Questions & Replies: Question & Replies No 176 to 200

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2009-07-14

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[PMG note: Replies are inserted as soon as they are provided by the Minister]

QUESTION: 176

176. Ms A M Dreyer (DA) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and

Administration:

(1) Whether the Government has reached an agreement with representatives of public sector

Unions about paying the delayed wage increases agreed to in 2007; if not , what is the

Position in this regard; if so, what the relevant details with regard to the dates are for full

Implementation;

(2) whether the Government has budgeted for such wage agreements ; if not, (a) why not and

(b) Where will this money be sourced ; if so, how has this money been used up to now?

NW222E

Answer:

(1) Yes, the government has reached an agreement with public sector unions on wage increases agreed to in 2007. However, additional to the agreement, Resolution 1 of 2007 also provided for the implementation of the Occupational specific Dispensations (OSD) for identified categories of professionals in the public service within a specific timeframe i.e by the 30th of June 2009. Government and medical doctors could not finalized implementation of OSDs within the specified timeframe provided for in resolution 1 of 2007. But an agreement has now been reached and unions are at the stage of consultation with their constituencies. The minister will address parliament soon on the matter.

Occupation Specific Dispensations are revised salary structures that are unique to each identified occupation in the public service, developed in order to improve government's ability to attract and retain skilled employees.

Since the signing of Resolution 1 of 2007, the OSDs for the following categories of professionals have been concluded and are either implemented or in the process of being implemented:-

a. All categories of nurses

b. School and office based educators

c. Legally qualified professionals

d. Social workers and related occupations

e. Correctional services officials

The negotiations process with regard to the following OSDs have concluded, the signature of unions are awaited in order to commence with implementation:-

a. Engineers and related occupations

b. Dentists, pharmacists and emergency medical services

As at 15 July 2009, the only outstanding OSD, in terms of Resolution 1 of 2007, is the OSD for medical and therapeutic services that includes specialists in education. A proposal in this regard will be tabled in the bargaining council by the end of July 2009.

(2) A 10.5% annual adjustment was paid into the salaries of all public service employees on1 July 2008. The financial implication for the implementation of the Occupational specific Dispensations for identified categories of professionals differs and allocations are covered in departments' specific budgets. As indicated earlier, the Minister will further give more detail to parliament on this matter soon.

QUESTION NO 176

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 OCTOBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 21)

ê176. Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(a) How many previously unregistered water users who discharge waste into a water resource or whose activities impact on water resources applied to register their activities with her department by 30 August 2009,

(b) How many of these applications have been approved and

(c) What action will be taken by her department to control discharges or impacts resulting from activities by (i) applicants whose applications have not been approved and (ii) water users who have not applied for registration? NO2075E

REPLY:

(a) A total of 1366 applications, were received by My Department as at 30 August 2009.

(b) There are 231 water users approved for capturing and 1135 water users that are still under assessment and/or waiting to be captured onto My Departmental Water Registration Management System.

National Water Act

Details of the Section

No of approved new registrations

Section 21(e)

Engaging in a controlled activity: irrigation of any land with waste or water containing waste generated through any industrial activity or by a water work

43

Section 21 (f)

Discharging waste or water containing waste into a water resource through a pipe, canal, sewer, sea outfall or other conduits

81

Section 21 (g)

Disposing of water in a manner which may detrimentally impact on a water resource

107

Section 21 (h)

Disposing in any manner of water which contain waste from or which has been heated in any industrial or power generated process

0

Total

231

(c) (i) The due date for registration has been extended to 30 November 2009 thereafter the Departmental Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement (CME) process will apply as per Section 19 and 53 of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No 36 of 1998).

(ii) In terms of Section 19 and 53 of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No 36 of 1998) The Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement Unit (CME) will act against transgressors who perform a water use activity that has not been registered. In order to achieve the above CME will issue Directives to rectify the transgression and lay criminal charges. In serious transgressions the Department will approach the High Court for appropriate relief on an urgent basis.

QUESTIONS 177

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Monday, 19th June 2009

177. Ms A M Dreyer (DA) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and

Administration:

(1) whether any action has been taken against persons implicated in the report of the

Audit –General (details furnished); if not, (a) why not and (b) what is the position in this

Regard; if so, (i) what action and (ii) how will the money be refunded in each case;

(2) Whether his department will take any action to ensure that these tendering abuses will

Not be repeated in the future; if not, why not; if so what action? NW223E

REPLY:

(1) As reported to the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration on 26 August 2009, the Minister for Public Service and Administration has taken an aggressive and proactive approach in dealing with issues of non-compliance as highlighted in the Auditor-General's Report especially as it relates to issues of performance of remunerative work outside the public service and failure to disclose financial interest.

The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has developed a reporting template which was issued to all departments to facilitate the collation of information and provision of uniform reporting from implicated departments. To date, the following departments have responded to the template in relation to action that has been taken against the employees implicated:

Department

Province/National

Number of employees

Action taken

Department of Transport and Public Works

Western Cape

3

No action needed as employees have not contravened public service regulations.

Dept. of Public Works

KZN

4

1 case, employee was dismissed

1 case disciplinary action instituted.

2 cases, no action as employees have resigned.

All departments

Eastern Cape

91

3 employees resigned before action was undertaken.

Other departments still awaiting results of forensic audits/investigations

Dept. of Social Development

Free State

7

All cases investigations and disciplinary action instituted.

Dept. Tourism and Economic Affairs

Free State

1

Disciplinary action instituted

Dept. of Community Safety

Gauteng

1

Employee dismissed

Dept. of Labour

National

7

3 employees disciplinary action instituted.

2 employees no actions taken since employees have resigned.

2 employees investigation undertaken and were found not to have contravened public service regulations.

Dept. of Communication

National

1

Matter still under investigation even though the employee has left the department.

Dept. of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Gauteng

3

1 case no action taken as employee has left employment of department.

2 cases disciplinary action was instituted and employees were given written warning.

SAPS

National KZN

11

3 cases employees have resigned.

3 cases were investigated and no contraventions of public service regulations were found.

5 cases disciplinary action has been instituted.

Office of the Premier

Limpopo

4

3 cases of disciplinary action undertaken and written warning.

1 case resigned and no disciplinary action taken.

Dept. of Agriculture

Limpopo

7

In all cases disciplinary action was instituted; two with written warning and suspension without pay for 1 month; two with final written warning. 3 cases were acquitted.

Dept. of Education

National

1

1 Investigation undertaken but no contravention of the public service regulations.

Office of the Premier

Mpumalanga

7

5 cases enquiry undertaken and 2 cases forwarded to other departments that employees transferred to.

Dept. of Social Development

Mpumalanga

2

Disciplinary action instituted and removal from supplier database.

Further to the above information provided by the departments, the DPSA has established an Enforcement and Monitoring Task Team which will embark on a verification process which will ascertain the validity and reliability of information provided by departments and make recommendations in this regard.

The verification process will be undertaken in a phased approach covering all national departments and Mpumalanga and Limpopo in Phase 1 and will be concluded in December 2009. The rest of the provinces will be finalised by the end of March 2010.

The Report will make the necessary recommendations in terms of cases which will be forwarded to the relevant law enforcement authorities for further investigations and recovery of funds.

(2) In order to ensure that these abuses do not happen again the DPSA will be working closely with departments to strengthen existing measures and to assist departments with the implementation thereof.

A Corruption Management Information System (CMIS) is currently being developed by the DPSA. The CMIS will be utilized to track all allegations of unethical behavior and corruption and investigate their validity. The system will also include an e-thics component which will assist departments with the online filing of disclosure forms which will enable electronic verification of information with other data sources such as the CIPRO and the Deeds Office.


QUESTION NO. 178

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 OCTOBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 21)

Questions Day: 21 October 2009

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

(1) What was the maternal mortality rate in (a) 1995 and (b) 2008;

(2) whether his department has identified the reasons for the continuing worsening of health indicators such as the maternal mortality rate despite rising expenditure on public health care; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the reasons? NO2077E

REPLY:

(a) The Maternal Mortality ratio is typically measured every few years. The best baseline estimate of maternal mortality that we have post 1994 is that recorded in the first ever Demographic and Health Survey conducted in South Africa in 1998. The maternal mortality ratio in 1998 was estimated at 150/100 000 live births.

(b) We do not have a figure for 2008. The most recent estimate for MMR provided by Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) was 124/100 000 live births for 2002. The recently released triennial report for the period 2005 - 2007 by the National Committee on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths (NCCEMD) estimated that the health facility-based MMR is 140/100 000 live births. These figures are significantly lower than the estimate of 400/100 000 live births used by the United Nations Statistics Division and used in the 2008 global progress report on the Millennium Development Goals and also used in the report on maternal and child health published in the international medical journal the Lancet in August this year.

The difference between the facility-based maternal mortality rate and the estimate by the UN Statistics Division is that the latter takes into account maternal deaths that occur in communities as well.

It is clear that the maternal mortality rates that we report are totally unacceptable. Since I received the report from the National Committee on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths I convened on the 25th of August a national summit of national and provincial programme managers responsible for maternal health, representatives of health professional organizations especially those that represent doctors and nurses and other stakeholders to discuss the high levels of maternal, perinatal and under 5 mortality. This Summit reviewed the reports of three Ministerial committees and came up with a series of recommendations. We have processed these recommendations and shared them with provincial managers for action. We have also started a process of in-service training of doctors and midwives in the Essential Steps in the Management of Obstetric Emergencies – which the National Committee on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths found to be weak in some of our hospitals.

In addition, during this month I met with representatives of the South African Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists before the international conference of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics as well as with representatives of the Society of Midwives in South Africa. Partnerships with health professionals as well as communities will be critical to our ability to decrease maternal mortality and we are committed to ensuring that strong partnerships exist at all levels of the health system.

(2) The reasons for our high levels of maternal mortality are clearly spelt out in the report of the NCCEMD for the period 2005-2007.

The "big five" causes of maternal death related to non-pregnancy related infections are HIV/AIDS (43.7%), complications of hypertension or high blood pressure (15.7%), bleeding either before or after delivery; 12.4%), pregnancy related infections (9.0%) and pre-existing maternal disease (6.0%)

The Committee reported that HIV positive pregnant women were 10 times more likely to die in child birth than HIV negative women.

Non-attendance and delayed attendance at the health institutions for antenatal care were the most common 'patient orientated' problems.

In addition poor transport facilities, lack of easy access to health care facilities and lack of appropriately trained staff were the major administrative problems.

The most frequently cited factor related to the competence of health care providers was the failure to follow standard protocols and poor problem recognition and initial assessment.

The Committee also listed a number of recommendations to decrease maternal deaths. The recommendations concern four main areas (knowledge development, quality of care and coverage of reproductive health services, establishing norms and standards and community involvement):

· Improving health care provider knowledge and skills in providing emergency care and ensuring adequate screening and treatment of the major causes of maternal death

· Improving quality and coverage of reproductive health services, namely contraceptive and termination of pregnancy services.

