Questions & Replies: Questions & Replies No 1826 to 1850
2010-06-14
THIS FILE CONTAINS 25 REPLIES.
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QUESTION 1826
DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 04 JUNE 2010 [IQP No 16 -2010] SECOND SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT
Question 1826 for Written Reply, National Assembly: Dr N D DU TOIT (DA)to ask the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:
1) Whether she will be sending a delegation to attend the meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nation's Aquaculture Committee in 2010; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) who are the members of the delegation;
(2) whether her department will be sponsoring any delegation to attend this meeting; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether she will be hosting a meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nation's Aquaculture Committee in 2012; if not,
(4) whether there was any offer from South Africa to host this meeting; if so,
(5) whether planning of this event has commenced; if not, why not; if so, (a) who is the coordinator of the event and (b) what are the further relevant details? NW2106E
REPLY
(1) The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Aquaculture Committee meeting will be held in Thailand from 27 September to 01 October 2010. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, as the lead department for the development and management of aquaculture, will send a delegation that will be approved by the Minister.
(2) Yes. The Department will pay all the costs of the departmental delegates attending the meeting since they will be on official duty.
(3) The Department would like to make an offer to host the meeting of the United Nation's Aquaculture Committee in 2012 but this will depend on negotiations that are yet to take place within the FAO during the next sub-committee meeting.
(4) Yes.
(5) The planning for the event can only commence once the FAO agrees to South Africa's offer to host the meeting. The 2012 host will be confirmed at the next sub-committee meeting to be held in September 2010.
QUESTION NO. 1827INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 16 NW2107E
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 04 June 2010
1827. Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether the Environmental Management Inspectorate has conducted any investigation into possible noncompliance at a certain mine (name furnished) in the Limpopo province; if not, why not; if so, (a) what was the date of the on-site visit and (b) what is the (i) name and (ii) designation of the most senior investigator;
(2) whether any noncompliance was uncovered; if not, what is the basis for this conclusion; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether any (a) directives have been issued or (b) criminal charges have been laid against the mine following the investigation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2107E
Mr G R Morgan (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENTHANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS1827. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
(1) Officials from the Inspectorate are in the process of investigating environmental non-compliances at the mine.
(a) An on-site visit was conducted during the week of 24th May 2010.
(b) (i) & (ii) A number of EMI's are involved in this investigation under the direction of the Director: Enforcement, Grade 1 EMI.
(2) The Department is of the view that a number of activities associated with the mine have commenced in the absence of the relevant environmental authorisations. As we are still in the middle of the administrative enforcement process, the details cannot be provided at this stage, particularly as the mine has been given an opportunity to provide arguments as why the activities may not be illegal.
(3) The Department has issued a pre-compliance notice and recently received representations in response thereto. These must be reviewed prior to a decision being taken as to the next step in the administrative enforcement process.
QUESTION NO 1828
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 04 JUNE 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 16)
1828. Mr I O Ollis (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) (a) What are the latest e-coli counts for the relevant measurement sites in the Braamfonteinspruit on the occasion of the last two testings done and (b) on what dates were these tests done;
(2) whether the water quality of the Braamfonteinspruit met the standards set by her department; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, how was this conclusion reached;
(3) whether any point source pollution into the (a) Braamfonteinspruit or (b) one of its immediate tributaries has been reported to her department since 1 January 2010; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) whether her department is assisting the City of Johannesburg to remedy the Braamfonteinspruit in any way; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(5) whether any (a) notices of intention to issue directives or (b) directives have been issued against any entity for polluting the (i) Braamfonteinspruit or (ii) one of its immediate tributaries since 1 January 2010; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2108E
---00O00---
REPLY:
(1)(a) The latest E. coli counts on different sites in Braamfonteinspruit are as follows:
Table 1: Braamfonteinspruit Water Quality Results
| Point | Description | March E-Coli count per 100ml | April E-Coli count per 100ml |
| DWJ 17 | Rustenburg Road Park Hurst | 5600 | 600 |
| DW 18 | Forest Farm Sandton | 5200 | 12000 |
| DWJ 19 | Paulshof before confluence with Sandspruit | 1000 | 9300 |
| EC 1 | Braamfonteinspruit Gas Works | 3000 | 13000 |
(1)(b) The tests were done in March and April 2010.
(2) No, as indicated in Table 1 above, the water quality of the Braamfonteinspruit did not meet the standard set for recreational purposes. The tests count exceeded the 400 counts per 100 ml.
(3)(a) No, there have been no point sources of pollution reported to my Department into the Braamfonteinspruit.
(3)(b) No, there have been no point sources of pollution reported to my Department into any of the Braamfonteinspruit tributaries.
