Questions & Replies: Questions & Replies No 1101 to 1125

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2010-05-03

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[PMG note: Replies are inserted as soon as they are provided by the Minister]

QUESTION 1102

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19/04/2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 10 OF 2010)

Mr R B Bhoola (MF) to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training:

(1) Whether there are specific criteria for funding poor children to advance their tertiary education; if so, what are the relevant details?

(2) Whether there is a National student Financial Aid Scheme (NASFAS) office in Durban; if not, why not; if so what are relevant details?

NW1099E

REPLY:

1. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme(NSFAS) was established by Government as the primary instrument for providing financial support for poor students who wish to advance their tertiary education. The current distribution model is based on the historical equity profile of students at institutions and the means test to allocate funds to institutions and individuals. Based on an annual estimation of the number of students that are eligible for financial assistance and through the financial means test with joint family income of less than R122 000, allocations are made to each institution by the NSFAS.

Two criteria are important in determining allocation:

- NSFAS funding is dependent on the student being granted and retaining an academic place at a HEI;

- NSFAS funding is dependent on determining the degree of financial need of the family of the student who has been granted an academic place at a public HEI through the NSFAS means test.

2. NSFAS has a national head office in Cape Town but no provincial or regional offices. It must be noted that students apply for NSFAS through public higher education institutions and not through NSFAS directly.

QUESTION 1103 (written) 19 April 2010

1103. Mrs J D Kilian (Cope) to ask the Minister of Public Works:

(1) Who resided at Hoogelegen during the term of the third Parliament;

(2) whether his department renovated Hoogelegen after the previous minister vacated the residence; if so, what (a) was the reason, (b) was the extent of the renovations and (c) were the costs of such renovations;

(3) Whether the residence was fully furnished by the State when it was occupied by the previous minister; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(4) Whether his department bought new furniture for the new Minister of Communications when the residence was allocated to him after the appointment of the new Cabinet on 11 May 2009; if so, (a) what happened to the furniture that used to be in the residence and (b) what amount was spent on new furniture?

NW1235E

Reply:

1. The residence was initially occupied by the former Deputy Minister of Health: Ms Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge. After leaving her post as the Deputy Minister of Health, it was then occupied by the former Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development: Advocate JJ De Lange.

2. The residence was not renovated after the previous Deputy Ministers vacated Hoogelegen.

3. Hoogelegen was not fully furnished by the State during the occupation thereof by the previous Deputy Ministers. The previous Deputy Ministers used their owned furniture items and the Department only had few items in this residence.

4. Yes, the Department bought new furniture. (a) The furniture was taken to the holding storage. (b) An amount to the value of R 319 265.35 was spent.

QUESTIONS 1104 FOR WRITTEN REPLY MONDAY, 19 APRIL 2010

1104. Mr D A Kganare (Cope) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and Administration:

(1) What are the required minimum qualifications for the post of (a) Director, (b) Chief Director and (c) Deputy Director-General;

(2) whether these positions are filled in the departments of (a) police and roads and transport in the Free State and (b) health, social welfare and education in the Northern Cape; if not, why not; if so, what are the qualifications of each such person;

(3) what procedures were followed to appoint each Director, Chief Director and Deputy Director-General who did not have the minimum qualifications;

(4) whether he will take any corrective steps if correct procedures have not been followed in the appointment of candidates; if not, why not; if so, what steps? NW1239E

Reply:

(1) Public Service Regulations, Chapter 1 Part VII C.1.1, stipulates that an executing authority shall determine composite requirements for employment in any post on the basis of the inherent requirements of the job. According to the advice contained in the Code of Remuneration (CORE), the minimum requirements for appointment at Director, Chief Director and Deputy Director–General level is a tertiary qualification, plus training and courses in management practices depending on the area of utilisation. However, as the CORE only provides guidelines pertaining to competency requirements at different performer levels, departments must determine the specific inherent requirements for posts, including educational qualifications.

The MPSA is investigating questions (2) and (3).

4) Should the matter be raised with the Department of Public Service and Administration where any appointment is made without following the appropriate procedures; proper steps will be taken to evaluate the merit of the cases concerned and corrective measures be instituted.

QUESTION NO. 1105

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 APRIL 2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 10)

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

(1) Whether he has been informed of the disappearance of a baby's corpse from the mortuary of the Prince Mashiyeni Hospital; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether an investigation was launched to identify the individuals responsible for this; if not, why not; if so, what was the outcome of the investigation?

NW1240E

REPLY:

According to the KwaZulu/Natal Department of Health, -

(1) The disappearance of the foetus was reported to the authorities.

(2) An external investigating officer was appointed (for objectivity) to conduct an investigation. Police also investigated the matter and a report is available. Personnel involved wrote a full statement to account on what happened. The relevant Public Service procedures were followed to deal with the personnel involved.

