Questions & Replies: Questions & Replies No 1151 to 1175
2010-04-30
THIS FILE CONTAINS 25 REPLIES.
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QUESTION 1151
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
1151. Mr M J Ellis (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy:
(1) Whether Eskom has a transparent format for costing its energy production; if not, why not; if so, to whom has it been presented;
(2) where can the public see the figures described in the costing mechanism;
(3) what are the current detailed figures relating to (a) the cost of electricity production in terms of capital expenditure per megawatt and (b) the operating costs for production per kWh of electricity? NW1309E
REPLY
(1) Yes, the average cost for production for 2008/9 was 27, 63c/kWh. This was disclosed in the Multi-year price determination 2 (MYPD2) application and made public in Eskom's Annual Report. The general principle of determining cost of production includes recovery of primary energy and operating costs.
(2) Estimates of cost of producing are presented in the MYPD2 application (30 November 2010), which includes primary energy (section 8.3) and operating costs (section 8.4). The Eskom application document is available on the internet site, www.eskom.co.za.
QUESTION NO 1152
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 APRIL 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 10)
1152. Mr D C Ross (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether any funding has been allocated to phase 2 of the Tokologo Bulk Water Supply Scheme in the Free State to supply water from Christiana on the Vaal River to Hertzogville; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will funding be allocated for the implementation of phase 2;
(2) whether the lack of allocated funding for phase 2 will have the result that water will only be supplied to residents in Dealesville and Tokologo by 2013; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what interim measures are available to develop ground water resources and (b) what are the further relevant details?
NW1310E
REPLY:
(1)(a)No, there is currently no funding allocated for Phase 2 of the Tokologo Bulk Water Supply Scheme. It should be noted that the current allocation as gazetted in the Division of Revenue Act makes provision for funding for 2010/11 to 2012/13 financial years, namely, 2010/11: R15million, 2011/12: R47million and 2012/13: R20.3million.
(1)(b) Funding will be allocated in the 2013/14 financial year upon completion of Phase 1 and approval of the Implementation Readiness Study for Phase 2.
(2)(a) No, the lack of allocation for phase 2 will not result in water being supplied to the residents in Dealesville (within the Tokologo Municipality) by 2013 as currently there is interim measure to supply groundwater to the affected through boreholes.
(2)(b) The Tokologo Phase 2 Implementation Readiness Study which addresses the bulk water supply options to the affected town is nearly 50% complete. As the bulk water supply project has to be included in the project list of the Municipality, my Department has assisted the municipality to update its water services development plan. Further, my Department has assisted the Municipality to develop its water conservation demand management plan.
QUESTION 1153
Mr D.C. Smiles (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) (a)(i) Who qualifies as a Military Veteran and (ii) what constitutes military veterans and (b) what are the benefits envisaged for the beneficiaries so constituted;
(2) (a) What is the projected budget for the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period when the Department of Military Veterans is to be established and (b) on what benchmark or mode is this budget based;
(3) What are the operational plans for the 20 Million budgeted for the 2010/11 Financial Year when this Department is to be established? NW1311E
REPLY
1 (a)(i) At the moment, the legal basis is that of the Military Veterans' Act (Act No 17 of 1999). However, the report of the Ministerial Task Team on Military Veterans (MTTMV) has policy recommendations which will lead to new legislation. The said report will serve before members of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans. The Military Veterans' Act defines Military Veteran as any person who –
(a) Either voluntarily or under conscription or call-up served as a member of
(i) The Union Defence Forces or any military force of a country allied to the former Union Government during the Great War of 1914 to 1918, World War II being the war which commenced on 6 September 1939, or the hostilities in Korea from 1950 to 1953; or
(ii) The South African Defence Force or any Defence force of a territory which prior to the commencement of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1993 (Act No. 200 of 1993), enjoyed the status of an independent State in terms of a law of the Republic of South Africa; or
(iii) The South African National Defence Force, and has not been dishonourably discharged, is retired, or no longer serves in the South African National Defence Force and is a citizen of the Republic, and irrespective of whether any such service envisaged in subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) has been rendered in a permanent or in a part-time component or part-time capacity; or
is a "war veteran" as defined in section 1 of the Social Assistance Act, 1992 (Act No. 59 of 1992); or
Served as a member of any non-statutory force as defined in section 1 of the Demobilisation Act, 1996 (Act No. 99 of 1996); or
belongs to any other prescribed category of Military Veterans;
(b) The Military Veterans' Act, Act No. 17 of 1999 also mentioned entitlements/benefits in relation to a Military Veteran and his or her Dependants includes any pension, grant, allowance, subsidy, Compensation, accommodation or retirement assistance, loan, insurance benefit, burial benefit, social assistance or other benefit which any such person is entitled to in law and any prescribed entitlement.
2. (a) The Department of Military Veterans does not have the projected budget for the Medium Term Expenditure period when the Department is to be established. What the Department has is the Medium Term Expenditure Framework Allocations, and is tabled as follows; R20 Million for the FY2010/2011, R30 Million for the FY2011/2012 and R30 Million for the FY2012/2013.
(b) The budget is not based on any benchmark mode. National Treasury allocated the amount during the National Estimates and it is part of Vote 21.