(4) My Department is in general, assisting the City of Johannesburg to prevent pollution. Most of the diffuse pollution in the City of Johannesburg emanate from sewer spillages. To reduce this pollution, a turn around time has been agreed with Johannesburg Water to address the spillages as follows:
· Sewer: Clear Mains Blockages - 24 hours
· Sewer: Replace Missing Manhole Covers - 24 hours
· Sewer: Provide Vacuum Tanker Services - 4 days
In cases where the turn around times are not met and no reasonable explanations are given, my Department issues directives to Johannesburg Water to ensure that such spillages, that cause diffuse pollution, are dealt with promptly. Where there are persistent blockages, Johannesburg Water will investigate the cause of the problem taking any infrastructure capacity issues into account. Where capacity is found to be a problem, remedial measures are recommended.
(5) No, directives or notices of intention to issue directives have not been issued to any entity for polluting the Braamfonteinspruit or its tributaries.
QUESTION NO. 1829
DATE PUBLISHED: 4 June 2010
DATE SUBMITTED: 21 June 2010
1829. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) Whether the members of his newly-established state-owned enterprise review committee will be paid for their services; if not, why not; if so, what will be the annual salary package paid to each member;
(2) how will the work of this committee differ from the Government's internal review of state-owned enterprises which is currently underway? NW2109E
REPLY:
(1) The issue of remuneration cannot be pronounced categorically until discussion and agreement has been reached by all parties involved. The terms of engagement will be based on guidelines from DPSA and Treasury Regulations for similar services.
(2) The mandate of the IMC is different from that of the SOE Review Committee. The terms of reference are in the process of being finalised and will be communicated in due course.
QUESTION NUMBER: 1830
DATE FOR PUBLICATION: 4 JUNE 2010
DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 30 JUNE 2010
THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: MONITORING AND EVALUATION AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATION:
(1) Whether the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has created any jobs since its inception; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many, (b) what is the average duration of the jobs that have been created, (c) how many of these job beneficiaries are still in employment arising from this initiative, (d) how many of these job beneficiaries are no longer in employment since the inception of this initiative and (e) what are the further relevant details;
(2) Whether the NYDA has funded any young entrepreneurs or youth-owned small businesses; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many businesses were funded, (b) what total amount was spent on funding young entrepreneurs or youth-owned small businesses and (c) what are the further relevant details?
NW2110E
REPLY:
(1) Yes, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has created jobs since its inception. (a) 33,008 jobs were created. The number of jobs created are captured at the service delivery points; (b) At this stage, the NYDA has not undertaken any studies that determine the average duration of the jobs that have been created; (c) the number of job beneficiaries who are still in employment has not been verified; (d) the number of job beneficiaries who are no longer in employment has not been verified; (e) The majority of those jobs were created out of the Micro-finance Programme, Business Consultancy Voucher Services and the JOBS programme.
(2) Yes, the NYDA has funded young entrepreneurs and youth-owned small businesses. (a) The total number of youth owned enterprises funded by NYDA is 10,021; (b) the total amount spent on funding youth enterprises is R58.8 m (c) In addition, the NYDA spent a total amount of R33 m providing business development support to youth owned enterprises.
QUESTION NO. 1831
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 4 June 2010
1831. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the Minister in the Presidency: National Planning Commission:
Whether the Commissioners will sign performance agreements; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2111E
REPLY:
No. The commission is an advisory commission and does not have executive responsibilities. Commissioners have been appointed on a part-time basis for a period of five years. While they represent a diverse range of expertise, they are expected to collaboratively produce a long-term national vision and plan for the country. The proposals will be presented to Cabinet who are ultimately responsible for any policy changes and implementation. The Commissioners cannot therefore be held individually responsible for any specific performance outcomes or deliverables.
QUESTION NO. 1832
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 04 June 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 16)
1832. Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether he intends introducing legislation that would establish a Risk Equalisation fund; if not, (a) why not and (b) what happened to previously tabled legislation approved by cabinet in this regard; if so, when will this be done;
(2) whether he intends introducing legislation that will introduce mandatory membership of medical schemes for all people that earn above a certain threshold; if not, (a) why not and (b) how he intends ensuring that all people who can afford to pay for their medical insurance will do so; if so, (i) when, (ii) what will the threshold be and (iii) by which date will all people earning over a certain threshold be compelled to have medical insurance? NW2112E
REPLY:
(1) The legislation intending to introduce the Risk Equalisation Fund (REF) was intended to introduce a fund that was geared towards equalising health and financial risk across the medical schemes environment, with the overall policy objective of introducing a social health insurance system as the funding regime for the national health system. The legislation was tabled in Parliament but its processing was superseded by the decision to move from a social health insurance financing system to one that is more comprehensive and integrated in the form of introducing a national health insurance system. Therefore are no longer pursing legislation intended to introduce REF.