· Management provision of staffing and equipment norms, transport and availability of blood for transfusion.

· Community involvement and empowerment regarding maternal, neonatal and reproductive health in general.

We are committed to doing everything possible to reduce the high levels of maternal mortality in our country. In order to do this we need to partner with both health care providers as well as communities.

QUESTION NO. 178 (written 1087 transferred)

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 04 SEPTEMBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 14)

Questions Day: 21 October 2009

Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

Whether any plan exists to overhaul the Mtseli Community Health Centre in Umtata; if not, why not; if so, (a) when will it be implemented, (b) what is the amount allocated for this project and (c) what are the further relevant details?

NW1348E

REPLY:

The Honourable Member is hereby advised that the facility concerned is in factNtshele Clinic not Mtseli Community Health Centre.

The Department of Heath through the Department of Roads and Public Works has appointed consultants for the planning and implementation of this project but due to budget constraints this project has not been planned for the 2010/11 financial year instead the department has prioritised Tyelebana Clinic which is in a bad state and both clinics fall under the same local services area.

QUESTION NO 179

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 OCTOBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 21)

179 Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) Whether the national Department has issued the Ekurhuleni Metro Council any Section 19(3) notices in terms of terms of the National Water Act of 1998; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1932E

REPLY:

(1) Yes, the following notices were issued by My Department to Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality after receiving several complaints regarding broken outfall sewer lines as well as a blocked manhole (copies attached as Annexure A, B & C).

(a) Annexure A: Contravention of Section 19 of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998): Elgin Road sewage spills.

(b) Annexure B: Contravention of Section 19 of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998): Glen Marais, broken sewer line.

(c) Annexure B: Contravention of Section 20 (3) of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998), broken outfall sewer.

QUESTION NO. 179 (written 1088 transferred)

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 04 SEPTEMBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 14)

Questions Day: 21 October 2009

Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

(1) Whether there is a plan in place to fast-track the Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD) for physiotherapists and radiographers which was supposed to be paid out in July 2009; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether he has been informed that negotiations in this regard only started on 3 July 2009; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether payments will be done; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW1349E

REPLY:

(1) The employer has tabled its offer on the OSD for Therapeutic, Diagnostic and Related Allied Health Professionals in the Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council (PHSDSBC) on 11 August 2009. Thereafter labour organizations were afforded an opportunity to reflect and consult their membership on the offer at hand.

Further dates were set for engagements in this regard and the employer indeed availed both its negotiation and technical team. Labour presented several questions of clarity on the proposed document to the employer of which response was given. Negotiations are currently in process and the employer has committed itself to the process and would appreciate the urgent finalization of the matter. However, for the process to unfold urgently, it is required of labour organizations to give their part as well.

(2) No, the negotiations actually started on 11 August 2009. The commencement of the process was delayed by the negotiations on the OSD for Medical Officers, Medical Specialists, Dentists, Dental Specialist, Pharmacologists, Pharmacists and Emergency Care Practitioners, which was eventually signed by the majority unions on 07 August 2009. The Honourable Member needs to be advised that it is the same technical and negotiation team that is responsible to negotiate for all OSD in the Health and Social Development Profession and that they can only be tabled in the Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council.

(3) In accordance with Sub-section 4.14.1 of Resolution 1 of 2007 of the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) the revised structure of the OSD for Therapeutic, Diagnostic and Related Allied Health Professionals shall be implemented on 1 July 2009. This means even if the agreement is reached months after the said date the implementation will be retrospective with effect from 1 July 2009 as per the Resolution.

QUESTION No. 180: NW226E

Mr D.J. Maynier (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Whether she intends to introduce a Green Paper on Defence and Military Veterans to Parliament; if not, why not, if so, when?

REPLY

Yes, as I indicated in my budget vote speech on 3 July 2009. When it is ready, it will be made public.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION 180

FOR ORAL REPLY ON 21 OCTOBER 2009

Date of publication on internal question paper: 13 October 2009

Internal question paper no: 21

Ms SP Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) What is the current quality level of care and treatment provided to patients by the Noupoort Christian Care Centre;

(2) whether any steps have been taken to close down this facility; if so, (a) what steps and (b) with what results; if not, why not? NO2079

REPLY:


(1) The temporary registration was granted to Noupoort Christian Care Centre (NCCC) in terms of section 9 (4) of the Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependency Act, No 20 of 1992, on 29 April 2005 under the following conditions:

  • Provide a list of all patients that have to date been admitted at the centre and the date of completion of treatment of all patient at the centre.
  • Implement acceptable health and safety practices and services by a professional nurse to oversee health matters.
  • Acceptable disciplinary policy and appropriate disciplinary interventions.
  • A properly constituted and well functioning Board of management to oversee the smooth running of the centre, including implementation of proper financial management and controls
  • Administer an acceptable multi-disciplinary treatment programme.
  • Institute proper measures of well being of residents including the provision of a healthy balanced diet.
  • Compliance with minimum norms and standards for children in residential care.
  • Compliance with minimum norms and standards for in-patient treatment centres.
  • Inform the Department of any changes that may occur at the centre, which may influence the temporary registration.
  • Co-operating with the Monitoring Task Team appointed by the Director-General by amongst others giving them unrestricted access for purposes of performing their functions.
  • Based on the summary report from the Departmental Monitoring Task Team and the progress report submitted by NCCC, the centre failed to meet the conditions for registration.
  • (2) Yes

    (a) & (b)In 2004, the Department decided not to register NCCC as a treatment centre and that it should close down. The decline of registration of the centre was based on the results of the comprehensive assessment conducted by the Department following the death of a child at the centre. The assessment revealed unacceptable treatment and abuse of patients at the NCCC.

    In response to the decision of the Department, the NCCC applied for High Court interdict to prevent the Department from closing it down. The Court ordered that the Department grant temporary registration under certain conditions.The Department then established a task team to monitor the functioning of NCCC.

    The roundtable discussion held between the Department and the NCCC on 12 June 2009 resolved that NCCC provide progress report regarding their compliance with conditions of their temporary registration. A report was submitted and new allegations of abuse and violation of human rights necessitated further investigation currently underway. The matter is still pending before the High Court and shall, as soon as the findings and recommendation of the current investigation are finalised, be set down for hearing.


    NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

    QUESTION 181

    FOR ORAL REPLY ON 21 OCTOBER 2009

    Date of publication on internal question paper: 13 October 2009

    Internal question paper no: 21

    Ms SP Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

    (1) (a) How many and (b) which provisions of the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005, have been implemented;

    (2) whether any deadlines have been set for the implementation of the remaining provisions; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NO2080E

    REPLY:

    (1) (a) 43 provisions have been implemented and

    (b) The provisions that have been implemented did not need regulations and these included:

    Chapter 1: Interpretation, Objects, Application and Implementation of Act

    1. Interpretation

    2. Objects of the Act

    3. Conflicts with other legislation

    4. Implementation of Act

    5. Inter-sectoral implementation of Act

    Chapter 2: General principles

    6. General principles

    7. Best interests of child standard

    8. Application

    9. Best interests of child paramount

    10. Child participation

    11. Children with disability or chronic illness

    13. Information on health care

    14. Access to court

    15. Enforcement of rights

    16. Responsibilities of children

    17. Age of majority

    Chapter 3: Parental responsibilities and rights

    Part 1: Acquisition and loss of parental responsibilities and rights

    18. Parental responsibilities and rights

    19. Parental responsibilities and rights of mothers

    20. Parental responsibilities and rights of married fathers

    21. Parental responsibilities and rights of unmarried fathers

    27. Assignment of guardianship and care

    Part 2: Co-exercise of parental responsibilities and rights

    30. Co-holders of parental responsibilities and rights

    31. Major decisions involving child

    Part 3: Parenting plans

    35. Refusal of access or refusal to exercise parental responsibilities and rights

    Part 4: Miscellaneous

    36. Presumption of paternity in respect of child born out of wedlock

    37. Refusal to submit to taking of blood samples

    38. Effect of subsequent marriage of parents on child

    39. Rights of child born of voidable marriage

    40. Rights of child conceived by artificial fertilization

    Chapter 7: Protection of children

    Part 3: Protective measures relating to health of children

    130. HIV-testing

    131. HIV-testing for foster care or adoption purposes

    132. Counselling before and after HIV-testing

    133. Confidentiality of information on HIV/AIDS status of children

    134. Access to contraceptives

    Chapter 20: Enforcement of Act

    305. Offences

    Only the following sections are in operation:

    305(1) (b), 305(1)(c), 305(3), 305(4), 305(5), 305(6), 305(7).

    Chapter 21: Administration of Act

    307. Delegation of powers and duties by Minister

    308. Assignment of powers and duties by Minister

    309. Delegation of powers and duties by MECs for social development

    310. Delegation of powers and duties by Director-General

    311. Delegation of powers and duties by provincial heads of social development

    Chapter 22: Miscellaneous matters

    313. Amendment of laws

    314. Transitional matters

    315. Short title and commencement

    (2) Yes, the dead line for the remaining provisions have been set for 01 April 2010. The regulations have been finalized and after approval by the Minister the regulations and the Proclamation will be submitted to the President for his approval. The Proclamation and regulations will then be published in the Gazette.


    QUESTION NO. 181

    DATE PUBLISHED: 19 June 2009

    DATE SUBMITTED: 24 July 2009

    181. Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:

    (1) (a) Why has the post of Secretary for Defence been vacant for the past ten months and (b) when he intends appointing a Secretary for Defence;

    (2) whether, for each specified function of the Secretary for Defence, as set out in section 8 of the Defence Act, Act 42 of 2002, the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) has been prejudiced by not appointing a permanent Secretary for Defence; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, what prejudice in respect of each specified function;

    (3) Whether the effective civilian control of the SANDF has been prejudiced by not appointing a permanent Secretary for Defence; if not, why not; if so, why? NW227E

    REPLY:

    The President is in the process of considering the appointment of a permanent Secretary for Defence. The functions of a permanent Secretary for Defence have been delegated to the current Acting Secretary for Defence.

    NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

    FOR ORAL REPLY

    QUESTION 182

    DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13/10/09

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 21-2009)

    Mrs C Dudley (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training:

    Whether calendars issued by his department to Members of Parliament indicating only one extra day of holiday during the 2010 FIFA World Cup Soccer tournament is in accordance with Government's plans for school holidays around this event; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NO2081E

    REPLY:

    The school calendar is the responsibility of the Minister of Basic and the Question should be redirected to the Department of Basic Education.

    QUESTION NO. 182 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3 of 2009

    DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 June 2009

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

    (1) Whether the South African delegation to the climate change negotiations in Bonn in June 2009 achieved any successes; if not, why not; if so, what successes;

    (2) Whether there are any key matters that need to be dealt in the time leading up to the climate change negotiations in Copenhagen in November 2009; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the key matters for South Africa?

