Questions & Replies: Questions & Replies No 1651 to 1675

(2) (b)(i)-(ii) The information is being generated and will be submitted to the member directly

(3) According to the NLB, the breakdown is as follows:

Please note that the NLB does not payout prizes.

QUESTION NO: 1656

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 15 OF 28 MAY 2010

MR KS MUBU (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:

Whether the Government intends on establishing a High Commission /Embassy in Bangladesh; if not, why not; if so, (a) when and (b) What are the further details,

REPLY:

Yes.

a) Due to the effects of the global economic downturn, the current budget of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation does not allow for the opening of a South African Mission in Dhaka, Bangladesh at this time. This matter will be considered once the financial situation of the Department improves.

b) It should be noted that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation has recently appointed an Honorary Consul to represent South Africa's interests in Bangladesh. This is the first step in a long process toward the realisation of a South African Mission being established in Dhaka.

QUESTION 1657

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28/05/2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 15 – 2010)

1657. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

(1) Whether her department (a) has undertaken any HIV/Aids education campaigns at any schools (i) in the (aa) 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; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) which (aa) schools, (bb) provinces and (cc) grades were included in this HIV/Aids education campaign;

(2) whether her department is planning to undertake such campaigns in the 2010-11 financial year; if not, why not; if so, (a) which (i) schools, (ii) provinces and (iii) grades were included in this HIV/Aids education campaign, (bb) which organisation presented the HIV/Aids education campaign and (cc) what was the cost in each financial year;

(3) whether she intends extending the HIV/Aids education campaign to other schools and grades; if not, why not; if so, (a) when, (b) to which schools, (c) to which grades and (d) what is the estimated budget? NW1919E

Response:

The primary response towards HIV and AIDS in the school setting is through the HIV and AIDS Life Skills Education Programme that was introduced in the General Education and Training Band (Grades 4-9) in 2000. In 2005, the programme was extended to the Foundation Phase (Grades R-3) and the FET Band (schools and colleges – Grades 10-12). In order to ensure a mainstreamed response, the programme is implemented in all schools through the curriculum. However, on an annual basis, a number of schools are selected by provinces for focused implementation. Such focused implementation includes advocacy campaigns targeted at the broader school community.

The programme is funded through a conditional grant from National Treasury. The provincial budget allocation for the HIV and AIDS Life Skills Education Programme is outlined in Table 1. The allocation for advocacy campaigns represents approximately 3-7% of the total provincial allocation for the Life Skills Education Programme. Provinces also work with a range of institutions to supplement and expand the reach of the programme.

Table 1: Budget allocation for the HIV and AIDS Life Skills Education Programme:

2007/8–2012/3

A request was made to provinces to report on HIV and AIDS education campaigns conducted since 2007 as well as plans for the 2010-2011 financial year. Reports were received from six provinces (Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape & Western Cape). Responses received from provinces thus far are summarised in Tables 2-4 as attached.

QUESTION NO. 1659

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28 May 2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 15)

Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

(1) Whether (a) his department, (b) the Professional Board for Emergency Care Practitioners (PBECP) or (c) the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) has been involved in any litigation with any organization with regard to the proposed scrapping of the short-course system for emergency medical services; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) in how many cases, (ii) with which organisations, (iii) what was the outcome of each case, (iv) what was the cost to (aa) his department, (bb) the HPCSA or (cc) the PBECP in each case and (v) what did all costs awarded against (aa) his department, (bb) the HPCSA or (cc) the PBECP amount to;

(2) whether (a) his department, (b) the PBECP or (c) the HPCSA appealed any cases that they lost; if not, why not; if so, (i) on what grounds, (ii) what was the outcome of each appeal, (iii) what was the cost to (aa) his department, (bb) the HPCSA or (cc) the PBECP in each case and (iv) what did all costs awarded against (aa) his department, (bb) the HPCSA or (cc) the PBECP amount to;

(3) whether he will instruct (a) his department, (b) the HPCSA or (c) the PBECP to stop all litigation in this regard; if not, why not; if so, when ?