(2) There is no intention within the Department of Health's Strategic Plan to make medical schemes membership mandatory for all people that earn above a certain income threshold.
(a) The primary reason for this is that membership to any given medical scheme is a voluntary decision by an individual or household. The responsibility of the Department of Health, together with the Council for Medical Schemes, as contained in the Medical Schemes Act 131 of 1998, is to ensure that the medical schemes environment operates in a manner that promotes open enrolment, community rating of premiums, i.e premiums paid by an individual or household are not risk-rated and that they are entitled to minimum benefits irrespective of their benefit option;
(b) However, this does not imply that the Department is not concerned about the stagnant number of people who have access to financial risk protection from health-related expenditures. While the intention is not to make medical schemes membership mandatory for anyone, Government's programme of action as well as the Department of Health's 10-point Plan clearly indicate that the intention is to introduce a national health insurance system as a funding and health services delivery mechanism for the country. When this system is implemented, all South Africans, irrespective of their income status, will be covered by the publicly-administered NHI Fund and will be entitled to a comprehensive package of health care benefits.
QUESTION NO. 1833
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 04 June 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 16)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether he intends (a) introducing (i) international benchmarking of drugs and (ii) tax exemption on health care and (b) allowing private health establishments to employ doctors at a fixed salary as opposed to fee for services; if not, (aa) why not and (bb) how does he justify that the State does not pay on medication while the private sector does; if so, when will legislation be introduced;
(2) whether he intends allowing the public health sector to outsource elective surgery waiting list work to the private sector at tender-agreed prices; if not, (a) why not and (b) how does he intend reducing waiting lists; if so, when will this be done?
NW2113E
REPLY:
(1) (a) (i) The Pricing Committee has made recommendations on the international benchmarking. We are studying the proposal before finalising the methodology for international benchmarking.
There are currently no plans to introduce tax exemptions on healthcare.
Private health establishments are currently prohibited from employing doctors either on salary basis of fee for service. The decision to allow private healthcare establishments to employ doctors has to be made in consultation with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). It is worth noting that there are several potential risks to such a policy decision.
The State does pay for medication.
(2) No, the cost would be prohibitive. We will look into our own internal mechanisms to deal with backlogs.
QUESTION NO. 1834
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 04 June 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 16)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether, with reference to his reply to question 444 on 8 May 2008, the State has completed its study on the feasibility of establishing its own pharmaceutical plant; if not, when will the feasibility study be complete; if so, what were the findings of the feasibility study?
NW2114E
REPLY:
Pharmaceutical manufacturing can be broadly divided into primary production (manufacture of active pharmaceutical ingredients - APIs and their intermediates) and secondary production (formulation of pharmaceuticals in finished-dosage form, i.e tablets, capsules, syrups, intravenous solutions, injectables etc). South Africa has developed secondary pharmaceutical manufacturing capability in purer inadequately developed primary production (over 95% of APIs are imported). The feasibility studies completed so far by Government have focused on the production of APIs.
The following pre-feasibility studies have been completed over the past decade:
A vaccine-manufacturing project, a public-private partnership (PPP) in which Government has a 40% stake (through the Departments of Health and of Science and Technology), started in 2003.
The antibiotics API study showed that, despite significant domestic market in South Africa and low input costs, production would not be economical due to competition with low-cost large-scale manufacturers in China and India.
The ARV APIs study indicated that domestic production of some ARV APIs for first-line ARV regimen (efavirenz, tenofovir and lamivudine) might be feasible, subject to long term offtake agreements, access to investment incentives and low-cost finance.
A subsequent decision by Government to increase the anti-retroviral treatment coverage to 80% by 2011, sharp decline of prices of some generic ARV APIs (for example efavirenz) due to discovery of new, more efficient routes of synthesis and the commissioning of new production capacities in India and China have necessitated a revision of the study.
The study into anti-TB API production analysed the capital cost requirements, cost of production, market dynamics, international prices and return on investment for the:
APIs used in the 1st line (pyrazinmaide, isoniazid and ethambutol) and 2nd line TB treatment (para-aminosalicylic acid, PAS),
Formulation of combination drugs: Rifafour (isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide) and Rifanah (isoniazid and rifampicin)
for the domestic South African and regional markets.
The study showed that Government would have to provide an initial capital grant equal to the plant cost (US$40 million) and a price preference to local producers of at least 25% to ensure that such a project covers the required cost of capital (zero net present value).
The study concluded that such a project would not be attractive to Government and private investors.