    NW228E

    MR G R MORGAN (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

    HANSARD

    PAPERS OFFICE

    PRESS

    228. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

    (1) Overall assessment is that countries are not ready to negotiate or give away their positions yet. Therefore, these negotiations saw further entrenchment of positions. The real progress will only be made in the last quarter of 2009 as the positions of the USA and big developing countries become clearer and only then will we begin to see what other Annex I Parties will be prepared to accept. The informal session in August will be important in addressing structure of the outcome.

    Progress on substantive content matters was slow due to a number of reasons, including the US explaining its constraints and how 'difficult' it will be to ratify an agreement.

    A first reading of the Chair's negotiating text was concluded, and all Parties engaged on this text and South Africa managed to put forward its cabinet approved positions into the Chair's negotiating text for consideration.

    For the first time in the discussions on further commitments for Annex I Parties, there was a good exchange on aggregate emission reduction targets for Annex I Parties for subsequent commitment periods. There's a wide range of proposals submitted by Annex I Parties and none of these are in line with the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) range of
    25-40%. These will be further discussed in Bonn in August 2009.

    (2)The climate change negotiations are characterized by trust deficit between developed and developing countries. This is perpetuated by the lack of positive political signals by developed country Parties on mitigation commitments and means of implementation (technology, finance and capacity building), in particular for adaptation.

    South Africa will be using political opportunities such as the Greenland Ministerial Dialogue, G8 summit, the UN Secretary General high level event on climate change to enable a positive outcome in Copenhagen.

    QUESTION NO. 182 (written 1100 transferred)

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 04 SEPTEMBER 2009

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 14)

    Questions Day: 21 October 2009

    Mrs D A Schäfer (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

    Whether it is the policy of his department not to issue antiretroviral medication at State hospitals to rape victims unless a police case number is provided; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what is the reason for this policy, (b) in terms of which empowering provision has this decision been made and (c) what is the situation if a rape victim is unable to obtain a case number within 48 hours of the crime?

    NW1361E

    REPLY:

    The policy of the Department is to issue antiretroviral medication to all rape victims who come to state hospitals within 72 hours of the crime irrespective of whether a case has been opened with SAPS or not. (a), (b) & (c) Not applicable

    QUESTION NO. 182 (written 1100 transferred)

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 04 SEPTEMBER 2009

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 14)

    Questions Day: 21 October 2009

    Mrs D A Schäfer (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

    Whether it is the policy of his department not to issue antiretroviral medication at State hospitals to rape victims unless a police case number is provided; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what is the reason for this policy, (b) in terms of which empowering provision has this decision been made and (c) what is the situation if a rape victim is unable to obtain a case number within 48 hours of the crime?

    NW1361E

    REPLY:

    No, it is not the policy of the Department not to issue antiretroviral medication at state hospitals to rape victims unless a police case number is provided. According to the National Sexual Assault Policy, antiretroviral drugs should be administered within 72 hours of exposure. Sexual assault survivors enjoy all the patients rights as expressed in the Patients Rights Charter and the Service Charter for Victims of Crime in South Africa and are encouraged to make their own informed decisions regarding reporting the case to the police which decision should be respected by all health care providers.

    QUESTION NO. 183 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3 of 2009

    DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 June 2009

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

    In respect of each province, (a) how may environmental impact assessments (EIAs) have been outstanding for (i) less than six months, (ii) between six and 12 months, (iii) between 12 and 18 months and (iv) longer than 18 months, and (b) what is (i) the total number of posts for staff that process EIAs, (ii) the current number of posts that are vacant and (iii) how long has each such post been vacant?

    NW229E

    MR G R MORGAN (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

    HANSARD

    PAPERS OFFICE

    PRESS

    229. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

    The Department does not have information on the level of detail requested by the Honorable Member as the reporting system currently only requires generic information from the provinces. The National Environmental Authorisation System (NEAS) have on the 1st of April become fully operational and additional capacity has been deployed to provinces to assist with the capturing of all historical and current applications into the system. Once this process of back-capturing has been completed, the information requested will be available on the press of a button. NEAS will also from January 2010 be accessible to members of the public through a web-based public portal currently being developed.

    The Department does however compile quarterly reports on the administration of the Environmental Impact Assessment function, which is submitted to the relevant MINTEC and MINMEC structures. These reports consist of statistics on both NEMA EIA applications and Human Resource capacity in all 10 EIA authorities (the national and nine provincial departments). The latest report available is for the quarter that ended 31 March 2009 and the results are reflected in the tables below. The next report will only be submitted to the DEA by mid July 2009.

    Table 1 summarizes performances during the last quarter of 2008-2009 whilst Table 2 contains statistics for EIA applications related to the 2006 NEMA EIA Regulations – 31 March 2009 and Table 3 statistics for EIA applications related to the 1997 ECA EIA Regulations – 31 March 2009.

    It must be further noted that information provided by provinces are generic of nature and it would take at least three weeks to get the level of detail, now requested, from provinces and their regional offices.

    Table 1: Status of NEMA EIA Applications: January - March 2009 (Fourth Quarter)[1]

    Table 2: Statistics for EIA applications related to the 2006 NEMA EIA Regulations – 31 March 2009

    Authority

    Applications received

    July 06 – 31 March 09

    Pending: End March 09

    TOTAL finalized

    End March 09

    DEAT (National)

    718

    277

    441

    Eastern Cape

    901

    283

    618

    Free State

    392

    46

    346

    Gauteng

    1990

    120

    1870

    KwaZulu-Natal

    1721

    1137

    584

    Limpopo

    1034

    231

    803

    Mpumalanga

    783

    239

    544

    North West

    1107

    267

    840

    Northern Cape

    285

    122

    163

    Western Cape

    1950

    1018

    932

    TOTAL

    10881

    3740

    7141

    Table 2 above indicates that 66% (7141) of the total number (10881) of NEMA EIA applications received in the period 1 July 2006 to 31 March 2009 has been finalized. Although the level of efficiency vary substantially between the different authorities (highest efficiency at the national department where 95% of applications are processed within or faster than prescribed time frames), the latest anecdotal information indicates that approximately 65% of all EIA applications (that is to all 10 authorities) are processed within or faster than the prescribed time frames. This however will need to be verified once all information have been captured on NEAS.

    Table 3: Statistics for applications related to the 1997 ECA EIA Regulations – 31 March 2009

    AUTHORITY

    TOTAL:

    ECA APPL'S

    PENDING:

    END JUNE 2006

    PENDING:

    31 March 2007

    PENDING:

    31 March 2008

    PENDING:

    31 March 2009

    DEAT (National)

    673

    82

    49

    11

    18

    Eastern Cape

    6823

    316

    269

    93

    2

    Free State

    2665

    169

    158

    83

    6

    Gauteng

    13001

    1218

    704

    89

    8

    KwaZulu-Natal

    7015

    1500

    511

    98

    58

    Limpopo

    3446

    643

    295

    118

    3

    Mpumlanga

    2390

    233

    143

    43

    12

    North West

    3355

    550

    190

    7

    0

    Northern Cape

    1796

    147

    22

    3

    4

    Western Cape

    7632

    1001

    765

    453

    257

    TOTAL

    49796

    5859

    3106

    998

    368

    Table 3 above indicates that only 6% (368) of the total number of ECA EIA applications (5859) that were pending when the NEMA Regs came into effect in 2006, is still pending in the national system and that 94% has been finalised, since June 2006. DEAT would like to re-iterate that pending Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) applications generally fall within three categories, namely:

    · Applications where information or action is awaited from the applicant or consultant;

    · Applications where action is awaited from the authority but the process is still within prescribed time frames; and

    · Applications where action is awaited from the authority but applicable time frames have expired.

    Table 4 below contains information obtained from the March 2009 report on the total number of EIA applications (ECA and NEMA) received, staff establishments and vacancies for the reporting period.

    As can be seen from Table 4 below, the number of vacancies has decreased to 36% (172) at the end of the reporting cycle (March 2009).

    Table 4: EIA applications received vs EIA staff establishment and vacancies as on 31 March 2009

    Authority

    Total number of applications received (ECA[2] & NEMA[3] – September 1997 to 31 March 2009)

    Total number of posts in EIA establishment

    Total number of vacancies on 31 March 2009

    ECA

    NEMA

    TOTAL

    DEAT (National)

    673

    718

    1391

    24

    4

    Eastern Cape

    6823

    901

    7724

    43

    8

    Free State

    2665

    392

    3057

    21

    13

    Gauteng

    13001

    1990

    14991

    133

    52

    KwaZulu Natal

    7015

    1721

    8736

    97

    44

    Limpopo

    3446

    1034

    4480

    37

    13

    Mpumlanga

    2390

    783

    3173

    32

    18

    North West

    3355

    1107

    4462

    20

    6

    Northern Cape

    1796

    285

    2081

    10

    3

    Western Cape

    7632

    1950

    9582

    55

    11

    TOTAL

    48796

    10881

    59677

    472

    172

    Based on the information contained in Table 4 above, it would be fair to conclude that there is still a shortage in capacity to ensure an efficient system. This is attributed to inter alia the following:

    · High staff turn-over due to more lucrative salaries offered especially by municipalities and state owned enterprises, but also by industry (due to change in legislation, a new trend is emerging where EIA staff is lost by authorities due to a new demand in the mining industry) ;

    · Inadequacy of staff establishments in terms of workload;

    · Working conditions (high pressure, lack of infrastructure and decision- support tools; etc.) and

    · Lack of interest in advertised positions.


    QUESTION NO. 183

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 OCTOBER 2009

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 21)

    Questions Day: 21 October 2009

    Dr A N Luthuli (ANC) to ask the Minister of Health:

    (a) What is the cause of the recurrence of measles, (b) how widespread is the recurrence and (c) how is it being managed? NO2089E

    REPLY:

    (a) South Africa has had measles cases each year for many years, with the number of laboratory confirmed cases each year declining over the past 5 years. However, since March this year we have seen a significant increase in the number of measles cases compared to previous years. The reasons for this increase are being investigated by a team of experts from the World Health Organisation together with Department of Health experts. It would appear that the outbreaks that we are seeing this year are related to a build-up of a pool of susceptible people who upon exposure to the virus contract measles.

    The reasons for the build-up of this susceptible pool include:

    (i) the high drop out rate between the first measles dose at 9 months and the second dose at 18 months of age;

    (ii) that many children missed being vaccinated during the 1996/7 mass immunization campaign;

    (iii) immigration of non or under-immunised people; and

    (iv) that the measles vaccine is not 100% effective which means that we must have 90% of all South African immunized for the population to be protected. All of these factors contribute to creating a pool of susceptibles. What is critical therefore is for all children to have two doses of the measles vaccine, one at 9 months and the second at 18 months of age. Secondly, for health professionals to always ask caregivers about the immunisation status of the children and adults regardless of the presenting complaint at our health facilities and vaccinate them if they either were never immunized or have missed a dose. Thirdly to have regular (at 3-4 year intervals) mass immunization campaigns.