3 The Interim Operational Plan will be presented to the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans.
QUESTION NO 1155
DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 26 APRIL 2010
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: MONDAY, 19 APRIL 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 10 – 2010)
Mr S J Masango (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:
(1) Whether any feasibility studies were done on the Moloto Rail Corridor in Mpumalanga; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many times and (b) what was the (i) cost and (ii) outcome of the study in each case;
(2) whether construction work on the railway has commenced; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will it commence; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW870E
REPLY:
The Minister of Transport
(1) (a), (b) (i) and (ii)
During 2004, the Mpumalanga Province undertook a pre-feasibility study to determine the viability of constructing a rail link between Mpumalanga (Northern Regions) and Tshwane (Gauteng Province) within the Moloto Corridor.
In September 2005, after an official presentation by the Mpumalanga Province, the former Minister of Transport, Mr Jeff Radebe, directed the Provincial Governments of Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Gauteng to undertake a detailed feasibility study on the proposed Moloto Rail Corridor Development Initiative (MRCDI). The Minister also indicated that the project should be treated as part of the priority corridor strategy of the National Passenger Rail Plan (NPRP) as approved by Cabinet in December 2004.
In January 2006, the Mpumalanga Provincial Government tabled the Moloto Rail Corridor Development Initiative (MRCDI) at the Cabinet Lekgotla. The Cabinet Lekgotla recommended that the project be registered as part of AsgiSA.
The feasibility study was conducted and finalised through the collaboration of the three affected Provinces, National Treasury and the Department of Transport (DoT). The Political Committee, which was supervising the study, recommended that the team (Steering Committee) prepare a Cabinet Memorandum to inform Cabinet of the findings of the study and the recommendations of the Political Committee.
The Moloto Rail Corridor Project feasibility studies were fully funded by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government, through its then Department of Roads and Transport. The Province spent R30 million to date on the project.
In March 2008, the DoT made a submission to Cabinet, in which it was recommended that Cabinet endorse and approve:
ü the findings of the feasibility study on the Moloto Rail Corridor Development Initiative;
ü the phased implementation programme;
ü the establishment of the project implementation and management office comprising of dedicated officials from critical stakeholders; and
ü budgetary estimates.
Cabinet approved, in principle, the Moloto Rail Corridor Development Initiative following the consideration of the feasibility study that had been conducted. However, in the light of the economic recession and because of fiscal constraints, it was not possible to proceed with the implementation of the Project.
In the Department of Transport's Strategic Plan 2010/11 – 2012/13 the Department has committed to reviewing and reassessing the feasibility of the Moloto Rail Corridor Project.
(2) (a) and (b) Fall away.
QUESTION NUMBER 1156
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 APRIL 2010Mr K S Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of Finance:
Whether any measures are in place to prohibit laundered money from entering South Africa; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW1314E
REPLY:
The Financial Intelligence Centre Act, 2001 (Act 38 of 2001), provides for the regulatory control measures that allow for the transparent flow of funds and property. In other words, it establishes the regulatory framework to facilitate the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of money laundering and terror financing activities.The control measures apply to a variety of financial and non-financial institutions referred to in the Act as accountable institutions. The money laundering control measures under the Act imposes certain obligations on accountable institutions. One such obligation is the requirement to establish and verify the identities of their clients. The underlying principle of this obligation is that institutions must know who they are doing business with. Other requirements under the Act include the duty to keep records of their client's identities and their transaction activities. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that a transaction or a series of transactions can be reconstructed during an investigation, clearly indicating not only what had transpired but also who was involved.
The Act also requires institutions to report information to the Financial Intelligence Centre such as the reporting of suspicious and unusual transactions. This obligation does not apply only to accountable institutions but to all businesses and also to all persons in charge of or employed by a business.
The Act further provides for two other reporting provisions. The first is the reporting of conveyance of cash by any person who either leaves or enters the Republic. This obligation is placed on all accountable institutions within the ambit the Act.
The amounts that have to be reported will be an amount in excess of a prescribed limit. However these reporting provisions have not yet been promulgated and will be enacted during the course of this year.
The measures, outlined above, provide for the transparency of funds and were therefore not specifically intended to prohibit laundered money from entering South Africa.
QUESTION 1158Mr MSF de Fretas (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
1. Whether the lease of the SA Naval Base in La Rochelle in Johannesburg has been terminated; if not, why not; if so, (a) when was the lease terminated and (b) what are the further relevant details;
2. Whether the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) owes the DPW any money; if not, why not; if so, (a) how much and (b) when will payment in respect of this amount take place;
3. Whether the SANDF owes any money on this property to any creditors; if not, why not; if so, (a) to whom, (b) what amount is owed, (c) why is the amount still outstanding in each case and (d) when will the amount be paid in each case;
4. Whether the SANDF has been issued with a summons in this respect; if so, (a) why, (b) when and (c) what is the status of this matter at present? NW1316E
REPLY1. The SA Naval Base, SAS RAND, was situated on state land, which was controlled by the Department of Public Works (DPW). It was handed back to DPW on 11 August 2008.