QUESTION NO. 1835
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 04 June 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 16)
NW2115E
1835. Mrs D Robinson (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether an audit has been completed into the backlog of the Medicines Control Council (MCC); if not, (a) why not and (b) when will it be completed; if so, (i) how many applications are caught up in the backlog, (ii) what are the reasons for the backlog and (iii) how many applications have taken longer than (aa) six months, (bb) one year, (cc) two years and (dd) three years;
(2) whether any recommendations were made; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are they, (b) by when will each recommendation be implemented and (c) what will the cost be of implementing each recommendation;
(3) whether any applications are to be fast tracked; if not, why not; if so, (a) which applications and (b) when will it be done? NW2115E
REPLY:
(1) The backlog has been defined as all applications that were received in 2007 and before. Yes, the audit has been completed.
(a) Not applicable;
(b) (i) Currently 1 503 applications are in the backlog;
(ii) Human and financial capacity, over-reliance on few external experts as well as structural challenges in the manner the MCC functions;
(iii) Of the 2 823 registered items –
(aa) 245 took more than 6 months;
(bb) 948 took more than one year;
(cc) 1 041 took more than 2 years; and
(dd) 589 took more than 3 years.
The MCC does not have a stop-clock process that discounts the lag time between the time a recommendation is made to an applicant and the time a response is received.
(2) Recommendations have been made as tabulated in Table below
| (a) Recommendation | (b) by when will it be implemented | (c) cost for implementing the recommendation |
| Implement the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) and the electronic dossier format (eCTD) | The EDMS has already been implemented, compliancy testing has been conducted, more than 100 staff have been trained to use the system, 111 licences have been procured and first annual user fees paid. Annual fees in future | No further costs. R 1.5m for initial licences R500.000 per annum |
| Improve the system back-up capabilities and implement a Disaster Recovery Plan | Daily automatic back-up has already been implemented. A back-up server for the EDMS will be installed once the unit has been moved to Civitas – due August 2010 | No further costs. Approximately R600.000 |
| Establish SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) as an independent public entity | Project team appointed and consultants already engaged to address the many legislative and systems issues. Fully functional integrated SAHPRA has been designed and costed but many variables still need consultation. Aim is for implementation within 2 years | Approximately R10m over two years. Approximately R130m per annum operational budget. |
| Employ more full-time Evaluators Procure essential references (electronic) for evaluators | The plan for the ultimate SAHPRA structure includes 20 Evaluators on the establishment. This could take 2-3 years to achieve as staff must be recruited and trained. Some already procured, two awaiting delivery | Evaluators could cost the employer as much as R900.000 per annum each (FTE) and this will increase the cost by R18m. Approximately R1.2m |
| Improve management systems in the reception and registry | Entire new fire resistant and extended filing system currently being installed in new premises in Civitas. New reception area and minor furnishing currently being installed in new premises in Civitas | Approximately R6.6m Approximately R100.000 |
(3) Yes.
(a) Antiretroviral medicines (ARVs);
(b) Sixty-five (65) ARVs have been registered since the inception of the backlog project. All ARV applications received have been reviewed and the ones still unregistered either do not yet meet required standards or the applicants have not yet responded to the MCC's recommendations.
QUESTION 1838
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 4 June 2010
Internal question paper no
Mrs H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
What (a) are the reasons for not tabling reports in respect of the Ke Moja project in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 financial years and (b) steps has she taken to ensure that a standardised report is tabled on the 2009-10 financial year? NW2119E
REPLY:
(a) Ke Moja Project is one of the programmes of the Department of Social Development. Progress on Ke Moja project formed part of the Department of Social Development's Annual Reports for 2007-08 and 2008-09 financial years. Reference can be made to documents tabled in Parliament, see page 67 of 2007-08 Annual Report and page 56 of 2008-09 Annual Report.
(b) The Department of Social Development will continue following the current procedure when tabling the Annual Report for 2009-10 financial years.
QUESTION 1839
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 3 June 2010
Internal question paper no
Mrs S P Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) Whether the recommendations of the annual report of the Central Drug Authority (CDA) for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 financial years were implemented regarding (a) the appointment of a full-time executive officer in the CDA and (b) a separation between the CDA Secretariat and the Directorate: Substance Abuse; if not, why not in each case;
(2) whether any other recommendations have not been implemented; if so, (a) which recommendations and (b) why were they not implemented in each case? NW2120E
REPLY:
(1) Yes, the recommendations of the annual report of the Central Drug Authority for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 financial years have been implemented in respect of question 1 (b) only.
(a) In terms of the Prevention and Treatment of the Drug Dependency Act, No. 20 of 1992, the legislation that established the Central Drug Authority, and currently in operation, there is no provision for the appointment of full-time executive officer in the Central Drug Authority. However, the Department of Social Development is assessing the structure and functions of the Central Drug Authority to inform the steps that could be undertaken to reposition the Central Drug Authority.