    (b) As at 13 October 2009 we had 940 laboratory confirmed cases of measles with the majority in Gauteng (857 cases). Smaller number of cases were reported from other provinces: Eastern Cape (11); Free State (15); KwaZulu-Natal (10); Limpopo (5); Mpumulanga (19); Northern Cape (2); North West (16) and Western Cape (5).

    (c) In terms of management of the outbreak a number of activities have been undertaken. These include: all provincial managers have been placed on alert and health professionals informed; the guidelines for surveillance and case management of measles has been re-disseminated to health professionals in both the public and private health sectors; the public has been informed through the media of the need for immunization and infection control practices; immunization campaigns have been conducted in all districts of Gauteng where the largest number of cases were found and other provinces will conduct localized campaigns depending on need; the World Health Organisation has deployed a technical team to assist us to review our immunization programme; additional supplies of vaccine have been ordered; and we are planning a national immunization campaign for the first quarter of next year.

    NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

    FOR ORAL REPLY

    QUESTION NO. 183

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13 OCTOBER 2009

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 21)

    Questions Day: 21 October 2009

    Dr A N Luthuli (ANC) to ask the Minister of Health:

    (a) What is the cause of the recurrence of measles, (b) how widespread is the recurrence and (c) how is it being managed? NO2089E

    REPLY:

    (a) South Africa has had measles cases each year for many years, with the number of laboratory confirmed cases each year declining over the past 5 years. However, since March this year we have seen a significant increase in the number of measles cases compared to previous years. The reasons for this increase are being investigated by a team of experts from the World Health Organisation together with Department of Health experts. It would appear that the outbreaks that we are seeing this year are related to a build-up of a pool of susceptible people who upon exposure to the virus contract measles.

    The reasons for the build-up of this susceptible pool include:

    (i) the high drop out rate between the first measles dose at 9 months and the second dose at 18 months of age;

    (ii) that many children missed being vaccinated during the 1996/7 mass immunization campaign;

    (iii) immigration of non or under-immunised people; and

    (iv) that the measles vaccine is not 100% effective which means that we must have 90% of all South African immunized for the population to be protected. All of these factors contribute to creating a pool of susceptibles. What is critical therefore is for all children to have two doses of the measles vaccine, one at 9 months and the second at 18 months of age. Secondly, for health professionals to always ask caregivers about the immunisation status of the children and adults regardless of the presenting complaint at our health facilities and vaccinate them if they either were never immunized or have missed a dose. Thirdly to have regular (at 3-4 year intervals) mass immunization campaigns.

    (b) As at 13 October 2009 we had 940 laboratory confirmed cases of measles with the majority in Gauteng (857 cases). Smaller number of cases were reported from other provinces: Eastern Cape (11); Free State (15); KwaZulu-Natal (10); Limpopo (5); Mpumulanga (19); Northern Cape (2); North West (16) and Western Cape (5).

    (c) In terms of management of the outbreak a number of activities have been undertaken. These include: all provincial managers have been placed on alert and health professionals informed; the guidelines for surveillance and case management of measles has been re-disseminated to health professionals in both the public and private health sectors; the public has been informed through the media of the need for immunization and infection control practices; immunization campaigns have been conducted in all districts of Gauteng where the largest number of cases were found and other provinces will conduct localized campaigns depending on need; the World Health Organisation has deployed a technical team to assist us to review our immunization programme; additional supplies of vaccine have been ordered; and we are planning a national immunization campaign for the first quarter of next year.

    END.

    QUESTION NO. 184 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3 of 2009

    DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 June 2009

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

    How many environmental management inspectors (a)(i) have completed their training to date and (ii) will have completed their training by 31 March 2010 and (b) are there per relevant authority?

    NW230E

    MR G R MORGAN (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

    HANSARD

    PAPERS OFFICE

    PRESS

    184. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

    (a)(i) To date, approximately:

    · 789 state officials have received EMI Basic/Bridging Training;

    · 230 state officials have received EMI Specialised Training (Forensic Awareness, EIA and Interviewing Skills and Techniques)

    (ii) By March, 2010, it is envisaged that an additional:

    · 135 state officials will have received EMI Basic Training;

    · 25 state officials will have received EMI Specialised Training (Sampling Skills)

    Institution

    Total

    1.

    Mpumalanga

    14

    2.

    Western Cape

    43

    3.

    KZN

    21

    4.

    KZN Wildlife

    22

    5.

    North West

    7

    6.

    Gauteng

    56

    7.

    Free State

    19

    8.

    Limpopo

    16

    9.

    Northern Cape

    13

    10.

    Eastern Cape

    21

    11.

    Eastern Cape Parks

    0

    12.

    Mpumalanga Parks & Tourism Agency

    11

    13.

    Cape Nature

    4

    14.

    National DEAT

    53

    15.

    Isimangaliso Wetland Park

    1

    SUB-TOTAL

    301

    16.

    SanParks

    652* (TBC)

    TOTAL

    953

    (b)

    *Note: there is a large number of SANPARKS field rangers that have been designated as EMIs, but have not as yet received EMI Basic Training. This is due to the fact the existing Basic Training is developed at an Honours level (NQF7) and would not be appropriate for "field rangers", who do not speak English as a first language; and some are illiterate.

    DWA is currently in the process of developing course material for these field rangers (who have already been designated as Grade 5 EMIs) – the material (consisting of DVD's in 6 languages and facilitators guide) should be completed by March 2010.

    QUESTION NO 185

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 JUNE 2009

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3)

    185. Ms A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

    (1) (a) Which dams are currently regarded in terms of the Dam Safety Rehabilitation Programme as (i) in need of rehabilitation and (ii) in urgent need of rehabilitation and (b) why these dams are considered in need of urgent rehabilitation;

    (2) whether funding is available to carry out the required rehabilitation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

    (3) whether any dams pose a safety risk to areas downstream; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, what risks;

    (4) whether any action (a) has been taken and (b) will be taken with regard to such risks; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

    NW231E

    REPLY:

    (1)(a)(i) Dams in need of rehabilitation: Majola, Magwa, Albert Falls, Rust de Winter, Kromellenboog, Klein Marico, Elandsdirft, Clanwilliam, Nzhelele, Grassridge, Glen Brock, Tsojana, Cata, Mnyameni, Mhlanga, Mankanzana.

    (1)(a)(ii) Dams in urgent need of rehabilitation: Nsami, Molepo, Chuniespoort, Acornhoek, Bospoort, Mashashane, Gcuwa, Toleni, Lakeside and Belfort Dam.

    (1)(b) All of these dams, with the exception of the Belfort Dam, have been identified as having inadequate spillway capacity to handle big floods.

    (2) Funds are available for the works. An amount of R 514 000 000 has been budgeted on the MTEF from 2009/10 onwards for the next three years for the purpose of the above rehabilitation works.

    (3) All departmental dams pose a safety risk to areas downstream and have therefore been classified in terms of Regulation R1560 of 1986 on the basis of its size and hazard potential to determine the level of control over the safety of such structure in terms of these Regulations. All risks associated with these dams involve either potential loss of life or economic loss or both.

    (4)(a)

    and

    (4)(b) The current departmental standards on risk in relation to dam safety are benchmarked against international standards. Five yearly dam safety inspections conducted in terms of Regulation R1560 form the basis for identifying dams requiring rehabilitation work.

    QUESTION 185

    FOR ORAL REPLY ON 21 OCTOBER 2009

    Date of publication on internal question paper: 13 October 2009

    Internal question paper no: 21

    Ms J Manganye (ANC) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

    Whether her department has a contingency plan in place to retain the mobile/satellite truck system which delivers services to remote rural areas, despite the department's budget constraints; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NO2091E

    REPLY:

    The South African Social Security Agency is currently conducting a cost benefit analysis to determine the demand for the Mobile Unit offices, which will inform the decision on whether or not to retain some or all of the mobile units.

    QUESTION 186

    FOR ORAL REPLY

    Date of publication on internal question paper: 13 October 2009

    Internal question paper no: 13

    Mrs W J Nelson (ANC) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

    Whether her department intends addressing the issue of parity in the remuneration packages of social workers at non-governmental organizations in all provinces to ensure uniformity; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NO 2092E

    REPLY:

    Yes.

    A sector bid has been submitted to National Treasury in August 2009 for consideration in order to address the issue of parity in remuneration packages of social workers at non-governmental organizations in all provinces.

    Treasury has given an indication that for the short term they will consider a percentage increase in the funding of non-governmental organizations for the next financial year. The Department is currently engaged in discussion with all the Provincial Departments of Social Development, National Treasury and the non-governmental organization sector regarding long term measures to address the issue of parity in remuneration packages of social workers and other funding challenges experienced by non-governmental organizations in all provinces.

    QUESTION 186 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

    Attempts are currently being made by the department to address the issue of parity in the remuneration packages of Social Workers at non-governmental organizations in all provinces to ensure uniformity.

    As a way of addressing disparities in funding of the sector, the Department developed National Costing Models for the following purposes:

    • To make social services to be more affordable and responsive to the needs of the majority of population.

    • To promote uniformity in the costing of services.

    • To help identify and quantify inequities in service delivery and funding mechanisms.

    • To effectively foster transformation of services.

    These were approved by MINMEC in 2006 pending verification of affordability with provinces. Provinces adopted the costing models and agreed to have them implemented in a phased –in approach. All provinces are currently still at different phases of implementing the models due to insufficient allocations. Currently there is no budget allocation for implementation of costing models in some provinces which has resulted in disparities and lack of uniformity between provinces in the implementation of costing models which would have addressed disparities in the remuneration of Social Workers in the NGO sector.

    It is essential that the NGO sector be assisted in respect of the re-grading of salaries of Social Workers in order to enable them to remunerate according to the correct market value for the relevant job categories. The department will continue to lobby for more funding to review mechanisms for funding NGOs to provide for parity in the remuneration of Social Workers at non-governmental organizations in all provinces. The following action plan will be implemented:

    • Analyze the gap between salaries of NGOs and those of government

    • Look at various models to be used towards the improvement of NGO funding

    • Consult Provinces on funding models

    • Engage Treasury in bidding for funding (MTEF period)

    QUESTION NO 186

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 JUNE 2009

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3)

    186. Ms A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

    (1) What were the results of the analysis of the water samples taken from the river water in the area after eight people died in Mpheko village in the Eastern Cape;

    (2) whether water from rivers are regularly tested for bacteriological contamination; if not, why not; if so, which rivers;

    (3) whether any bacteriological analysis of water from any other rivers in the past three months have revealed a risk to human health; if not, how was this conclusion reached if so, what are the relevant details? NW232E

    REPLY:

    (1) Table 1 below reflects the results of the water samples taken from two sources in Mpheko from which the community of the deceased got its water after the disruption of municipal supply.