QUESTION NO.: 1106

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 APRIL 2010

Mr N Singh (IFP) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(1) Whether the Government's bail-out programme during the recession has met its desired outcomes; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether he has found that value for money has been achieved vis-à-vis the monetary injection relative to the number of jobs saved; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) what was the per capita cost in relation to saving one job? NW1256E

REPLY

1. The Framework for South Africa's Response to the International Economic Crisis entails a collective response from the social partners – government, business, labour and the community. Government's initiatives included a broad stimulus package including social and economic components and involved work in the following areas:

a. Macro economic policy response

b. Investment in public infrastructure

c. Industrial and trade policy measures

d. Employment measures

e. Social measures

f. Global coordination

g. Social partnership in response to the crisis

The Framework Agreement has provided positive outcomes. For example, more than 480 000 employment opportunities were created in 2009 through the Expanded Public Works Programme; SARS continues to seize illegal clothing entering the country and the initiative is being extended into other sectors; extensive Competition Commission investigations into collusive behaviour in the construction supply chain have resulted in a number of admissions by companies and applications for leniency. It is expected that this will positively influence the build programme. The UIF Board approved R2 billion to be invested with the IDC to be made available to companies in distress. Additional resources have been made available to Productivity South Africa to deal with retrenchments. A further 1 500 auto workers have just undertaken training under the Training Layoff Scheme

It was recently agreed by the social partners in the Leadership Task Team that without these initiatives the impact of the recession would have been more severe.

2. The Framework response entails a range of interventions each with a different cost benefit ratio. In order to illustrate the impact, the IDC Fund was used as an example. The IDC established a R6.1 billion fund to assist companies in distress as a result of the recession. The purpose of the funding is to rescue capacity and employment during the recession. A condition set by the IDC is that funds should be retained in the business to fund working capital requirements and operational expenses and capital expenses. 14% of the IDC's funding in 2009/10 went to funding companies in distress compared to normal funding.

Using the figures provided by the IDC on the Fund to assist companies in distress, the cost per capita in relation to saving or creating one job was c.a. R99 000 for 2009/10 approvals. This compares favourably with the average cost per job for IDC funding outside of the Fund to assist companies in distress, which averages to c.a. R265 000 per job for 2009/10 (still to be audited).

3. See 2 above.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO.: 1107

DATE OF QUESTION: 19 APRIL 2010

1107. Mr N Singh (IFP) to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:

(1) (a) What is the composition of the Land Claims Court (LCC), (b) how often has the LCC convened in the (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (iii) 2009-10 financial years and (c) how many cases have been heard by the LCC in each of these years;

(2) whether any of the matters have been finalised; if not, why not; if so, how many;

(3) whether he will make a statement on the LCC in pronouncing over outstanding claims?

NW1257E

REPLY:-

(1) (a) The Land Claims Court (LCC) has 1 Judge President and 4 Judges.

(b) The following information has been furnished by the Judge President of the LCC pertaining to how often the LCC has convened:

(i) 2007

22 January 2007 – 30 March 2007

16 April 2007 – 22 June 2007

30 July 2007 – 21 September 20007

1 October 2007 – 7 December 2007

(ii) 2008

21 January 2008 – 28 March 2008

14 April 2008 – 20 June 2008

28 July 2008 – 26 September 2008

6 October 2008 – 12 December 2008

(iii) 2009

21 January 2009 – 28 March 2009

14 April 2009 – 20 June 2009

28 July 2009 – 19 September 2009

6 October 2009 – 5 December 2009

(iv)The proposed dates for the LCC to meet in 2010, are:

25 January 2010 - 2 April 2010

12 April 2010 – 18 June 2010

26 July 2010 – 24 September 2010

4 October 2010 – 10 December 2010

(c) The following information has been furnished by the Judge President of the LCC pertaining to the number of cases heard by the LCC:

(i) Civil Cases for 2007

Cases received – 146

Cases outstanding – 65

Cases finalised – 81

Automatic Review Cases for 2007

Cases received – 140

Cases outstanding – 8

Cases finalised – 132

(ii) Civil Cases for 2008

Cases received – 193

Cases outstanding – 109

Cases finalised – 84

Automatic Review Cases for 2008

Cases received – 76

Cases outstanding – 9

Cases finalised – 67

(iii) Civil Cases for 2009

Cases received – 255

Cases outstanding – 189

Cases finalised – 66

Automatic Review Cases for 2009

Cases received – 90

Cases outstanding – 13

Cases finalised for – 77

(iv) Civil Cases for 2010 until 22 April 2010

Cases received – 76

Cases outstanding – 69

Cases finalised – 7

Automatic Review Cases for 2010

Cases received – 24

Cases outstanding – 13

Cases finalised - 11

(2) I refer the Honourable Member to (1)(c).

(3) A statement is not necessary in view of the above.