(b) The Central Drug Authority Secretariat has been separated from the Directorate: Substance Abuse and Central Drug Authority. The Secretariat is now reporting to the Deputy Director General: Welfare Services.
(2) Yes, some recommendations have not yet been fully implemented. The following are the recommendations that have not been fully implemented:
(a) The departments are required in terms of the Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependency Act (No. 20 of 1992) to prioritise nomination of members to the Central Drug Authority to represent those departments;
The departments represented on the Central Drug Authority, Provincial Substance Abuse Forums and their related Local Drug Action Committees should be tasked formally by their relevant authorities to develop their small adaptations of the National Drug Master Plan, referred as Mini Drug Master Plan. The departments represented on the Central Drug Authority must avail resources for the Mini Drug Master Plan's development and implementations.
(b) With regard to the nomination of members to the Central Drug Authority to represent those departments, some departments nominated officials at appropriate levels, while others nominated officials who are at a very low level, as result their participation in the Central Drug Authority activities and decision making is minimal.
The recommendation on relevant authorities tasking their representatives on the Central Drug Authority, Provincial Substance Abuse Forums and their related Local Drug Action Committees to develop their small adaptations of the National Drug Master Plan, referred as Mini Drug Master Plan and that the departments represented on the Central Drug Authority must avail resources for the Mini Drug Master Plan's development and implementations could not be fully realised because of the following:
Not all the required departments are represented on the Provincial Substance Abuse Forums. There is no obligation on the part of stakeholders to participate effectively in the Central Drug Authority, the full participation of all relevant stakeholders is provided for in the new Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act, No.70 of 2008, which has not been operationalised as yet, because the Regulations for this Act are still being developed. In the old Act, the Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependency Act, No.20 of 1992, which is operational, there is no obligatory clause to ensure the participation in the Central Drug Authority.
QUESTION 1840
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 3 June 2010
Internal question paper no
Mrs D Robinson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
Whether, with reference to the 2007-08 annual report of the Central Drug Authority (CDA), any research was commissioned to define more accurately the baseline for drug and alcohol use and abuse with particular attention paid to (a) national, (b) provincial and (c) regional (i)(aa) number of illicit drug users and (bb) illicit drug of choice, (ii)(aa) number of current alcohol consumers and (bb) alcoholic beverage of choice, (iii) the number of (aa) problem drug and (bb) problem alcohol users, (iv) the multiplier ratios that should be used to infer the (aa) number and (bb) treatment requirements of problem drug and alcohol users, (v) the availability and use of treatment facilities for problem drug and alcohol users and (vi) the (aa) direct and (bb) indirect costs of drug use and abuse; if not, why not; if so, (aaa)(aaaa) when and (bbbb) by whom was the research conducted, (bbb) when will the report be released and (ccc) what amount has been allocated to conducting the research? NW2121E
REPLY:
No, the research was not commissioned by the Department of Social Development during 2007/8 financial year, to define more accurately the baseline for drug and alcohol use and abuse, with particular attention paid to national, provincial and regional aspects of substance abuse in terms of questions asked in (i) (aa) to (vi) (aa) and (bb).
(aaa)(aaa) The research which is intended to investigate questions similar to those asked above, was planned to take place during 2009/10, and due to unforeseen delays pertaining to the appointment of a service provider, it only commenced in April 2010. This research is designed to be carried out in two phases; the first phase, which is currently underway, is in a form of a household survey, while the second phase will be a residential survey and it is planned to be conducted during 2011/12.
(bbb) The final report of the first phase of the research will be released during the financial 2011/12, while that of the second phase is planned to be released during 2012/13.
(ccc) An amount of R750 000.00 has been allocated to conduct the first phase of the research. The allocation of funds for the second phase will be dealt with during this financial year.
QUESTION NO 1841
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 4 JUNE 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 16- 2010)
Date reply submitted: 14 June 2010
1841. Mrs D van der Walt (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:
(1) Whether a certain person (name furnished) was employed by the SA Police Service (SAPS); if so, when did he first take up employment in the SAPS;
(2) whether his employment was ever terminated; if not, why not; if so, (a) on what date, (b) why and (c) what rank had he attained at the time that employment was terminated? NW2122E
REPLY:
(1) Yes, the said person was employed by the South African Police Service and he first took up employment from the 1st of August 2002.
(2) Yes, his employment was terminated.
(2)(a) On the 15th of February 2010.
(2)(b) He resigned from the South African Police Service by purchasing a discharge.
(2)(c) He had attained the rank of Constable at the time his employment was terminated.