NW1921E

REPLY:

(1) Yes, there has been litigation against the Department, the PBECP and the HPCSA with regard to the proposed scraping of the short course system for emergency medical services.

(i) There has been only one case against the Department, the PBECP and the HPCSA;

(ii) The case was instituted by the Emergency Care Training Association;

(iii) The application was dismissed with no order of costs;

(iv) (aa) The Department did not incur any cost of litigation in this regard;

(bb) The cost of litigation against the HPCSA is R 252 479.67.

(v) There were no costs awarded against the Department; the PBECP and the HPCSA.

(2) There is no appeal at this stage.

(3) Not applicable as there is no litigation pending at this stage. The only case instituted against the institutions referred to in the question has been disposed of.

QUESTION 1660

DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 28 MAY 2010 [IQP No 15- 2010] SECOND SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

1660. Mr N D du Toit (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

(a) How many (i) deep sea and (ii) coastal-based vessels are currently in her department's possession and (b) with regard to each vessel, what (i) is the (aa) purpose, (bb) function, (cc) draft and (dd) purchase cost, (ii) has been, in each financial year since purchase, the (aa) maintenance cost, (bb) operational cost, (cc) total sea miles acquired and (dd) total number of hours spent (aaa) in harbour and (bbb) on sea and (iii) are the specifications and further relevant details? NW1922E

REPLY:

(a)(i)&(ii) The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries currently has a fleet of 7 vessels. One vessel, the FRS Africana is a deep sea vessel; 3 vessels, namely the Sarah Baartman, the FRS Algoa and the FRS Ellen Khuzwayo have both deep sea and coastal capabilities; and 3 vessels, namely the Lilian Ngoyi, the Ruth First and the Victoria Mxenge are coastal vessels.

(b)(i)(aa) The purpose of each vessel is as follows:

(b)(i)(bb) The function of each vessel is as follows:

(b)(i)(cc) & (dd) The draft and purchase cost for each vessel is as follows:

(b)(ii)(aa)(bb)(cc)&(dd)

Information on the maintenance costs; operational costs; hours accumulated at sea and hours accumulated at sea for the period 2001-2009/10 is provided in the attached table.

(b)(iii) The specifications for each vessel are contained in the table below.

QUESTION 1661

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

Question 1661 for Written Reply, National Assembly: Mr. N. D. du Toit (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

(1) Whether her department has a database on the number of (a) pets, (b) livestock and (c) game animals owned by private individuals; if not, why not; if so, (i) where is it available and (ii) what are the further relevant details;

(2) Whether her department has assessed if there are enough veterinarians to treat and monitor these animals; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1923E

REPLY:

1. (a)(c) The Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) does not have database on the number of pets and game animals owned by private individuals. Early last year the Veterinary Services unit started discussing the possibility of having such a database for game animals.

(b) With regard to livestock, there are records on livestock population in the country which is captured during reporting for disease control. The DAFF has a national database on livestock called INTERGIS (Integrated Registration and Genetic Information System). This national database is managed by the ARC Livestock Business Division on behalf of the Department as provided for by Section 20 (3) (b) of the Animal Improvement Act, 1998 (Act No 62 of 1998). The database only covers registered (recorded) livestock. It does not cover all livestock in South Africa at this stage.

With regards to pets, the NSPCA has a formula by which an estimated figure of total dog and cats can be calculated (two dogs for each adult person in the population and one cat for each two adults). This is for all the different areas in SA, and taking into account the different communities, it is a calculated average. For game there is no source within DAFF.

Available figures:

(a) Pets:

Dogs cir. 50 mil.

Cats cir. 14 mil.

(b) Livestock [production]

Cattle 13, 9 mil.

Goats 2, 1 mil.

