matter was raised with the NCCS Chairperson in August 2005. The inadvertent error was acknowledged to the Portfolio Committee when the NCCS Chairperson met with the Portfolio Committee in August 2005. The Chairperson of the National Council indicated that to correct this error, the Portfolio Committee should nominate additional people to further represent the interests of the public on the NCCS. Neither the NCCS nor the Minister has received such nominations. Since the term of office of the NCCS is a five year term, it is still hoped that the names would be forthcoming.

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 6 June 2008

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

(1) How much (a) ivory had been stockpiled up to 1995 and (b) ivory has South Africa been permitted to sell since 1995, (c) of the amount of ivory sold since 1995 up to the latest specified date for which information is available has been sold (i) locally and (ii) for non-commercial purposes and (d) ivory has been confiscated from (i) poachers, (ii) dealers and (iii) any other illegal source since 1995 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;

(2) whether measures are taken to ensure that confiscated ivory is prevented from being included in the legally recovered stockpile; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1642E

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

950. THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM ANSWERS:

(1) (a) The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism did not keep record of ivory stockpiles for South Africa before the new political dispensation in 1994 as it only had to deal with four provinces and information on stockpiles kept up to 1995 is thus not available. The four old provinces kept records of ivory stockpiles in hand written ivory registers. Some of these have been computerised.

(b) Provincial conservation authorities with ivory stockpiles and the South African National Parks (SANParks) sell ivory in accordance with their Provincial Ordinances and the Protected Areas Act and no record is kept of these sales at national level. Ivory can be traded within South Africa for commercial or non commercial purposes.

(c) Data kept by provincial conservation authorities and SANParks on confiscated ivory does not necessarily differentiate between ivory confiscated from poachers, dealers or any other illegal source although origin could be found in SAPS charge sheets or in seizure documents it is not stored as such in their databases. Confiscated stocks of ivory totaled 68 256.10 in 2000. Since then the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has appointed the Trade Record Analysis For Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC) to keep a database of the Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS) which Parties to CITES use to report incidences of illegal trade in ivory. The latest statistics on confiscated ivory is available in the documents to the Fourteenth Meeting of the Conference of Parties to CITES on the CITES website at www.cites.org.

(2) South Africa has measures in place to ensure that confiscated ivory is prevented from being included in a legally recovered stockpile. Every piece of ivory including finished products that have been obtained illegally or that have been imported or exported without the relevant documents and which have been confiscated will be documented as such. Should anybody be charged for any illegal activity involving ivory, the confiscated item will be booked into the South African Police Service's (SAPS) evidence register and a number will be allocated to the item (this is done in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977). The seized ivory will be kept separately from legally obtained ivory and should the suspect be found guilty in a court of law, the item should be forfeited to the State.

Every legally obtained tusk or piece of ivory that are both 20cm and more in length and one kilogram in weight is marked according to the rules of CITES and will have a paper trail of its origin. If ivory has been confiscated or poached and retrieved, the paper trail will indicate that it has been obtained illegally.

QUESTION 902

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 6 June 2008

Internal question paper no:

Dr. R Rabinowitz (IFP) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether he will ensure that his department and all entities or councils reporting to him (a) monitors and (b) reduces its carbon footprint with immediate effect; if so, how will this be done;

(2) Whether this will include the phasing out of glossy publications from all agencies or councils reporting to him; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) (a) whatis the estimated cost of all such (i) reports and (ii) publications per annum in the case of these agencies or councils and all other working documents of his department and (b) what kinds of (i) energy are being used in the offices of department and (ii) energy saving measures are being implemented in these offices? NW1221E

REPLY:

(1) DSD supports government initiatives to actively start to monitor and reduce its carbon footprint with immediate effect. This should be done amongst others as follows:

· Changing the procurement policy of government to only allow for the procurement energy efficient equipment – e.g. printers, copiers, computers, etc.

· By actively addressing the energy consumption of the department – obtain the figures of consumption of both electricity and liquid fuels and then instructing the facilities managers to actively manage the reduction of energy consumption, by training, making sure that all equipment is switched off when not in use and replacing old inefficient equipment with new technology e.g. LED bulbs and LED tube lights. Where lights can only be switched off per corridor and not per office, motion detectors should be installed.

· Have the IT section reviewed – it has been proven internationally that only 5% of the capacity of servers is used at any one time. Air conditioning in server rooms can be done more efficiently.

· Establishing fixed procedures for recycling of paper, computer equipment, glass, and plastic. Departments should not give old computers to schools in rural areas as old computers are very inefficient and will burden a rural school with high electricity accounts. It should be recycled and the funds received for spare parts could be used to buy computers for rural schools.