2. No 3 No4. No
QUESTION 1159
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19/04/2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 10 OF 2010)
Dr W G James (DA) to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training:
(1) Whether the hosting of the Stakeholder Summit on Higher Education Transformation scheduled for 22 and 23 April 2010 at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology will be funded by his department; if not, why not; if so,
(2) whether such funding has been pursued through a tender process; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW1317E
REPLY:
1. The costs of hosting the Summit at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology were met by donor funds and not voted funds.
2. Not applicable. See above response.
QUESTION NUMBER: 1160
DATE FOR PUBLICATION: 19 APRIL 2010
DATE QUESTION SUBMITTED: 13 MAY 2010
THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND EVALUATION AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATION:
What is the (a) total number of (i) units/sections in the Presidency and (ii) employees per unit/section, (b) budget for each specified unit/section in the Presidency for the (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11 financial year and (c)(i) position, (ii) name and (iii) salary level/grade of each person employed in each person employed in each unit/section in the Presidency;
Whether the Presidency intends employing any staff in the 2010-11 financial year; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how many, (b) in which positions, (d) when it intends filling each of these positions and (e) for how long has each of these positions been vacant?
NW1318E
REPLY:
(a) total number of:
i) Units/sections in the Presidency and
(ii) employees per unit/section,
(b) the budget for each specified unit/section in the Presidency is attached (Annexure A) for the
(i) 2009-10 and
(ii) 2010-11 financial year and
The Presidency intends employing staff in the 2010-11 financial year
(a) how many: 154 vacancies to be filled,
(b) in which positions – all vacancies,
(d) the filling of vacancies are in various phases of the recruitment process and each post is filled as soon as the recruitment process has been concluded.
QUESTION NUBER: 1161
DATE FOR PUBLICATION: 19 APRIL 2010
DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 26 MAY 2010
THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND EVALUATION AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATION:
(1) Whether there were any plans to (a) improve the infrastructural problems hampering the service of the Presidential hotline and (b) improve and increase current statistics (details furnished) of the hotline's response to and resolution of complaints registered by the public; if not, why not; if so, (a) when will these plans be implemented and (b) what are the further relevant details;
(2) Whether any of these plans have been implemented; if not, why not; if so, what is the (a) current status of each of these implemented plans and (b) expected completion date of each of these plans?
NW1319E
REPLY:
The Presidential Hotline has a stable infrastructure and all teething problems were resolved within the first 2 weeks of the launch on 14 September 2009.
All departments have been recently tasked with tabling their improvement strategies focusing on their back end public liaison structures and processes. This is aimed at improving the current resolution rate and turn around times for calls that have been logged and routed to them. Implementation of these strategies are and will be monitored together with performance levels.
The following background relates to the attached statistics quoted (refer to call classification at the bottom of the page):
Capacity to deal with the high volumes of calls received (674 894) from citizens at the Call Centre (first line) is a challenge hence the large number of calls have been abandoned (484 327). This challenge has been acknowledged and is being looked into taking various factors into account including budgetary constraints.
With the current capacity the Call Centre (first line) have handled (190 280) calls and logged (44 709) calls. The difference of (145 571) is due to a high volumes of "prank" calls, were callers either just drop the call or have no real issue that can be logged as well as call backs from citizens that want a progress update on the call that they have already previously logged. The high volume of "prank" calls further impacts on capacity to deal with valid callers.
A total of (19 885) calls have been resolved of the(44 709) logged which equates to a 44% resolution.
There significant drive to continuously improve on the service and resolution is making a steady improvement. The tabling and implementation of the improvement strategies from the departments are being monitored to track improvement on current performance levels.
QUESTION 1162
DATE OF PUBLICATION: MONDAY 19 APRIL 2010 [IQP No 10- 2010] SECOND SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT
Question 1162 for Written Reply, National Assembly: Dr L L Bosman (DA) to ask the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:
1) Whether, with reference to her response to question 113 on 9 March 2010 and the court order in favour the Red Meat Industry on 29 January 2010 in terms of which an import risk analysis must be done prior to importing sable antelope from Zambia and other countries which are not free of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, she has taken any steps to ensure (a) that existing national and international regulations are implemented properly to ensure the protection of South Africa's status as a disease-free export country and (b) compliance with Office International des Epizooties (OIE) regulations; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what steps, in each case;
2) whether her department has adopted any mechanisms to ensure that the process of issuing import permits complies with the legislation regulating it; if not, why not; if so, what mechanisms;
3) whether her department has formulated a policy to identify the various strains of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) which exist in Zambian livestock and in terms whereof safeguards are in place to ensure that the importation of livestock from Zambia does not result in the spreading of this disease; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
4) (a) how many sable antelope that were imported from Zambia died in quarantine and (b) what was the cause of death of the animals in question;
5) whether this facility was inspected by the Veterinary Services Directorate; if not, why not; if so, what was their assessment of the facility? NW1320E
REPLY:
- Steps taken by the Minister of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries:
(a) The importation of animals and animal products involve a degree of disease risk to the importing country. The risk may be represented by one or several diseases or infections. In compliance with the court order of the North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, dated 29 January 2010, case number 4909/2010, point 1.2, an import risk analysis in terms of Chapter 2.1 of the OIE Code (2009) is being conducted. As per Article 2.1.1 of Chapter 2.1 of the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code (2009), the principal aim of import risk analysis is to provide importing countries with an objective and defensible method of assessing the disease risks associated with the importation of animals, animal products, animal genetic material, feedstuffs, biological products, and pathological material. The steps to be taken to minimize the risk associated with the importation of sable antelope from Zambia can therefore only be identified upon conclusion of the risk analysis.