Pigs 1, 6 mil.

Sheep 21, 99 mil.

(2) The department has assessed the Veterinary needs in the country in 2007/2008. In addition, a joined survey between the Department and the Veterinary Council was commissioned and the report is not yet available. The assessment done in 2007/2008 was done considering the fact that Animal Health technicians play an important role in the delivery of Veterinary Services. The Department used the FAO guidelines in determining the required numbers. Thus in considering the animal health technicians, the shortage is as reflected in the attached table. The big challenge rests with game animals as this falls under the responsibility of the Department of Environmental Affairs. In terms of the FAO guidelines the needs are as follows:

Summary:

QUESTION NO: 1662

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 15 OF 28 May 2010

Mr W P Doman (DA)to ask the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional

Affairs:

Whether any of the mayors and/or Mayco members of any of the municipalities currently under administration are receiving their full salaries; if not, (a) what is the position in this regard and (b) what is each of them earning currently; if so, what is each person currently earning in each specified municipality? NW1924E

Reply

(a) Yes

(b) Each of them are earning according to the determination of the Remuneration of the Public Office bearers Act.

QUESTION NUMBER: 1663

DATE FOR PUBLICATION: 28 MAY 2010

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 30 JUNE 2010

MRS D ROBISON (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND EVALUATION AS WELL AS ADMINISTRAION:

(1) Whether any action was taken against any official or senior office bearer of the National Youth Commission for irregular and/or wasteful expenditure as recorded in the Auditor-General's report on the 2007-08 and 2008-09 financial years; if not, why not; if so, what were the (a) names, (b) charges and (c) outcomes in each case;

(2) Whether any of these officials and/or office bearers currently hold government positions; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW1925E

REPLY:

1. To date no action has been taken against any official or senior officials of the former NYC however the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has taken note of the Auditor General's report on the National Youth Commission's last two financial years with great concern and currently we are in the process of studying the Auditor-General's reports to determine the cause of action to take in consultation with the Executive Authority and with the view of conducting a forensic audit should there be a need. Parallel to this, the NYDA has instituted a process whereby the former NYC officials who have been transferred to the NYDA through the merger process have been requested to make a full disclosure on anything that they might be aware of during their employment at the NYC. The disclosure process is expected to be completed by the 14^th June 2010. Also the NYDA, based on the outcome of the above processes, will institute actions against any staff found to have contravened any PFMA provisions.

QUESTION NUMBER: 1664

DATE FOR PUBLICATION: 28 MAY 2010

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 30 JUNE 2010

MRS D ROBINSON (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND EVALUATION:

Whether any (a) personnel and/or (b) documents were transferred from the National Youth Commission to the National Youth Development Agency; if not, why not; if so, (i) what are the details of the transfer process and (ii) what are the further relevant details?

NW1926E

REPLY:

(a)(i) and (ii) Yes, there are personnel who have been transferred from the National Youth Commission to the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). There are 38 employees of the former NYC, and 377 staff members of Umsobomvu Youth Fund (UYF) who were all transferred to the NYDA in accordance with the provisions of section 21 (1) (b) of the NYDA Act 54 of 2008. This section enforced the transfer in line with section 197 of the Labour Relations Act, Act no. 66 of 1995. The employees were duly advised in writing of this transfer and the nature thereof, which is, it is a transfer with the same terms and conditions they all had whilst with NYC and UYF respectively.

(b) Yes, similarly there were transfer of documents from UYF and NYC, whilst finalising and or developing new ones. Those include, but are not limited to, personnel files and accounting records. These documents are being harmonised/ standardised, and new ones will be submitted for approval to the Minister in the Presidency and the Minister of Finance as stipulated in section 16 (2) of the NYDA Act.