QUESTION 1842
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
1842. Mr D C Ross (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy:
(1) Whether any regulatory progress has been made with the new Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2) which includes renewable energy; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) What (a) are the renewable energy targets and (b) is the projected demand? NW2124E
Reply
(1) Yes. The project plan is attached as Annexure 1 and can also be downloaded from www.doe-irp.co.za. In the past few weeks a public stakeholder engagement programme was concluded over 2 days, as part of a series of consultation processes on the IRP2 development process.
(2) The extent of the renewable energy included in the IRP has not been determined as yet. This will be an outcome of the modelling process that will commence once all the stakeholder inputs have been collated.
QUESTION 1843
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
1843. Mr D C Ross (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy:
(1) Whether the feed-in tariffs for renewable energy have been set by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) What is the selection criteria used for renewable projects;
(3) Whether her department will determine the capacity allocation for each technology through the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) Whether this will set the targets for renewable energy that the country should be achieving; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2125E
REPLY
(1) Yes. The regulator undertook a public consultation process to arrive at their determination of the feed-in tariffs.
(2) The selection criteria consultation paper is attached as Annexure 1 and is also available from www.nersa.org.za . Criteria are developed in line with the provisions of the regulations for new generation capacity under the Electricity Regulation Act.
(3) Yes. The IRP will disaggregate the various technologies for base load, mid-merit and peaking capacity. In addition, renewable energy technologies will be disaggregated as far as possible, in order to provide the flexibility required for initial market development.
(4) Yes. The integrated resource plan will prescribe targets for the various technologies, including renewable energy.
QUESTION 1844DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 04 June 2010
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 16 of 2010Dr H C van Schalkwyk (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
Whether all offices of her Department are equipped to issue (a) ID documents, (b) birth certificates and (c) other documents and certificates; if not, (i) why not, (ii) which offices are not equipped for these functions and (iii) when will these offices be equipped to perform these functions; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2126E
REPLY
(a)(i) to (iii) Yes. All offices are equipped to issue identity documents. However, it must be noted that the actual production of identity documents is a centralised function undertaken at the Department's Head Office. The completed identity documents are, then, distributed to the respective offices of application for collection by the applicants.
(b)(i) to (iii) Yes. All offices of the Department are equipped to issue birth certificates. Birth registrations are, also, processed at identified Health facilities in the Republic of South Africa (RSA).
(c)(i) to (iii) Yes. All offices of the Department are equipped to issue marriage certificates, death certificates and temporary identity certificates. Furthermore, all offices are, also, able to issue temporary travel documents (temporary passports and emergency travel certificates). Other travel documents (tourist passports, child passports, maxi passports and official passports) are, also, centrally processed, and produced at the Department's Head Office in the same way as identity documents. Once issued, the documents are distributed to the respective offices of application for collection by the applicants.
QUESTION 1845
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
1845. Mr S C Motau (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy:
(1) Whether she is taking any action to investigate concerns that the perceived dominant role of large industrial electricity users and Eskom may constrain the development of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) (a) who are the (i)(aa) NGOs, (bb) civil society role players and (cc) independent power producers that are part of the consultative process and (ii) senior department officials leading this process and (b) what are their respective competencies;
(3) whether there are any mechanisms in place to ensure that the inputs received by means of the public participation process are to be considered and incorporated into the plan; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2127E
REPLY
(1) No. The development of the IRP is a transparent process that cannot be constrained by the participation of either the large industrial electricity users, or the renewable energy lobby. On the contrary, it is critical that such stakeholders participate because the participation by stakeholders across a wide spectrum of interests improves the quality of the inputs and consequently of the IRP itself.
(2) (a)(i) The full list of roleplayers who participate in the consultative process is attached as Annexure 1.
(ii) The senior department officials leading this process are the Director General, Acting Deputy Director General and Acting Chief Director. They are all graduates in electrical engineering.
(3) The inputs from the public participation process will be collated and published on the website www.doe-irp.co.za, with transparent indication relating to the way each input was treated in the process of IRP formulation.
QUESTION 1846
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTIONPAPER: 04/06/2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16-2010)
Mr J R B Lorimer (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
(1) Whether the Eastern Cape province have more than the standard allocation of school educators; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how long has it had a surplus of educators, (b) what effect has this surplus had on results and (c) what has been the cost of this surplus in each year since it had the surplus;
(2) whether this surplus of educators allow for smaller classes; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether she has any plans in place to reduce the number of educators to conform to teacher allocation in other provinces; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2128E
REPLY:
(1) The national guideline with regards to the Learner Educator Ratio (LER) is the maximum of 1:40 for primary and 1:35 for secondary schools. There is no guideline in terms of the minimum LER. The average LER in the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE) is currently at 1:30. The educator post allocations in the ECDE are in line with the budget as determined by the MEC each year.
