Questions & Replies No 1176 to 1200

2010-05-03

THIS FILE CONTAINS 25 REPLIES.

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QUESTION NO 1177 ( NW 1335 E )

QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN REPLY

MR I OLLIS (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF LABOUR

1. Whether there are any stipulations with regards to the maximum period of time between inspections of workplaces with regards to the Health and Safety Act; (a)Why not and (b)when will such maximum periods be enforced; if so (a) what is the maximum period, (b) what action is taken against the owners of buildings that do not adhere to the Health and safety Act and (c) what period are they given to rectify any failings;

How Many inspectors are there in each province to enforce the Health and Safety Act?

The Minister of Labour replied:

1. There are no stipulations with regards to the maximum period of time between inspections of workplaces with regards to the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

(a) Currently the legislation does not specify the maximum period between inspections of workplaces.

(b) and (b) We cannot enforce this now because it is not a legal requirement.

(a) See (a) above.

(b) In the event that any owner of building has not complied with the provisions of the OHS Act, the owner is issued with a contravention or prohibition notice depending on the seriousness of the transgression.

(c) If they have been issued with a contravention notice, they are given 60 days to comply. If they have been issued with the prohibition notice, they are required to comply immediately. Failure to comply with the notices may result in the recommendation of prosecution.

Please see table1 attached

Table 1: Occupational health and safety inspectors for department of labour

PROVINCE	NUMBER INSPECTOR
MPUMALANGA	6
FREE STATE	12
WESTERN CAPE	11
GAUTENG NORTH	8
GOUTENG SOUTH	15
NORTH WEST	8
LIMPOMPO	29
EASTERN CAPE	23
KWA ZULU NATAL	35
NORTHERN CAPE	13
Total	160

QUESTION 1178

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

(DATE OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 10-2010)

Mr J J van der Linde (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

(1) Whether all (a) primary and (b) high schools in all provinces should have minimum sporting facilities; if not, (i) why not and (ii) when will minimum sporting facilities be enforced; if so, what sporting facilities does each school have;

(2) (a) what sporting facilities does each (i) primary and (ii) high school have and (b) in which province is each such school situated? NW1336E

REPLY:

(1) All schools should have minimum sporting facilities. The department has drafted a school sport policy which will ensure that each school offers at least two or more sporting codes. Schools generally have a combination of sport facilities for the following codes: soccer / rugby, netball, hockey, tennis, athletics, cricket and swimming.

(2) The attached table gives an overview of all 24,460 ordinary schools per province according to the sporting codes mentioned above. The last column captures the number of schools per province which have no facilities at all with a total of 4,081.

QUESTION NO 1179

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 APRIL 2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10- 2010)

Date reply submitted : 18 May 2010

1179. Mrs N W A Michael (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

(2) how many children drowned in (a) domestic (i) swimming pools and (ii) fish ponds/fountains, (b) public swimming pools, (c) at sea and (d) other specified bodies of water in each case;

(3) how many of the children mentioned above were (a) between (i) 0 and 12 months old, (ii) 13 months and three years old, (iii) three and five years old and (iv) five and ten years and (b) older than ten years?

NW1337E

REPLY:

The required information is not immediately available.

To obtain the information would be extremely time consuming and would necessitate

the redeployment of police personnel to verify every case docket relevant to the

period in question.

The redeployment of personnel to carry out this task would not only place extra

burden on limited human and financial resources but would further be to the

detriment of other essential duties or service delivery to the community.

QUESTION 1180

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

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 10-2010)

Mrs N W A Michael (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

Whether any (a) primary and (b) high schools in each province were visited by the State or a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) in the past three years with regard to substance abuse education and awareness; if not, (i) why not and (ii) which schools did not receive any awareness and education visits; if so, (aa) which schools received such visits, (bb) how often in each year and (cc) which grades were included in these visits? NW1338E

Response:

Data on visits to schools to conduct substance abuse education and awareness is held at provincial level. A request was made to provinces to report on substance abuse education and awareness conducted in schools over the past three years. Reports were received from six provinces (Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, North West, Free State, Western Cape and Mpumalanga). Responses received from provinces thus far are summarised in Tables 1-5. It must be noted that drug and substance use is one of the core components of the life orientation learning area implemented through the life skills HIV and AIDS programme. As such, drug and substance use awareness is covered in all schools as part of curriculum implementation.