QUESTION NUMBER: 1665

DATE FOR PUBLICATION: 28 MAY 2010

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 30 JUNE 2010

MRS D ROBISON (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND EVALUATION AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATION:

(a) How is the Alumni Society which forms part of the National Youth Development Agency structured, (b) what is its (i) vision, (ii) mission and (iii) programme of action, (c) what are the costs of (i) establishing and (ii) maintaining this society and (d) how many staff members will the society employ?

REPLY:

(a) The Alumni Society is inherited from the former UYF. It was a useful platform used to allow beneficiaries of the products and services of the institution to plow back into their communities. For instance, people who participated in NYS, or who received vouchers and have now made it in society would be the ambassadors of the institution to encourage others to apply for the services.

(b) (i) Vision: Products and Services of the NYDA are communicated to young people through beneficiaries

(ii) Mission: is to encourage young people to apply for the products and services of the NYDA

(iii) Program of Action- to incorporate the Program into the Lobby and Advocacy Function of the NYDA and discontinue the society. The Lobby and Advocacy will use its platforms of engaging young people to communicate the products and services of the NYDA.

© Costs:

(i) Establishing: There is no cost involved in establishing the society as the participation is voluntary and it involves people who benefited from the institution. However, there is a cost is of transporting and accommodating the beneficiaries whenever a meeting is to sit. Purposes of the meetings are usually to brief the beneficiaries about the latest developments in the institution so that as they do their ambassadorial work they can move from an informed position. In the previous financial year we incurred about R50 000 at a meeting attended by about…beneficiaries.

(ii) Maintaining: There is no direct cost involved in maintaining the society. The tasks involved include maintaining and updating the database. Again, whenever meetings are to sit, there will be logistical arrangements involved to make sure that people attend the meeting.

(iii) Staff Members- there are no warm bodies which the society will employ. Currently, the work is done by staff within the Policy, Lobby and Advocacy Unit.

QUESTION NO 1666

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: TUESDAY, 29 JUNE 2010

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 28 MAY 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 15 – 2010)

Mr M S F de Freitas (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:

(1) Whether all the necessary documents relating to Autopax have been finalised and signed; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will this occur; if so, (i) when were they signed and (ii) when will full transfer take place;

(2) whether existing systems within Autopax, such as computer and payroll systems, have been taken over by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa); if not, (a) why not and (b) what is being implemented in this regard; if so,

(3) whether they have been integrated with existing systems; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1928E

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

(1) (i) and (ii)

Yes, the Sale of Business Agreement was signed with Transnet Limited. Documents for the transfer of shares to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) were also lodged with the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (CIPRO). The documents were signed on 31 March 2009 and the transfer took place on 01 April 2009.

(a) and (b) Fall away.

(2) Yes, PRASA has taken over the systems from Transnet Limited. PRASA has implemented SAP, which is an Enterprise Wide Resource Management Project- for the PRASA Group (including Divisions and Subsidiaries). The first phase of the project, which included Human Resources, Finance and Supply Chain Management, went live in April 2010, and Autopax is part of the project.

(a) and (b) Fall away.

(3) Yes, the systems are integrated through the SAP project.

QUESTION NO 1667

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: WEDNESDAY, 09 JUNE 2010

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 28 MAY 2010 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: NO 15 – 2010)

1667. Mr M S F de Freitas (DA) to ask the Minister of Transport:

(1) Whether, with regard to a certain court case (details furnished), the Road Accident Fund (RAF) settled the claim against it; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) (a) what processes, procedures and mechanisms were followed in this regard and (b) how was the final settlement negotiated? NW1929E

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

(1) The Road Accident Fund (RAF) settled the claim of Mr J W Schoss as follows:

· The total award was EUR 42 million, the details of which are set out in the table below:

· The total amount due to Mr Schoss within 28 days of the award was EUR 41,565,018.62. The RAF paid EUR 4,490,285.72 and the reinsurers paid EUR 37,074,732.90 (in terms of the reinsurance agreement). This amount of EUR 41,565,018.62 was the balance due to Mr. Schoss as the RAF made interim payments totaling EUR 434,982.00 prior to the settlement of the claim.

· The ZAR/EUR exchange rate 12.59250 was used. However, it should be noted that a different exchange rate was applicable to the interim payments.

· The RAF paid the amount due to Mr Schoss in terms of the settlement on 24 July 2008.

(2) (a) and (b)

Background to claim and process followed with regard to settlement of claim:

· Mr J W Schoss instituted a claim against the Road Accident Fund (RAF) on 08 May 2003 for damages arising out of injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle accident that occurred on 23 November 2002 in the Western Cape. Mr Schoss (the claimant) was driving a motor cycle at the time of the accident when the insured driver overtook another motor vehicle and collided head-on with the claimant's motor cycle in the claimant's lane of travel. The RAF conceded the merits of the claim on 11 May 2004 and was thus liable to pay 100% of the claimant's damages.

· At the time of the accident, Mr Schoss was a 39 year old male entrepreneur, residing in Switzerland.

· The table below provides details of the damages claimed by Mr Schoss and indicates how the claim escalated over time.

· The various amounts claimed by Mr Schoss were motivated and substantiated by expert evidence, particularly reports of Price Waterhouse Coopers, which firm had been instructed to calculate the loss of earnings of Mr Schoss and in their final report, calculated such at R4. billion.

· The RAF procures reinsurance cover for catastrophic losses. In the year that Mr Schoss was injured, the RAF had reinsurance cover for losses in excess of R50 million, subject to indexation linked to CPI. Thus, the claim was reported to the reinsurers, as was required in terms of the Reinsurance Treaty.

· The RAF estimates outstanding claims on an annual basis, and the RAF's final estimate of Mr Schoss' claim, prior to it being settled, was R477,927,670.00. This estimate was used by the reinsurers as the basis for their reserve.

· Mr. Schoss sustained the following injuries in the collision:

o Traumatic amputation of right leg above knee.

o Traumatic amputation of right arm in shoulder joint.

o Kidney failure.

o Right hemothorax.

o Head injury.

· During early 2008, the Chief Executive Officer of the RAF and the RAF's legal representative met with the reinsurers in London to discuss the claim and during this meeting, it was agreed that a settlement would be pursued, in view of the uncertainties of dispute resolution and the legal costs inherent therein.

· It was agreed with the reinsurers that the CEO of the RAF would personally meet with Mr Schoss in an endeavour to reach a reasonable settlement of his claim. The CEO met with Mr Schoss in June 2008 in Zurich and settlement negotiations were conducted over two days.

· Initially the parties were very far apart as to a settlement figure. The main reason for this was the divergent figures provided by Price Waterhouse Coopers and the RAF's expert, Ernst and Young, as to the loss of earnings of Mr Schoss. These figures differed due to different assumptions used by the experts as to Mr Schoss' earning potential if the accident had not occurred. The negotiations eventually culminated in the claim being settled, with the reinsurers furnishing the RAF's CEO with a mandate on the settlement amount.

QUESTION 1668

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28/05/2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 15 – 2010)

Dr J C Kloppers-Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

(1) Whether she or her department has any plan to stop bullying in schools; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether her department has a policy document that provides guidance to educators on how to deal with bullying in schools; if not, (a) why not, (b) when is it envisaged for such a document to be developed and (c) what guidelines are used in the absence of such a document; if so, (i) what are the relevant details and (ii) where can a copy of the document be obtained;

(3) (a) what is the role of educators in addressing this problem and (b) what (i) information and (ii) training does her department provide;

(4) whether the curriculum provides for (a) discouraging learners to participate in bullying activities, (b) informing learners of the dangers of such a culture, (c) guiding learners to develop coping strategies and (d) punishing offending learners; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case? NW1930E

(1) Bullying is an offence; a violation of a child's right to physical and psychological safety and is in direct contrast with my Department's objective to create safe, caring and child-friendly schools. In order to curb incidences of bullying in schools my Department has developed an example Code of Conduct for Learners to guide School Governing Bodies, principals and teachers to draw up their own context-specific Codes of Conduct for Learners. Section 8(4) of the SA Schools Act provides that the Code of Conduct of a school binds all learners attending a school. All learners are expected to sign a statement of commitment to the Code of Conduct. The administration of the Code of Conduct is the responsibility of the Disciplinary Committee of the School.

(2)(i) The examplar Code of Conduct for Learners addresses inappropriate learner behaviour, such as bullying, and describes the disciplinary system to be implemented by the school concerning transgressions by learners. The Code of Conduct applies to all learners while they are on the school premises or when they are away from the school representing it or attending a school function. Schools are therefore responsible to provide an environment for the delivery of quality teaching and learning by promoting the rights and safety of all learners, teachers and parents; ensuring learners' responsibility for their own actions and behaviours; prohibiting all forms of unfair discrimination and intolerance and eliminating disruptive and offensive conduct.

Furthermore my Department has implemented the Hlayiseka Early Warning System, which serves as a tool for SGBs, principals, teachers, learners and parents to identify and manage risks and threats of violence. The key pillars of this system include the development and integration of physical, reactive and proactive systems to ensure safe and healthy schools. A learner survey form is provided to identify incidences of bullying, the immediate impact thereof and coping strategies applied by learners to put an end to bullying. The survey on bullying provides schools with an indication of the prevalence thereof amongst learners and to develop intervention strategies to combat bullying.

In March 2010 my department has trained nine schools, which are part of a Ministerial pilot project, on Positive Discipline and Classroom Management. The programme not only focuses on the notion of disciplining learners but also includes issues such as accepting responsibility for their behaviour, respect the rights of others, solving of problems through negotiation, making choices and decisions that will benefit themselves or that are in the best interest of others. It is envisaged that provinces will roll out this programme to schools.

(2)(ii) The Code of Conduct has been distributed to all provinces for further distribution and implementation to schools. An electronic copy of the Code of Conduct has been uploaded on the Departmental website. Hard copies are available in provincial and district offices within the units responsible for School Safety. Provinces have since 2007 rolled out and implemented the Hlayiseka Early Warning System to identified schools.

(3)(a) The Code of Conduct includes a list offences that learners should not commit and has graded these according to degree and intensity. The list is coupled with corresponding corrective sanctions. The role of educators is to ensure that for every offence a learner commits, a corresponding corrective sanction is carried out with that particular learner.

(b) In terms of bullying or any other inappropriate behaviour by learners, schools take the responsibility to deal with it in terms of the Code of Conduct for Learners. Either district or provincial education officials support schools in terms of information and training programme.

4(a) Life Orientation as a compulsory learning area addresses through the teaching of life skills all behaviour that infringes upon the dignity and well-being of others in a comprehensive way. This focuses on both potential victim and perpetrator

(b)and(c) It is through the teaching of Life Skills and transfer of knowledge that learners are informed and empowered to develop the necessary coping mechanisms and strategies to deal with behaviour that infringes on their rights and well-being.

(d) Disciplinary measures against bulling are executed in terms of the Code of Conduct for Learners.

QUESTION 1669

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 28 May 2010

Internal question paper no:

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

(1) (a) What amount was spent by her department and/or the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) on investigations conducted by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), (b) how many investigations were conducted by the SIU on behalf of SASSA (i) in the (aa) 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 and (c) how many of these investigations involved employees working for SASSA;

(2) what were the outcomes of internal investigations on employees working at SASSA;

(3) whether any SASSA official has been convicted of defrauding the agency (a) in the (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (iii) 2009-10 financial years and (b) during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case? NW1931E

REPLY:

(1) (a) A total amount of R207,9 million was spent by SASSA on investigations conducted by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) since April 2006. SASSA signed a Service Level Agreement with the SIU at a fixed monthly cost p to provide investigative capacity on social grants and procurement processes,

(b) A total of 39,282 investigations were conducted as follows:

(i) (aa) 2007-08 = 13, 595,

(bb) 2008-09 = 13,813

(cc) 2009-10 = 11,874

(ii) Report on investigations not yet finalized for the month of April 2010.

(c) The number of fraud investigations involving SASSA officials are as follows:

· 2007-08 = 25 cases

· 2008-09 = 36 cases

· 2009-10 = 29 cases

The above officials were found to be receiving social grants illegally. The cases were brought before the courts but have not yet been finalised.

2) The outcomes of internal investigations conducted by the SASSA Labour Relations Unit on employees working at SASSA are set out in the table below:

(3) Yes, refer to the details as follows:

Source: South African Social Security Agency

Question 1670.

Mr E J Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:

Whether any SA Air Force aircrafts were utilised after her budget speech in May 2010; if not, why not; if so, (a) what types of aircraft were utilised, (b) what was the reason in each case, (c) what was the cost in each case and (d) what are the details of the (i) departure and (ii) arrival destination in each case? NW1932E

Reply

The South African Air Force is exactly that, an Air Force. Its core business is to fly aircraft. They have done this before my budget speech, they have done this after my budget speech and will continue doing so as long as we have a Defence Force. The Air Force's responsibilities have nothing to do with my budget speech.

QUESTION NO 1671

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28 MAY 2010

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 15- 2010)

Date reply submitted: 14 June 2010

1671. Dr H C van Schalkwyk (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

(1) Whether people can be assisted in Afrikaans at any time at any police station in the Northern Cape; if not, (a) why not, (b) what is being done to provide such a service and (c) what are the (i) details and (ii) locations of the stations where individuals cannot be assisted in Afrikaans; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether any cases were removed from the court roll as a result of incorrect information taken down by SA Police Service officers who were not able to communicate in Afrikaans in the Northern Cape; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how many in the (i) 2005-06, (ii) 2006-07, (iii) 2007-08, (iv) 2008-09 and (v) 2009-10 financial years and (b) what are the further relevant details?

NW1933E

REPLY:

(1)(a) Not Applicable.

(1)(b) Members in the CSC are divided into both Afrikaans and English speaking members to ensure that members of the public are assisted in the language of their choice. Afrikaans speaking members are placed with English members on the vehicles to assist the community members in Afrikaans.

Complainants are given the opportunity after their statements were taken, to read through their statement and if satisfied, to sign it.

(1)(c) Not Applicable.

(2) None.

QUESTION NO: 1672

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 15 OF 28 May 2010

Mrs M Wenger (DA) to ask the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional

Affairs:

Whether any consultation took place between him and/or his department and each

municipality prior to the increase of allowances of Ward Committee Members; if

not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1934E

Reply

Yes, the draft framework on out of pocket expenses for ward committees was

distributed to all municipalities, South African Local Government Association and

provincial MECs for commenting,

QUESTION NO: 1673

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 15 OF 28 May 2010

Mrs M Wenger (DA) to ask the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional

Affairs:

(1) Whether any (a) municipal manager, (b) mayor, (c) mayoral committee member was under suspension as at 30 April 2010; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so (i) how many, (ii) in which municipalities and (iii) what are the reasons in each case;

(2) Whether each of these person's is suspended without pay; if not, why not in each case; if so, (a) what are the reasons and (b) what action is being taken to rectify the situation in each case? NW1935E

Reply

(1) (a) Municipal Managers

North West

Madibeng Municipality

Tswaing Municipality

Mafikeng MunicipaJity

Taung Municipality

Gauteng

Kungwini Municipality

Nokeng Tsa Taemane Municipality

Eastern Cape

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality

KouKamma Local Municipality

(b) and (c) no mayor or member of mayoral committee is suspended;

(2) All municipal managers are suspended with full pay.

QUESTION NUMBER 1674

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28 May 2010

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 15 OF 2010

Date reply submitted: 13 August 2010

1674. Mrs P C Duncan (DA) to ask the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities:

(1) Whether any mechanisms were put in place to determine the success of the communication initiatives adopted to promote the communication programmes and projects of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE); if not, why not; if so, what mechanisms;

(2) Whether these projects were promoted in the (a) rural and (b) urban areas; if not, why not; if so, (i) how, (ii) what are the (aa) names and (bb) locations of the areas in which these projects were promoted, (iii) when did the promotion of each project within each area (aaa) commence and (bbb) end and (iv) what costs were incurred in promoting the CGE's projects within each of these areas? NW1936E

REPLY

(1) The Commission has a draft media strategy which is used to guide interaction with the media, both print and electronic (visual). The media interaction is done through the medium of press releases, rights to reply, opinion pieces, advertorials and interviews on radio stations. The media interventions are used to profile the Commission as well as to promote, advocate and advance gender related matters.

(2) The Community radio station listeners are both in urban and rural areas. The interviews and radio slots that allowed a platform for the Commission to share its work were done without financial costs. Radio interviews were all conducted telephonically.

The following are the radio stations where interviews were conducted and where information on the CGE and its work was shared: see attached

Munghana Lonene FM; Metro FM ;Phala Phala FM; Ligwalagwala FM; Umhlobo Wenene FM; Ikwekwezi FM; Thobela FM- Limpopo area; Jacaranda FM; Radio 2000; Radio 702; Classic FM; Lesedi FM; Motsweding FM; Ukhozi FM; Thru FM; Cape Talk 567 ; SAFM; SABC News.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO.: 1675

DATE OF QUESTION: 28 MAY 2010

1675. Mrs N W A Michael (DA) to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:

Whether, in light of the recommendation by the Auditor-General, (a) a complete asset register has been compiled, (b) all lease contracts have been located and (c) a designated person has been allocated to administer the asset register; if not, (i) why not, and (ii) when is it envisaged to be done; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW1937E

(a) I would like to inform the Honourable Member that following the recommendation by the Auditor-General, a complete asset register has now been compiled by my Department.

My Department has embarked on an asset turnaround project that was finalised during the previous financial year as well as instituted various processes to maintain the asset register on an ongoing basis. A "GAP Analysis" was performed to identify shortcomings in asset management and consultants were appointed to independently verify all assets within the Department. The results of this verification process were compared to the actual assets on the formal asset register and major changes were effected to ensure that all assets appear on the asset register and that their value reconciles with the value in the financial statements.

In addition, the following measures with respect to asset management have been implemented throughout the Department:-

• Quarterly asset verifications are performed to ensure that all assets appear on the asset register and that locations are updated so it can easily be verified by another person;
• The National Office performs spot checks on these asset verifications to ensure it was correctly and completely carried out;
• All asset controllers were re-appointed to ensure they are aware of various new policies and processes in order for them to complete accurate and complete quarterly asset verifications;
• More emphasis will be placed on asset custodians to ensure that they do not allow any movement of assets without updating the asset register first and completing the correct documents; and
• Monthly reconciliations are performed between the financial system (BAS) and the procurement/asset system (JYP) to ensure that all acquisitions are accounted for in the asset register.

I would further like to impress upon the Honourable Member that the preliminary external audit findings noted the improvements made but also pointed to some errors that are still occurring, which relate to non-compliance in asset administration, for which disciplinary action will be instituted against any identified official.

(b) Not all lease contracts were located in the special exercise conducted for this purpose. However, I would like to inform the Honourable Member that alternative arrangements were made with the original equipment suppliers to provide copies and/or confirmations of the terms of leased assets with missing contracts. This exercise has now been completed.

(c) Yes, a designated person has been allocated to administer the asset register within my Department.