(a) There are no surplus educators.
(b) There are no surplus educators.
(c) No surplus educators thus no cost.
(2) At this stage any surplus would not lead to smaller classes due to infrastructure constraints.
(3) The ECDoE seeks to continuously conform to the national LER guidelines and to determine its post establishment in line with the approved national post provisioning norms and in consultation with labour unions. The Department of Basic Education is supporting the ECDoE in this process.
QUESTION NO. 1848.
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 16 NW2130E
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 04 June 2010
1848. Dr S M van Dyk (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:†
(1) (a) How do the numbers of (i) the big five types of game in the Kruger National Park today compare with their numbers 10 years ago and (ii) other types of game compare which have also altered drastically over the same period and (b) what are the reasons for the variation in numbers;
(2) what was the effect on the game tally since the cross-border enlargement of the Kruger National Park towards Mozambique;
(3) what measures have been put in place to prevent or curb poaching by means of snares, dog hunting and firearms in the Kruger National Park? NW2130E
Dr S M van Dyk (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENTHANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS1848. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
(1)(a)(i) The table below provide the summary of the big five type assumed to mean leopard, lion, buffalo, elephants and rhinos with the rhino category comprising the black and white rhino.
| Species | 2000 | 2010 | Notes | Trend |
| Black rhinoceros | No formal robust estimate | 590-670 | Method made use of block surveys that correct for the fact that rhinos are not always available and that observers miss them when they are available. The values are 95% confidence intervals as one can seldom say exactly how many rhinos there are using these scientific techniques. | Increasing at 7% per annum based on a series of counts noted for black rhino from aerial surveys conducted for other species |
| White rhinoceros | 1879-3780 | 9460-12120 | Method made use of distance sampling techniques. The values are 95% confidence intervals as one can seldom say exactly how many rhinos there are using these scientific techniques. | Increasing at 11% per annum. |
| Buffalo | 22260 | 37500 | Total count of the entire park. The technique does not allow estimates of uncertainty as it is likely that counts suffer from several errors. | Increasing at 5% per annum. |
| Elephant | 8350 | 13700 | Total count of the entire park. The technique does not allow estimates of uncertainty as it is likely that counts suffer from several errors. | Increasing at 4% per annum since 2004. |
| Leopard | No formal robust estimate | No formal robust estimate | Estimating leopard population sizes carries great difficulty. Based on estimates in the 1980s, it is guessed that about 1000 leopards reside in Kruger. | Unknown. |
| Lion | No formal robust estimate | 1620-1750 | Method made use of vocal call-ups calibrated for the response rate of lions. This varies between individuals and whether lions have cubs or not. The values are 95% confidence intervals as one can seldom say exactly how many lions there are using these scientific techniques. | The population is most likely stable because comparisons in three regions where lion population abundances were estimated in the 1970s have the same number of adult females now than then. |
(1)(a)(ii) The table below provide estimates for other common species of game. Most species' biology and life history do not lend themselves easily to count or survey. All estimates made use of distance sampling that provide 95% confidence intervals to estimates as one never can tell exactly how many individuals of a species are in the Park. At present not a single large mammal species' existence in Kruger National Park is under threat.
| Species | 2000 | 2010 |
| Blue wildebeest | 3100-8370 | 8960-13770 |
| Burchell's zebra | 14470-26600 | 20870-33240 |
| Giraffe | 3770-6580 | 7090-10950 |
| Greater kudu | 3600-6830 | 8050-13180 |
| Impala | 71900-112400 | 99830-163570 |
| Warthog | 1100-2710 | 3220-4450 |
| Waterbuck | 1650-4960 | 3210-7630 |
(1)(b) Population changes are summaries of the effects that the environment, other species as well as individuals of the same species may have on a specific species. The environment, such as the amount of rain that fell during the period preceding a breeding season greatly influences birth rates while droughts influence death rates. In addition, populations do not increase indefinitely and when abundances increase population growth decreases so that population actually fluctuate rather than change directionally all the time. Competition with other species as well as predation my further contribute to these variations. Kruger National Park experienced good rainfall for the past 15 years and this is shown in the game numbers. Another drought which is inevitable and necessary for ecosystem resilience will however reduce numbers a part of a natural process. Apart from these natural sources of variance, errors when counting animals may also play a role. This is because it takes time to cover the whole of Kruger, animals move, they may not be visible when under trees at the time a helicopter or aeroplane flies over, and even if they are they may not be always detected.