In addition, in 2009 the national Department undertook provincial visits to schools in the Ministerial Project on School Safety. The visits monitored the implementation of school safety interventions including implementation of the drug testing guidelines. Information was also disseminated on drug and substance abuse and linkages with school safety. See attached table

QUESTION 1181

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 19 April 2010

Internal question paper no

Ms H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) What is the total amount that was allocated to the (i) treatment, (ii) prevention, (iii) educational and (iv) research with regards to substance abuse for the financial years of (a) 2007/08; (b) 2008/09, (c) 2009/10 and (d) 2011 and how was the outcomes of such research made public;

(2) whether any of the amounts mentioned above was allocated to organisations / research institutions in each financial year other than the Department; if not, why not; if so, (a) which organisation / research institution, (b) how much was allocated in each case and (c) for which purpose? NW 1339E

REPLY:

The following are the inputs that were received from the Provincial Departments of Social Development as recommended by the respective MECs. Should more information be required, it is recommended that the Honourable Member poses such a question in the Provincial Legislature since the National Department of Social Development does not have control over provincial budgets for substance abuse.

(1) The following are the amounts that were allocatedto the (i) treatment, (ii) prevention, (iii)educational and (iv) research with regards to substance abuse for the financial years of (a) 2007/08; (b) 2008/09, (c) 2009/10 and (d) 2011 and how the outcomes of such research were made public see attached tables

QUESTION 1182

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 19 April 2010

Internal question paper no

Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether there are any waiting periods for persons to be admitted into (a) state and (b) private rehabilitation centres; if so, (i) which rehabilitation centres, (ii) what is the length of the waiting period, (iii) how many people are currently waiting to be admitted and (iv) for what type of substance abuse are people waiting to be admitted;

(2) whether there are (a) national and (b) international norms and standards with regard to the maximum length of time a person should wait before being admitted to a rehabilitation centre; if not, (i) why not and (ii) what steps is her department taking to rectify the situation; if so, what standards in each case? NW1340E

REPLY:

WAITING PERIODS FOR PERSONS TO BE ADMITTED TO STATE TREATMENT CENTRES

(1)(a) Are there waiting periods for persons to be admitted at state treatment centres?	(1)(a)(i) At which treatment centres are there waiting periods?	(1)(a)(ii) What is the length of the waiting period?	(1)(a)(iii) How many people are currently waiting per treatment centre, to be admitted?	(1)(a)(iv) What type of substance (drugs) are the people waiting to be admitted, addicted to?	Province
Yes	Newlands Park Rehabilitation Centre	2 months	44	Alcohol, sugars, dagga	KwaZulu-Natal
Yes	Madadeni Rehabilitation centre	7 days	6	Cocaine, mandrax, dagga, sugars, alcohol	KwaZulu-Natal
Yes	De Novo Treatment Centre	30 – 60 days	200	Dagga, alcohol and methamphetamine	Western Cape
Yes	Kensington Treatment Centre	2 – 3 Months	84 - 144	Heroin and Tik	Western Cape

WAITING PERIODS FOR PERSONS TO BE ADMITTED TO PRIVATE TREATMENT CENTRES

(1)(b) Are there waiting periods for persons to be admitted at private treatment centres?	(1)(b)(i) At which treatment centres are there waiting periods?	(1)(b)(ii) What is the length of the waiting period?	(1)(b)(iii) How many people are currently waiting per treatment centre, to be admitted?	(1)(b)(iv) What type of substance (drugs) are the people waiting to be admitted, addicted to?	Province
No treatment centrees	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable	Limpopo
No	No applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable	Free State
Yes	Wedge Gardens	2 months	39	Alcohol, prescription drugs, heroin and cocaine	Gauteng
Yes	SANCA Johannesburg	2 months	6	Nyaope, heroin, crack and cocaine	Gauteng
Yes	SANCA Horizon	4 weeks	4	Nyaope, heroin, dagga, codeine, alcohol and cocaine	Gauteng
Yes	House of Mercy	3 months	37	Crack, cocaine, heroin, nyaope and alcohol	Gauteng
Yes	Noupoort Christian Care Centre	2 months	3	1^st applicant – heroin, alcohol and Tik 2^nd applicant – crack cocaine 3^rd applicant – alcohol, mandrax, tik and dagga	Northen Cape
Yes	Sanpark Treatment Centre	21 days	No	Most patients admitted have an alcohol and dagga problem	North West
Yes	Ramot Treatment Centre	Varies week to week normally there is no waiting list	If applicable about 5 days	1 – 3	Western Cape
Yes	Toevlug Treatment Centre	2 – 5 weeks	34	Dagga, alcohol, methamphetamine and over the counter medicine	Western Cape
Yes	Hesketh King Treatment Centre	1 – 3 months	39	Tik, alcohol and heroin	Western Cape
No	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable	Mpumalanga
Yes	Shepherd's Field	One month	5	Tik Heroin	Eastern Cape
Yes	Thembelitsha Rehabilitation Centre	One month	May – 16 June - 6	Dagga, alcohol, Mandrax, Tik,Glue,Heroin	Eastern Cape