(b) The OIE is recognised as the international standard setting body for animal health in terms of the WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement (SPS Agreement). Where OIE recommendations are available, these recommendations will be considered. OIE recommendations, however, mostly pertain to domestic livestock and not to wildlife or game. In terms of the SPS Agreement, in the absence of international standards, measures must be based on scientific information and a risk analysis must be conducted. Steps that will be taken include:
1. Conducting a risk analysis in terms of Chapter 2.1 of the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code (2009);
2. Sending the risk analysis for peer review as per point 6 of Article 2.1.7 of Chapter 2.1 of the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code (2009) H; and
3. Communicating the outcome of the risk analysis to all role-players, stakeholders, interested parties and prospective importers.
2. All veterinary import permits are issued by the permit office in terms of section 6 of the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984). The process is audited by both internal auditors of the Director-Internal Audits, as well as external auditors.
3. In order to abide by the court order of the North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, dated 29 January 2010, case number 4909/2010, point 1.3, the Department Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries is in the process of publishing for final comment the Director of Animal Health's proposed policy change regarding the importation of cloven hoofed animals from countries with no OIE recognised foot-and-mouth disease free country or zone status. The identification of foot-and-mouth disease strains which exist in Zambia, forms part of the risk analysis process. A risk analysis conducted in terms of Chapter 2.1 of the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code (2009) will include hazard identification and also an evaluation of the Veterinary Services, disease surveillance, and control programmes and zoning and compartmentalisation system, in order to assess the likelihood of hazards being present in the animal population of the exporting country. Safeguards can only be identified once the outcome of the risk analysis is available.
4. Sable antelope imported from Zambia:
(a) Following the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak at Camperdown in South Africa, no further importations of cloven hoofed animals from foot-and-mouth disease infected countries were allowed. To the knowledge and records of the Department Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, no veterinary import permit was issued for the importation of sable antelope from Zambia. If such animals were imported, in terms of section 6 of the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No. 35 of 1984), they were imported illegally. Furthermore, to our knowledge, no post-import quarantine facility was approved in South Africa for the importation of sable antelope from Zambia. Post-import quarantine facilities are approved by the National Directorate Animal of Health following recommendation by the relevant Province in which the quarantine facility is located. The Directorate of Animal health therefore kindly requests that any information pertaining to illegal importation(s) be reported to the Director of Animal Health for investigation and further handling with relevant security agencies.
(b) Please refer to the answer in 4. (a).
5. No post-import quarantine facility has been approved for the importation of sable antelope from Zambia. Please also refer to the answer in 4. (a).
QUESTION 1163
DATE OF PUBLICATION: TUESDAY 19 APRIL 2010 [IQP No 10- 2010] SECOND SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT
Question 1163 for Written Reply, National Assembly: Dr L L Bosman (DA) to ask the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:
1. With reference to her response to question 113 on 9 March 2010, how many senior members of the Directorate of Veterinary Services have been a) dismissed and/ or b) removed from their posts.
2. whether the decision to remove these persons from their posts relates to the import permits of sable antelopes from Zambia; if not, why were the persons removed; if so, what were the reasons;
3. whether the head of the Veterinary Services Directorate was consulted regarding this process; if not, why not; if so what advice was given? NW1321E
REPLY:
1(a) There were no senior officials dismissed in the Directorate Veterinary Services.
(b) Only one senior official in the Directorate Veterinary Services was moved to the Office of the Director General.
The DAFF is a new department with an expanded mandate that includes the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries functions.
For efficient service delivery, Dr Maja was placed in the Office of the Director General to provide an efficient advisory service on sanitary and phyto-sanitary issues.
2. No; please refer to the answer to question 1 above.
3. No; this process is interim while the structure of her department is being finalised. The attempt was to expose several officials, including the Director: Veterinary Services to various disciplines in the new department to maximise human capital.
QUESTION 1164
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAER: 19/04/2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 10-2010)
Mr J R B Lorimer (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
(1) Whether any additional (a) primary and/or (b) secondary schools are to be built in the Phomolong area; if not, why not; if so, (i) how many schools are to be built and (ii) when will they be completed;
(2) what is the (a) actual and (b) optimal number of learners for the (i) Phomolong Primary School and (ii) Phomolong Secondary School? NW1322E
REPLY:
(1) (a) None (b) None. No new Primary or Secondary schools are planned to be built in the Phomolong area. (i) N/A (ii) N/A
(2) (a) actual number of learners in Phomolong P/Schools = (see TABLE A hereunder)
(b) optimal number of learners in Phomolonng P/S = ( See TABLE A hereunder)
TABLE A
| Name of school | Classrooms | Actual No. learners | Optimal no. learners |
| Bahale S/S | 22 | 1058 | 770 |
| Reiketseditse I/S | 19 | 787 | 703 |
| Kweetsa P/S | 25 | 1008 | 1000 |
| Moso P/S | 24 | 913 | 960 |
| Phomolong P/S | 21 | 613 | 840 |
| Total | 111 | 4379 | 4273 |
Learner classrooms ratio for S/S= 35:1
Learner classroom ratio for I/S = 37:1
Learner classroom ratio for P/S= 40:1
Statistics in TABLE A indicate that there is a shortage of 8 classrooms for Secondary (S/S), and 2 for Intermediate (I/S) and a surplus of 7 classrooms for Primary (P/S). This information will used to plan for the provision of the required classrooms during the current Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) 2010/11 to 2012/13.