QUESTION 1108

DATE OF PUBLICATION: MONDAY 19 APRIL 2010 [IQP No 10- 2010] SECOND SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

Question 1108 for Written Reply, National Assembly: Mr L B Gaehler (UDM) to ask the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

1) Whether a vaccination programme has been, or will be, implemented in reaction to the outbreak of Rift Valley Fever in various provinces; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details, (b) what funds have been allocated to conduct an awareness campaign, specifically among non-commercial livestock holders and subsistence farmers and (c) what measures has her department taken to curb the further spread of the disease? NW1259E

REPLY:

1) (a) Rift valley Fever is not a controlled animal disease according to the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act 35 of 1984). It is, however, a notifiable disease according to the mentioned act. Veterinary Services (Provincial and National) are continuously warning farmers to vaccinate their animals against Rift Valley fever and have done so for many years, especially in the last 3 years since the return of the disease to South Africa. Farmers were reluctant to vaccinate due to the fact that the disease have been absent for such a long period (almost 30 years). Rift Valley Fever is a vector-borne disease, being transmitted to animals by mosquitoes. The best way to control it is by the yearly vaccination of livestock by livestock-owners.

Some of the Provincial Veterinary Services have, however, started vaccination campaigns in affected areas, concentrating on non-commercial livestock and farms where outbreaks occurred. The Provincial Veterinary Services have also assisted commercial farmers in acquiring vaccine.

(b) The Free State Province, which is by far the most affected during this current outbreak, have been given R4 million by the DAFF to assist in their response to the outbreak.

(c) Since the start of the outbreak, the provinces bordering the Free State Province have started vaccinating areas at risk and advising farmers to vaccinate against the disease. It must, however, be stressed that it was the farmers' responsibility to vaccinate yearly against this disease and they were warned repeatedly over the last few years. Hopefully the current outbreak will encourage farmers to heed the advice given and keep their stock vaccinated against the disease.

Like other vector-borne (transmitted by insects, etc.) diseases, like African Horse Sickness, Bluetongue and tick-borne diseases, Rift Valley Fever is almost impossible to control from a government perspective due to the wide distribution, unpredictability and high incidence during an outbreak. Government cannot be responsible for the vaccination of all animals in the country against all the diseases; it is the responsibility of the livestock-owners.

The available Rift Valley Fever vaccines, if used correctly and preventively, will give good protection to animals against the disease.

QUESTION 1109 (written)

19 April 2010

1109. Mr L B Gaehler (UDM) to ask the Minister of Public Works:

Whether his department has made any plans to make office accommodation available to the police in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape; if not, why not; if so, when? NW1260E

Reply:

Yes, the department has a plan to accommodate South African Police Services (SAPS) particularly its Crime Investigation Unit in a state property in Mthatha. The Department is in consultation with SAPS to implement the project in the next financial year.

QUESTION NO 1110

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 7 MAY 2010

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: MONDAY, 26 APRIL 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 11 - 2010)

Mr P F Smith (IFP) asked the Minister of Transport:

(1) Who (a) owns the parkades in the (i) Johannesburg, (ii) Cape Town and (iii) Durban international airports and (b) determines the parking tariffs?

(2) Whether he has made a finding on the reasonableness of the tariff; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the findings?

NW1262E

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

(1) (a) The Airports Company South Africa Limited (ACSA) owns the parkades at the (i) Johannesburg, (ii) Cape Town and (iii) Durban International Airports and (b) determines the parking tariffs at these airports.

(2) No. ACSA determines its parking tariffs based on the following:

Ø The user-pay principal is utilised so that the financial viability of parking infrastructure is recovered solely from the users of such parking facilities, unlike other parking providers, for example shopping centres that discount parking tariffs as a drive to attract football fans to their malls. So far, less than 25% of passengers make use of the parking infrastructure.

Ø The type of parking infrastructure (structured parking or grade parking, with structured parking being more expensive).

Ø Location of the parking facility. The closer the facility is to the terminal building, the higher the parking tariff.

QUESTION 1111

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

1111. Mr. P F Smith (IFP) to ask the Minister of Energy:

(a) What is the price of electricity sold by Eskom to neighbouring states and

(b) How is it compared to the price of electricity supplied to local municipalities? NW1263E

Reply

(a) The prices charged to neighbouring utilities are individually negotiated using the standard Megaflex tariff as a basis with an appropriate premium. Escalation on these prices is in line with the NERSA approved increase. Electricity is also sold to three end-use customers, two of which (Skorpion Mine and Mozal) are charged prices which were negotiated some years ago and are being renegotiated, while the third is supplied at standard tariffs.

2009-10

Average Rate

(C/KWh)

Utilities

BPC

30.9

NamPower

38.0

SEC

32.0

LEC

37.8

End-use customers

Motraco

12.3

Skorpion

18.0

Namdeb

31.5

(b) Eskom does not have a unique tariff for municipalities. They choose the standard Eskom retail tariff that suits their load profile (the way they use electricity) the best. Details of the Eskom tariffis can be found at www.eskom.co.za/tariffs. As a result, the price of electricity supplied to local municipalities differes widely depending on what standard tariff they are on, where they are located (rural or urban), at what voltage they take supply and the size of their supply. The average price paid by municipal supplies, taking into consideration all the different tariffs was 31.8 c/kWh for 2009/10 and 25.4c/kWh for 2008/09.