· Implementation of a paperless work environment – where only final documents will be printed, scanned and filed electronically.

· Introducing flexi hours with a wider range (at office between 10:00 and 14:30) so that some officials can prevent travelling at peak times in congested traffic. Those wishing to start at 6:00 could leave at 14:30.

· Have regular training sessions or workshops for officials on how to be energy efficient in their homes and at the office, what are the benefits, how to determine the lifecycle cost of a product, what does the energy efficiency label mean, how to drive energy efficiently, etc.

· Actively replacing electric geysers with solar water heaters where possible.

· For backup systems during power failures solar energy with batteries and uninterruptible power supplies should be looked at for essential equipment like computers only.

· Government should introduce carbon trading schemes to part fund projects where new technology must be procured. Private Public Partnerships could also be used in this regard.

(2) Yes, costs to glossy publications are reduced by uploading or posting documents on the website. It is agreed that glossy publications should only be allowed in those government entities where there is an active, monitored and managed recycling of paper system in place, and all officials, cleaners and management adheres to it.

(3) (a) (i) Reports Annual Report R168 330

Locuum Report R53 000

(ii) Publications: Profiles and Strategy Document R161 880

NDA generic brochure R104 880

Posters R16 396

Strategy document 2007 R33 000

Strategy document 2008 R58 000

(3) (b) (i) Electricity (normal)

- computers

- electricity for lights

(ii) DSD has made provision through its facilities management for electricity to be switched off when offices are not used. In line with Eskom's suggestions, DSD is moving towards replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy savy light bulbs. DSD further encourages the department and agencies to use cheaper means of producing key documents. This will include the possible use (depending on cost) of recycled paper. Glossy publications are also actively discouraged to be replaced with acceptable alternatives.

QUESTION NO: 904

Mr A C Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Housing:

(1) Whether her department makes use of private security firms; if so, how much money was spent on such firms in 2007;

(2) whether these firms are used on a contractual basis; if so, (a) how many contracts did her department take out in this regard in 2007, (b) with which firms were these contracts taken out, (c) for what specific purpose was each contract taken out and (d) what was the value of the contract in each case;

(3) why is there a need for her department to use a private security firm as opposed to state security?

Reply

(1) No

(2) Not applicable

(3) Not applicable

QUESTION NO 905

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 6 JUNE 2008

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 16/2008)

Date reply submitted: 18 June 2008

Mr I E Jenner (ID) to ask the Minister of Safety and Security:

(a) How many prisoners awaiting trial are currently being held in police cells and (b) what is the average (i) cost per day of holding such prisoners and (ii) time that such prisoners are held in police cells?

NW1595E

REPLY:

(a) On 31 May 2008 the South African Police Service was detaining 4 694 prisoners awaiting trial in police cells.

(b) (i) The average cost per day for one prisoner amounts to R24‑00 (for meals) and R112 656,00 for the total number of detainees awaiting trial per day.

(ii) The average time that such prisoners are held in police cells vary from 48 hours for adults and 12 hours for children until the first appearance in court, which could be a number of days, depending on the Detention Warrant issued by a court of law.

QUESTION 906

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 6 June 2008

Internal question paper no: 16

Interdepartmental transfer from Health, this question was transferred by Questions Office in Parliament on 17 July 2008.

906. Mr L W Greyling (ID) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether his department has ascertained or estimated how many orphaned families are headed by teenagers as a result of the death of parents because of illness; if so, how many such orphaned families are living in each province;

(2) whether they are receiving any assistance from the State; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) (a) how does his department promote the rights of orphaned and vulnerable children through services of support that are available to child headed household and (b) were are these rendered in each province and (c) by whom to (d) how many child headed households? NW1596E

REPLY:

(1) DSD has not yet ascertained the number of orphaned families that are headed by teenagers as a result of the death of parents because of illness, however, here under follows the number of Child Headed Households (CHH) per provinces that received services within Home Based Care for the period April 2007 – March 2008:

(2) Yes, CHH including the families headed by teenagers as a result of death of parents because of illness do receive assistance from the State. The services rendered to them are guided by Child Care Act number 74 of 1983 as amended.

Presently children in Child Headed Households (including orphaned families that are headed by teenagers) are regarded as children in need of care according to the Child Care Act number 74 of 1983 as amended. After identifying each and every Child Headed House Hold, it is assessed by social workers who would then provide either statutory services or community based services. The type of service that needs to be rendered to the family will then be informed by the outcome of the assessment.

Statutory services rendered to the CHH's families are as follows:

- Therapeutic counselling where the family members are motivated to learn and understand their individual and different situations; and also learn to live with it.