QUESTION 1165
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19/04/2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 10-2010)
Mr J R B Lorimer (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
Whether her department, in consultation with the department of Transport, intends to reduce the speed limit around all schools; if not, why not; if so, (a) when will this be done and (b) what will the speed limit be reduced to? NW1323E
RESPONSE
The speed limits are determined by the Road Traffic Management Corporation who knows the zones allocated per area. They also determine the requisite speed limits around schools depending on location. The speed limit is also determined by the nature of the zone and might differ according to the residential status of the area.
Since the determination is done by RTMC, the department is unable to ascertain exactly when speed limits would be reduced at a particular school.
QUESTION NO 1166
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 APRIL 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10- 2010)
Date reply submitted : 18 May 2010
1166. Mrs N W A Michael (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:
Whether any police officers from the (a) Kempton Park, (b) Norkem Park, (c) Sebenza, (d) Edenvale, (e) Bedfordview, (f) Primrose, (g) Olifantsfontein and (h) Rabie Ridge police stations were ordered to attend the moral boosting day in Bloemfontein; if so, (i) how many attended from each station, (ii) what is their rank in each case and (iii) how many additional days of leave did each member receive?
NW1324E
REPLY:
| STATIONS | (i) NUMBER ATTENDED | (ii) RANK | (iii) NUMBER OF REST DAY/S GRANTED ON AVERAGE PER PERSON PER RANK |
| (a) Kempton Park | 24 | Lt Col x1 Capt x1 W/O x1 Const x3 Stud x12 PSA x6 | None |
| (b) Norkem Park | 16 | Capt x1 Const x14 PSA x1 | None |
| (c) Sebenza | 10 | W/O x2 Const x2 Stud x3 PSA x3 | None |
| (d) Edenvale | 18 | Capt x2 Stud x16 | None |
| (e)Bedfordview | 27 | Capt x2 W/O x4 Sgt x1 Const x12 Stud x5 PSA x3 | None |
| (f) Primrose | 22 | Lt Col x2 W/O x4 Const x6 Stud x6 PSA x4 | None |
| (g) Olifantsfontein | None | None | None |
| (h) Rabie Ridge | 3 | W/O x1 PSA x2 | None |
QUESTION 1167
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 19 April 2010
Internal question paper no
Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) Whether any national comprehensive skills audit was done to identify skill shortages in the social work profession in any of the past three financial years; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details for each audit;
(2) (a) what has been the uptake for new social work students in each of the past three financial years and (b) what has the drop out for each FY; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details,
(3) whether there are any mechanisms in place to attract qualified social workers in other sectors and/or abroad; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) whether there are any mechanisms in place to increase the enrolment of students to students to study social work as a profession, if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1325E
REPLY:
(1) Yes
(a) A skills audit was conducted in 2008 for all Social Development employees including social workers at National and in the Provinces. The findings indicated that social work professionals need further training in the areas indicated below. These results were endorsed by Provincial Heads of Social Development, and provinces had to include the training on the gaps identified as part of the provincial work place skills plans.
Knowledge of the legislative framework in which they operate
Department of Social Development strategy and operational plans
System Requirements:
Microsoft Office suite
Skills Requirements:
Change Management Skills
Computer Literacy Skills
Conflict Management Skills
Counselling Skills
Customer Care Skills
Decision Making Skills
Empowerment Skills
Human Relation Skills
Mentoring Skills
Planning Skills
Service Delivery Skills
For more details please consult the attached findings.
(2) (a)
Number of new students enrolled for social work at universities
| Period | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Number of new students | 1428 | 2890 | 1310 | 1410 |
(b) During 2007 to 2009, 446 students could not pursue their studies in Social Work due to the following reasons:
· Two students were suspended by the universities due to misconduct. These students were allegedly warned twice before they were finally suspended
· Six students changed their field of study: The universities were requested to screen potential students before they finally enrol them in the future.
· Seven students passed on.
· The rest of the students which is 431, were discontinued by the universities because they failed. This could be attributed to various reasons like, inability to adjust to higher education learning, lack of interest in pursuing social work as a profession, personal and family problems.
The Scholarship has a support programme for the students: The Provinces are expected to visit the students on a quarterly basis to address their concerns, and the Departments of Social Work and the Career Guidance and Counselling Centres at universities have also been requested to provide psycho-social support to the students.
(3) Yes, as part of the implementation of the recruitment and retention strategy for Social Workers, the Department of Social Development has implemented the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) and the regrading of Social Work Professionals salaries to retain and attract qualified Professionals in other sectors and/ or abroad.
(4) Yes, the department has established a joint management forum which comprises of the departmental officials, Institutions of Higher Learning and the Department of Higher Education and Training. One of the primary objectives of the forum is to investigate the possible increase in the intake of Social Work students without compromising quality. The department conducts careers fair annually to high school students to intensify the marketing of the Social Work Profession. Radio and newspapers are also being used to encourage the youth to enrol for Social Work as a profession.
