Question & Replies No 1901 to 1950

2008-12-02

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[PMG note: Any gaps in the numbering are due to the replies not being provided yet]

QUESTION 1901

WRITTEN REPLY

DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2008

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO.: 33-2008

MR R COETZEE (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE

1. Whether his department has a responsibility to monitor bulk fuel storage facilities in terms of the National Key Points Act, Act 102 of 1980; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how often was the tank farm in the Port Elizabeth harbor inspected in each of the past ten years and (b) what were the findings in respect of each inspection;

2. whether any directives were issued; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what was the nature of the directive;

3. whether there is any risk to the public because of its proximity to the central business district and surrounding residential and business areas; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

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REPLY

This question is substantially similar to the one posed by the Hon. E W Trent, Question 1863, which I answered on 20 November 2008.

QUESTION NO. 1902 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 33 of 2008

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 November 2008

Mr S J Loe (DA) to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism:

Whether all sections of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act No. 39 of 2004) are in effect; if not, (a) what sections are not yet in effect, (b) why and (c) when will the entire Act become effective?

NW2698E

MR S J LOE (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

1902. THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM ANSWERS:

No.

(a) Sections 21, 22, 36 to 49, 51(1)(e), 51(1)(f), 51(3), 60 and 61.

(b) These sections relate to the licensing of "listed activities". I decided to delay the entry into effect of these sections until such time that I am satisfied that the new licensing authorities, that is, Metropolitan and District Municipalities have the capacity to carry out the licensing function efficiently and effectively.

QUESTION NO.: 1903

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 NOVEMBER 2008

Mr R Coetzee (DA) to ask the Minister for Public Enterprises:

(a) How many tons of manganese ore were transported by Spoornet from the Northern Cape mines to the Port Elizabeth harbour and (b) what was the total revenue generated by Spoornet from 1 January 2008 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (c) how many tons of manganese ore is currently stockpiled in the Port Elizabeth harbour?

NW2699E

REPLY

(a) For the period 1 January 2008 to 23 November 2008, Transnet Freight Rail (former Spoornet) railed approximately 3,365 728 tons of manganese from the Northern Cape mines to the Port of Port Elizabeth.

(b) The total revenue generated by Transnet Freight Rail will be made public in 2008/09 Transnet Annual Reports that will be tabled in Parliament in 2009. The exact revenue generated for manganese is commercially sensitive given that different tariffs are charged for different products in a competitive market.

QUESTION NUMBER 1904

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 NOVEMBER 2008 DUE TO PARLIAMENT: 12 DECEMBER 2008

Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Finance:

With reference to his reply to Question 47 on 8 February 2008, (a) why was the Public Finance Management Bill not tabled, (b) who was consulted and (c) what are the relevant details in respect of strengthening the accountability of departments and public entities to Parliament? NW2700E

REPLY:

(a) Whilst the Bill was submitted into the Cabinet process on 16 April 2008, Cabinet approval for its submission to Parliament was only granted on 28 May 2008 whereafter the Bill was submitted to the State Law Advisor for certification. Given the volume of work undertaken on the Bill, it was therefore not possible for the State Law Advisor to certify the Bill prior to the tabling date of 2 June 2008, which was prescribed by the Speaker.

In addition, the Bill includes parts that must follow the legislative process set out in section 76 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, that require each provincial legislature to consider the Bill. At the time, it was clear that this process would not be concluded during this parliamentary term.

In light of the above, I decided not to table the Bill in Parliament during 2008. It is, however, anticipated that the Bill will be tabled in Parliament during the latter part of 2009.

(b) In compiling the Bill that was approved by Cabinet, the National Treasury consulted extensively within Government by inviting comments from all national departments, constitutional institutions, public entities and provincial treasuries.

(c)With regard to strengthening the accountability of departments and public entities to Parliament, the Bill includes, amongst others, provisions that require departments and public entities to implement proper strategic planning processes and to prepare annual performance plans containing details of material changes in policy and performance targets for each of the performance indicators specified in their strategic plans. Institutions are also required to report regularly on their performance against these plans. In addition, these institutions are required to table these plans in the legislature, thereby strengthening the legislature's oversight over these institutions.