- Alternative placement where children, who are keen to be removed and be placed in alternative care, that is foster care or residential care, are removed and be placed accordingly. Both foster care and residential placements are court ordered by the local magisterial court after the social worker has investigated the situation and recommended the suitable placement to the court.

- Adult supervisory arrangement, where an adult in the nearby surrounding is identified to provide the family with parental care and guidance regularly. The adult supervisor is staying at her or his respective home, but keeps constant supervision to the family. This is an out of court settlement, but the social worker is expected to provide the overall supervision.

- In situations where children are on their own without any adult supervision, the family is linked with the local home community based care centers.

- Poor relief in a form of food parcels (as a temporary intervention whilst the social worker is planning for a permanent intervention) is provided to Child Headed Households.

Community based care services are rendered in drop in centers or home community based care centers. The following services are renders in a drop in center:

- Provision of meals

- Assistance with home work, for those children that are attending school

- Recreation in a form of sports

- Linking the children with other resources that might improve their individual situation, for instance the department of Health, Education, Housing and so on

- Counselling to the family

The following services are rendered in home community based care centers:

- Care and support

- Linking the children with other resources that might improve their individual situation, for instance the department of Health, Education, Housing, Home Affairs and so on.

The specific focus on CHH is outlined in section 137 of the Children's Act, Act No 38 of 2005. This will enable DSD to develop strategies specifically targeting CHH's. The services will then be uniform and consistent across provinces. Presently the services to CHH's are fragmented and not the same across the provinces.

(3) Yes, DSD promotes the rights of orphaned and vulnerable children,

(a) Through services of support. This includes statutory services and community based care services render to the orphaned and vulnerable children.

(b) In the provinces the services are rendered at the social workers' offices, drop in centers and home community based care centers.

(c) These services are rendered by social workers, community development workers and child, child and youth care workers and volunteers.

(d) Presently there is no representative data on the number of CHH. The information in (1) is an estimated number.

Currently provinces operate differently in rendering the services. The Children's Act, Act No 38 of 2005 as amended, section 137 is focusing specifically at addressing the needs of CHH. Furthermore, DSD is expected to develop the strategy for CHH, which will then inform a consistent and uniform approach to service delivery. The finalisation of the regulations to the Children's Act will also assist in this regard.

QUESTION NO. 907

(Internal Question Paper No 16 – 2008)

Mr I E Jenner (ID) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:

(1) Whether his department is taking any steps to increase the delivering capacity of local authorities in respect of services and the provision of housing; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps;

(2) (a) which local authorities are receiving assistance to increase its delivering capacity and (b) with what result?

ANSWER

(1) Yes, the dplg has taken steps to increase the delivery capacity of municipalities in respect of infrastructure and service provisioning. Since the inception of the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) Programme, municipalities have been allowed to top-slice their MIG allocation (0,5% - 5%, but not exceeding R3,5 million), so that they may be able to establish Project Management Units (PMUs). As at the end of the previous national financial year (2007/08), 190 PMUs had been established.

In addition, in 2006 Government commenced with the deployment of technical, project management, financial and planning experts within municipalities through the Project Consolidate initiative. As at the end of the March 2008, support had been provided to 110 municipalities.

(2) (a) The municipalities receiving assistance to increase their delivery capacity are:

(b) Since the 2006/07 financial year, municipalities have demonstrated improved capacity to spend MIG funds due to the increased interventions such as the establishment of PMUs and their deployment in municipalities.

The Eastern Cape Province managed to increase its spending from R954 million in the 2006/07 financial year to R1,371 billion in the 2007/08 financial year. In the Free State expenditure improved by R467 million in the 2007/08 financial year. In the Gauteng Province expenditure improved from R782 million in the 2006/07 to R863 million in the 2007/08 financial year. Expenditure in KwaZulu-Natal improved from R1, 153 billion to R1, 358 billion. In Limpopo the expenditure increased from R699 million in the 2006/07 financial year to R901 million in the 2007/08 financial year. The Mpumalanga Province improved its expenditure by R176 million in the 2007/08 financial year. The Northern Cape managed to increase its expenditure from R98 million in the 2006/07 financial year to R138 million in the 2007/08 financial year. The expenditure in North West improved from R440 million to R596 million. However the expenditure in the Western Cape Province decreased by R9 million in the 2007/08 financial year.

"909. Mrs D van der Walt (DA) to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture:

(1) Whether any staff appointments were made by the Chief Executive Officer of the Pan South African Language Board; if so, what are the relevant details of the appointments since January 2007;

(2) whether he was consulted on such appointments since January 2007; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?"