It should be pointed out that a direct comparison of the prices is incorrect. The prices need to be compared to the cost of supply which is higher for some municipalities. On the basis of a cost supply, all customers are treated fairly.

QUESTION 1112

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

1112. Mr. P F Smith (IFP) to ask the Minister of Energy:

Why Eskom's electricity capital expenditure only amounted to R228 280 124 in the Eastern Cape and R83 192 413 in KwaZulu-Natal in the 2008-09 financial years, despite electricity connectivity backlogs for the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal? NW1264E

Reply

My response is based on the actual figures as per the 2008/9 annual report. The capital expenditure for Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal are R311, 2million and R122, 5million respectively against the budgets of R374, 7million and R234, 9million respectively. The reasons for the under-expenditures are discussed separately per province as follows;

1. EASTERN CAPE

Amount allocated – R374, 727 ml

Amount spent spent – R311, 204 ml

Under expenditure – R60, 523 ml

The allocation was distributed as follows:

Table 1: Eastern Cape allocation 2008/9

Project type

Planned Amount (R ml)

Schools (Roshcon)

R60, 910, 059

Households (Incl. Farm Worker Houses, Infrastructure)

R270, 257, 830.87

Eskom Schools

R43, 559,523.30

Total

R374, 727, 413

All the funds for household connections and infrastructure were spent. The under-expenditure for the Eastern Cape was on the schools programme. The challenge was due to the project plan that could not be submitted in time and data submitted by Department of Education was not accurate for them to implement the programme, hence the contract was signed late between Roshcon (Eskom Subsidiary) and Department of Energy.

2. KWAZULU NATAL PROVINCE

Amount allocated – R234, 887 ml

Amount spent – R122, 522 ml

Under expenditure – R112, 365 ml

Table 2: KwaZulu Natal allocation 2008/9

Project type

Planned Amount

Actual Expenditure at end of 2008/9

Roshcon Schools

R55,658,225.38

R0

Households (Incl Farm Worker Houses, Infrastructure

R145,142,466.03

R104,223,933.29

Eskom Schools

R34,086,703.11

R16,063,946

Total

R234,887,394

R120,287,879.29

The under expenditure of R114, 599 ml is due to the following project type:

Ø Roshcon schools – R55, 658 ml (same as Eastern Cape)

Ø Eskom schools – R18, 022 ml

Ø Households (Incl Farm Worker Houses, infrastructure) – R40, 918 ml

In 2008/9 an amount of R40, 918 ml allocated for the infrastructure projects was not spent. Infrastructure is the biggest obstacle in acceleration of electrification projects.

Eskom challenges in KZN province were as follows:

Ø The existing networks in KZN have no capacity to connect more households; Eskom has to build more substations.

Ø The EIA's approvals took longer than anticipated, hence the Eskom spending in KwaZulu Natal is less that in the Eastern Cape. We have engaged the Department of Water Affairs and Environmental affairs to facilitate the EIA processes for optimal outcome.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO.: 1113

DATE OF QUESTION: 19 APRIL 2010

1113. Mr M G Oriani-Ambrosini (IFP) to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:

(1) Whether he has been informed of a lack of readiness in most of the relevant organs of State, including the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), to implement the Child Justice Act, Act 75 of 2008, which was scheduled to take effect on 1 April 2010; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps will he take in this regard;

(2) whether all relevant officials and public servants of his department received training in the administration and requirements of the Act; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) what steps will he take to deal with the shortfall between the amount his department requested to implement the Act and the amount he was finally allocated for such purpose;

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

NW1265E

REPLY:-

(1) I wish to inform the Honourable Member that my Department has not been informed of a lack of readiness from relevant organs of state to implement the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008.

The reasons for this include the following:-

Section 94 (Chapter 14) of the Child Justice Act (CJA) provides for the establishment of an Inter-Sectoral Committee on Child Justice (ISCCJ), comprising of Departments, state organs and other organisations that work in the field of child justice. The ISCCJ has, in a consultative manner, consulted on many issues relating to the implementation of the CJA. These include the development of an implementation plan for the CJA; the formulation of the national policy framework for the implementation of the CJA; the management of children being held in custody while awaiting trial; the Regulations for the CJA; and the formulation of directives by the NPA and national instructions from SAPS concerning children in conflict with the law.

Another role of my Department and ISCCJ is the monitoring of the implementation of the Act across all relevant sectors. This mechanism takes cognisance of the various stages at which relevant departments interact and how this takes place.

Thus, it is clear that the relevant organs of state have been deeply involved in the preparation for the implementation of the Child Justice Act from the outset and that my Department, in terms of the provisions of the Act, has met its secretariat responsibility in terms of the Act.