(2) (a) No, there are no national norms and standards with regard to the maximum length of time persons should wait to be submitted to a treatment centre.

(b) No, there are no international norms and standards with regard to the maximum length of time persons should wait to be submitted to a treatment centre.

(i) It is not realistic to have norms and standards with regard to the maximum length of time a person should wait before being admitted to a rehabilitation centre. There are various factors that may influence the waiting period such as the lack of capacity and resources at treatment centres, outstanding criminal court cases, funding for treatment etc.

(ii) The Department is in the process of developing regulations for the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, No 70 of 2008 (the Act) which will assist in reducing the delay in admission of service users to treatment programmes and services. Provision will be made in the regulations to reduce or limit factors that might delay the admission of service users to treatment centres.

In response to the lack of treatment capacity the Act will ensure the establishment of at least one state treatment centres and one state halfway house per province. Provision will also be made for the appointment of multi-disciplinary teams at treatment centres.

QUESTION NO 1183

Mrs P Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

(1) Whether any amount has been allocated from Lotto funds in the (a) 2007-08, (b)

2008-09 and (c) 2009-10 financial year towards organisations that are involved in (i) prevention and education on and (ii) treatment of substance abuse; if not, why not; if so, (aa) which organisations received allocations, (bb) how much was allocated to them in each financial year, (cc) in which provinces are they located and (dd) for which aspect was funding allocated in each case;

(2) whether any of these organisations were found to be fictitious after money was

allocated to them; if so, (a) which organisations, (b) how much money was given to them, (c) how much was recovered, (d) what legal action was taken against the individuals concerned in each case and (e) why was money allocated to fictitious organisations? NW1341 E

Ressponse:

(1) (a)(b)(c)(i)-(ii)(bb)(cc)(dd)The following amounts were allocated from the lotto

funds for the respective periods mentioned below to fund organizations involved in the prevention and education on and treatment of substance abuse:

PERIOD: 1 APRIL 2007 TO 31 MARCH 2008

	Province	Project	Organisation Name	Amount Allocated
	KZN		SANCA PIETERMARITZBURG	480,000.00
			SANCA DURBAN ALCOHOL & DRUG CENTRE	1,731,000.00
I			SANCA NORTHERN KZN	309,000.00
			Sub total	2,520,000. 00
	MP		SANCA WITBANK	404,432.00
			SANCA LOWVELD ALCOHOL AND DRUG	407,258.00
			CENTRE
1			Sub total	811,690.00
				811,690.00
			Total	3,331,690.00

PERIOD: 1 APRIL 2008 TO 31 MARCH 2009

Province		Project	Organisation Name		Amount Allocated
GP		24625	SANCA NATIONAL DIRECTORATE		2,788,745.00
		27518	AGISANANG DOMESTIC ABUSE		2,941,174.00
-
			PREVENTION AND TRAINING
	30532		SANCA PRETORIA I SOSHANGUVE	1,300,000.00
I	30680		SANCA HORIZON ALCOHOL & DRUG	700,000.00
			CENTRE
			Sub total	7,729,919.00
WC	28093		BETH RAPHA MINISTRY	150,000.00
			Sub total	150,000.00
			Total	7,879,919.00
			- -