Furthermore, Government has made an allocation of R50m for the financial year 2007/08, R105m in the financial year 2008/09, R210m during 2009/10 and R226m for the financial year 2010/11 for the Social Work scholarship programme. This programme has attracted quite a large number of students to study Social Work as a profession.
QUESTION 1168
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 19 April 2010
Internal question paper no:
Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
Whether there are any mechanisms in place to address the salary gap between social work practitioners in the public sector relative to practitioners working in NPO's; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW 1326E
Published question: 1168. Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
Whether she has taken any steps regarding the salary gap between social work practitioners in the public sector relative to practitioners in the non-profit organisations; if not, why not; if so, what steps? NW1326E
REPLY:
Yes, there are mechanisms in place to address the existing salary gaps as per the question, however the Department would like to acknowledge that the OSD has impacted in terms of widening the gap between salaries of Social Workers in the employ of government and those that are in the NPO sector.
The following are the measures that are currently being implemented to address the gap in remuneration packages of Social Workers in the Not-for Profit Organizations (NPOs) in relation to Social Work Practitioners in the public sector:
· A sector bid was submitted to the Department of Finance in 2009, to address the issue of parity, as a result the budget for the funding of NPOs has been increased at both national and provincial levels, with the expectation that the additional funding will be utilized for salary increases.
· The national and provincial departments of Social Development are currently contributing towards the costs of services that are rendered by the NPOs. This funding includes up to seventy percent subsidization of posts of Social Workers and other Social Services Professionals employed by the NPOs. In most cases transfers to NPOs are increased annually depending on availability of funds. The full implementation of programme funding as recommended in the Policy on Financial Awards will address optimal funding of programmes rendered by NPOs. Some provincial departments like, Limpopo and Mpumalanga have already made progress in this regard.
· The Department is also working with NPOs to consider other sources of income for their programmes. The common understanding pertaining to the relationship between NPOs and government is that the latter should not be the sole funder of NPOs work, part of their funding should be raised from the donors and other fundraising activities.
The rapid increase in the number of emerging NGOs, which deliver services in the previously marginalized areas, also need to be taken into consideration when budget allocations to NPOs are dealt with. In order to address issues of equity in terms of development and improvement of service delivery in the entire country, funding to such NPOs has to be prioritized as well. Therefore the challenge is that, the ideal 100% funding to NPOs remains unattainable due to the escalating demand and the budgetary constraints.
QUESTION NO 1169
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 APRIL 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 10)
1169. Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) (a) What is the assurance level for water provision that her department has given to Eskom's soon-to-be-completed Medupi power station and (b) how was this level determined;
(2) whether water provision to this power station will affect water rights of farmers in the Ellisras area; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether she will discuss with farmers from Ellisras the possible need for compensation for their water rights that may not be realised in the event that available water resources are consumed by the power station; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1327E
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REPLY:
(1)(a) Eskom is a strategic water user and the level of assurance of supply of water provision is 99,5%.
(1)(b) Due to the strategic importance of generating electricity and the country's dependency on electricity from Eskom, all power stations are supplied at a 99,5% level of assurance of supply. Over many years of water infrastructure investments that serve this sector, this assurance level was implicitly agreed to be optimal.
(2) The existing lawful water use of farmers in the Lephalale Area will not be affected. In the determination of the sustainable yield of the Mokolo Dam, the legal entitlement of the irrigation allocation in accordance with the relevant white papers and proclamations were taken into consideration.
(3) The issue of compensation will only be relevant in the unlikely event that my Department needs access to the existing lawful irrigation entitlements from the Mokolo Dam. This will only be considered as a contingency measure and be done in consultation with the owners of the entitlements. The Mokolo Irrigation Board members have been informed of such a possibility.
QUESTION NO 1170
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 APRIL 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 10)
1170. Mr M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether she has been informed of incidences of sewage leaking from sewerage infrastructure in the Ba-Phalaborwa municipality into the surrounding water courses; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether she will investigate the situation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether her department intends issuing a (a) pre-directive or (b) directive in terms of section 19(3) of the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998, against the Ba-Phalaborwa municipality for sewage leaks; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) whether the management of the Kruger National Park has (a) been informed of the sewage leaks by the Ba-Phalaborwa municipality and (b) engaged the municipality to find a sustainable solution for sewage leaks; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case;
(5) whether her department (a) will compel the municipality to inform those users affected by the spillage and (b) has scored the waste water treatment works of Ba-Phalaborwa municipality in terms of the Green Drop criteria; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case? NW1328E
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REPLY:
(1) Yes, my Department was informed about the sewage leaking at
Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality (LM) emanating from a sewage spillage from a pump station.
(2) My Department has investigated the pollution incident and discovered that the water pollution occured due to irregularities at the main pump station. My Department subsequently issued a pre-directive in terms of section 19(3) of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No 36 of 1998) [the Act] to Ba-Phalaborwa LM, however, there seems to be a dispute of ownership of the infrastructure. My Department is currently determining such ownership between the Ba-Phalaborwa LM and the Mopani District Municipality as the water services authority.