The Department is the Chair and Co-ordinator of the Intersectoral Child Justice Steering Committee, both at Directors-General level, who meet on a quarterly basis; and for the National Operational ISCCJ, who meet on a monthly basis. Practical implementation steps have been discussed and are being monitored at these regular meetings, so that the impact of the Act can be monitored and any challenges, addressed timeously. In terms of these discussions, all Departments have indicated that they are ready to implement the Child Justice Act, 2008.

Regarding the NPA's implementation plans, steps and progress, please see Annexure A, attached.

(2) A Child Justice Training Manual has been developed and training was done in all 9 provinces. A total number of 287 intersectoral officials received training. Funding has been secured to embark on the second round of training for magistrates on the CJA and it is envisaged that training will start in May 2010. Another training initiative is to include inter-sectoral training for other sectors working on child justice matters. This is being planned in order to create a common understanding of the operations of the CJA and to enable other sectors to train their staff adequately so that their obligations in terms of the Act, are met. The inter-sectoral nature of the implementation of the Act requires that all public servants working in the field of child justice have policies and protocols developed to enhance delivery and that they are trained to do so. Justice College has a training programme in place for the training of clerks of the Child Justice Courts and training has already commenced. The plan is to train all child justice court clerks on the processes of the Child Justice Act.

The various Departments involved with the ISCCJ, have also started training their relevant officials on the implications and obligations of the Child Justice Act, 2008. This includes the National Prosecuting Authority, the SAPS, the Department of Social Development and Legal Aid SA.

Details of the said training, until 31st March 2010, are attached as Annexure B.

(3) The constraints imposed by a limited budget make for difficulties in respect of service delivery and legal compliance. However, as the different departments have been in a working relationship over a period of the time as the ISCCJ, many of these difficulties have been highlighted and discussed. As much of the work has been done in terms of preparing for implementation and in terms of the Interim National Protocol for the Management of Children Awaiting Trial, many of the implementation steps do not require funding from scratch, but is building on existing services. Still we are mindful of the constraints under which we operate. We have adjusted our initial plans to suit the budget allocated. We will be unable to build new One-Stop Child Justice Centres. Rather, my Department will embark on identifying existing centres managed by the Department of Social Development where the services envisaged in the Act, can realistically be offered to children in conflict with the law. The infrastructure of such places will be checked to be able to house all the sectors required. Furthermore, my Department has not appointed new magistrates or clerks but have rather trained magistrates and clerks on the Child Justice Act. In addition, we have assisted our sister departments to devise methods of delivery without incurring greater costs. The Department has further approached some donors to assist with additional funding where required.

(4) No statement is necessary.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO.: 1114

DATE OF QUESTION: 19 APRIL 2010

1114. Mr M G Oriani-Ambrosini (IFP) to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:

(1) Why has the tabling of the Sexual Harassment Bill been delayed;

(2) whether he has reprioritised the Bill; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether he will make a statement on the matter?

NW1266E

REPLY:-

(1) It should be pointed out that the Department does not have a Sexual Harassment Bill on its legislative programme. The question probably relates to the Protection from Harassment Bill, 2010. The Protection from Harassment Bill has already been introduced into Parliament as Bill 1 of 2010.

(2) The Bill is awaiting further processing within the timelines furnished by Parliament.

(3) A statement is not necessary.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO.: 1115

DATE OF QUESTION: 19 APRIL 2010

1115. Mr M G Oriani-Ambrosini (IFP) to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:

Whether he or his department intends introducing amending legislation to transfer the SA Law Commission from his line function responsibility to Parliament; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW1267E

REPLY:-

I would like to inform the Honourable Member that I do not deem it expedient to introduce amending legislation to transfer the SA Law Reform Commission from my line function responsibility to Parliament.

QUESTION NUMBER 1116

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 APRIL 2010

Mr N Singh (IFP) to ask the Minister of Finance:

(1) Whether the construction of the stadiums and related infrastructure for the 2010 Fifa World Cup Soccer tournament has been concluded within the budget; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether Treasury has received any requests from hosting cities for additional appropriations; if so, (a) from which cities, (b) what were the amounts requested and (c) what was the motivation for the requested amounts?

NW1268E

REPLY

(1) The construction of six new stadiums and related infrastructure was not concluded within the budget at the time of tender in October to December 2006.

An analysis of the Host City tender documentation was carried out. The tenders included significant provisional amounts. Provisional amounts are those amounts that were included in the tender documentation that the Host City's contracted architects, design engineers and cost estimators were not sure about. When pricing the tender the contractor determines the risks and prices accordingly. The higher the provisional sums the greater the risk of cost overruns. Below is a table that presents the provisional sums included in the tender documentation as a percentage of total estimated cost.

City

Provisional Sum % of Total Capital Cost

Mbombela

25

Polokwane

30

Nelson Mandela Bay

37

eThekwini

50

Soccer City

55

Cape Town

60

(2) Yes.

The following hosting cities requested additional appropriations:

(a) The following hosting cities requested additional appropriations for stadium capital expenditure in the 2009 National Government Budget Process.