PERIOD: 1 APRIL 2009 TO 31 MARCH 2010

Province		Project	Organisation Name	Amount Allocated
EC		21279	LIVING WATERS MINISTRY	617,414.00
1		31074	SANCA ALCOHOL AND DRUG CENTRE	1,441,159.00
			CENTRAL EASTERN CAPE
			Sub total	2,058,573.00
FS		31413	AURORA ALCOHOL AND DRUG CENTRE	825,700.00
		35724	AURORA ALKOHOL EN DWELMSENTRUM	1,436,215.00
			Sub total	2,261,915.00
!GP		30606	SANCA EASTERN GAUTENG	886,756.00
,
		34570	SANCA CENTRAL RAND ALCOHOL & DRUG	3,608,450.00
			CENTRE
		34672	MALI MARTIN POLOKEGONG CENTRE	311,845.00
I		34749	RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CENTRE	2,392,497.00
!
I		34757	FAMSA WEST RAND	737,000.00
		34765	SANCA GREATER-HEIDELBERG	1,000,000.00
;
		34823	NATIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT	919,200.00
			OUTREACH
1		35616	ELDORADO PARK FAMILY CENTRE	925,703.00
I
I		35632	SANCA EASTERN GAUTENG	918,456.00
		35698	THE HOUSE OF MERCY	1,673,237.00
		35897	VALUED CITIZENS INITIATIVE	968,080.00
		35908	SANCA PRETORIA SOCIETY	1,782,940.00
I		36089	VAAL TRIANGLE ALCOHOL AND DRUG HELP	661,400.00
			CENTRE
			Sub total	16,785,564.00
	KZN	33583	CARELINE CRISIS & TRAUMA CENTRE	1,268,200.00
		34108	SANCA DURBAN ALCOHOL AND DRUG	2,853,174.00
			CENTRES
		34367	SANCA PIETERMARITZBURG	969,000.00
			Sub total	5,090,374.00
	LP	31264	FAR NORTH ALCOHOL AND DRUG CENTRE	1,200,616.00

J		34449	FAR NORTH ALCOHOL AND DRUG CENTRE	572,400.00
			Sub total	1,773,016.00
	NW	34970	SAN PARK ALCOHOL & DRUG CENTRE	1,071,990.00
			Sub total	1,071,990.00
	WC	30980	SANCA WESTERN CAPE	2,945,343.00
j		33456	SANCA WESTERN CAPE	3,720,150.00
j		33518	CHRISTIAN ACTION FOR DEPENDENCE	150,000.00
1		33829	CAPE TOWN DRUG COUNSELLING CENTRE	616,531.00
			Sub total	7,432,024.00
			Total	36,473,456.00

According to the National Lotteries Board, no organisation was found to be fictitious after the grants we,re allocated to them.

QUESTION 1184

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 amount was allocated to the Ke Moja substance abuse awareness campaign for the financial years of (i) 2007/08; (ii) 2008/09, (iii) 2009/10 and (iv) 2010/2011; if so, (a) how much was allocated in each year and (b) how much was actually spent;

(2) whether any activities were held during this period promoting the Ke Moja message; if not,, why not; if so, (a) how many, (b) where were these held, (c) on what dates and (d) how many people attended each activity;

(3) how much was spent on (i) radio, (ii) print and (iii) bill board and (iv) television advertising promoting Ke Moja for the financial years mentioned above? NW1342E

REPLY:

PROVINCES

Please see attached tables

(1) ACTIVITIES

The following are the activities that were held to promote Ke Moja, dates and number of people reached during (i) 2007/08;(ii)2008/09,(iii)2009/10 and (iv)2010/2011 see attached tables

3)Actual money spent on (i) radio, (ii) print (iii) bill board and (iv) television advertising to promote Ke Moja, see attached tables

QUESTION 1185

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 19 April 2010

Internal question paper no 10

Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) Whether, in accordance with the National Drug Master Plan, there is a policy on harm reduction; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) how is the policy on harm reduction being implemented and monitored? NW1344

REPLY:

(1) Yes, harm reduction is dealt with in chapters two and three of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, Act No 70 of 2008 (the Act). For the purpose of the Act, harm reduction is "limited to the holistic treatment of service users and their families, and mitigating the social, psychological and health impact of substance abuse". Chapter two provides for a definition whilst chapter three gives emphasis on principles and strategies for harm reduction.

(2) The Department of Social Development is currently developing regulations which will guide the implementation of the Act. It is envisaged that the regulations will be ready by March 2011.

Source: DSD CD Families and Social Crime Prevention

QUESTION 1186

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 a professional licensing and / or qualifications board has been established to devise standards for skills in the various aspects of addition management; if not, (a) why not, (b) when will it be established and (c) for how long has such a stipulation been in the National Drug Master Plan,

(2) if so, (a) when was it established, (b) who services on it, (c) how often has it met and (d) who was present at these meetings? NW1344E

REPLY:

(1) No, no professional licensing and / or qualifications board has been established to devise standards for skills in the various aspects of addition management.