QUESTION No. 1905

Mr S J Masango (DA) to ask the Minister of Housing:

(1) Whether, with reference to her reply to oral Question 102 on 12 March 2008, the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality and the Eastern Cape Provincial Housing Department has provided her with the relevant information; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply

(1) Yes. Funding for the work was approved by the Council, tender documents were prepared, and the tender process was followed. The site was handed over to the successful contractor on 21 November 2008. Although the contractor managed to be on site with all the necessary equipment, he failed to comply with Occupation and Health Safety Regulations. The contractor is currently in the process of putting the necessary procedures and processes in place to ensure compliance with the relevant regulations and will commence with actual repairs by the middle of January 2009.

QUESTION 1906

WRITTEN REPLY

DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2008

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO.: 33-2008

MR J J M STEPHENS (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE

1. Whether National Industrial Participation (NIP) and Defence Industrial Participation (DIP) programmes have always been a consideration when purchasing Defence Force equipment from (a) foreign and (b) domestic companies; if not, when was this concept first introduced in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case;

2. whether it is in accordance with established procurement procedures; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

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REPLY

1. All the DIP and NIP contracts were signed during the first half of the year 2000 after the preferred bidders submitted the necessary business plans. The total DIP portfolio administered by Armscor as at 31 March 2008 (audited figures) equates R20 465 billion of which credits are to the value of R18 294 billion have been awarded. Importantly, the DIP and NIP apply to both foreign and domestic companies where the foreign or imported content of the goods to be supplied exceed the industrial participation of USD2 million for the DIP and USD10 million for the NIP.

In as far as the NIP is concerned the Department of Defence does not have statistics on this – because the portfolio is monitored by the Department of Trade and Industry. The Honourable Member must therefore pose this question to the relevant department.

2. Yes. The DIP and NIP requirements are applicable when the industrial participation threshold is exceeded on all defence acquisition programmes of category 1 material

QUESTION 1907

WRITTEN REPLY

DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2008

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO.: 33-2008

MR J J M STEPHENS (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE

Whether any (a) discussions took place or (b) agreements have been concluded with a certain company (details furnished) to purchase amphibious vessels instead of a fifth corvette; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

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REPLY

No discussions were entered into by the Department of Defence (DoD). A formal decision has yet to be reached regarding the exact nature of the platform required to meet the SANDF's capability requirement. No agreements were concluded on whether there should be a purchase of an amphibious vessel instead of a fifth frigate.

QUESTION NO. 1908

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 33 of 2008

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 November 2008

Mr I F Julies (DA) to ask the Minister of Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism:

Whether his department has drawn up a plan to alleviate poverty within the abalone community; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW2707E

MR I F JULIES (DA)SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

1908. THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM ANSWERS:

The Department is engaged with right holders regarding possible interventions for the indigent involving a number of relevant government departments.

QUESTION 1909

WRITTEN REPLY

DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2008

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO.: 33-2008

MOULANA M R SAYEDALI SHAH (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE

1. (a) Who organized the demonstration by members of the SA National Defence Force outside Luthuli House on 15 October 2008, (b) how many soldiers participated, (c) from which units or battalions were these soldiers and (d) what were their grievances;

2. whether any of the soldiers were members of other military unions; if so, which unions;

3. whether any disciplinary action has been taken against the soldiers; if not, why not; if so, what disciplinary action;

4. whether the soldiers had made any prior attempts to lodge their grievances through the correct channels; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

5. whether these grievances have been dealt with since the demonstration; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

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REPLY

1. (a) The Department of Defence (DoD) does not know who organized the march.

(b) It is not known to the DoD.

(d) The DoD is not aware of any grievances they might have had.

2. The DoD does not know.

3. No.

4. No.

5. The grievances are unknown to the DoD

QUESTION NO 1910

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 NOVEMBER 2008

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 33/2008)

Date reply submitted: 12 December 2008

Ms D Kohler-Barnard (DA) to ask the Minister of Safety and Security:

(1) Whether a certain person (name furnished) has visited the SA Police Service's headquarters while on a leave of absence as National Police Commissioner; if so, (a) when and (b) what were the reasons for his visits;

(2) whether the said person has been consulted on matters relating to police activities since he has been on leave; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether he has performed any functions in an official or non-official capacity for the SAPS since he has taken leave of absence; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW2709E

REPLY:

(1) No, the National Commissioner is not under surveillance, therefore this information is not available from the SAPS records and we cannot respond to this question. It is worth mentioning that the President of the Republic of South Africa did not put any restrictions on the day-to-day movements of the National Commissioner while he is on leave of absence. The National Commissioner shall, therefore, have the freedom of association as provided for in the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

(2) No, acting National Commissioner Timothy Williams, who was appointed by the President of the Republic of South Africa, is the authority to be consulted on matters related to the functioning of the South African Police Service. The President of the Republic of South Africa did not put any limitations on whom he may or may not consult with while carrying out his mandate to manage the Service.