City of Johannesburg

City of Cape Town

eThekwini

Mbombela

Polokwane

(b) The amounts requested for stadium capital expenditure were:

City of Johannesburg : R814 million

City of Cape Town : R650 million

eThekwini : R114 million

Mbombela : R56 million

Polokwane : R60 million

(c) The motivation of the request was to fund budget shortfalls and escalation in input costs and also to assist Host Cities to meet shortfalls in capital expenditure

The national fiscus assisted with interest payments, in financial years 2009/2010 and 2010/2011, on long term loans taken out by the Host Cities. After which the Host Cities should have appropriate business models to ensure financial sustainability of the facilities in place

Question 1117.

Ms S P Lebenya-Ntanzi (IFP) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

(1) Whether he agreed with the National Treasury on the proposed point-matching system regarding the 2010-11 to 2012-13 Industrial Policy Action Plan (IP AP2); if so, what are the relevant details; if not,

(2) What effect will it have on the (a) implementation and (b) success of the new industrial action plan?

Response:

The 2010-11 to 2012-13 Industrial Policy Action Plan (IP AP) identified the leveraging of procurement as an important instrument for the implementation and success of the IP AP. A number of inter-related policy changes related to leveraging procurement are set out in the IP AP.

The point-matching proposal is one of a number of proposals related to specifically to strengthening the role of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPF A) and its associated Regulations in giving effect to the IPAP.

National Treasury, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Economic Development Department are currently engaged in technical discussions on how best to amend the regulations to the PPPF A in order to give effect to IP AP. The IP AP deadline set for completing this process is the end of the first quarter of the 2010/11 financial year.

Question 1118

Ms S P Lebenya-Ntanzi (IFP) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

(1) Whether the Government will increase the level of entrepreneurialism; if not, why not;

if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether the Government's various programmes, intended to foster entrepreneurship, have achieved their objective to generate its target of new business entrants into the formal economy in the past five years; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) what quantum of state funds has been spent by his department and the entities in his department on the small and medium enterprise (SME) and small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) sectors in the past five years;

(a) how many viable businesses have been established as a result of these programmes nd (b) what is the total number of persons they employ;

(4) what resources has the Government put into support programmes, such as training mentorships and similar programmes?NW1272

Response:

(1) The promotion of entrepreneurship and small business remains an important priority of the government of South Africa. Our commitment is to ensure that small businesses progressively increase their contribution to growth and performance of the South African economy in critical areas such as job creation, equity and exports. Since 1994, with the advent of a new democratic era, government has taken measures to ensure that small business development becomes a key policy focus. In March 1995 an important milestone was achieved when government released its White Paper on national strategy for the development and promotion of small business in South Africa, the first time a comprehensive policy and strategy on small business development was formulated in the country. Since then, government owned institutions and programmes have evolved across all three spheres with the aim of providing comprehensive support to small business.

These institutions have made progress in delivering a wide range of key support services, both financial and non-financial (Business support). These services continue to benefit an increasing number of small businesses year after year. the dti partnered with Wits University to establish a Centre for Entrepreneurship which will playa key role in generating and disseminating knowledge on entrepreneurship development. We hope that over time, this will be replicated throughout the country utilising the already existing infrastructure through other centres of entrepreneurship in other universities.

(2) The various support programmes of the dti agencies have indeed contributed to the development of enterprises and entrepreneurs nationally. This is evidenced by the increasing number of new entries into the formal sector. In the 2001-2002 financial year there were just more than 120 000 new enterprise registrations (in the formal sector), and in 2006-2007 the number increased to almost 280 000 new enterprise registrations. The increase in new enterprise registrations over the period 2001 to 2007 is due largely to a sharp increase in close corporations. Close corporations grew at an average rate of 22% over the total period, and between 2005/6 and 2006/7 the percentage growth was 20%.

the dti will continue to find better products and services, as well as ways of delivering these to the relevant beneficiary groups.

(3) The support for small, medium and micro enterprises is a shared competency cutting across the three spheres of government and sector specific departments at national level. During the 2005/6 to 2009/10 financial years, total allocations to support SMME development grew from R1.8 billion to R3.1 billion per annum for the dti (across all divisions). At this stage the dti has not been able to determine provincial expenditure with respect to SMME development support.

(3)(a) The support measures for SMME development have had positive outcomes. the dti records show the following outcomes of the various support measures the department has put in place:

  • With respect to reach, the number of enterprises supported increased from 32 796 to 186 195 between 2005/6 and 2007/8 .
  • With respect to growth in the number of enterprises, the number of new registrations increased from 120 000 in 2001/2 to 280 000 in 2006/7.
  • (b) the dti Annual Review of Small Business in South Africa 2005-2007 found the following with respect to SMME contribution to employment: (a) small enterprises contribute 21 %, medium-sized enterprises account for 18% and micro enterprises account for 17% to employment in the country. This suggests that SMMEs contribute a total of 56% to the country's employment while the rest is large businesses.