(a) Section 14 A (1) of the Social Services Professions Act , No 110 of 1978 (Annexure A) provides that the Minister shall on the recommendation of the Council, establish a professional board with regard to any Social Services profession or with regard to two or more such professions.

In order to qualify for consideration by the Council to establish a professional board for any Social Service profession, an application should be submitted to the Council by practitioners from the profession under the auspices to the professionals group or association. Such professional group has not been established to negotiate with the Council and to deal with the entire required particular as indicated above.

The Department of Social Development has not received any recommendation for registration of a professional board in the area of substance abuse from the Council. The professional group negotiating with the Council should among other things be organized on a national level, be a representative of the practitioners of the profession, indicate the number of its subscribed members, furnish the particulars of the current minimum standards of education, demonstrate that the profession has value and meets the needs of individuals, groups and communities, have a specific body of knowledge and be in position to sustain its professional board financially (Annexure B).

(b) In order to initiate a process of establishing the board the Department of Social Development is currently consulting with the Council regarding substance abuse as a speciality in Social Work. A speciality in social work is a particular field of practice in social work in which specific activities takes place for which additional specialised and in-depth knowledge, skills and expertise on the specific field of practice are required. It is hoped that specialization in substance abuse will eventually lead to a group of specialist with a specific body of knowledge which could register as a professional board with the Council.

(c) The recommendation for the establishment of the professional licensing and / or qualifications board is in the National Drug Master Plan 2006-2011.

(2) The Professional Board has not been established therefore the Department is unable to respond to questions (a), (b), (c) and (d).

QUESTION NO: 1187

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10 OF 19 April 2010

Ms M Wenger to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:

Whether there are any national laws stipulating safety measures that must be enforced for domestic swimming pools and other water bodies such as fish ponds; if so, (a) what are these safety measures, (b) who enforces these safety measures; if not, (a) why not and (b) who is responsible for the development and implementation of these safety measures?

Reply

Available national Laws

There are national laws stipulating safety measures that must be enforced for domestic swimming pools and other water bodies such as fish ponds, This is in terms of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act (Act No, 103 of 1977), and on the recommendation of the Council of the South African Bureau of Standards which came into operation on the 1 October 2008,

Furthermore, in terms of section 14 of the Municipal Systems Act, the Minister of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, at the request of organized local government representing local government nationally, or after consulting the MECs for local government and organized local government, may by notice in the Gazette- make standard draft by-laws concerning any matter, including standard draft rules and orders referred to in section 160 (6) of the Constitution, for which municipal councils may make by-laws,

(a) what are these safety measures?

In terms of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, Regulation 04 sub regulation (1) the owner of any site which contains a swimming pool shall ensure that access to such swimming pool is controlled and (2) any owner who fails to comply with the requirement of sub-regulation 1 shat! be guilty of an offence, The requirements of regulation 04 shall be deemed to be satisfied where change in level, the design of access to swimming pools, as the case may be, complies with SANS 10400-0.

(b) Who enforces these safety measures?

The municipalities enforce the measures. A Municipal Manager of a Municipality in terms of section 13 of the Local Government: Municipal System Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000), read with section 162 of The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996(Act 108 of 1996), publishes the Swimming Pools and Spa Baths By-laws which have been approved by the Municipal Council.

QUESTION 1188

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

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 10-2010)

1188. Mr J R B Lorimer (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

Whether, with reference to her reply to question 563 on 25 March 2010, all the existing libraries at primary and secondary schools in all the provinces are functional; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will they become functional; if so, what constitutes a functional library? NW1346E

(a) Not all primary and secondary schools have functional libraries. The absence of functional libraries in schools is directly linked to the past inequitable resource provisioning.

(b) The Department of Basic Education recognizes the necessity for school library resource provision and is addressing this in a holistic manner through the development of the National Guidelines for School Library and Information Services. This document targets provinces, districts and schools and is therefore a valuable resource at all levels. It recommends the following that will contribute towards providing a fully functional school library and information service for education:

(1) roles and responsibilities on the four levels of library and information services in the education system, namely national, provincial (recommends a co-ordinating structure in each province), district and school levels;

(2) development model options and considerations which include: mobile library; cluster library; classroom library; centralised school library and school community library;

(3) Alsophysical infrastructure, staffing and training, administration and management, resource collection, programmes and activities e.g. an information literacy and reading promotion programme, marketing and advocacy strategies and finally monitoring and evaluation plans to assist schools in ensuring that their goals regarding library and information services are achieved.

The guidelines are part of the broader strategy which will assist towards ensuring that each school has a functional school library and information service.

(c) The following elements constitute a functional school library and information service and are contained in the National Guidelines for School Library and Information Services.

Functional school libraries:

enrich learners reading experiences and develop learners' skills as independent learners

provide resources and information that teachers and learners need

support the teaching and learning process, and extend the school's curriculum

have skilled, enthusiastic staff with time allocated for library duties

have up-to-date, attractive and suitable resources in a range of media

are adequately funded to ensure continuing maintenance and development

are planned and designed to be pleasant and stimulating environments

are monitored regularly to assess their use

are guided by a whole school library and information development plan

QUESTION NO: 1189

Mr J Selfe (DA) to ask the Minister of Correctional Services:-

1. Whether a new correctional centre is being constructed in Van Rhynsdorp, if so (a) when did the construction start; (b) when was the construction planned to be completed; (c) when is the construction now due to be completed and what is the cause of the delay;

2. (a) Who is the contractor for this facility; (b) what was the initial contract price; (c) what is the current contract price; (d) what is the reason for this escalation of cost;

3. How many inmates will the centre be able to accommodate when completed and by when can it be expected that the facility will be completed?

NW1347E

REPLY

The construction of Van Rhysdorp is under the auspices of the Department of Public Works.

1. (a) Construction commenced on 12 October 2007

(b) It was planned to be completed by the 11 October 2009

2. (a) The contractor is Vusela Construction Pty Ltd

(b) The initial contract price was R192 756 473-64

(d) The reasons provided are;

- inflation due to multi-year contract period

- remote location of the site

- rising transport costs

3. The centre will be able to accommodate 530 offenders upon completion and the expected date of completion is 15 December 2010.

QUESTION NO: 1190

Mr J Selfe (DA) to ask Minister of Correctional Services:

(1) Whether any mentally handicapped or mentally ill persons are held in any correctional centres; if so, (a) how many such persons and (b) at which correctional centres;

(2) Whether she has taken any steps to transfer these persons to mental institutions; if not, why not; if so what (a) is the nature of such steps and (b) has been the response thereto;

(3) What steps has she taken to ensure that mentally handicapped or mentally ill inmates are (a) appropriately protected and (b) receiving appropriate medical treatment?

NW1348E

REPLY

Since the definition is restrictive and may exclude some of the inmates who require psychological care, I have asked the Ministerial Task Team dealing with categories of inmates, to include this category in their work.

Hence the reply can only be provided as soon the report of the Task Team has been finalized.

QUESTION NUMBER: 1191

DATE FOR PUBLICATION: 19 APRIL 2010

DATE REPLY 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:

(1) (a) what are the reasons for the delay in the signing of ministerial performance agreements and (b) how will he evaluate the performance of the Presidency as a whole since May 2009 in the absence of such agreements;

(2) Whether any steps have been taken to ensure that these agreements are signed by the deadline of May 2010; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details;

(3) Whether the performance of Ministers has been monitored since they were sworn in on 11 May 2010; if not, why not; if so, (a) how and (b) what are the relevant details?

NW1349E

REPLY:

Please see attached budget vote speech which responds to your question.

C Chabane: Presidency Dept Budget Vote 2010/11

QUESTION NO.: 1194

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 APRIL 2010

Dr P J Rabie (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

(a) In which sector of the economy and (b) on what projects will the $100 million US funding raised from the China Constructive Bank be spent by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)? NW1352E

REPLY

The $100 million US loan agreement with China Construction Bank is part of the IDC's general borrowing requirements. As the loan does not have the same level of conditionalities attached to it, the IDC has not ring fenced the loan for any particular sector or project.

QUESTION NO: 1196

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 10 March 2010

QUESTION PAPER NO: 19

DATE OF REPLY: 30 April 2010

Mr N J van den Berg (DA) to ask the Minister of Communications:

Whether the survey by the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) of under-serviced areas for the successful implementation of the deploying broadband infrastructure by the Universal Service and Access Agency of SA (USAASA) has been completed; if not, (a) why not, (b) when is it envisaged that it will be completed and (c) when will the details of the survey be made available; if so, (i) when was it completed, (ii) when will the details of the survey be available and (iii) what are the further relevant details? NW1354E

REPLY

The authority has not conducted the survey.

(a) Icasa is currently busy with the review of the Universal Service and Access Obligations framework.

(b) and (c), as stated above the Authority has not conducted such a survey.

QUESTIONS 1195 FOR WRITTEN REPLY MONDAY, 19 APRIL 2010

1195. Mr P J C Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and Administration:

Whether his department offers any form of training and/or orientation to newly-appointed accounting officers and/or chief financial officers on the prescripts of Treasury regulations applicable to their jurisdictions; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1353E

REPLY:

During 2009/10 PALAMA offered a comprehensive array of Financial Management training courses that were all developed in line with National Treasury prescripts. The courses range from generic orientation type to those that provide more specialized and advanced capacity building in the most salient public service financial management areas.

All the PALAMA training programmes aim to improve the knowledge, skills and values of all public officials, including Directors-General and Chief Financial Officers particularly as they relate to the interpretation and implementation of National Treasury prescripts. The 2009/10 training menu included the following Financial Management oriented courses.

· Public Sector Accounting

· Asset Management

· Bank Reconciliation

· Expenditure Management

· Internal Audit (Practical Approach)

· Managing the Internal Audit Function

· Finance for Non-Financial Managers

· Revenue Management

· Risk Management

· Report Writing

· Supply Chain Management

· Bid Committees (PFMA & MFMA)

· Contract Management (PFMA & MFMA)

· Standard Charts of Accounts (SCOA)

PALAMA's Executive Development Programme also has a module on Financial Management and Budgeting that has been attended by a number of Chief Financial Officers. The content of this module is grounded on the responsibilities of Accounting Officers and other officials as it appears in Sections 38, 39 and 40 (Accounting Officers) and Section 45 (other officials) of the Public Finance Management Act. The main themes unpacked in the module are:

Introduction to public sector financial management.
Risk management, internal control and supply chain management.
- Planning, budgeting and performance management.

QUESTION NO: 1197

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 10 March 2010

QUESTION PAPER NO: 19

DATE OF REPLY: 30 April 2010

Mr N J van den Berg (DA) to ask the Minister of Communications:

When will the decisions on all new services requiring policy on spectrum usage be available? NW1355E

REPLY

The South African National Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy was approved by Cabinet on 10 March 2010, and the final policy has been gazetted. The implementation of the policy including all relevant decisions will be done by Icasa guided by policy directions to be issued by the Minister of Communications in due course.

QUESTION NO: 1198

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 10 March 2010

QUESTION PAPER NO: 19

DATE OF REPLY: 30 April 2010

Mr N J van den Berg (DA) to ask the Minister of Communications:

(1) Whether a detailed plan exists on how his department intends to strengthen the information and communication technology regulator and the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) to enable it to regulate the sector and ensure growth and stability in the sector; if so, what are the relevant details; if not,

(2) whether such a plan will be developed; if not, why not; if so, when? NW1356E

REPLY

(1) Yes, the department has developed a Performance Management System (PMS) which will serve as a monitoring tool on the performance of Councillors. In addition, the department will introduce an amendment to ICASA Act which will further streamline ICASA'S' operations and strategic focus.

(2) It is envisaged that the amendment Bill will be introduced to Parliament during the second half of 2010.

QUESTION NO. 1199

DATE PUBLISHED: 19 April 2010

DATE SUBMITTED: 4 May 2010

1199. Mr S Mokgalapa (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:

(1) (a) Which (i) members of the Cabinet, (ii) members of the public service and (iii) non-Cabinet members were part of his delegation during his recent state visit to Uganda, (b) what were their specific interests and/or responsibilities and (c)(i) what criteria were used to select each of the persons who formed part of the delegation and (ii) who was responsible for deciding on these criteria;

(2) What was the (a) total cost of his visit and (b) cost breakdown in respect of (i) travel, (ii) accommodation, (iii) security, (iv) entertainment and (v) any other specified cost for (aa) him and (bb) each person who participated in the trip? NW1357E

REPLY:

(1)(a)(i) President Zuma paid a State visit to Uganda from 25 - 26 March 2010 with a view to deepen and consolidate bilateral relations between South Africa and Uganda.

The President was accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, Public Works Minister Geoff Doidge, Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor, Social Development Minister Edna Molewa, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, and Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica.

Issues discussed included the status of bilateral relations between the two countries, developments relating to the East African Region as well as global, continental and multilateral matters of concern to both countries. During the visit, the Minister of Trade and Industry signed an Agreement on Customs Administration on behalf of the Minister of Finance while Minister Naledi Pandor signed a Plan of Action in the fields of Science and Technology. A Ministerial Declaration on Trade Cooperation was also signed. The Minister of Trade and Industry co-chaired a South Africa- Uganda Business Forum with a view to foster closer economic and trade relations between the private sectors of the two countries.

(ii) The President was accompanied by three advisers, one private secretary, DDG: private office, speechwriter, and a media liaison officer. Their functions on such visits are determined by the agenda and the status of bilateral relations.

(iii) A South African business delegation, coordinated by Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) accompanied the President on his State visit to Uganda.

(b) Officials perform their usual tasks of providing technical, strategic, content and personal support to political principals on the delegation.

(c)(i) The Department of International Relations and Cooperation, as the line department, makes recommendations on the Ministerial delegation based on the objectives of the visit. The Department of Trade and Industry makes recommendations relating to the business delegations.

(ii) The criteria are determined by the purpose of the visit and intended outcomes and would vary depending on the visit.

(2)(a) The President was hosted by the Uganda government for the purpose of the State visit. The costs associated with the visit by political principals and officials were borne by the respective Government departments concerned. The total cost of the visit cannot be determined until financial statements have been finalised.

QUESTION NO: 1200

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10 OF 19 April 2010

Mr S Mokgalapa (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:

(1) Whether he has been informed of the expropriation of plots of land in Winterveldt by the City of Tshwane; if not,

(2) whether he will launch an investigation into the matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) what are the details of the process that is being followed in the investigation into the expropriation;

(4) whether he intends taking any steps to rectify this matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1358E

ANSWER

The matter has not been brought to my attention and thus cannot comment. However, the details if in possession by the member will assist in mapping the appropriate intervention.

QUESTION NO: 1200

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10 OF 19 April 2010

Mr S Mokgalapa (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:

(1) Whether he has been informed of the expropriation of plots of land in Winterveldt by the City of Tshwane; if not,

(2) whether he will launch an investigation into the matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) what are the details of the process that is being followed in the investigation into the expropriation;

(4) whether he intends taking any steps to rectify this matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1358E

Reply

(1) The said municipality, City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, could not confirm if they had informed this Department of the expropriation of plots in Winterveldt. This Department has no record of any communication received from the City of Tshwane in this regard. In investigating this matter so as to respond to this parliamentary question, this Department was informed by the City of Tshwane that it did, on three separate occasions, during 2003, 2005 and 2007, expropriate land in Winterveldt Agricultural Holdings for housing purposes and that all the statutory prescriptions in this regard were met, including obtaining the prior written approval of the Gauteng and North-West Provincial MECs' for Local Government and Housing.

(2) Based on the information provided by the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, this Department sees no need to launch an investigation into the matter. The Department is satisfied that the expropriation of Winterveldt does not violate any section of the Constitution, especially in terms of Section 25 (Property) and Section 26 (Housing). The current upgrading and development of Winterveldt ( which was until fairly recently, a densely-populated informal settlement on privatelyowned agricultural land ) is much more than just a housing construction project - it is a holistic development programme - which the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality has ambitiously cast into the mould of the Winterveldt Reconstruction and Redevelopment Programme ( WRRP ) - The WRRP is based on an eight year Business Plan with developmental programmes which are collectively aimed at the eradication of the housing and infrastructure backlogs in Winterveldt, as well as a spectrum of urban renewal projects aimed at enhancing the social, economic and institutional sustainability of Winterveldt as an urbanized and integrated suburb of the City of Tshwane.

(3) The City of Tshwane has confirmed that it is not true that people's houses are being demolished, as alleged, without compensation. After extensive negotiations and consultations with the affected community in Winterveld, it was agreed that the following procedure would be followed when approved housing beneficiaries are relocated into their new RDP houses: As soon as a specific number of houses have been approved by the Inspectors for occupation, the officials of the Housing Department inform the housing beneficiaries that their new RDP house is ready for occupation and on which date they will be relocated into their new house. As soon as the said beneficiary has moved into his/her new house, his/her informal shack is then demolished by the Security Company appointed by the Municipality as a proactive measure of ensuring that that particular shack is not subsequently occupied by another family coming from outside of Winterveldt, which, if it were allowed to occur, would defeat the Municipality's objective of eliminating the housing backlog and also create opportunity's for queue-jumping.

(4) In light of the responses provided above, the Department sees no need at this stage to take any steps.

2010-05-03

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