    Table 1

    Determinant

    Units

    Recommended SANS 241 standard

    Phantsi kwentaba spring

    Mpeko River

    Colour

    mgPt-Co/l

    ‹20

    129

    1

    Conductivity

    mS/m

    ‹ 150

    14

    50

    Dissolved calcium

    mgCa/l

    ‹ 150

    2.6

    28

    Dissolved Magnesium

    mg Mg/l

    ‹ 70

    2.6

    19

    E. coli

    Colonies per100ml

    0

    1190

    258

    Flouride

    Microgaram /l

    1000

    840

    290

    Nitrate

    mgN/l

    10

    0.7

    1.4

    Odour

    Descriptive

    Not specified

    0

    0

    Oxygen absorbed

    mgO2/l

    Not specified

    pH

    pH units

    5.0-9.5

    7

    7.9‹

    Potassium

    mgK/l

    ‹ 50

    0.8

    0.8

    Sallmonella

    Present or detected

    Not detected

    Sodium

    mgNa/l

    ‹ 200

    22

    39

    Soluble organic carbon

    mgC/l

    ‹ 10

    Determinant

    Units

    Recommended SANS 241 standard

    Phantsi kwentaba spring

    Mpeko River

    Sulphate

    mg SO4/l

    ‹ 400

    72.1

    9.68

    Total Iron

    mg Fe/l

    ‹ 0.2

    6.28

    0.24

    Total alkalinity

    mg CaCo4/l

    Not specified

    48

    170

    Total colifoms

    Colonies per 100ml

    0

    1290‹

    336

    Total hardness

    mgCaCo4/l

    17

    148

    Total manganese

    mgMn/l

    ‹ 0.1

    0.11

    0.02

    Turbidity

    NTU

    ‹ 1

    239

    9.8

    (2) Yes, water is tested for bacteriological contamination in all major rivers in WMA 12 (the affected area) and also in those rivers where there are waste water discharges.

    Below is a list of all rivers which are regularly tested:

    Mthatha Area: Mthatha, Mbhashe, Mgwali, Xuka, Mngazana, Slang, Mthakatye, Tsitsa, Mjanyane, Siphethu, Cefane, All Saints, Xokonxa, Mngazi, Ntafufu, Mzintlava, Isinangwana, Ngododo, Cumngce and Hlambehlala Rivers.

    East London Area: Nahoon, Kubusie, Buffalo, Keiskamma, Yellowwoods, Komani, Klipplaat, Thorn and Hex Rivers.

    (3) Yes, since most of the rivers mentioned below run through human settlements, it is expected that they would reflect varying degrees of cfu/100ml, which is indicative of faecal contamination.

    The results below reveal a risk to human health if such water is consumed without any form of treatment as the South African Drinking Water Guidelines indicate that water which is safe for human consumption should show 0 cfu/100ml.

    It should be noted that the Department discourages drinking directly from any water resource by humans as its mandate is to manage water resources for fitness for use not for direct drinking purposes.

    Table 2 and 3 below reflects the bacteriological analysis of the samples.

    Table 2- Mthatha Area

    River Name

    No. monitoring points

    Frequency

    Range in cfu/100ml

    Mthatha

    10

    Monthly

    4 points above town ranges from 488-2400

    Point 5 – 10 reads › 2400

    Mbhashe

    3

    Bi-monthly

    654-2400

    Mgwali

    2

    Bi-monthly

    687-2400

    Xuka

    2

    Bi-monthly

    285 - 2400

    Mngazana

    1

    Bi-monthly

    816- 2400

    Slang

    2

    Monthly

    1129- 2400

    Mthakatye

    2

    Bi-monthly

    1733- 2400

    Tsitsa

    3

    Bi-monthly

    567- 2400

    River Name

    No. monitoring points

    Frequency

    Range in cfu/100ml

    Mzimvubu

    3

    Bi-monthly

    205- 2400

    Tina River

    2

    Bi-monthly

    326- 2400

    Mjanyane

    2

    Monthly

    1589- 2400

    Siphethu

    2

    Monthly

    260- 1990

    Cefane

    2

    Monthly

    1121- 2400

    All saints

    2

    Monthly

    548- 2400

    Xokonxa

    2

    Monthly

    ›2400

    Mngazi

    1

    Bi-monthly

    550- 2400

    Ntafufu

    1

    Bi-monthly

    250- 2400

    Mzintlava

    2

    Bi-monthly

    154- 2419

    Isinangwana

    2

    Bi-monthly

    1545- 2400

    Ngododo

    2

    Quarterly

    ›2400

    Cumngce

    2

    Quarterly

    ›2400

    Hlambehlala

    2

    Quarterly

    890- 2400

    Table 3: East London Area

    River Name

    No. monitoring points

    Frequency

    Range in cfu/100ml

    Nahoon

    10

    Monthly

    138 - 2420

    Kubusie

    9

    Monthly

    122 - 2420

    Buffalo

    12

    Monthly

    129 -3600 @ Mlakalaka weir

    KWT Railway samples 435 - 2400

    Keiskamma

    8

    Monthly

    172- 2420

    Yellowwoods

    4

    Monthly

    140 - >2400

    Komani

    2

    Monthly

    178 - 2420

    Klipplaat

    2

    Monthly

    400 - >2400

    Thorn

    2

    Monthly

    135 - 2420

    Hex

    2

    Monthly

    312 - 2800

    QUESTION NO 187

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 JUNE 2009

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3)

    187. Ms A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

    Whether the cost of purifying raw water for domestic use by water services authority will increase; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so (a) what purification process has been required and (b) what are the relevant costs for the metropolitan municipalities?

    NW233E

    Reply:

    (a) South Africans are witnessing an increase in the cost of all products produced through a combination of materials, energy and human resources and water is no exception. Add to this the fact that municipalities must generate sufficient income to also extend their water networks, refurbish ageing infrastructure and maintain water related assets and it will be clear that water tariffs must increase. In some cases, increases will be in line with inflation whilst in other cases increases will be linked to exchange rates where goods such as chemicals and mechanical or electrical equipment must be imported as well as increases in basic employment costs, etc

    This is a question that has no simple answer as there are a number of water purification technologies on the market today available for treating water to potable standard and being used by the various Water Service Providers, Water Service Authorities, Municipalities and Water Boards. Different technologies or processes are used taking into consideration the quality of the raw water that needs to be purified and the nature of pollutants in the water as well as the costs of the selected process. A fairly standard process in South African plants includes sedimentation followed by filtration and lastly disinfection through chlorination, Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation or Ozone treatment.

    (b) Metropolitan municipalities source water through different ways. Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg for example purchase water directly from Rand Water and only do distribution whilst Nelson Mandela Bay and Cape Town use a combination of several systems and own sources. Whilst information on the purification costs for 2009/10 was not available, the following information was sourced from the annual reports of Water Boards which indicates that the cost to abstract, pump, treat and distribute water in bulk can range between R 1,50 and R 3,00 per cubic metre (one cubic metre equals to one kilolitre).

    QUESTION 187

    FOR ORAL REPLY ON 21 OCTOBER 2009

    Date of publication on internal question paper: 13 October 2009

    Internal question paper no: 21

    Ms P P Xaba (ANC) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

    (1) Whether his department and SASSA has taken any steps to (a) assist grant beneficiaries who have fallen prey to money lenders and (b) put an end to their practice of preying on grant beneficiaries at pay-out points; if not, why not; if so, what steps;

    (2) whether any money lenders have been successfully prosecuted; if not, why not; if so, what (a) has been the result and (b) are the further relevant details? NO2093E

    REPLY:

    (1) Yes, SASSA has taken steps to assist beneficiaries through:

    (a) Educational programmes, ensuring measures are in place through contractual relations with relevant parties and implementing the provisions of the relevant legislations in terms of managing access to paypoints.

    (b) SASSA in conjunction with the service providers and law enforcement agencies ensure that unauthorized people are not allowed at paypoints. Full details appear in Annexure A, attached hereto, also indicating what steps were taken and how each province dealt with the matter.

    (2) Yes, some of the money lenders were prosecuted and full details appear in per province are included in the annexure,

    (a) The result in cases where prosecution took place differed from one province to another as indicated in annexure included hereto.

    (b) Except for information provided herein there are no further relevant details.

    QUESTION 188

    FOR ORAL REPLY ON 21 OCTOBER 2009

    Date of publication on internal question paper: 13 October 2009

    Internal question paper no: 21

    Mr V V Magagula (ANC) to ask the Minister of Social Development

    What steps is her department taking to educate communities about children's rights with regard to forced marriages, especially in the Eastern Cape where such practice is still in use? NO2094E

    REPLY:

    The Department is taking the following steps to educate communities about children's rights with regard to forced marriages:

    (i) The Provincial Department of Social Development in the Eastern Cape in conjunction with other Government Departments such as the Presidency, Police, Health and Justice and Constitutional Development led an integrated awareness campaign and conducted door to door campaigns to conscientise the community about the children's rights and the right to human dignity. It was made clear to the community in those campaigns that failure to comply with the legislation will result to law enforcement.

    (ii) Subsequent to the above, the Provincial Department of Social Development commemorated the International Day for Families on 15 May 2009 at Mkhamela Administrative Area (A/A) and the theme was "Families and Women: Challenges in the changing world". A Candle Light Memorial was conducted on 21 May 2009 at Khanyago A/A and its theme was "Together we are the solution". The purpose of the two events was to empower women and children on their rights.

    (iii) Focus groups to obtain the views and opinions of the parents and children regarding the practice of "Ukuthwala" were held at the O R Tambo District. The inputs from the above focus groups served as a guide to draft a plan of action by Government Departments on this issue of forced marriages.

    (iv) The Provincial Department of Social Development also arranged two community conferences at KwaCwija and the following resolutions were taken:

  • That those "Makotis" (the victims of "Ukuthwala") who were taken against their will and wished to return home, should be allowed to do so and the Lobolas' should be paid back to the owners.
    • It was also agreed that this culture of "Ukuthwala" should no longer be practiced and failing to do so will result into a criminal offence.

    The National Department in collaboration with the Provincial Department of Social Development briefed the Portfolio Committee on Social Development on this issue in September 2009.

    FACT SHEET
    SUPPORTING INFORMATION FOR QUESTION 188

    1. INTRODUCTION

    Child abduction and forced marriages constitute gender-based violence, especially violence against the girl child. The practice of child abduction, early and forced marriages is commonly referred to as "Ukuthwala" in the Eastern Cape Province. This custom is reported to be originating from the Xhosa culture whereby families make marriage arrangements for their girl children without the girls fully consenting to the marriage. The Mpondos' clan is reported to have adopted the "Ukuthwala" from other Xhosa clans such as the Mfengus'. The recent discovery on this phenomenon of early and forced marriages revealed that girls between the ages of 12 to 15 years are the mostly affected.

    This phenomenon of "Ukuthwala" is reported to be rife at Mkhamela Administrative Area (A/A) in Lusikiki which is part of the O R Tambo District Municipality in the Province. The area of Lusikiki is rural and it is governed by Traditional Leaders and the Local Government. Poverty has been identified as a driving force of the practice in the area, since most adults are unemployed, and therefore, parents sacrifice their girl children in exchange of money.