    (4) the dti has various programmes that provide training and mentorship to small business owners. SEDA provides both training and mentorship, while KHULA provides mentorship in support of the loan provided to enterprises. SAMAF provides indirect support by training financial intermediaries, who in turn support micro enterprises. One of the innovative ways in which entrepreneurs are supported is through the incubation programmes run by SEDA, through which participating entrepreneurs are given holistic support till their business is strong enough to withstand the rigours of competition on the market.

    QUESTION 1119 FOR WRITTEN REPLY

    1119. Ms S P Lebenya-Ntanzi (IFP) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

    (1) With reference to his statement that South Africa and the United

    Kingdom aim to double the value of trade between the two countries in the next five years, what are the details of how this will be achieved;

    (2) Whether any new trade deals were signed during the President's recent visit to the United Kingdom; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1273E

    Response:

    (1) During the opening speeches at the Business Forum on the 3rd of March 2010, both trade ministers set-down the challenge to double trade between South Africa and the United Kingdom. Both Ministers also noted that South Africa and the U.K. have a mature trading relationship and the global financial crises had significantly impacted on trade volumes between the two countries. In this context Minister Davies highlighted the challenge for both countries to double their efforts to increase trade volumes to at least their historical levels.

    South Africa manages its economic relationship with the UK through a SA­UK Trade and Investment Review Committee. The main objective of the Committee is to broaden and deepen sustainable partnership and cooperation in the fields of trade, investment and economic relation. The committee meets annually and it's through this review that progress will be monitored.

    (2) No trade deals were signed at the Forum. However, business-to-business discussions led to the signing of MOUs, cooperation agreements including technical cooperation between the SA and UK companies.

    QUESTION NO. 1120

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 APRIL 2010

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 10)

    Mrs H S Msweli (IFP) to ask the Minister of Health:

    (1) How many patients are allocated to each intern at Prince Mshiyeni Hospital;

    (2) whether the number of patients allocated to interns exceeds the threshold emphasised by the Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,

    (3) whether he has taken steps in this regard; if so, what steps; if not,

    (4) whether he intends to take steps in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what steps?

    NW1274E

    REPLY:

    According to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, -

    (1) Interns at the Hospital consult between 20 to 40 patients during working hours, under supervision. After 16h00, interns manage emergency care under supervision, as per the Health Professions Council of South Africa's (HPCSA) guidelines.

    (2) Intern allocation at the hospital is adequate in terms of the HPCSA norms.

    (3) No steps have been taken as allocation is based on the HPCSA's norms and is regarded as adequate.

    (4) Not applicable.

    QUESTION NO 1121

    Mrs H S Msweli (IFP) to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture:

    (1) What programmes does her department have in place for each of her department's funding programmes for cultural organisations to inform the public, especially the rural communities, about these programmes;

    (2) whether her department is assisting those who want to access funding by providing them with relevant skills training; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?

    NW1275E

    REPLY:

    (1) The Investing in Culture (IIC) programme was adopted in 2005 and was previously known as poverty alleviation. The IIC programme provides empowerment opportunities for unemployed people from the second economy through training & job creation in arts, culture and heritage. The priorities thereof are to support the previously disadvantaged groups of which 60% ought to be women, 30% youth and 2% people with disabilities. A call for proposals to receive funding was made through various printed media and the community radio stations.

    (2) Those who have qualified for funding were assisted with sector specific skills training. MAPPSETA was the service provider appointed to conduct the training.

    QUESTION NO. 1122

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 APRIL 2010

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 10)

    Mrs H S Msweli (IFP) to ask the Minister of Health:

    (1) Whether, with reference to reports that the body of a newborn baby had disappeared from the mortuary at Durban's Prince Mshiyeni Hospital in January 2010, the lack of (a) safety and (b) medical monitoring of patients is related to the severe shortage of staff; if not, what is the position in each case; if so,

    (2) whether he will take steps in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what steps?

    NW1276E

    REPLY:

    According to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, -

    (1) This incident was not linked to the shortage of personnel and safety at the Hospital.

    (2) Disciplinary action was taken against the individuals concerned.

    QUESTION 1123

    MR P.J. Groenewald (FF PLUS) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:

    1 Whether she has been informed about the alleged theft of the laser range finder from one of the frigates?

    2. Whether it has been recovered; if not, what progress has been made with the investigation; if so,

    3. Whether anyone has been taken into custody; if not; why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

    4. Whether an investigation into security on board naval vessels was undertaken after the incident; if not, why not; if so, what were the findings,

    5. Whether she will make a statement on the matter? NW 1277E

    ---oooOooo---

    REPLY

    1. A Board of Inquiry was convened and a detailed report made in March 2008. All recommendations thereof were implemented, and the matter reported as prescribed by the regulatory infrastructure, to Minister Lekota. The Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs was not directly informed.

    2. The Hand Held Station Keeping Laser Range Finder (approximate value – R 6 300) was reported as missing in July 2005 and was not recovered. A Board of Inquiry was convened on 12 February 2008 to investigate the loss. The Board of Investigation was concluded in March 2008, with all recommendations thereof subsequently being implemented.