(3) No, as the National Commissioner was put on leave of absence by the President of the Republic of South Africa, he is not expected to perform official duties.

QUESTION NO 1911

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 NOVEMBER 2008

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 33/2008)

Date reply submitted: 12 December 2008

Ms D Kohler-Barnard (DA) to ask the Minister of Safety and Security:

(1) Whether (a) the Divisional Commissioner of Legal Services is a member of the Polmed Board of Trustees, (b) the said commissioner submitted a request that Polmed cover the costs of cosmetic surgery and (c) Polmed refused this request; if so, what are the relevant details in each case;

(2) whether the Polmed employee who refused the request was charged (a) departmentally and (b) with defamation by the commissioner (details furnished); if not, what does the case number (details furnished) refer to; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether the above alleged action by the commissioner has since resulted in a claim for approximately R20 million in damages instituted against Polmed; if so, what is the (a) nature and (b) status of this damages claim?

NW2710E

REPLY:

(1) (a) The Divisional Commissioner: Legal Services was a trustee of Polmed, but her term of office ended in 2008 and she is no longer a trustee.

(b)-(c) Polmed is an independent legal entity separate from the South African Police Service. Members submit their claims for medical expenses directly to Polmed and not via the South African Police Service. The South African Police Service can therefore not respond to questions in respect of any alleged claims that the Divisional Commissioner may have submitted to Polmed and with regard to the outcome of any such claims. Claims for medical expenditure is a private matter between the member of Polmed and Polmed as Medical Scheme.

(2) (a) Polmed is an independent legal entity separate from the South African Police Service. The South African Police Service can therefore not respond to questions relating to any action that may have been taken by Polmed in respect of any of its personnel.

(2)(b) and (3) Any civil claim instituted by a member of the South African Police Service in his or her private capacity against any independent institution, is a private matter between the said member and the institution concerned and the South African Police Service is not involved therein. The South African Police Service can therefore not respond to these questions.

QUESTION NO 1912

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 NOVEMBER 2008

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 33/2008)

Date reply submitted: 12 December 2008

Ms D Kohler-Barnard (DA) to ask the Minister of Safety and Security:

(1) Whether certain persons (details furnished) are employed in his department's Legal Services division; if so, (i) what are their names, (ii) what posts do they hold and (iii) what qualifications do they have;

(2) whether there are any other staff members employed in this department that are related by blood, marriage or intimate relationship to the Divisional Commissioner of Legal Services; if so, (a) how many, (b) what (i) posts and (ii) responsibilities do they hold and (c) what qualifications do they have?

NW2711E

REPLY:

(1)+(2)No, the Department is not able to respond to a vague question without the specific personal particulars of employees alleged to be related to the Divisional Commissioner: Legal Services by blood or by marriage or by intimate relationship.

The application forms for recruitment, selection and appointment used by the South African Police Service and Government do not provide for the capturing of information relevant to the allegations made.

It is administratively impossible for the Department to subject all employees within the Legal Services environment of the South African Police Service to a process aimed at extracting information on whether they are related to the Divisional Commissioner of Legal Services by blood, marriage or intimate relationship. Such an exercise will be counterproductive and is certainly not in the interest of service delivery.

QUESTION NO. 1919

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 33 of 2008

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 November 2008

Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism:

(a) What is the status of the complaint lodged with the Environmental Management Inspectorate concerning a certain person (name furnished) allegedly having worked to undermine the success of the Conservation Stewardship programme conducted by the Endangered Wildlife Trust and Conservation International to promote biodiversity conservation in the Pondoland Centre of Endemism, (b) on what date was an investigator assigned to this complaint and (c) when is an outcome from the investigation expected?

NW2719E

MR G R MORGAN (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

1919. THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM ANSWERS:

(a) The complainant was informed that these types of alleged criminal conduct falls beyond the mandate of the national Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. The responsibility to conduct investigations of alleged criminal conduct falls within the jurisdiction of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

(b) Falls away.

Question 1923

Mr L B Labuschagne (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

Whether, with reference to the Minister of Minerals and Energy's statement on 25 January 2008 in response to load shedding that he would proclaim that the hospitality industry convert all water heating to solar power, any progress had been made in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?NW2723E

Response:

The Minister of Trade and Industry does not have the mandate to proclaim that the hospitality industry should use solar power for water heating purposes. The department does however have the mandate to regulate new buildings that are developed in South Africa in terms of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act of 1977.