(3)(a) Yes, on confirmation of the ownership of the infrastructure, my Department will issue a pre-directive in terms of section 19(3) of the Act if the sewage leakage reoccurs.
(3)(b) Yes, a directive may be issued if the representation from the Municipality fails to put an action plan in place to prevent the pollution from recurring.
(4)(a) Yes, there has been communication between my Department and the Kruger National Park (KNP). The KNP was part of the initial site inspection and were invited on a subsequent inspection.
(4)(b) Yes, KNP engaged the municipality through an official letter sent to the Mayor of
Ba-Phalaborwa LM.
(5)(a) As indicated in paragraph 4(b), there has been engagement between the KNP as the affected party and the municipality. My Department may instruct the Municipality as part of the directive to compel them to inform the affected down-stream water users.
(5)(b) The Green Drop Report has not yet been officially released.
QUESTION NO. 1171 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 10 NW1329EDATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 April 2010
Mr M J Ellis (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) With reference to the National Norms and Standards for the Regulation of the Hunting Industry, why are (a) hunting dog packs, (b) gin traps and (c) the helicopter hunting of predators not prohibited;
(2) what are (a) the names of the persons that led the drafting of these norms and standards and (b) their designations?
1171. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
(1) The use of certain methods or equipment for the purpose of hunting is regulated through the Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations, which were promulgated in terms of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act No. 10 of 2004), and implemented on 1 February 2008. The use of dogs and aircraft for the purpose of hunting is allowed in terms of the TOPS Regulations, provided that a permit is issued. The use of gin traps for the purpose of hunting is prohibited.
Norms and Standards are not regulations, but rather guidelines to support decision making and facilitate a uniform approach for national implementation.
(a) Dogs may be used for hunting, only to track a wounded animal, or to point, flush or retrieve a species listed as threatened or protected. The hunted animal may not be killed by the dog. The norms and standards provide the conditions under which the dogs may be used.
(b) The use of any kind of trap, including gin traps, is prohibited for the purpose of hunting.
(c) Aircraft, including helicopters, for the purpose of hunting may only be used to track the animal where the hunt takes place over long ranges, but the animal may not be shot from the aircraft.
(2) The process was led by Mr Fundisile Mketeni, as the Deputy Director-General responsible for Biodiversity and Conservation.
QUESTION NO 1172
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 APRIL 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 10)
1172. Mrs D van der Walt (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether she has been informed of the extensive illegal removal of indigenous tree species within the drainage areas of the Nylsvley Ramsar site within the jurisdiction of Mookgopong municipality; if so, what steps will she take in this regard; if not,
(2) whether she will investigate the matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether leaks from sewage infrastructure within the Mookgopong municipality are posing a threat to the Nylsvley Ramsar site; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) whether she has been informed that the Mookgopong municipality has approved the operation of a graveyard that is within 300 metres of boreholes that provide drinking water to the town of Naboomspruit; if so, why has the establishment of the graveyard been permitted within such close proximity; if not,
(5) whether she will investigate the matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1330E
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REPLY:
(1) No, I have not been informed of any extensive illegal removal of indigenous tree species within the drainage areas of the Nylsvley Ramsar site in the jurisdiction of Mookgopong municipality. My Department is however aware that some branches (from indigeous trees) which are growing into the management roads have been removed.
It should be noted that there are Rangers who are patrolling the area on a daily basis and all incidents (if any) are reported on a patrol report form which is given to the Manager of Nylsvley (Limpopo Economic Development Economic and Tourism). Further, there are two access controlled gates within the area which are managed by Limpopo Tourism and Parks as well as Nylsvley and no person is allowed to remove plants or animals without the necessary permits.
(2) The matter was brought to the attention of Mookgopong Municipality for investigation and they confirmed that some overgrown tree branches of indigenous plants were being removed.
(3) No, where leaks are noted, they are immediately attended to by the Mookgopong Municipality.
(4) No, I have not been informed of the approval of the graveyard as the environmental impact assessment report was not received by my Department to comment on potential impact on the borehole.
(5) Yes, my Department is in the process of investigating this matter.
QUESTION NO. 1173 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 10 NW1331EDATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 April 2010
Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) When (a) did the removal of the recently-discovered illegally-dumped medical waste in Welkom begin and (b) is it expected to be completed;
(2) what is the (a) tonnage of waste that has been removed as at the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) total tonnage of illegal waste that is expected to be removed for final disposal at Holfontein;
(3) whether any special procedures are being followed to dispose of the illegally dumped waste at Holfontein; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) what are the terms of the agreement between certain companies (names furnished) and the department with regard to the disposal of the illegally dumped waste;
(5) whether the initial generators of the waste that was illegally dumped in Welkom have been determined; if not, why not; if so, what are the names of each of these waste generators?
Mr G R Morgan (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENTHANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS1173. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
(1) The removal of the waste from the Maximus Bricks site began on 02 March 2010. However, the Department gave an instruction that the clean-up operations cease temporarily for a number of reasons including the following:
· The waste was being excavated at a faster pace than it could be removed from the site due to transport complications and a shortage of chlorinated lime at the disposal site.
· The time allocated for the disposal of the Welkom waste at Holfontein is limited to day time hours only. This had to be factored in and considered in the timeframe for overall completion of the cleanup operation.