    3. No-one was taken into custody. The Board of Inquiry recommended that letters of reprimand be written to two members for non-compliance with policy regulating handing and taking over procedures. These letters were duly written.

    4. The Board of Inquiry conducted a detailed investigation surrounding the loss of the Hand Held Laser Range Finder. The Officer Commanding of the SAS AMATOLA was subsequently directed to implement the following:

    5.

    a) Ensure better control of the Bridge cupboard.

    b) Ensure that the handing and taking over process is conducted in accordance with the stipulated policy.

    c) Compile a Standard Operating Procedure for the handing and taking over procedure in accordance with policy.

    d) Ensure that the Hand Held Laser Range Finder is written off and replaced at State expense.

    5. No

    QUESTION 1124

    Mr P.J. Groenewald (FF PLUS) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:

    1. Why the submarine SAS 'MANTHATISI S101 is lying in dry dock?

    2. Whether repair work is being done to the submarine; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so (a) what type of repair work, (b) what occasioned these repairs, (c) how long will it take, (d) what are the costs expected to amount to?

    3. Whether she will make a statement on the matter? NW 1278E

    REPLY

    1. SAS 'MANTHATISI is currently in the Submarine Shed in Administrative Commission. The submarine has been placed in the Submarine Shed to minimise exposure to the elements while its batteries are being subjected to maintenance.

    2. The SAS 'MANTHATISI requires repairs of two defects:

    a) Constructional repair to minor damage to the rear edge of the Starboard Aft Diving Plane caused by contact with the quay. This incident did not prevent the submarine from remaining operational, and the vessel subsequently participated very successfully in the NATO Exercise, Exercise AMAZOLO.

    3. The SAS 'MANTHATISI is further being prepared to become the first Type 209 Submarine to be overhauled in Simon's Town Dockyard, thereby establishing such a capability in the SA Navy. This requires in-depth analysis of the work to be conducted and complex planning in terms of the overhaul mechanisms. The other two submarines are being utilised fully for force preparation and employment, and presently provide sufficient sea-hours in order to meet all requirements.

    4. No

    QUESTION 1125

    DATE OF PUBLICATION: Monday, 19 April 2010

    INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10 of 2010

    Mr R B Bhoola (MF) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

    (1) Whether she has been informed of the level of the alleged corruption with regard to the issuing of identity documents through her Department's pilot project aimed at enhancing service delivery to rural areas (details furnished); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

    (2) whether she intends taking any steps to deal with corruption in her Department and at border posts; if not, why not; if so, what steps?

    NW1279E

    REPLY

    (1) No. All I get are numerous reports of numerous foiled attempts. Such foiled attempts are made possible by the presence of Home Affairs Stakeholder Forum members, who assist the suspecting, and vigilant Home Affairs officials, manning the Screening Committees, of dubious advances made by unscrupulous individuals, some of whom end up on the wrong side of the law. Such arrests are made possible by the presence of the South African Police, in the conducted service delivery venues, as SAPS remain one of the Home Affairs Stakeholder Forum members.

    (2) Yes. I have embarked on an intensified campaign to ensure that the Counter Corruption Unit (CCU) in the Department adopts a zero-tolerance policy with regard to corruption. To this end I have demonstrated this in more than one way, such as:

    (i) Ensuring that the capacity of the CCU receives priority attention within the constraints of the current Medium Term Expenditure Budget.

    (ii) An Intelligence-driven approach and posture which have resulted in the establishment of an Analysis sub-unit. This Unit has already, successfully, analysed current and past trends of corruption within the Department, which lead to successful prosecutions after comprehensive investigations were conducted. More than fifty cases were exposed from one analysis exercise, and it has resulted in the need to conduct formal investigations. With the strengthened structure in place, the Department is able to analyse trends, identify risk areas and ensure prosecution of culprits, within and outside the Department, who are involved in corrupt activities.

    (iii) The strengthening of relations with other law enforcement agencies has led to an increased co-operation with the agencies.

    (iv) Results obtained from the Analysis Units on processes (within the Civic Services and Immigration Services Branches) have enabled the Department to identify and strengthen loopholes which were exploited in the past.

    (v) The Department has already re-engineered births, marriages and deaths processes to include working with other stakeholders, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Basic Education as well as the Department of Health.

    (vi) In terms of the Late Registrations of Birth (LRB), Screening Committees have been established to curb fraudulent Late Registrations of Birth. The purpose of these committees are to:

    · Oversee "on the spot" adjudication.

    · "Track and Trace" to track the processing of LRB applications.

    · Online fingerprint verification of informants.

    · A full search of each LRB applicant's fingerprints is undertaken against records of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) to determine if the applicant was previously in possession of an enabling document.

    · Suspicious and doubtful LRB applications are referred to the Inspectorate of the Immigration Services Branch for further investigation.