    It is reported that girls who are abducted in this manner withdraw from school and therefore, are deprived a better and a brighter future. It should be acknowledged that this practice impact negatively on the abducted girls as it compromises their development and also put them at risk of psycho-social harm, early pregnancy and childbirth, HIV and AIDS and depriving them of the basic right to education.

    The South African Constitution is the supreme law and it overrides any other law including the customary law. Section 28(1) (d) of the Constitution deals with the child's right to be protected against maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation. This imposes a duty on private individuals, as well as the state to protect children. It requires the state to act positively to prevent abuse. It also requires the state to ensure legislative and policy protection. This encompasses the Child Care Act 74 of 1983, Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998, Sexual Offences Act 23 of 1957 and new Children's Act 38 of 2005 as amended. In particular there are provisions in the Children's Act as amended to criminalize, for instance, child abuse and deliberate neglect; forced marriage and the exploitation of children. The Sexual Offences Act also creates a range of new offences to protect children from abuse, such as sexual exploitation of children, child sex tourism and grooming.

    The newly passed, but not fully promulgated, Children's Act 38 of 2005 as amended provide for protection of children from being abducted and from entering into forced marriages. This Act will assist and ensure that parents, community organizations and the society at large fulfill their responsibilities in relation to children.

    2. QUESTIONS ASKED

    2.1 How the Department is dealing with Child Abduction and Forced marriages

    The Department of Social Development is developing an intervention strategy in collaboration with other key stakeholders such as Traditional leaders, Civil Society and Government Departments such as the Presidency, Police, Health, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Justice and Constitutional Development.

    The primary aim of the Department of Social Development is to care and protect children from abuse, neglect and exploitation. In dealing with child abduction and forced marriages, the department is responsible for investigating, report writing and making recommendations to court, removal and placement of children, rendering reunification services and monitoring. In rendering of all these services the child's best interest is paramount.

    Other intervention processes by the department include conducting awareness campaigns and focus groups, providing counseling to the victims and their families, referring cases to the Police and the Department of Justice for further assistance.

    2.2 Are there any Departmental interventions, what are they and how are they implemented?

    Following the commissioning by the then Minister in the Office of the Presidency, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, the Department of Social Development was part of the team that conducted investigations on the phenomenon. The Department together with SAPS led an integrated awareness campaign and conducted door to door campaigns to conscietise the community about children's rights and the Legislation concerned.

    Subsequent to that the Department arranged and conducted a provincial event to commemorate the international day of families on 15 May 2009 under the theme: Families and Women "Challenges in the changing world". The event was held at Mkhamela A/A. A Candle light Memorial with the theme "together we are a solution" was also held on 21 May at Khanyayo A/A.

    The Department in collaboration with the Departments of Health, Police, Correctional Services; Traditional Leaders, Moral Regeneration Movement and Women Caucus has also arranged various focus groups at O R Tambo District to get the views and opinions of the community regarding the practice of "Ukuthwala" especially for young girls.

    Finally, the Palmerton Center in the O R District was identified to serve as a shelter for girls and women who have been abducted or in fear of being abducted. During the launch of Palmerton Center, the former Minister of Social Development (The Honourable Minister Zola Skweyiya) pledged the support of the Department to the Palmerton Center to care and protect the needs and the rights of children.

    In addition to the above the Department of Social Development through the area office also conducted site visits and assessed the Palmerton Center in preparation to register the facility as a place of care in terms of the Child Care Act 74 of 1983. Individual assessment of all children in the Palmerton Center to ensure proper placement were conducted and a social worker was allocated to the Center to ensure the smooth running of the Center. Intersectoral District Committee meetings are held on a regular basis to provide feedback to other stakeholders.

    The Department also conducted Community Outreach Programmes, and two community group conferences were held at KwaCwija also known as Cele A/A. The issues discussed during the group conferencing made the following resolutions:

    • That the young "Makotis" (the victims of "Ukuthwala") that were taken against their will and wished to return home should be allowed to do so and the Lobolas' should be paid back to the owners.
    • It was also agreed that this culture of "Ukuthwala" should no longer be practiced failing which will result into a criminal offence.

    The Department has planned to:

    • Train staff and relevant structures to provide a clear guide on the practice.
    • Continue with assessments of children who are victims of the "Ukuthwala" custom and those that left their homes in fear of being abducted for family re-unification purposes or placement in alternative care.
    • Properly place children and adult victims of violence and abuse at Palmerton Center and Mthatha One Stop Centre respectively.
    • Provide counseling services in respect of all victims of gender-based violence.
    • adjust the provincial strategic/operational plans in terms of funding the shelters.
    • Process registration and funding of the shelters for victims of gender-based violence.
    • Monitor and support the facilities.
    • Promote and participate in the delivery of co-ordinated and intergrated services that will contribute to reducing poverty and underdevelopment.

    2.3 Is there anything done to address stereotypes related to gender-based abuse, for example returning (male circumcision) initiates who believe they should have sexual intercourse with females who are not their real partners

    In order to address stereotypes related to gender-based abuse of physical violence perpetrated towards women by initiates who are returning from initiation schools, the Department is conducting awareness campaigns in the area. The Provincial Department of Social Development in the Eastern Cape also funds two non-governmental organisations, namely Masimanyane Women Support Centre and Men for Change which are working towards behavioral change of initiates. Masimanyane Women Support Centre facilitates and conducts educational talks whereas Men for Change facilitate workshops that safeguard the lives of initiates, as well as mentoring the new initiates.

    2.4 Are there any such cases (as the one above) reported within the Department

    According to the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Social Development there are no specific individual cases reported to the Department hence the general intervention in the form of awareness campaigns to mitigate and prevent further gender based abuse.

    QUESTION NO. 188 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3 of 2009

    DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 June 2009

    Mr PJC Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

    (1) Whether her department endorsed any Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cities) permits for the export of abalone in (a) 2007 and (b) 2008; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how many each year;

    (2) (a) how many tonne of harvested abalone were exported in (i) 2007 and (ii) 2008 and (b) to which countries?

    NW234E

    MR P J C PRETORIUS (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

    HANSARD

    PAPERS OFFICE

    PRESS

    188. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

    (1) The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism did endorse the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) permits for the export of wild abalone (Haliotis midae) in (a) 2007 and (b) 2008. The wild abalone fishery was subsequently closed with effect from 1 February 2008, thereby removing the necessity for the department to continue endorsing export permits. Although the endorsement of export permits for cultivated abalone consignments is considered good practice, it is not a legal requirement in terms of Cites. The department is currently considering how best to monitor the export of cultivated abalone.

    (2) There were 88 and 64 tons of wild harvested abalone exported for 2006/07 and 2007/08, respectively. The main port of destination was Hong Kong in both 2007 and 2008.

    QUESTION NO. 189 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3 of 2009

    DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 June 2009

    Mr PJC Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

    Whether her department has the capacity to combat abalone poaching; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details

    NW235E

    MR P J C PRETORIUS (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

    HANSARD

    PAPERS OFFICE

    PRESS

    189. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

    Yes. The department has an Abalone Protection Strategy in place. One component of this strategy involved the expansion of the department's capacity to combat poaching. The number of Human Resources (Inspectors) was increased with the appointment of 80 additional contract Fishery Control Offices (FCOs), the acquisition of sophisticated night vision equipment, the hiring of a small surveillance aircraft and the purchase and deployment of rapid response small vessels.

    QUESTION 189

    DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13/10/09

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 21-2009)

    Ms N Gina (ANC) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

    Whether any plans are in place to ensure that schools are not disrupted by service delivery protests at this critical period when learners need to prepare for examinations; if not, why not; if so, what plans? NO2095E

    REPLY:

    The Minister of Basic Education has taken all reasonable and necessary steps to ensure that learning and teaching takes place without disruption in our schools.

    We share the concern that service delivery protests already may impact negatively on school activities. We are advised that in the areas affected by service delivery protests the Provincial Departments have measures in place.

    Limpopo (Moutse)

    Two camps were established to accommodate learners – boys were moved to Makhado Multipurpose Centre in Vhembe region and girls were moved to Tivumbeni Multipurpose Centre in Mopani. Since the establishment of the camps, the community expressed their commitment to support learners to write their exams.

    However, in case there are any disruptions, the Provincial Department will set up a writing centre outside Moutse and provide the learners with transport to the centre.

    Mpumalanga (Mathafeni and Sakhile)

    The Circuit Managers are on high alert to move learners to other schools within the circuits in case there are any disruptions. The Provincial Legislature was briefed yesterday about the details of the planned intervention in order to afford learners an opportunity to write their exams

    QUESTION 190

    DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 19 June 2009

    INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3 of 2009

    Ms J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

    How many vacancies were there as at 30 April 2009 for (a) counter staff, (b) supervisors and (c) management at each office in Mpumalanga?

    NW236E

    REPLY

    Acronyms: RO: Regional Office

    DO: District Office

    BP: Border Post

    The number of vacant posts relating to Civic Services at each office in the Mpumalanga Province as at 30 April 2009 – as per the table below:

    OFFICE

    COUNTER STAFF

    SUPERVISORS

    MANAGEMENT

    TOTAL

    RO Nelspruit

    11

    7

    6

    24

    DO Barberton

    2

    0

    0

    2

    DO Hazyview

    3

    1

    0

    4

    DO Mapulaneng

    7

    0

    0

    7

    DO Komatipoort

    1

    2

    0

    3

    DO Mashishing (Lydenburg)

    5

    2

    1

    8

    DO Mhlala

    8

    2

    0

    10

    DO Nkomazi

    3

    2

    0

    5

    DO White River (Nsikazi)

    7

    0

    0

    7

    RO Ermelo

    4

    4

    0

    8

    DO Bethal

    2

    1

    1

    4

    PSP Standerton

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Eerstehoek

    4

    1

    0

    5

    DO Piet Retief

    4

    1

    1

    6

    DO Secunda

    8

    0

    2

    10

    RO Witbank

    4

    3

    3

    10

    OFFICE

    COUNTER STAFF

    SUPERVISORS

    MANAGEMENT

    TOTAL

    DO Belfast

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Kwa-Mhlanga

    3

    2

    0

    5

    DO Middelburg (MP)

    6

    1

    0

    7

    DO Mkobolo (Kwaggafontein)

    3

    0

    0

    3

    DO Siyabuswa

    6

    0

    0

    6

    TOTAL

    91

    29

    14

    134

    The number of vacant posts relating to Immigration Services at each office in the Mpumalanga Province as at 30 April 2009 – as per the table below:

    OFFICE

    COUNTER STAFF

    SUPERVISORS

    MANAGEMENT

    TOTAL

    RO Nelspruit

    3

    2

    1

    6

    DO Barberton

    1

    1

    0

    2

    DO Hazyview

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Mapulaneng

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Komatipoort

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Mashishing (Lydenburg)

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Mhlala

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Nkomazi

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO White River (Nsikazi)

    0

    0

    0

    0

    BP Mananga

    8

    0

    0

    8

    BP Lebombo

    45

    2

    1

    48

    BP Josefdal

    1

    0

    0

    1

    BP Jeppesreff

    9

    0

    0

    9

    BP Kruger Mpumalanga

    6

    1

    0

    7

    RO Ermelo

    2

    1

    1

    4

    DO Bethal

    2

    1

    0

    3

    PSP Standerton

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Eerstehoek

    2

    0

    0

    2

    DO Piet Retief

    3

    0

    0

    3

    DO Secunda

    2

    0

    0

    2

    BP Oshoek

    19

    3

    1

    23

    BP Neston

    3

    1

    0

    4

    BP Mahamba

    12

    1

    0

    13

    BP Emahlathini

    6

    2

    0

    8

    OFFICE

    COUNTER STAFF

    SUPERVISORS

    MANAGEMENT

    TOTAL

    RO Witbank

    2

    2

    0

    4

    DO Belfast

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Kwa-Mhlanga

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Middelburg (MP)

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Mkobolo (Kwaggafontein)

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Siyabuswa

    5

    0

    0

    5

    TOTAL

    131

    17

    4

    152

    * Please note that all of the above-mentioned vacancies are funded in the current financial year i.e. 2009/10.


    NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

    FOR ORAL REPLY

    QUESTION 191

    DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13/10/09

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 21-2009)

    Mr Z S Makhubele (ANC) to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training:

    (a) What steps has been taken to remove the burden of the cost of education from poor families especially in the light of the underspending by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and (b) to what degree is the further expansion of the services and the transformation of the NSFAS receiving priority? NO2097E

    REPLY:

    (a) .The NSFAS has requested institutions to provide information on under-spending in order to redistribute funds to needy students within the current academic year. The Department of Higher Education and Training has been monitoring this matter closely.

    (b) I appointed a Ministerial Committee to review the NSFAS in July 2009. A report is expected at the end of this year. The overall purpose of the review is to assess the strengths and shortcomings of the current Scheme and to advise my office on the short, medium and long term needs for student financial aid in order to promote the twin goals of equity of access and providing free undergraduate education to students from working class and poor communities who cannot afford further or higher education. The review will evaluate different models of student financial aid and make recommendations on the policy and operational changes required to ensure the effective and efficient achievement of these goals, which will enable South Africa to produce graduates with the qualifications and skills required to build our developmental state.

    QUESTION 191

    DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 19 June 2009

    INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3 of 2009

    Ms J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

    How many vacancies were there as at 30 April 2009 for (a) counter staff, (b) supervisors and (c) management at each office in North West?

    NW237E

    REPLY

    Acronyms: RO: Regional Office

    DO: District Office

    BP: Border Post

    The number of vacant posts relating to Civic Services at each office in the North West Province as at 30 April 2009 – as per the table below:

    OFFICE

    COUNTER STAFF

    SUPERVISORS

    MANAGEMENT

    TOTAL

    RO Mmabatho

    0

    3

    3

    6

    DO Atamelang

    5

    2

    0

    7

    DO Itsoseng

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Lehurutshe

    5

    2

    0

    7

    DO Lichtenburg

    7

    2

    0

    9

    DO Molopo

    5

    0

    0

    5

    DO Ganyesa

    4

    2

    0

    6

    DO Taung

    9

    0

    0

    9

    DO Vryburg

    5

    0

    1

    6

    RO Klerksdorp

    21

    0

    1

    22

    DO Potchefstroom

    7

    1

    0

    8

    DO Wolmaransstad

    3

    1

    0

    4

    RO Rustenburg (Tlhabane)

    17

    6

    1

    24

    DO Brits

    4

    2

    0

    6

    DO Madikwe

    5

    1

    0

    6

    DO Mankwe

    5

    2

    0

    7

    DO Garankuwa

    13

    0

    0

    13

    OFFICE

    COUNTER STAFF

    SUPERVISORS

    MANAGEMENT

    TOTAL

    DO Mabopane

    7

    0

    0

    7

    DO Temba

    7

    1

    0

    8

    TOTAL

    129

    25

    6

    160

    The number of vacant posts relating to Immigration Services at each office in the North West Province as at 30 April 2009 – as per the table below:

    OFFICE

    COUNTER STAFF

    SUPERVISORS

    MANAGEMENT

    TOTAL

    RO Mmabatho

    0

    3

    1

    4

    DO Atamelang

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Itsoseng

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Lehurutshe

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Lichtenburg

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Molopo

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Ganyesa

    1

    0

    0

    1

    DO Taung

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Vryburg

    0

    0

    0

    0

    BP Brey

    4

    0

    0

    4

    BP Derdepoort

    4

    1

    0

    5

    BP Kopfontein

    11

    3

    0

    14

    BP Magobistad

    3

    0

    0

    3

    BP Mokopong

    3

    1

    0

    4

    BP Ramatlabama

    9

    0

    0

    9

    BP Skilpadhek

    7

    0

    0

    7

    BP Swartkopfontein

    7

    0

    0

    7

    RO Klerksdorp

    4

    2

    0

    6

    DO Potchefstroom

    1

    1

    0

    2

    DO Wolmaransstad

    0

    0

    0

    0

    RO Rustenburg (Tlhabane)

    8

    0

    1

    9

    DO Brits

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Madikwe

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Mankwe

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Garankuwa

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Mabopane

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Temba

    2

    0

    0

    2

    TOTAL

    64

    11

    2

    77

    * Please note that all the vacancies mentioned above are funded for the current financial year i.e. 2009/10.

    QUESTION 192

    DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 19 June 2009

    INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3 of 2009

    Ms J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

    How many vacancies were there as at 30 April 2009 for (a) counter staff, (b) supervisors and (c) management at each office in the Northern Cape?

    NW238E

    REPLY

    Acronyms: RO: Regional Office

    DO: District Office

    BP: Border Post

    The number of vacant posts relating to Civic Services at each office in the Northern Cape Province as at 30 April 2009 – as per the table below:

    OFFICE

    COUNTER STAFF

    SUPERVISORS

    MANAGEMENT

    TOTAL

    RO Springbok

    12

    7

    1

    20

    DO De Aar

    1

    1

    0

    2

    DO Prieska

    0

    1

    0

    1

    RO Upington

    6

    3

    0

    9

    DO Kuruman

    4

    1

    3

    8

    DO Postmansburg

    0

    2

    0

    2

    RO Kimberley

    17

    6

    2

    25

    DO Calvinia

    1

    3

    0

    4

    DO Pampierstad

    1

    0

    0

    1

    DO Jan Kempdorp

    2

    0

    0

    2

    TOTAL

    44

    24

    6

    74

    The number of vacant posts relating to Immigration Services at each office in the Northern Cape Province as at 30 April 2009 – as per the table below:

    OFFICE

    COUNTER STAFF

    SUPERVISORS

    MANAGEMENT

    TOTAL

    RO Springbok

    1

    0

    1

    2

    DO De Aar

    1

    1

    0

    2

    DO Prieska

    0

    0

    0

    0

    RO Upington

    5

    2

    0

    7

    DO Kuruman

    3

    1

    0

    4

    DO Postmansburg

    0

    0

    0

    0

    BP Twee Riviersnek

    1

    0

    0

    1

    BP Rietfontein

    1

    0

    0

    1

    BP Noenieput

    2

    1

    0

    3

    BP Nakop

    7

    1

    0

    8

    BP Middleputs

    1

    1

    0

    2

    BP Mccarthy's Rust

    2

    1

    0

    3

    BP Gemsbok

    2

    0

    0

    2

    RO Kimberley

    0

    3

    1

    4

    DO Calvinia

    0

    0

    0

    0

    BP Sindelingsdrift

    3

    1

    0

    4

    Bp Onseepkans

    1

    1

    0

    2

    BP Alexanderbay

    3

    1

    0

    4

    DO Pampierstad

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Jan Kempdorp

    0

    0

    0

    0

    TOTAL

    33

    14

    2

    49

    * Please note that all vacancies mentioned above are funded for the current financial year i.e. 2009/10.

    NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

    ORAL REPLY

    QUESTION NO 193

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16 OCTOBER 2009.

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO07 -2009)

    "Mrs D van der Walt (DA) to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture"

    Whether her department uses temporary employment services and or labour brokers; if so (a) why, (b) how many positions have been filled by temporary employment services in the (i) 2006-2007, (ii) 2007-2008, (iii) 2008-2009 financial years(c) what percentage of the total staff complement did temporary services contribute in each of these years and (d) how much money has been spent on temporary employment services each year?

    REPLY:

    Yes

    (a) In order to ensure that service delivery is not affected and compromised because of the movement and related changes in the work force, the services of recruitment agencies are used to provide continuous supply of human capital to meet the immediate needs of the Department in a short period of time. This includes placement fees in the event that the recruitment agencies are used for permanent recruitment purposes. Such services are used when attempts to fill a post through regular recruitment methods have not been successful.

    (b) (i) 2006-2007 :26

    (ii) 2007-2008: 9

    (iii) 2008-2009: 19

    (c) 2006-2007 :6,64%

    2007-2008: 2,26%

    2008-2009: 4,42%

    (d) 2006-2007 : R 1836852.30

    2007-2008: R 1822800.13

    2008-2009: R 1099815.65



    QUESTION 193

    DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 19 June 2009

    INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3 of 2009

    Mr M Mnqasela (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

    How many vacancies were there as at 30 April 2009 for (a) counter staff, (b) supervisors and (c) management at each office in the Free State?

    NW239E

    REPLY

    Acronyms: RO: Regional Office

    DO: District Office

    BP: Border Post

    The number of vacant posts relating to Civic Services at each office in the Free State Province as at 30 April 2009 – as per the table below:

    OFFICE

    COUNTER STAFF

    SUPERVISORS

    MANAGEMENT

    TOTAL

    RO Bloemfontein

    18

    3

    2

    23

    DO Botshabelo

    3

    0

    0

    3

    DO Thaba Nchu

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Koffiefontein

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Zastron

    3

    0

    0

    3

    RO Welkom

    8

    3

    2

    13

    DO Bultfontein

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Kroonstad

    8

    0

    0

    8

    RO Phuthaditjhaba

    9

    2

    1

    12

    DO Bethlehem

    6

    1

    0

    7

    DO Harrismith

    2

    0

    0

    2

    DO Sasolburg

    1

    0

    0

    1

    TOTAL

    58

    9

    5

    72

    The number of vacant posts relating to Immigration Services at each office in the Free State Province as at 30 April 2009 – as per the table below:

    OFFICE

    COUNTER STAFF

    SUPERVISORS

    MANAGEMENT

    TOTAL

    RO Bloemfontein

    0

    4

    1

    5

    DO Botshabelo

    1

    1

    0

    2

    DO Thaba Nchu

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Koffiefontein

    0

    0

    0

    0

    BP Maserubridge

    4

    0

    1

    5

    BP Ficksburg

    1

    3

    1

    5

    BP Caledonspoort

    1

    1

    0

    2

    DO Zastron

    0

    0

    0

    0

    RO Welkom

    1

    1

    1

    3

    DO Bultfontein

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Kroonstad

    1

    0

    0

    1

    RO Phuthaditjhaba

    0

    0

    1

    1

    DO Bethlehem

    1

    0

    0

    1

    DO Harrismith

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Sasolburg

    0

    0

    0

    0

    TOTAL

    10

    10

    5

    25

    * Please note that all the vacancies mentioned above are funded for the current financial year i.e. 2009/10.