NW1599E

REPLY:

1. Indeed the Chief Executive Officer did make some appointments and post level changes to the PanSALB establishment since her appointment on 1 April 2007.

2. Since I was not consulted nor formally informed of the appointments, I am not able to give the relevant details.

I am however aware that she appointed a Deputy Chief Executive Officer; elevated staff members' post levels in her Office; and elevated the post levels of the Provincial Officers. I am concerned about these developments since the Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of Chapter 9 Institutions called for the dissolution of these offices. I am especially concerned about the appointment of the Deputy CEO as this is not provided for in the Act. I have also not seen it happening with similar institutions such as the Commission on Gender Equality (CGE) or the CRL Commission – not that I am implying that it ought not to happen for a good reason. I just think that it would be appropriate if there were justifiable reasons for the appointment.

Many of the concerns that relate to PanSALB can be attributed to the current reporting lines (i.e. PanSALB reporting to Parliament). In other words, while I am financially accountable for the organisation and responsible in terms of appointing the Board, they do not report to me. This is something that even the Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of Chapter 9 institutions pointed out. This relationship needs urgent clarification. As things stand now, I am not fully apprised by PanSALB of its activities or plans.

QUESTION 910

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 6 JUNE 2008: INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 16-2008

"910. Mrs D van der Walt (DA) to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture:

(a) What are the (i) fields of expertise and (ii) qualifications of each of the persons he announced as members of the SA Geographical Names Council on 29 May 2008, (b) what are the reasons for the late appointment of the Council, (c) what is the exact task of the special social cohesion campaign this Council will be undertaking on a national level and (d) when will this campaign start in each province?"

NW1600E

REPLY:

(a) (i) In terms of the South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC) Act of 1998 (Act No. 118 of 1998) and regulations for the establishment of the (SAGNC) the Council is made up of nine members appointed through public nomination process, nine provincial representatives, one South African Post Office representative, one Chief Directorate: Surveys and Mapping representative and one Pan South African Language Board representative. All of the individuals appointed as members of the SAGNC are competent in (one or more of listed fields) linguistics, cultural history, heritage, cartography, tourism and standardization of geographical names.

(a)(ii) The information at my disposal was sourced from the affected individuals solely for the purposes of the establishment and appointment of the South African Geographical Names Council. Members of the public and the media during the announcement of the SAGNC (which took place on the 30 May 2008 not 29 May 2008) were offered the opportunity to interact with members of the SAGNC. It will be unethical of me to divulge personal information on individual members without their permission. Suffice it so say that members have expertise as listed in part (a)(i)

(b) When the process was due to conclude, I received a delegation from Solidariteit and others claiming to speak for the Afrikaans-speaking white community. They complained that they had not been able to make nominations. To ensure that no section of our society felt excluded, I re-opened the nominations so as to allow Afrikaans-speaking Whites to make nominations on 13^th July 2007.

(c) The exact task is to test public opinion and engage South Africans around the process of naming.

831. Dr P J Rabie (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

Whether the Competition Commission will conduct an investigation into the scrap metal sector regarding the theft of nonferrous metals, in particular aluminium and copper; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?NW1603E

Response:

The Competition Commission has no jurisdiction to investigate any matters relating to theft. However, the Commission has investigated anticompetitive practices in the scrap metals sector. The findings of the investigation indicated that the New Reclamation Group and others were engaged in collusion and exclusionary conduct in contravention of the Competition Act. In April 2008, the Commission entered into a consent agreement with the New Reclamation Group ("Reclam"). Reclam admitted guilt and agreed to pay an administrative penalty of R145 972065 (6% of the annual turnover of Reclam). Reclam also consented to implementing a compliance program and cooperating with the Commission in its ongoing investigation of the scrap metal sector.

In addition, government is developing a systemic response to the issue of scrap metal, which is a vital input in the metals sector. This may include consideration of mechanisms to limit the export of scrap metal.

Dr P J Rabie (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

(a) What is the number of consent orders issued by the Competition Commission in 2007; and (b) what was the uncontested figure paid by each of the companies as administrative penalties provided that they comply with the required trading conditions?NW1604E

Response:

(a) The Commission entered into five consent agreements in 2007. All five consent agreements were confirmed as orders by the Competition Tribunal.