In order to assist with the development of regulations for energy efficiency in buildings the dti through, the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), published a voluntary standard, SANS 204, earlier this year which deals with energy efficiency standards for buildings. The standard outlines energy efficiency requirements for water heating. The SABS also hosted four seminars this year with project developers and designers to raise awareness on the standard.

This standard or parts of the standard will become compulsory for all new buildings developed in South Africa, including new buildings for the hospitality industry when it is included in the National Building Regulations.

Question 1926

Mr J J M Stephens (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

(1) (a) What is the current status of certain projects (details furnished), (b) how many of these projects have come to fruition fully, (c) which projects have subsequently been abandoned or substituted and (d)(i) how many offset credits were awarded to a certain company (name furnished) in fulfilment of its National Industrial Participation (NIP) obligations with regard to each of the said projects and (ii) how was this calculated;

(2) Whether the said company is claiming the export revenue from any of these companies as an offset credit; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) for which companies are such claims being made, (b) how much of the export revenue is being claimed as an offset credit and (c) what is the extent of the said company's investment in these companies?NW2726E

Response:

The table referred to in this question is regarded as outdated. It has subsequently been amended to include additional and substitute projects.

To date BAES has implemented approximately 40 projects and have been awarded in excess of USD 5 billion in credits. The NIPP annual report which is due to be published soon, will give an update on the status of these projects. Credits awarded to date exceed the required milestones which were due in the years 2005 and 2007 and BAES is on track to meet its third and final milestone well before the allocated time.

Projects withdrawn from the list include Electrolux, Air Fuel Systems and the Gold beneficiation project. These have been substituted with projects of equal value. Substituted projects are looked at holistically and are not replaced like for like.

Some of the more significant projects implemented include Ferrochrome beneficiation, investment into Denel Aerostructures and the production of dental prosthesis (Gemco).

QUESTION 1929 FOR WRITTEN REPLY: MS A M DREYER (DA): POLICY PROVIDING GUIDELINES FOR THE OPENING AND CLOSING TIMES OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES IN CAPE TOWN AND ITS ACCESSIBILITY TO THE PUBLIC

"1929. Ms A M DREYER (DA) to ask the Minister of Arts & Culture:

(1) Whether there is a policy providing guidelines for the opening and closing times of the National Archives in Cape Town and its accessibility to the public; if not, why not; if so,

(2) Whether he will make it available; if not, why not; if so when;

(3) What is the practice regarding closing this facility randomly and at short notice so that staff can attend events such as sports days;

(4) Whether there is a policy regarding the use of digital cameras by researchers at this facility; if not, why not; if so,

(5) Whether this policy is in line with the practice of allowing the use of digital cameras at other archives in South Africa; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?"

NW2730E

REPLY:

(1) No. In terms of Schedule 5 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) "Archives other than national archives" are part of the functional areas of exclusive provincial legislative competence. In terms of the constitution, the archival function including control and management of the Cape Town Archives Repository was transferred to the Western Cape Province on 1 April 2006 (after the province promulgated its own provincial archival legislation).

(2) Falls away;

(3) Falls away;

(4) Falls away;

(5) Falls away.

QUESTION 1930

WRITTEN REPLY

DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2008

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO.: 33-2008

ADV H C SCHMIDT (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE

1. Whether, following the recent shooting incident in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as reported in the media during which one member of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) was killed and one was wounded, members of the SANDF who are deployed in the DRC are compelled to wear bullet-proof vests / jackets during active deployment in terms of (a) South African, (b) United Nations and/or (c) African Union (i) regulations, (ii) standards and/or (iii) standing orders; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

2. Whether the members involved in the shooting incident were wearing their bullet-proof vests / jackets; if not, why not?

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REPLY

1. The recent shooting incident reported on in the media related to a shooting incident that took place in Sudan, near the town of Kutum, and not in the DRC.

(a) All members wear personal protection accouterments (bullet-proof vests / jackets and helmets) when on active duty.

(b) Same as above.

2. It has been reported that members guarding the water-point at the time of the shooting incidents were not wearing the prescribed personal accouterments

QUESTION 1933

1933. Mr K J Minnie (DA) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and Administration:

(1) Whether the cost-benefit analysis of the single public service has been completed; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will it be completed; if so,

(2) Whether his department will make this cost-benefit analysis available to the public; if not, why not; if so, when? NW2737E

REPLY

(1) The dpsa appointed a service provider to conduct the cost-benefit analysis regarding the potential alignment of remuneration and conditions of service between the Public Service and municipalities. The analysis has been completed, and the findings and recommendations emanating from the analysis informed the development of a draft remuneration policy framework for the Single Public Service (SPS).

(2) The cost-benefit analysis was an internal exercise to develop options (scenarios) to inform the future remuneration policy framework for the SPS. The draft remuneration policy framework needs to be consulted with the stakeholder community. Relevant elements of the cost-benefit analysis will be made available as part of the consultation process.

QUESTION NO. 1935

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 33 of 2008

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 November 2008

Mr A C Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism:

(1) Whether his department will consider mandating that all glass bottles are refundable in order to ensure that empty bottles have an economic value; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether there are current national regulations regarding the recovery and recycling of glass; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2739E

1935. THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM ANSWERS:

(1) The National Environmental Management: Waste Bill, 2007 [B39 – 2007], as passed by Parliament and sent to President for assent and signature in October 2008, gives the Minister powers to make regulations regarding "measures that must be taken in respect of the implementation of waste minimisation, including the separation of waste at the point of generation and setting of targets or percentage of products that must be recovered under a re-use, recycling, refundable deposit or take-back programme".The Minister may at his discretion use the power mentioned above with regards to any waste stream.

(2) There are no current regulations regarding the recovery and recycling of glass. The Department has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Glass Recyclers Association of South Africa. The objective of the Memorandum of Understanding is to establish a Glass Recycling Company that is responsible for promoting reuse and recycling of glass in South Africa. The target for Glass Recyclers Association is 51% of glass recovered for 2010/2011 for recycling.

QUESTION NO. 1936 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 33 of 2008

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 November 2008

Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism:

(1) (a) What spheres of government are responsible for regulating the effects of pesticides on (i) air quality and (ii) biodiversity and (b) what (i) legislation and (ii) regulations are relevant in this regard;

(2) whether his department has engaged with other relevant spheres of government to ensure that the effects of pesticides on (a) air quality and (b) biodiversity are managed correctly; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case;

(3) whether there are any specific pesticides that his department is seeking to have banned; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2740E

MR G R MORGAN (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

1936. THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM ANSWERS:

(1)(a) The national and provincial departments of agriculture are responsible for all aspects of pesticide management including (i) air quality and (ii) biodiversity safeguards;

(1)(b) Although detailed information on pesticide legislation and regulations is available from the Department of Agriculture, the following two principle Acts have relevance: (i) the Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act No. 36 of 1983); and (ii) the Fertilisers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act No. 36 of 1947).

(2) The National Committee for Chemicals Management deals with, among others, interdepartmental coordination and cooperation in respect of pesticides, pesticide use and impact management. Both the departments of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and Agriculture are members of this committee, as are Water Affairs and Forestry, Labour and Trade and Industry. The Committee meets quarterly and also involves the chemicals industry (through the Chemicals and Allied Industry Association (CAIA)), the veterinary products industry (AFCASA), and research bodies such as the Water Research Commission (WRC).

(3) With respect to possible new pesticide controls, the National Committee for Chemicals Management is currently monitoring developments relating to the review of pesticides controlled under two international conventions, namely the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Procedures for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade.

QUESTION NO. 1937

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 33 of 2008

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 November 2008

Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism:

(1) (a) Why was the former chief financial officer (CFO) (name furnished) of the SA National Botanical Institute (SANBI) fired, (b) on what date was he fired and (c) what were the costs to SANBI of fighting the former CFO at the CCMA;

(2) whether there was any material deterioration in the state of SANBI's account keeping after the former CFO was fired; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) what (a) was the outcome of the 2007-08 Auditor-General's report on SANBI and (b) were the matters of emphasis in the report? NW2742E

MR G R MORGAN (DA)SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

1937. THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM ANSWERS:

(1) (a) Mr Sunjit Singh, the former CFO of SANBI was dismissed because of verbal abuse, divisive behaviour and intimidation of subordinate staff as well as financial mismanagement,

(b) 1^st April 2008, and

(2) No. SANBI's accounts are to date in order and regular reporting on its financial management is still on track.

(3) (a) The Auditor-General gave SANBI an unqualified audit for 2007/2008.

(b) None.

QUESTION NO: 1939

DATE PUBLISHED: 05 September 2008

DATE SUBMITTED: 12 December 2008

Mrs J A Semple (DA) to ask the Deputy President:

(1) Whether the Presidency has set up any project team with other departments regarding the Apex priority 8: War Against Poverty; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will it be set up; if so, which stakeholders are members of this team;

(2) whether any template for the assessment of households has been prepared; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will it be prepared; if so, what criteria is used by this template to assess households;

(3) whether the country has been divided into sections for management purposes; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will this take place; if so, how has it been divided;

(4) whether any of these households have received any assistance/interventions from the Government since being identified; if not, why not; if so, what assistance/interventions;

(5) whether any stakeholders such as business or non-governmental organisations have contributed to these interventions; if not, why not; if so, (a) which stakeholders and (b) what have they contributed? NW2745E

REPLY:

(1) Yes, The Presidency has set up a project team to coordinate the War Against Poverty.

There is an inter-departmental and provincial task team comprising all government departments, all the Provinces and representatives from other state agencies such as the Public Service Commission, Statistics South Africa, Development Bank of South Africa, National Development Agency, Independent Development Trust, Umsobomvu Youth Fund,Industrial Development Corporation and South African Social Security Agency.

(2) Yes, there is a template prepared for the assessment of households. The preparation of this

had various stages:

It is based on the Statistics South Africa Multiple Deprivation Index; and the Municipalities/Wards with the highest concentration of poor households in each province are selected and visited by the Provincial War Rooms.

The Provincial War Room profiles the households in these poorest areas to ascertain their level of poverty using a template which entails the following information – demographics, access to basic services, household income, livelihood strategies, food security issues, social capital and other household challenges.

Based on the profile a summary is prepared which gives a full picture of the state of deprivation in each household and also which begins to identify the interventions that are needed in each household and by each individual in these households.

(3) Yes this was done.

Every province has had its municipal wards divided into ten sections. The first section represents the most deprived municipal wards in the province, while the tenth section represents the least deprived municipal wards of the province. The intention is to advise provinces to prioritise poor households in rendering services.

(4) Yes, households visited have received assistance.

There are 3 levels of interventions: immediate, medium-term and long-term interventions. Many households have received and continue to receive the immediate interventions. These include assistance with obtaining birth, death and marriage certificates; food parcels for three months; child, pension, foster and disability grants; seeds, fertilizer, wheel-barrows and implements; and interventions regarding rehabilitation of people suffering from substance abuse; health care attention; and so on. The medium- to long-term interventions are also initiated such as providing assistance for enrolment of school-going children; enrolment of children of less than 6 years in early child development centres; addressing the abuse of social grants; assistance in accessing employment opportunities; and financial aid to young people to further their studies at technical and tertiary levels.

Furthermore we have a follow up (monitoring) mechanism. The Community Development Workers visit these households often (at least weekly) to check on progress and provide further support and assistance in accessing government services. The Provincial War Room also checks on these households. Three to four weeks after the launch of the campaign in the Province, the National War Room follows up to check if the immediate interventions are being met, the turn-around time and satisfaction on the part of households and individuals. In instances where there are still challenges, the National War Room intervenes and follows up with the Province and/or Municipality or other relevant agencies to ensure delivery.

(5) Yes, there are contributing stakeholders other than line government departments. These include companies like Pick n Pay and Woolworths. Contributions range from food hampers to Gel Stoves (in KwaZulu-Natal). Market access is however the biggest contribution we expect from the private sector. It is encouraging therefore to note the work of Score Supermarket which is now working with communities in areas like Mbashe in the Eastern Cape to facilitate market access for their agricultural products.

Public entities like Umsobomvu Youth Fund have contributed by training young volunteers who assist in the door-to-door work. They are also formulating youth empowerment programmes in the areas identified.

QUESTION NO. 1940INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 33 of 2008

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 November 2008

Moulana M R Sayedali-Shah (DA) to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism:

Whether crew members are searched by Marine and Coastal Management officials for alcohol and drugs before they board commercial fishing vessels; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW2746E

MOULANA M R SAYEDALI-SHAH (DA)SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

1940. THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM ANSWERS:

No. Marine & Coastal Management officials do not have powers to search or test private persons boarding private commercial fishing vessels for alcohol and drugs. This mandate is vested in the South Africa Police Border Service.

QUESTION NO. 1942

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 NOVEMBER 2008

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 33)

Mrs S V Kalyan (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

(1) Whether the antiretroviral drugs etravirine and atripla are registered for use; if so, when was each drug registered; if not,

(2) whether an application has been made to the Medicines Control Council to have these drugs registered; if so, (a) when and (b) what progress has thus far been made in processing this application?

NW2748E

REPLY:

(1) No, Etravirine and Atripla are not registered.

(2) Etravirine - no application for registration yet on record.

Atripla - application for registration has been made to the MCC:

(a) January 2008

(b) Name and Scheduling status finalised; Pharmaceutical & Analytical evaluation done; Clinical evaluation awaited.

QUESTION 1944
WRITTEN REPLY 24 NOVEMBER 2008

MR JP I BLANCHE (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS

1. What steps is his department taking to turn around the decay of military bases and state assets such as (a) Marievale in Gauteng (b) Arton Villa in Limpopo, (c) SAWCOL in George and (d) any other such assets;

2. Whether his department has received any proposals to upgrade state villages like Marievale and utilise them as training colleges; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? (NW2750E)

REPLY:

1.
a) The Department conducted a site inspection to Marievale Military Base in August 2006 and found out that the facility was partially utilised and in a poor condition. This was brought to the attention of Department of Defence (DOD) and a request was made to revert the property back to DPW. In response to DPW's request, DOD indicated that the property is still required as a result; it cannot be handed back to DPW.
The Department visited the military base on 21st October 2008 at the request of Itireleng Marievale Consortium that found out about the cable theft and vandalism of some unoccupied buildings in the military base. After visiting the base, the department contacted Department of Defence (DOD) requesting handing back of the asset as the facility is not fully utilised by DOD and the DOD responded as follows:
I. DOD has identified the Marievale military base for use by the Engineering Formation as part of DOD Vision 2020 Strategy of providing peace keeping services in the African Continent.
II. After DOD visited the Marievale Military Base on 21/10/2008, DOD indicated that the matter will be presented to the Defence Council for decision making and the outcome will be communicated immediately to DPW. The response from the Defence is still awaited.
(b) The Farm in which this property is situated has been released in 2006 by Minister of Public Works to the Limpopo Department of Agriculture for Land redistribution.
(c) This military base, South African Women's College was handed back to DPW in 2001 and is currently fully utilized by the South African Police Services (SAPS) except the use of the laundry, sick bay and few houses by South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

2. Several proposals were received by the Department regarding utilisation of the base for training and tourism purposes; however, the challenge is that DOD maintains that they need the property to deliver services to their clients. The first proposal was received from Ekuruleni Metro Municipality in 2005; recently the Itireleng Marievale Consortium presented their proposal to DPW.

QUESTION 1945

Mr A C Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Housing:

In each of the past five years up to and including 1 November 2008, (a) how many houses has her department built in each province, (b) how many provincial departments of housing have underspent their budgets, (c) how many housing projects (i) are currently under way, (ii) were completed and (iii) were suspended and (d) what is the total cost of all (i) houses that her department has built and (ii) suspended housing projects?

The National Department of Housing has delivered a total number of houses completed and in process of completion as follows:

(a)

(b) h

NNote: Housing delivery information for the month of October and November 2008 is in the process of being finalised.

(b)

Provinces	2004/05	2005/2006	2006/2007	2007/2008	2008/2009
No. of PHDs with under-expenditure of more than 5%	4	3	3	3	Pending

(b) The number of housing projects:

(i) that are currently under way:

Province	Total
EC	127
FS	221
GP	676
KZ	182
LP	317
MP	371
NC	87
NW	170
WC	346
Total	2,467

(ii) that were completed:

Province	Total
EC	29
FS	111
GP	105
KZ	65
LP	66
MP	82
NC	59
NW	23
WC	162
Total	732

(iii) that were suspended:

There are no projects that the National Department of Housing is aware of that have been suspended.

(i) houses that the department has built:

R29,6 billion has been expended over the 5 year period to 01 November 2008.

Year	Total (R '000)
2004/05	R 4,481,638
2005/06	R 5,014,231
2006/07	R 6,495,433
2007/08	R 8,219,794
2008/09	R 5,462,632
Total	R 29,673,728

(ii) suspended housing projects:

Nil - There are no projects that the National Department of Housing is aware of that have been suspended.

QUESTION NO.: 1946

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 NOVEMBER 2008

Dr S M van Dyk (DA ) to ask the Minister for Public Enterprises:

Whether services related to the planned nuclear expansion are being provided to her department or Eskom by a certain company (name furnished); if so, what (a) period is stipulated in the contract, (b) is the value of the contract and (c) are the further relevant details? NW2752E

REPLY

The company referred to by the Honourable member is being utilised by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), and not Eskom, to prepare a communication strategy around the planned Nuclear Build Programme.

(a) The department has an eight month contract with the said company to work on projects in six provinces.

(b) DPE has set aside a budget of R4 million for the project.

(c) The company is hired to undertake research into the current levels of awareness, perceptions and attitudes towards nuclear and related issues (e.g. climate change) amongst key stakeholder groups and the population at large. The purpose of this research is to promote an open and honest discussion around nuclear to ensure that the public is well informed about the pros and cons of nuclear and why the South African government has chosen to use nuclear as part of the energy system. Parallel to the research is the development of a nuclear vocabulary in the eleven official languages to ensure that a public discourse on nuclear related issues is accessible to all South Africans.

QUESTION 1948
WRITTEN REPLY 24 NOVEMBER 2008

1948.MR S E OPPERMAN (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS
(1) Whether his department has taken note of the decay of infrastructure and buildings of the Marievale villages in Nigel; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what action has his department taken in this regard;

(2) Whether his department has taken any action with regard to the electrical infrastructure that has been stolen; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) Whether his department has received complaints from white residents who are continually victimised in this village and threatened with expulsion; if so;
(4) Whether his department has taken any action in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2754E

REPLY:

1. The Department does maintenance of all state owned buildings, but due to limited maintenance budget allocation by National Treasury, only prioritised buildings by Department of Defence (DOD) are maintained with available budget allocation.
2. The Department became aware of the cable theft on 21st October 2008 during a site visit to the base and requested the DOD to extend their security to all areas of the military base as security was only available in the operational portion of the base.
3. The Department has not received any complaints from any white residents. The only complaints received were from Itireleng Marievale Consortium that reported the cable theft and vandalism of unutilised DOD recreational building in the base.
4. The Department has taken action and requested DOD to increase security in the failure which the Department will take further action.

QUESTION NO. 1950

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 NOVEMBER 2008

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 33)

Ms S J Loe (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

(1) Whether the Western Cape Provincial Aids Council at any stage submitted a five year funding proposal for approximately R600 million for the Global Aids, TB and Malaria Fund to her department for approval; if so, on what date was this plan submitted;

(2) whether the plan was approved; if not, (a) why not and (b) what action has been taken to prevent other such instances; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether any compensation is to be offered to the Western Cape provincial administration for the loss of this grant and strain on the health budget; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW2757E

REPLY:

(1) The Western Cape Provincial Aids Council submitted a five year funding proposal to the Resource Management Committee (RMC) under South African National Aids Council (SANAC) on the 30^th April 2008. The proposal was incorporated into South Africa's overall country proposal and then submitted to the Global Fund on the 3^rd July 2008.

(2) The plan was approved by the Resource Management Committee as part of the sixteen proposals which were consolidated into one national proposal. However, the entire country proposal was not approved by the Global Fund Board for the following reasons:

(i) The proposal failed to respond to weaknesses of the Round 7 proposal identified by the Technical Review Panel;

(ii) Insufficient attention was given to how some of the high-risk groups (e.g. men who have sex with men, sex workers and their non-client partners) are to be targeted and mobilized.

The Resource Management Committee has decided to have the proposal re-worked and re-submitted to the Global Fund for Round 8 (now Round 9), including the Western Cape proposal. This was ratified during the SANAC plenary dated of 27 May 2008.

(3) No entity can assume that it has secured funding simply on the basis of submitting a proposal. There cannot be any real loss as the funding was never guaranteed.

QUESTION NO. 1950

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 NOVEMBER 2008

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 33)

Ms S J Loe (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

(2) whether the plan was approved; if not, (a) why not and (b) what action has been taken to prevent other such instances; if so, what are the relevant details;

NW2757E

REPLY:

(i) The proposal failed to respond to weaknesses of the Round 7 proposal identified by the Technical Review Panel;

(ii) Insufficient attention was given to how some of the high-risk groups (e.g. men who have sex with men, sex workers and their non-client partners) are to be targeted and mobilized.

(3) No entity can assume that it has secured funding simply on the basis of submitting a proposal. There cannot be any real loss as the funding was never guaranteed.

2008-12-02

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