(2) The effect is negligible and cannot be detected given the variance in population estimates. Biology of species generally suggests that Kruger serves as a source through natural dispersal into available areas without affecting the Kruger populations' persistence. Mozambique is planning a game census in Limpopo National Park later this year. This will give a better indication of game numbers in the whole Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park. In 2006 there were about 600 elephants in Limpopo National Park of which most probably moved across from Kruger National Park.
(3)
· There are 301 Rangers in the Kruger National Park (275 Field Rangers and 22 Section Rangers and 4 Regional Rangers) and they are on patrol or within Observation Posts in the bush at identified poacher hotspots 24/7.
· These numbers have recently been inflated with the appointment of 58 new Field Rangers to bring the total to the above figure.
· An amount of R5.2 million was made available from the Park Development Fund to reinforce the ranger capacity, this included:
· The recruitment, appointment and training of the 58 new Field Rangers
· Equipping the Section Rangers with motorbikes to increase mobility, as well as other equipment necessary for constant field work
· Equipping helicopters and anti-poaching teams with night sight equipment
· Additional training of all rangers in the Kruger National Park
· The purchasing of a 2nd Bantam aircraft for the north of the Park and the training of 2 additional pilots within the ranks of the Section Rangers
· Adjusting the Conditions of Service of Field Rangers to 6 day work weeks in order to be able to have people on the ground all the time
· Experimenting with tracker dogs to track poachers to their hideouts.
· Patrols and Observation Posts are concentrated in areas with high risk of poaching or where poaching hotspots develop.
· Snares are removed or ambushed when found.
· All poachers, whether poaching with snares, dogs (this seldom happens) or firearms are confronted and arrested if possible.
QUESTION NO. 1849.INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 16 NW2131E
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 04 June 2010
1849. Dr S M van Dyk (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:†
(1) Whether the tariff for each camp in the Kruger National Park is based on the general tariff rate for holiday accommodation; if not, why not; if so, what (a) is the average tariff charged to visitors to the Kruger National Park and (b) are the further relevant details;
(2) whether special concessions are made to certain visitors; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2131E
Dr S M van Dyk (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENTHANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS1849. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
(1) (a) and (b)
SANParks sets the rates for its products based on market conditions. Market conditions include economic trends such as inflation (cpi) and also competitive analysis (both internal and external). Issues such as demand will also influence rates. The phrase "the general tariff rate for holiday accommodation" is not 100% clear, but if market trends are intended, then these is indeed considered when SANParks sets rates for its products.
SANParks operates a rate system whereby rates are set for a base number of persons per accommodation unit with, in some cases, an additional person rate, in case the maximum capacity is higher than the base number. For example a three-bed bungalow is priced for a base number of 2 persons at R600 (in the case of two persons equal to R300 per person) with an additional person rate of R200 per adult and R100 per child. If three adults were to book such a unit the total cost would be R800 (R600+R200) which gives an average of R266-67 per person. Across all products and using the weighted method, the rates are currently as follows:
Kruger National Park Camping:
The average base rate (two guests) for a camp site is R149.15 (range R135.00 to R170.00) per night. That equates to an average of R74.58 per person (two guests) per night at base occupancy.
At Maximum Occupancy (being six guests at 50% adults and 50% children) a camp site will cost on average R293.15 per night. That equates to an average of R48.86 per person per night.
Kruger National Park Accommodation:
The average base rate (either two or four guests) for an accommodation unit is R727.99 (range R220.00 to R2,575.00) per night. That equates to an average of R317.42 per bed per night at base occupancy (either two or four guests).
At Maximum Occupancy (50% adults and 50% children) an accommodation unit will cost on average R841.72 per night. That equates to an average of R273.57 per bed per night.
(2) Yes. The only concession generally available in the Kruger National Park is the senior citizen discounts in the four different window periods during the year, in specific camps and specific accommodation units or camping sites. This is available for South African residents of sixty years and older and varies from 20% to 40%. From time to time there are also special promotions during off-peak periods and at camps with lesser demand and this is provided on an ad-hoc basis.
QUESTION 1850 WRITTEN REPLY 04 JUNE 2010
1850. Mr S J Masango (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Works:
(1) Whether he disposed of any property in the 2009-10 financial year; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what (i) property was disposed of, (ii) price in monetary value was it sold at and (iii) were the reasons for the disposal in each case;
(2) whether the disposal of the property was done by way of auction and/or tender process; if not, (a) why not and (b) how was each property disposed of; if so, (i) what process was used in each case and (ii) what media were used to advertise the sale of property? NW2132E
Reply:
Yes. The department disposed a total of 15 properties; with a total value of R 264 093 250.00
The department has a disposal policy which includes four types of disposal, namely, land reform, rural development, commercial disposal and tender. The media was not utilized in the types of disposals, as there is no requirement to do so.