· An investigation by the contaminant hydrogeologist appointed by Wasteman indicated that the volumes of buried waste (soil plus medical waste) to be removed from the sites in Welkom appeared to be almost double the initial estimated volumes. This meant additional implications for the receiving landfill, unforeseen hazards associated with the need for deeper excavation, and the movement of waste over a longer period.
Wasteman was therefore given an extension to the timeframe in order to comply with the instructions set in the respective Compliance Notices and a detailed scope of works should be submitted to the Department by close of business on Monday next week. This scope of works will inform the way forward and provide greater clarity on the timeframe within which the clean up can be effected. Following the consideration of this scope of works, the Department will provide a final time period within which the clean up must take place and be completed.
(2) Approximately 3 000 tons of waste have, to date, been removed from the Maximus Bricks site to Holfontein. An additional volume of about 800 tons is in the process of being removed from the stockpile at the Maximus Bricks site to Holfontein and it is envisaged that this will be completed by close of business on 19 May 2010.
The anticipated total volume to be removed from the Welkom sites is approximately 17 000 tons of waste (medical waste mixed with soil). At this stage the waste can be removed to either one of two High Hazard (H:H) sites – either Holfontein (Gauteng) or Vissershok (Western Cape).
(3) The waste is required to be disposed of into prepared trenches at the landfill site and covered with chlorinated lime. The disposal must also comply with all other requirements of the landfill operator which, among others, includes the disposal of the Welkom waste during daytime hours only and the requirement to cover the waste with a minimum volume of soil
(4) There is no agreement between the Department and any of the companies as the work is being undertaken in line with instructions in an enforcement notice. The companies involved in the disposal of the illegally dumped waste are the following:
· Wasteman – recipient of the compliance notice and therefore responsible for clean-up
· Waste Giant – waste contractor employed by Wasteman in compliance with the instruction in the compliance notice to employ the services of an independent waste company to effect the clean up
· Ritchie Morris – independent hydrogeologist responsible for overall supervision of the clean up and sign off following rehabilitation of the sites. The services of this specialist were also required in terms of the instructions in the compliance notice and are being paid by Wasteman.
· Enviroserv – operates Holfontein, the disposal site to which the medical waste is being taken for final disposal.
· The need to appoint an independent engineer in terms of safety aspects has also now been identified as the excavations need to exceed a depth of 1.8 meters in certain places. The Department is awaiting confirmation of this appointment.
(5) During the excavation activities at the site, evidence is being gathered which demonstrates where the waste comes from. To date it is clear that the waste was generated from various hospitals and clinics across the country, including state hospitals, various laboratories, hospitals that fall within the Netcare Group, as well as the Life Healthcare Group.
QUESTION NO 1174
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 APRIL 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 10)
1174. Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
Whether her department has complied with all the requirements of section 12 of the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998; if not, how will this be rectified; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1332E
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REPLY:
Yes. The responsibility for the management of water resources requires protection from over-utilisation or impacts which cause degradation. Chapter 3 of the National Water Act, 36 of 1998 (NWA), sets out measures that need to be undertaken to ensure the protection of water resources within the context of sustainable use. The measures referred to in this regard include the progressive development of a prescribed system to classify water resources. In terms of section 12 of the NWA, my Department has developed a National Water Resources Classification System (NWRCS) which consists of procedures to be followed for recommending a class when classifying water resources. The system provides for a definition of these classes which takes into account the volume of water in a water resource, the reserve and the water quality requirements of water users. The NWRCS has undergone an extensive public consultation process which has culminated into a set of Regulations, the promulgation of which is anticipated in due course. In addition, my Department has developed a range of procedures and guidelines that will give effect to the classification of water resources.
QUESTION NO. 1175
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 APRIL 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 10)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) (a) How many environmental health practitioners (EHPs) are there and (b) in which local authorities are they located;
(2) whether local authorities are given targets for submitting food samples to the forensic chemistry laboratories for analysis; if not, why not; if so, (a) who determines the number of samples and (b) what target was given to each local authority in the (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (iii) 2009-10 financial years;
(3) whether all local authorities submitted their targeted number of samples in the (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10 financial years; if not, (i) which local authorities did not, (ii) how many samples did they submit in each case and (iii) what action was taken against local authorities that did not submit the targeted number of samples; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW1333EREPLY:
(1) (a) There are 2 067 Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) in the South African Public Service to service a population of about 49 991 300. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) norm of 1EHP per 10 000 population, there is a shortfall of 2 931 EHPs and a shortfall of 1 265 EHPs according to the locally adopted National norm of 1EHP per 15 000 population. The 588 EHPs are employed in the Provincial Department of Health and 1 479 are in the local municipalities;
(b) The 1 479 EHPs in the local municipalities are either located in the Metropolitan or District Municipalities. Where Municipal Health Services have not yet devolved to District/Metropolitan Municipalities, there are still some at the B-Municipalities.
(2) No, due to the limited capacity for the analysis of food samples available within the forensic chemistry laboratories of the Department in Pretoria and Cape Town currently, as well as during the mentioned periods, the Department is not in a position to implement a national food monitoring programme, which will include targets set annually for local authorities to submit food samples for analysis.
(3) No targeted number of samples was provided to local authorities for the same reason as provided in (2) above.