(b) Administrative penalties were levied in 3 of the 5 consent agreements and the remaining 2 involved behavioral remedies only. Details of administrative penalties levied are as follows:

Question 915

Mr L B Labuschagne (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

Whether the Government is studying examples of dual youth labour markets in compatible developing economies; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?NW1605E

Response:

The Department of Labour is currently considering a number of initiatives to improve young peoples' access to the labour market. These initiatives will be discussed at NEDLAC with our social partners.

the dti has recently established a Youth Directorate tasked with the responsibility of promoting youth economic empowerment in South Africa. The directorate, amongst other things, is currently finalizing a framework for promoting and supporting economic empowerment of young people in the country, focusing on youth-owned enterprises, youth entrepreneurship and employment creation.

International comparator studies will strengthen youth economic policy and the dti intends collaborating with the Department of Labour in this regard.

QUESTION NO 916

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 6 JUNE 2008

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 16/2008)

Mr L B Labuschagne (DA) to ask the Minister of Safety and Security:

Whether a certain police station (name furnished) has sufficient resources to assist the community; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the staff component and (b) how many posts are vacant?

NW1606E

REPLY:

Yes, Sunnyside Police Station has sufficient resources to assist the community.

(a)The current establishment at Sunnyside Police Station is 368 of which 295 are Police Service Act members and 73 are Public Service Act employees. According to the Resource Allocation Guide the establishment should be 298 but currently there are 368 members.

(b)Although there are no vacant posts available at the station, a total of 36 new constables will be transferred to the station on 9 July 2008 and 27 in January 2009.

QUESTION NO 917

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 6 JUNE 2008

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 16/2008)

Date reply submitted: 18 June 2008

Mr L B Labuschagne (DA) to ask the Minister of Safety and Security:

(a) What steps are the police taking to curb the alleged (i) drug trafficking, (ii) prostitution and (iii) harassment of the elderly residents in the area of Church Street between Wessels and Beckett Streets in Arcadia, Pretoria, below the Union Buildings, as stated in a letter (copy furnished) and which police station is responsible for the area referred to?

NW1607E

REPLY:

(a) In the station operational plan, drugs and prostitution have been identified as priorities for 2008/2009.

(i)&(ii) In order to address drugs and prostitution the station is conducting a crime prevention project. The Crime Information Gathering and Organised Crime Units were tasked with gathering intelligence on the specific crimes. The station management team held a meeting with the Provincial Head Office regarding the project. The project is currently in the planning phase.

(iii) The Sector Manager and the Social Crime Prevention coordinator visit the old age homes and patrols are conducted regularly. Sunnyside police station is responsible for the area.

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 6 June 2008

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

(1) Whether the laws governing the prevention of poaching and the prosecution of poachers in our protected areas are sufficient to discourage (a) poaching for subsistence, (b) casual poaching and (c) poaching by organised crime operations; if not, what will be done to rectify the situation; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether steps are being taken to ensure that our neighbouring countries are enforcing all relevant environmental law with regard to the transfrontier park initiatives; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether all relevant protocols signed with neighbouring countries to set up transfrontier parks are being honoured; if not, why not; if so, how was this conclusion reached?

NW1610E

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

920. THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM ANSWERS:

(1) Yes.The National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 supported by the Regulations for the proper administration of special nature reserves, national parks and world heritage sites issued on 28 October 2005 in terms of the Act in which regulation 4(1)(b) prohibits engagement of any restricted activity as defined in regulation 45 which includes the hunting, killing, conveying, luring or baiting any specimen of a protected species, (defined in the regulations as "any indigenous species found in a protected area and includes any indigenous species listed under section 56 of the Biodiversity Act" are relevant. In provincial nature reserves, provincial legislation remains in effect.

(2) Yes. This Department together with the Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA) partner countries have, in terms of the signed agreements, established joint management structures which are responsible for among other things, the development and implementation of joint management plans. The SADC protocol on wildlife conservation and law enforcement also promotes the harmonization of legal instruments governing wildlife use and conservation

(3) Yes. The continued attendance of meetings at Ministerial and official levels and the implementation of the decisions such as the establishment of cross border tourism access facilities within the TFCA's and the development of the TFCA brand bear testimony to the commitment of the partner countries. The decisions are in line with treaties, protocols, memoranda of understanding and bilateral agreements

QUESTION 921

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 6/06/2008

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 16-2008)

Mr G G Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Education:

(1) Whether her department has conducted an energy audit to determine its (a) use of energy and (b) opportunities for reduction of energy use; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether her department has any plans to reduce energy consumption; if not, why not; if so, what plans;

(3) whether her department has made any material reduction in energy use since 1 January 2008; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW1611E

REPLY

(1) (a and b) No, the DoE has not conducted an energy audit, but the Department of Public Works is in the process of conducting an energy audit at the Department of Education. Details will be made available as soon as the report is available.

(2) Yes, Eskom, Government and other stakeholders have joined forces to conserve energy. The DoE is implementing the following actions: