Questions & Replies: Questions & Replies No 1501 to 1525
2010-06-07
THIS FILE CONTAINS 25 REPLIES.
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QUESTION NO. 1501
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 14DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 May 2010
Mr G R Krumbock (DA) to ask the Minister of Tourism:
Whether he has assessed the impact of the budget cut of R160 million over the next three years on SA Tourism; if not, why not; if so (a) which department or entities could be hardest hit and (b) what contingency plans did he put in place? NW1757E
MR G R KRUMBOCK (DA)
SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENTHANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS 1501. THE MINISTER OF TOURISM ANSWERS:1. Yes
a) Marketing department
(b) South African Tourism strategic plan and business plan were developed within MTEF allocation and priorities aligned to the available resources.
QUESTION NO. 1502
DATE PUBLISHED: 21 May 2010
DATE SUBMITTED: 4 June 2010
1502. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) Whether, with reference to his reply to question 656 on 4 May 2010, any persons who were part of the delegation had (a) their accommodation, (b) their travel and/or (c) any other costs paid for by the Government; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) who are these persons, (ii) what are the reasons for them being part of the delegation and (iii) what was the cost/expenses for each person in each case;
(2) (a) what are the names of all the persons, apart from Cabinet members, who formed part of the delegation (b) who, in each case, requested each person's inclusion in the delegation, (c) what was the reason for including each person in the delegation and (d) what was the cost of (i) travel, (ii) accommodation and (iii) entertainment for each person? NW1758E
REPLY:
1. SeveralGovernment officials formed part of the delegation of the State Visit to the United Kingdom in March 2010 in order to provide expert and technical support to the President and the Ministers who were in attendance during their interactions and engagements with their United Kingdom counterparts.
The President was accompanied by Mrs Thobeka Zuma, and the following officials in the Presidency - the Director General, the Deputy Director-General heading the Private Office of the President, three advisors, four communicators, one Private Secretary and the Acting Director of the Spousal Office.
The costs associated with the visit were provided in the reply to question 656.
2. Each Minister determined the composition of their delegation depending on their programme and the issues that they wanted to discuss with their UK counterparts. The names of the persons who accompanied Ministers should be obtained from the relevant Departments.
The costs connected with the visit by Ministers and officials were borne by the respective government departments concerned and as mentioned above, such costs were in any case provided in the reply to question 656.
QUESTION 1503
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21/05/2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 14 OF 2010)
Ms A M Dreyer (DA) to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
1. Whether the forensic investigation into the Public Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA) has been completed; if not, why not; if so, (a) when was it completed and (b) when was the report delivered to him;
2. Whether he has taken any action subsequent to receiving the report; if not, why not; if so, (a) when will this report be tabled in Parliament and (b) what are the further relevant details?
NW1759E
REPLY:
It must be noted that the questions refer to a period of time that predates the date on which I, as the Minister of Higher Education and Training, was assigned the responsibility for the administration of the Skills Development Act by the President. This proclamation took effect on 1st November 2009. Since assuming responsibility, I have taken the following actions:
· The Skills Development Act permits the Minister, after consultation with the National Skills Authority and the SETA in question, to direct the Director-General to appoint an administrator to take over the administration of a SETA or to perform the functions of a SETA if, inter alia, the SETA fails to perform its functions. I have invoked section 15 (1) of the Act to address non-compliance of the Public Services Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA). I have directed a letter to the PSETA requesting them to comment on my intentions to invoke section 15 (1) of the Act. I have received their reply and have indicated that I have instructed my DG to proceed with the appointment of an administrator.
· I have proposed to my Colleague Minister Baloyi, the Minister of the Public Service and Administration, that we establish a joint committee reporting to both Minister Baloyi and myself to review the role of the Public Services Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA). This Committee is in the process of being established
1 (a) The forensic investigation has not been completed. However, two forensic investigations were conducted into the PSETA's finances, namely, a joint effort between SAPS and the Special Investigations Unit and another one by Price Waterhouse Coopers which must still be concluded.
1 (b) I was informed that a report dated 3 March 2009 was submitted to the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) by the SIU. The PWC investigation is currently under way and great strides have been made in finalising the investigation. According to the last meeting that was held between PSETA and PWC on 30 April 2010, all the information that was outstanding was made available except for the following:
(i) On 31 March 2010, the PSETA Board requested the ADG: DPSA to provide banking details of all employees that were employed by the PSETA during the period when the incident occurred so that the said information can be forwarded to the PWC forensic investigators.
(ii) Computers and/or Laptops that were used by the former CFO Mr. Munyayi and Managers at PSETA that were involved in the administration of the NSF project and especially the management of the finances could not be traced and: a request was made to the DPSA – Asset Management Unit to provide relevant information. However, according to the DPSA it was not possible to trace the computers/laptops that were used at the time.
The meeting also resolved that the forensic investigators will prepare a list of suspected fraudulent accounts and assistance of the SIU will verify whether the suspected accounts are fraudulent or not.
Due to the fact that the outstanding information as indicated was not provided by the DPSA, it will therefore be difficult to determine by when the report will be finalised.
1 (b) Based on the above, it was not possible for the investigators to report to the Department of Higher Education and Training. However, it is important to note that the matter was discussed by the PSETA Board with the DDG: ESDS and HRD at the Department of Labour during August 2008.
2 As already indicated to the report is not finalised and therefore not submitted to me to take the necessary action.
The PSETA has reported that subsequent to the discovery of the fraud and the outcome of the Special Investigations Unit's (SIU) report, the following actions were taken:
(i) PSETA's banking account with ABSA was placed on hold to prevent any further fraudulent transactions and was only opened after new personnel and controls were put in place.
(ii) PSETA sent out letter to the banking institutions where the fraudulent accounts were held requesting the respectively banks to place the affected accounts on hold.
(iii) Disciplinary proceedings were instituted against the former Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Maxwell Munyai, who was identified to have been responsible for the fraud and/or theft.
(iv) Legal proceedings were instituted against Mr. Munyai for the fraud and/or theft of the NSF funds. He was subsequently convicted on 39 counts of the initial 44 counts of fraud and/or theft and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, of which 3 years were set aside for time spend whilst awaiting trial.
(v) VIP Softline was engaged to manage and administer the Larnership payroll for the rest of the learnership programme.
(vi) SAB & T Chartered Accountants were engaged to provide the back office accounting services and Kwinana and Associates was also engaged in 2009 to carry out the financial records reconstruction exercise for the PSETA since inception.
(vii) Mr. Kenny Govender, the Acting Chief Executive Officer during the period in which the fraud occurred was given a written warning for negligence in the management of the NSF account.
(viii) Ms. Mamello Mahommed's, the Learnership Manager, probation was not confirmed due to unsatisfactory performance in the discharge of the NSF obligations.
(ix) Mr. Hannes Roets was appointed as the Finance Manager in January 2007 and unfortunately passed away in March 2007 and in 2009 Kwinana and Associates was appointed to provide the CFO function/services.
(x) Mr. Clive Mtshisa was seconded as the interim Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Sipho Majombozi was subsequently appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer from February 2008 on the understanding that he will relinquish the position upon the recruitment of a substantive Chief Executive Officer.
(xi) A substantive Chief Financial Officer has been identified and is expected to assume office with effect from 1 June 2010 and the selection process for a substantive Chief Executive Officer is currently under way with interviews having been conducted on the 17th of May 2010 and the final appointed will done on 8 June 2010.
In view of the fact that the report is not finalised as already indicated and it is therefore not possible to confirm by when the report will be tabled in Parliament. The Department will require the administrator of the PSETA to ensure that the report will be finalised and submitted as soon as possible.
2(a) Once the final report has been submitted to my Department, I will ensure that it will be managed in terms of the relevant legislation.
2 (b) Further details pertaining to the issue under discussion could be made available once the final report has been submitted to my Department.
QUESTION NO 1505
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 MAY 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 14)
1505. Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) How many persons are employed to monitor compliance with the (a) required standards of effluent discharged by wastewater treatment works in each region, (b) permit status of each wastewater treatment works and (c) adherence to all permit conditions by each wastewater treatment works;
(2) whether these monitors adhere to a minimum frequency of compliance monitoring; if not, why not; if so, what is the minimum frequency;
(3) what protocol is followed in the event of non-compliance with (a) standards and (b) permit conditions? NW1761E
---00O00---
REPLY:
(1)(a) Refer to Annexure A which reflects the number of persons who are amongst other functions responsible to monitor compliance of standards of effluent discharged by wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) in each region.
(1)(b) Refer to Annexure A which reflects the number of persons who are amongst other functions responsible to monitor compliance of permit status of WWTWs.
(1)(c) Refer to Annexure A which reflects the number of persons who are amongst other functions responsible to monitor compliance adherence to all permit conditions by WWTWs.
(2) The frequency of compliance monitoring is dependent on the conditions of each license and the responsibility of such monitoring remains that of registered user.
My Department is performing audit sampling with a purpose determining trends and credibility of compliance monitoring results.
(3)(a) My Department developed an Enforcement Protocol which stipulates the process to be followed to ensure that all avenues of possible rectification/improvement have been expedited. This would include formal notification of non-compliance, investigation and subsequent engagement on adequacy of municipal rectification plans and issuance of a Directive in terms of Section 19 of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No 36 of 1998) should unsatisfactory progress be recorded during regulatory monitoring phase. In the event that a municipality fails to adhere to the Directive requirements and deadlines, prosecution would be initiated.
In addition to the above, my Department is developing an action plan that will look at support mechanisms for municipalities whose infrastructure does not comply with standards and do not have technical capacity to address their WWTWs challenges.
(3)(b) As per paragraph (3)(a) above.
QUESTION NO 1506
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 MAY 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 14)
1506. Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether, with reference to non-compliance with national standards by municipalities responsible for wastewater treatment works, any deadline was set for submission by these municipalities of action plans to deal with their shortcomings; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether her department has adequate staff to assess the proposed action plans; if not, why not; if so, what are the details of the process to be followed by her department to ensure the implementation of the proposed action plans;
(3)(a) what process is followed to determine the funding required to effect improvements at wastewater treatment works in each province, (b) when will the figure for each province be available and (c) how will her department ensure that the funding is used to deal with the shortcomings at wastewater treatment works? NW1762E ---00O00---
REPLY:
(1) Yes, deadlines for site specific wastewater risk abatement action plans are set through regulatory interaction with non-complying municipalities. This would include situations where directives are issued or where the targeted risk-based initiative were introduced as a regulatory means towards sustainable improvement. My Department commenced with consultation with relevant Provincial Heads of Departments to facilitate a more decentralised approach towards the facilitation of wastewater risk reduction action plans and implementation (As per recommendations by the Portfolio Committee of Water and Environmental Affairs). It is envisaged that provincial-based improvement targets will be set through this process which will necessitate a renewed focus on wastewater risk abatement action plans.
(2) No, there is currently not adequate staff dedicated to the task of assessing municipal waste water risk abatement plans however, my Department has a two pronged approach to addressing this problem.
· Firstly, by the recent introduction of a program to train some of the existing technical and scientific staff (for example pollution control officers in regions) to be more effective in the wastewater services regulation programme.
· Secondly by recruitment and selection of additional staff to strengthen the regulation function.
(3)(a) It must be emphasised that funding of WWTW is a municipal responsibility and my Department is concerned that many municipalities allocate insufficient funds to the sanitation function.
It is also not only the capital investment that is needed but proper asset management, institutional arrangements and most importantly proper qualified and skilled staff. For some time now, my Department has been concerned about the neglect in sanitation infrastructure including the WWTWs and we undertook a comprehensive assessment of the infrastructure needs of municipalities. This process was based on the actual projects as identified by municipalities but due to a lack of comprehensive planning at many municipalities these lists are still regarded as incomplete.
(3)(b) As further verification and follow up work is needed it is reckoned that by end of August 2010 more accurate estimates can be available.
(3)(c) As stated above in (3)(a) it must be noted that water services is a municipal function and municipalities should allocate sufficient funds from their budgets to sanitation and WWTWs in particular. Part of this function should be regarded as an economic service and sufficient funds should be generated from own income as well as appropriate use of the Equitable Share allocation to fund such services. Currently there is no national fund for the refurbishment of WWTWs although limited funds from the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant has been allocated to sanitation bulk infrastructure.
QUESTION NO 1508
DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: WEDNESDAY, 09 JUNE 2010
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 21 MAY 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 14 – 2010)
Mr M S F de Freitas (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:
(1) (a) How many incidents of cable theft on railway lines have taken place (i) in (aa) the 2007-08, (bb) 2008-09 and (cc) 2009-10 financial years and (ii) during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, (b) what are the costs to the department for the same period as a result of such thefts and (c) what is the impact on (i)(aa) commuters and (bb) the economy when such thefts occur and (ii) what alternatives have been put in place in such instances;
(2) (a) what weaknesses have been identified that create an environment conducive to such thefts and (b) what measures have been implemented to reduce such thefts;
(3) whether these measures have been monitored and assessed; if not, why not; if so, what are the results to date;
(4) whether any alternative technologies are being considered; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW1764E
REPLY:
The Minister of Transport:
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) furnished the following information:
(1) (a) (i) (aa)
| 2007/2008 | |
| Item | Incidents |
| Overhead Cable | 21 |
| Signal Cable | 281 |
(bb)
| 2008/2009 | |
| Item | Incidents |
| Overhead Cable | 17 |
| Signal Cable | 212 |
(cc)
| 2009/2010 | |
| Item | Incidents |
| Overhead Cable | 15 |
| Signal Cable | 244 |
(ii)
| 2010 to Date | |
| Item | Incidents |
| Overhead Cable | 2 |
| Signal Cable | 55 |
(b) The losses suffered by (PRASA) as a result of such thefts are:
2007/08 – R 4,987,403.34
2008/09 – R 4,853,069.25
2009/10 – R 3,698,728.23
2010/11 – R 512,454.70
(c) (i) (aa) This affects commuters as it leads to the delay and even cancellation of trains and the commuters arrive late at work, at school and at their various destinations.
(bb) The delay and cancellation of trains due to cable thefts lead to late arrivals at places of employment and affects productivity negatively.
(ii) Buses are normally used as an alternative to transport passengers in such instances.
(2) (a) The PRASA rail environment is an open rail environment, which can be accessed by criminals as a result. Furthermore, the rail network is spread over a vast area that is thus susceptible to be accessed by criminals. Security deployment for this open rail and vast rail environment is therefore a complex matter.
(b) PRASA is currently reviving the use of the integrated Non-Ferrous Crime Combating Committee, which consists of PRASA operational security, the South African Railway Police and other stakeholders, such as Transnet Freight Rail and the SAPS Organised Crime Unit.
In Gauteng, a diesel locomotive trolley has been acquired and will be used for security patrols and monitoring of the rail lines.
(3) The review of the security strategy is conducted on a continuous basis to assess and evaluate the impact of action plans. It should be taken into consideration that during the period 2008 - 2010, there has been a decline in cable theft. This, however, increased in April 2010, hence the introduction of the measures stipulated in (2) (b) above.
(4) Yes. PRASA is moving away from copper cable and is introducing fibre optic cabling.
QUESTION NO 1509
DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: WEDNESDAY, 09 JUNE 2010
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 21 MAY 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 14 – 2010)
1509. Mr M S F de Freitas (DA) to ask the Minister of Transport:
(1) (a) What is the result of the investigation undertaken by his department into the quality of work done by a certain company (name furnished) on various road and bridge projects in Limpopo and (b) how is the lack of the required standards and workmanship by this company being dealt with;
(2) whether his department has taken any steps with regard to the poor construction of roads and bridges by the said company; if not, why not; if so, (a) what steps, (b) what are the costs to his department in this regard and (c) how is such costs being recouped;
(3) whether the Government will use this company in any future projects; if not, why not; if so, why? NW1765E
REPLY:
The Minister of Transport:
(1) (a) and (b), (2) (a), (b) and (c) and (3)
As Minister of Transport, I view the quality of all of our country's roads as important. However, in terms of the Constitution, different parts of our road network are the responsibility of other spheres of government. In the specific cases referred to by the Honourable Member, I have, accordingly and as I have previously stated publicly, referred these matters to the Limpopo Department of Roads and Transport.
As soon as a report on the investigation becomes available, the Honourable Member will be notified about the results.
QUESTION NO 1512
DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: TUESDAY, 29 JUNE 2010
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 21 MAY 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 14 – 2010)
Mr D C Ross (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:
(1) What will become of the train station near the new stadium in eThekwini after the 2010 World Cup Soccer tournament;
(2) whether this station will be incorporated into the current rail network; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1768E
REPLY:
The Minister of Transport:
(1) The Durban/Kwa Mashu Corridor is one of the busiest rail corridors in the Durban Operational Region. The Moses Mabhida Station adjacent to the Stadium will serve both the daily commuter traffic and event traffic to the stadium.
(2) The station is already located in the busiest corridors, and is part of the rail network, and will play a catalytic role in the future development and growth around the stadium precinct.
QUESTION 1513
513. Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
Whether, in light of the protest action by soldiers at the Union Buildings on 29 August 2009, she has plan to de-unionise the SA National Defence Force, if not, why not; if so, what are the details of the plan? NW1769E
REPLY
This question has been dealt with extensively on numerous occasions in meetings with the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans. I can not understand what the Honourable Member is hoping to get out of this.
QUESTION 1514
Mr DJ Maynier (DA) to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:
With reference to the 2009 annual report of the National Conventional Arms Control committee,
(a) what was the (i) type, (ii) quantity and (iii) total value of the conventional
weapons exported to Somalia,
(b) what was the (i) purpose and (ii) date of export of these weapons,
(c) what is the name of the person who authorised the deal and
(d) on what date(s) was the deal (i) authorised and (ii) ratified?
REPLY:
The items exported to Somalia were 3 x mine protected vehicles for sale, 1 x mine protected vehicle for demining services and 3 x mine protected vehicles for demonstration / evaluation purposes, with a total value of R4 739 297.00. The items were exported during the period May to December 2009. The export of 1 x mine protected vehicle for demonstration purposes was ratified by the NCACC at its August 2009 meeting and the remainder of the permits were approved by the NCACC at the November 2009 meeting
QUESTION 1515
Mr D J Maynier to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:
With reference to the 2009 annual report of the National Conventional Arms Control committee,
(a) what was the (i) type, (ii) quantity and (iii) total value of the conventional
weapons exported to Madagascar,
(b) what was the (i) purpose and (ii) date of export of these weapons,
(c) what is the name of the person who authorised the deal and
(d) on what date(s) was the deal (i) authorised and (ii) ratified?
REPLY:
The items exported to Madagascar were Riot Control equipment, sold in total quantity of 5 000 units to the value of R2 347 000. The items were exported during February and March 2009. The deal and export of these items were approved on an ad-hoc basis by the then NCACC Deputy Chairperson during February 2009 and was ratified by Cabinet in August 2009.
QUESTIONS 1516 FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTIONS
1516. Mr P J C Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister of Human Settlements:
(1) (a) What was the total remuneration package of the chief executive officer (CEO) of Servcon Housing Solutions (Pty) Ltd in the (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and
(iii) 2009-10 financial years and (b) how was the package structured in each case;
(2) whether a retention bonus was paid to the CEO in that period; if not, why not; if so, what was the amount in each case?
Regarding the total remuneration package and the retention bonus of the CEO of Servcon Housing Solutions (Pty) Ltd during these years:
2.1 (a) The total remuneration package of the Chief Executive Officer of Servcon Housing Solutions (Pty) Ltd in the (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (iii) 2009-10 financial years was as follows:
| PERIOD | SALARY | PERFORMANCE BONUS | RETENTION BONUS |
| 2007/ 08 | R1 661063 | R469 613.00 | R.00 |
| 2008/ 09 | R2 229 292 | R1 040 868.00 | R1 153 118 |
| 2009/ 10 | R2 466 290 | R0.00 | R0.00 |
2.1 (b) The CEO salary as detailed above was paid as lump sum by the company to CEO who made arrangements with regards to Retirement Funding and, Medical Aid funding.
2.2 Yes, the CEO and all employees of Servcon received a retention bonus on the 31 March 2009. All the payments above were also approved by the Remunerations Committee of the Board of Servcon before being paid.
QUESTION NUMBER 1517
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 MAY 2010
Mr P J C Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister of Finance:
How does his department handle a MinMec resolution that instructs an accounting officer to perform functions that have financial implications for a department?
NW1773E
REPLY
MINMECs are intergovernmental consultation forums where national government and provinces consult on matters related to concurrent functions, such as education and health. MINMEC processes do not however replace the formal budget process and neither can they direct any accounting officer. It is the responsibility of individual departments to draft their medium term expenditure framework (MTEF) in line with government priorities.
This includes determining the appropriate manner to deal with any MINMEC resolution that may have financial implications. Should any request be received by the National Treasury for increased funding through the national budget process (fiscus) to enable a national department to perform a MINMEC resolution, such request will be considered through the normal budget process and thus be subjected to a comprehensive assessment process whereby priority government programmes are considered for funding within the available revenue pool.
QUESTIONS 1518 FOR WRITTEN REPLY
1518. Mr A C Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Human Settlements:
Whether he has conducted an investigation into the alleged conflict of interest in the awarding of a housing contract to the Chief Executive Officer of a certain council (details furnished) by the Gauteng Department of Local Government and Housing; if not, why not so; if so, (a) what action was taken and (b) what are the further relevant details.
Reply
No, the department did not conduct an investigation into the alleged conflict of interest in the awarding of a housing contract to Devgroup (Pty) Ltd (a company directed by the NHBRC CEO, Mr Sipho Mashinini). However, the department made an enquiry regarding this matter. The department established that the awarding of the housing contract to Devgroup took place in January 2009, long before the Council was appointed in May 2009. Mr Mashinini was appointed to the position of the NHBRC CEO in April 2010 and declared his interest in contracts and other private or personal businesses to the Council.
The Council resolved that the NHBRC CEO resign from the directorship of the Devgroup (Pty) Ltd. Hence, he has resigned.
QUESTION 1519FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 21 May 2010
Internal question paper no:
Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
In respect of the 77 community projects funded by the National Development Agency that took place in the 2009-10 financial year, (a) how many of the community projects involved (i) women, (ii) youth and (iii) persons with disabilities in each province and (b) what are the relevant details of each project? NW1775E
REPLY:
(a) How many of the community projects involved:
In the 2009/10 financial year, the NDA committed R95m to 77 co-operatives and community based organizations to implement programmes and projects that create jobs and household incomes throughout the country. This funding will benefit 7397 direct beneficiaries, including women (3917), youth (3532) and persons with disabilities (521) and men (3480) throughout the duration of relevant funding agreements. The categories of youth and persons with disabilities are included in the total beneficiary portfolio of 7397 disaggregated into men and women respectively.
(i) Women
Sixty two (62) projects out of 77 approved projects involved women.
(ii) Youth
Fifty nine (59) projects out of 77 approved projects involved youth.
(iii) Persons with disabilities
Twenty nine (29) projects out of 77 approved projects involved persons with disabilities.
The full breakdown of the involvement of women, youth and persons with disabilities in specific community projects and provinces is attached as "Annexure A".
(b) The relevant details of each project are attached in "Annexure B" of the reply. These include the name of the project, approved amount, project physical address, province, district, town, contact persons and contact details.
QUESTION 1520
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 21 May 2010
Internal question paper no
Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
With reference to the foodbank project undertaken by her department in partnership with FoodBank S A (a) in which provinces will the project be implemented, (b) how many (i) full-time jobs will be created and (ii) poor households will be provided with food by rural foodbanks in each province? NW1776E
REPLY:
a) The current food banks were established through a collaborative effort with civil society organizations, government and the private sector to create the scale necessary to achieve the vision of eradicating hunger in South Africa building on the existing infrastructure provided by these food agencies. FoodBank South Africa has a national footprint of five food banks currently operating in the following provinces: Gauteng – Johannesburg; KwaZulu-Natal – Durban and Pietermaritzburg; Eastern Cape - Port Elizabeth; and Western Cape - Cape Town.
b) As highlighted above five food banks are already in operation. Plans to establish other 20 food banks, 15 in urban and five in rural areas where there is a need throughout South Africa covering all nine provinces are underway. This will be made possible through government and private sector support particularly for initial food bank infrastructure development.
i) FoodBank South Africa (FBSA) through the five food banks currently employs 130 staffthroughout the network of operating food banks. It is projected that the five proposed rural food banks will further create 250 jobs and the 15 will create over 130 jobs.
ii) In the year 2009, FBSA distributed approximately 6 350 tons of food valued at R76million. This translates to 20 million meals at a cost to FBSA of R0.72 per meal. The organisation currently feeds approximately 66000 beneficiaries a day, through a network of 1000 approved agencies, such as orphanages, shelters, old age homes and frail care centres, edu-care centres and HIV-Aids clinics and 89% of beneficiaries are black South Africans.
It is estimated that about 3750 poor households (+/_15 000 people) will be provided with food by rural food banks in each province. FoodBank has grown its capacity to focus on an aggressive rural Agri-FoodBankroll out plan in partnership with the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and other partners targeting 5 rural provinces to move subsistence farmers into the formal agricultural sector, through not only providing food to the hungry, but also creating an opportunity for people to participate in the food value chain through their own production.
QUESTION NO: 1521
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 14 OF 21 May 2010
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
(1) Whether an investigation in terms of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, as amended, was launched into the affairs of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality; if not, why not; if so,
(2) whether he received a copy of the report; if not, when is it envisaged the report will be received; if so, (a) what are the details of the report and (b) when will the report be tabled;
(3) Whether he has taken any steps in light of the report; if not, why not; if so, what steps? NW1777E
Reply
(1) In terms of Section on the Municipal Systems Act (Act 32 of 2000 as amended) MECs responsible for local government should after receiving a report of maladministration and financial mismanagement from the mayor of the municipality concerned institute an investigation, It is the responsibility of the MEC to report such an investigation to the National Council of Provinces and the Minister responsible for local government.
(2) The report will first be tabled to Council for adoption, then to the Provincial Executive Council for adoption, It will thereafter be presented to the National Council of Provinces and Minister responsible for Local Government.
(3) The report has not been received by my Office, once received; I will then apply my mind in terms of the content contained in the report.
QUESTION NO: 1522
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 14 Of 21 May 2010
Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional
Affairs:
Whether there are any consequences for an executive mayor and the mayoral committee members when the municipality they govern is placed under administration in terms of section 139 of the Constitution; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1778E
Reply
If the Municipality is placed under administration in terms of Section 139 (1 )(b) of the Constitution, normally all the executive functions of the executive mayor or mayoral committee related to that particular identified executive obligation will be assumed by the Administrator, but the Mayor and Mayoral Committee will still be responsible for all the other executive obligations. However, if the Administrator is assuming all the executive obligations of the executive mayor and mayoral committee, then the mayor and mayoral committee will be left without any executive obligations. In both these instances the Mayor and the Council remains with the legislative Authority over all the functions.
If the administration is in terms of section 139(1)(c) both the executive and legislative functions are taken away by the Administrator, as the Council is dissolved until a new Council is elected. Dissolution would mean the Mayoral Committee and Executive Mayor being stripped of their duties of executive functions as well as legislative functions. The remuneration package does not get to be paid out to the Executive Mayor and Mayoral Committee as the Municipal Council has been dissolved.
QUESTION 1523
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21/05/2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 2010)
1523. Mrs D Robinson (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
(1) Whether there are any schools for (a) children with learning difficulties and (b) children with disabilities; if not, why not; if so, (i) how many, (ii) where is it situated, (iii) what is the capacity, (iv) how much funding does each school receive from her department, (v) how long is the waiting-list and (vi) how many teachers are employed at each school in each case;
(2) Whether there are minimum standards with regard to the ratio of learners to teachers for each type of school mentioned above; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1779E
Response:
(1) Yes.
(a) There are 44 special schools that make provision for learners with learning difficulties (including ADHD and Specific Learning Disabilities). The total number of learners with specific learning difficulties who attend special schools is 16 884.
(b) In 2009 there were 392 public special schools that accommodated 111 619 learners with disabilities. There were 124 535 learners with disabilities in public ordinary schools. Of the 124 535 learners in ordinary schools, 21 976 were in special classes and 102 559 in mainstream classes. There are special schools in all nine provinces.
QUESTION 1524
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
"Mrs. D van der Walt (DA) to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture":-
(1) Whether her Deputy Minister (a) has made any public appearances or (b) delivered any speeches since his appointment; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) (a) what are the details of her deputy Minister's involvement in any projects and /or events since his appointment to office and (b) why did he not attend and participate in her department's Budget Vote debate on 6 May 2010
(3) whether her Deputy Minister has been assigned any role in her department; if not; why not; if so, (a) what is his role and (b) how does he fulfill his role?
NW1780E
REPLY
(1)(a) and (b) Yes, the Deputy Minister has made a number of public appearances and delivered several speeches since his appointment as the Deputy Minister of this department.
Some of the many public appearances and speeches are detailed below to mention but a few:-
| Date | Event | Venue |
| 19 June 2009 | Budget Vote Debate | National Assembly |
| 2 July 2009 | NCOP Policy Debate on Vote 12 | NCOP |
| 9 July 2009 | Heritage Funding Conference Gala Dinner | Gallagher Estates |
| 10 July 2009 | Closing Remarks at the National Heritage Council Funding Summit | Gallagher Estates |
| 18 July 2009 | Nelson Mandela Day Celebrations | Mary Fitzgerald Square |
| 29 July 2009 | Celebration of 15 years of SA/Cuba Relations | Monte Casino |
| 30 July 2009 | Opening of the Egyptian Cultural Week | State Theatre |
| 8 August 2009 | Closing speech at the Women's Day Celebration Dinner | Pioneer Hoërskool, Vryheid |
| 9 August 2009 | Closing Remarks at the 2009 Women's Day Celebrations | Bhekuzulu Township Sports Field |
| 1 September 2009 | Speech at the SA Council for Business Women, Annual Congress Dinner | Ilanga Estates, Bloemfontein |
| 5 September 2009 | Turquoise Annual Friendship Iftaar Dialogue | Hyatt Regency, Johannesburg |
| 11 September 2009 | Remarks at the Music Industry Sector Meeting | Bassline |
| 17 September 2009 | Parliamentary Debate on Heritage Day | National Assembly |
| 18 September 2009 | Visit to the Voortrekker Museum | Voortrekker Museum |
| 23 September 2009 | Screening of John Kani's "Nothing but the Truth" | |
| 1 October 2009 | Speech on behalf of the SA Government at the Korean National Day Celebrations | Korean Embassy |
| 3 October 2009 | Opening of the 12 th Annual Field Band Foundation National Championships | Johannesburg Stadium |
| 13 October 2009 | Speech at the 6th Annual Oral History Conference Cocktail | State Archives, Cape Town |
| 21 October 2009 | Thuthuka Jewellery Development Programme Prize Giving Event | Wits University |
| 24 October 2009 | Speech at the funeral of the late Winston Mankunku Ngozi | Gugulethu |
| 12-14 November 2009 | SA/Nigeria BNC | Abuja |
| 19 November 2009 | Imbizo | Taung Mabana Centre |
| 29 November 2009 | SA/Cuba JBC | Havana |
| 11 December 2009 | DAC end of the year function | Pretoria |
| 20 February 2010 | Speech at the launch of the Multilingualism Campaign | Freedom Park, Pretoria |
| 23-27 February 2010 | Fact finding visit to the UK; National Skills Academy Conference | London & Birmingham |
| 12 March 2010 | Speech at the Liberation Route National Heritage Council Project | Burgers Park Hotel |
| 19 March 2010 | Speech at the "Hope for Haiti" Fundraising Dinner | Paarl |
| 3-4 April 2010 | Cape Town Jazz Festival | CT Convention Centre |
| 27 April 2010 | Programme Directing at the National Freedom Day Celebrations | Union Buildings Lawns |
| 21 May 2010 | Opening of the Afro-Cuban Exhibition "Without Masks" | Johannesburg Art Gallery |
| 23May 2010 | Opening of the "In Context" Exhibition | |
| 26 May 2010 | Policy Debate on Budget Vote 13 | NCOP |
| 27 May 2010 | Visit to the Goodman Gallery | Johannesburg |
| 28 May 2010 | Opening of Soccer Exhibition | Natal Museum, Pietermaritzburg |
| Date | Event | Venue |
| 19 June 2009 | Budget Vote Debate | National Assembly |
| 2 July 2009 | NCOP Policy Debate on Vote 12 | NCOP |
| 18 July 2009 | Nelson Mandela Day Celebrations | Mary Fitzgerald Square |
| 8 August 2009 | Closing speech at the Women's Day Celebration Dinner | Pioneer Hoerskool, Vryheid |
| 5 September 2009 | Turquoise Annual Friendship Iftaar Dialogue | Hyatt Regency, Johannesburg |
| 17 September 2009 | Parliamentary Debate on Heritage Day | National Assembly |
| 18 September 2009 | Visit to the Voortrekker Museum | Voortrekker Museum |
| 1 October 2009 | Speech on behalf of the SA Government at the Korean National Day Celebrations | Korean Embassy |
| 13 October 2009 | Speech at the 6th Annual Oral History Conference Cocktail | State Archives, Cape Town |
| 24 October 2009 | Speech at the funeral of the late Winston Mankunku Ngozi | Gugulethu |
| 12-14 November 2009 | SA/Nigeria BNC | Abuja |
| 29 November 2009 | SA/Cuba JBC | Havana |
| 20 February 2010 | Speech at the launch of the Multilingualism Campaign | Freedom Park, Pretoria |
| 12 March 2010 | Speech at the Liberation Route National Heritage Council Project | Burgers Park Hotel |
| 19 March 2010 | Speech at the "Hope for Haiti" Fundraising Dinner | Paarl |
| 27 April 2010 | Programme Director: National Freedom Day Celebrations | Union Buildings Lawns |
| 26 May 2010 | Policy Debate on Budget Vote 13 | NCOP |
| 28 May 2010 | Opening of Soccer Exhibition | Natal Museum, Pietermaritzburg |
(2)(a) As indicated above the details of his many involvements in the DAC projects and/or events are available on record in the department as part of his duties as Deputy Minister of this department.
(b) The Deputy Minister did not attend the department's Budget Vote debate on 6 May 2010 because the date clashed with the Gauteng ANC Provincial Conference. An apology was sent to the President, the Leader of Government Business, the Minister and to the Speaker of Parliament.
3.(a) Yes, one of his major roles as Deputy Minister is to champion programmes in two of the department's five branches, namely:-
Ø Branch: Arts and Culture in Society:
Ø Branch: National Archives, Language and Library Services
His role also includes focusing on youth and SANAC in the Arts and Culture sector as well as sharing other cross-cutting responsibilities in the other branches of the department.
(b) He fulfils these roles through provision of strategic direction and leadership; oversight, ensuring alignment of functions and monitoring and evaluation activities within the department.
QUESTION NUMBER 1525
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 MAY 2010
Dr D T George (DA) to ask the Minister of Finance:
(1) Whether any transactions have been reported to the Financial Intelligence Centre since 1 January 2009; if not, why not; if so, what (a) is the number and (b) are the details of each transaction for each source;
(2) whether any prosecutions have taken place as a result of this; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1781E
REPLY:
(1) (a) The Financial Intelligence Centre has been receiving reports on suspicious and unusual transactions continuously since 2003. From inception to date the Centre has received in excess of 130 000 such reports. Over the course of the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 financial years, (which includes the period 1 January 2009 to 31 March 2010) the Centre received a total of 52173 suspicious transaction reports (22762 and 29411 for the two financial years respectively).
(b) The Financial Intelligence Centre Act, 2001 (Act No. 38 of 2001) contains strict limitations on the disclosure of the details of any reports made to the Centre. It is therefore not possible to reveal any information pertaining to the details in relation to any of the transactions reported during the period in question.
(2) The Centre does not supply evidence to prove criminal conduct in a prosecution. It supplies information concerning the financial conduct of reported persons or entities to law enforcement, supervisory and state security agencies. This information identifies the persons or entities concerned, and describes their financial activities in the suspected handling of the proceeds of crime, conducting money laundering activities or financing of terrorism.
It is the task of the law enforcement and prosecuting authorities to convert this information into evidence through investigations which would culminate in prosecutions. The statistical information on investigations and prosecutions which is captured in the criminal justice system does not refer to the nature of the underlying chain of evidence in any particular case.