    QUESTION 193

    DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13/10/09

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 21-2009)

    Mrs F F Mushwana (ANC) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

    When will all schools be transformed into inclusive structures that will make them accessible to all learners, including those with disabilities? NO2099E

    REPLY:

    According to the implementation plan of the National Minimum Norms and Standards for School Infrastructure, provinces will apply Minimum Functionality norms and standards to all new schools, and where possible and when the budget is available, upgrading and maintenance to existing schools with the target to have all schools meeting the minimum functionality target.

    This includes the programme to convert existing schools into full service schools as per White Paper 6 on Inclusive Education. The target for all schools to meet the optimum functionality is 2030 or earlier. This includes having all schools accessible to all learners. The achievement of this target, however, is dependent on the availability of sufficient funding.

    QUESTION 194

    DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 19 June 2009

    INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3 of 2009

    Mr M Mnqasela (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

    How many vacancies were there as at 30 April 2009 for (a) counter staff, (b) supervisors and (c) management at each office in the Eastern Cape?

    NW240E

    REPLY

    Acronyms: RO: Regional Office

    DO: District Office

    BP: Border Post

    The number of vacant posts relating to Civic Services at each office in the Eastern Cape Province as at 30 April 2009 – as per the table below:

    OFFICE

    COUNTER STAFF

    SUPERVISORS

    MANAGEMENT

    TOTAL

    RO Mthatha

    1

    9

    2

    12

    DO Qumbu

    2

    0

    0

    2

    RO Lusikisiki

    0

    0

    1

    1

    DO Bizana

    2

    3

    0

    5

    DO Libode

    1

    0

    0

    1

    DO Port ST Johns

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Tabankulu

    0

    0

    0

    0

    RO Mount Frere

    0

    0

    1

    1

    DO Aliwal North

    1

    0

    0

    1

    DO Burgersdorp

    3

    0

    0

    3

    DO MT Fletcher

    1

    0

    0

    1

    DO Sterkspruit

    0

    1

    1

    2

    RO Queenstown

    2

    5

    1

    8

    TH Cofimvaba

    1

    0

    0

    1

    DO Cradock

    2

    1

    3

    DO Engcobo

    3

    0

    1

    4

    OFFICE

    COUNTER STAFF

    SUPERVISORS

    MANAGEMENT

    TOTAL

    DO Lady Frere

    1

    0

    0

    1

    RO King Williams Town

    24

    3

    2

    29

    PSP Keikammahoek

    1

    2

    0

    3

    DO Alice

    7

    2

    1

    10

    DO Butterworth

    1

    1

    0

    2

    DO Willowvale

    1

    0

    0

    1

    DO East London

    6

    0

    0

    6

    DO Mdantsane

    3

    1

    0

    4

    DO Peddie

    1

    0

    0

    1

    RO Port Elizabeth

    10

    7

    1

    18

    DO Cleary Park

    1

    0

    0

    1

    DO Uitenhage

    3

    0

    0

    3

    DO Graaff Reinet

    3

    0

    0

    3

    DO Grahamstown

    5

    2

    0

    7

    DO Humansdorp

    2

    0

    0

    2

    DO Somerset East

    4

    0

    0

    4

    TOTAL

    92

    36

    12

    140

    The number of vacant posts relating to Immigration Services at each office in the Eastern Cape Province as at 30 April 2009 – as per the table below:

    OFFICE

    COUNTER STAFF

    SUPERVISORS

    MANAGEMENT

    TOTAL

    RO Mthatha

    5

    0

    1

    6

    DO Qumbu

    0

    0

    0

    0

    RO Lusikisiki

    2

    0

    1

    3

    DO Bizana

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Libode

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Port ST Johns

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Tabankulu

    0

    0

    0

    0

    RO Mount Frere

    2

    0

    1

    3

    DO Aliwal North

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Burgersdorp

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO MT Fletcher

    3

    0

    0

    3

    DO Sterkspruit

    2

    0

    0

    2

    RO Queenstown

    3

    1

    1

    5

    TH Cofimvaba

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Cradock

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Engcobo

    2

    1

    0

    3

    OFFICE

    COUNTER STAFF

    SUPERVISORS

    MANAGEMENT

    TOTAL

    DO Lady Frere

    0

    0

    0

    0

    RO King Williams Town

    3

    3

    1

    7

    PSP Keikammahoek

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Alice

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Butterworth

    3

    0

    0

    3

    DO Willowvale

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO East London

    2

    2

    0

    4

    DO Mdantsane

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Peddie

    0

    0

    0

    0

    RO Port Elizabeth

    2

    1

    1

    4

    DO Cleary Park

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Uitenhage

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Graaff Reinet

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Grahamstown

    1

    0

    0

    1

    DO Humansdorp

    0

    0

    0

    0

    DO Somerset East

    0

    0

    0

    0

    BP Telebrug

    2

    0

    0

    2

    RRO Port Elizabeth

    0

    0

    0

    0

    TOTAL

    32

    8

    6

    46

    * Please note that all vacancies mentioned above are funded for the current financial year i.e. 2009/10.

    QUESTION 194

    DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13/10/09

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 21-2009)

    Mrs M T Kubayi (ANC) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

    What is her department's state of readiness with regard to the examinations? NO2100E

    REPLY:

    The Department of Education (DoE) is ready to implement the 2009 National Senior Certificate examinations. The DoE has used the first implementation of the NSC examination in 2008 as a platform on which to build and improve on the examination systems and processes. The challenges presented in the 2008 examination constituted the specific focus in the 2009 preparations. The DoE monitors and supports the PEDs on an ongoing basis and a dedicated state of readiness audit was conducted in each of the PEDs in July 09.

    All question papers have been set and externally moderated by the Quality Assurance Council, Umalusi and have been submitted to provincial education departments for printing. PEDs are finalizing their printing and packing of question papers which will be delivered to examination centres on a daily basis in most of the PEDs, as a security measure. The registration of candidates has been finalized and the internal assessment marks are currently being moderated at the provincial level and will be collected and captured on the computer system by 15 November 09. The official commencement of the NSC examination will be on 02 November 09, by the time at which all non-official languages and practical subjects would have been completed.

    The monitoring teams from the DoE and PED will visit examination centres during this stage to ensure that examinations are conducted in accordance with policy. Marking centres have been established and prospective markers have been screened and appointed.

    Much progress has been made towards complete modernization of the administration system by introducing an Integrated Examination Computer System (IECS) which is already at its advance stages. In this regard multiple back-up systems run by SITA and monitored by Government Information Technology Office (GITO) have been put in place. The Minister of Basis Education will receive daily progress reports from all 10 130 national and international examination centres. Of the total number of examination centres 8 124 will be schools, 1 294 ABET, as well as 8 centres in Namibia and Swaziland. The Department is ready to provide examinations services to all South Africans travelling abroad. In this regard our embassies throughout the world play a significant part as emissaries of our national examination system. In respect of this we have received requests in Athens in Greece as well as in Perth in Australia. All processes are on track for the release of the results on 7 January 2010 and the DoE is confident that barring minor incidents which are expected in an examination of this magnitude, the 2009 examination will be successfully administered.

    NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

    FOR ORAL REPLY

    QUESTION 195

    DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13/10/09

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 21-2009)

    Mrs M T Kubayi (ANC) to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training:

    What is his plan on dealing with the fee increment in institutions of higher education? NO2101E

    REPLY:

    The issues of student fees remain a concern to me and my Department. In this regards letters have been sent to all institutions requesting them to provide the Department with the following information amongst others:

  • Institutional policies in respect of fees payable and regulations regarding the payment of fees.
  • average increase in academic and residence fees for the 2010 academic year compared to the previous years
  • The anticipated estimate in fee increases for the 2010 academic year, taking into account the MTEF allocation to higher education.
  • The totals which institutions expect to raise from tuition, student housing and the proportions which these represents of the total income of the institutions for the 2010 financial year.
  • The average increase in additional student levies i.e. ICT, transport library and catering separately for the 2010 academic year, compared to the previous years.
  • The general guidelines and specific rules or requirements for the payment of academic, residence and other fees.
  • Institutional processes followed in the determination of fees for the 2010 academic year.
  • The provisions being made from institutional and other sources to assist financially disadvantaged and academically deserving students.
  • This information will then assist us to be able to analyze the trends so that we can make informed decisions in our discussions with different stakeholders. I am also going to meet with Higher Education South Africa (HESA) including all national student organisations to discuss strategies to deal with the tensions that may arise as a result of disagreements on fee increments taking into account that the Department does not determine fees.

    QUESTION 195

    DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19/06/09

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 03-2009)

    Ms JC Kloppers- Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

    (a) How many vacancies for school principal posts existed in each province as at the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) when will these vacancies be filled in each case? NW242E

    REPLY:

    (a) The number of vacant Principal posts as at the end of January 2009 is as follows:

    Provincial breakdown of principal vacancy rates

    Province

    Vacancies

    Total Principal posts

    Eastern Cape

    1 783

    7 169

    Free State

    366

    1 958

    Gauteng

    278

    2 276

    KwaZulu Natal

    837

    6 413

    Limpopo Province

    705

    4 443

    Mpumalanga

    243

    2 062

    North West

    235

    2 149

    Northern Cape

    105

    706

    Western Cape

    268

    1 795

    TOTAL

    4 820

    28 71

    (b) The frequency of vacancy lists per province is as follows for this year:

    Province

    Report

    Eastern Cape

    Vacancy list will be released in the last term for appointment in January 2010

    Free State

    Vacancy list released in first and second term and assumption of duty on 1 October 2009

    Gauteng

    A vacancy list to be released in July 2009 for filling 1 October 2009

    KwaZulu-Natal

    No Report available at the time of response

    Limpopo

    No Report available at the time of response

    Mpumalanga

    A vacancy list to be released in July 2009

    North West

    Vacancy list released in the second term and appointments made for assumption of duty on first July 2009

    Northern Cape

    No confirmation of the issuing of further vacancy lists in 2009

    Western Cape

    The vacancy list will be released in August 2009 for possible filling of posts in January 2010

    NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

    FOR ORAL REPLY

    QUESTION NO 197

    WRITTEN REPLY TO QUESTION 157: Dr. A LOTRIET (DA): INVESTIGATION INTO THE CHlEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE PAN SOUTH AFRICAN LANGUAGE BOARD (PANSALB

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 21 AUGUST 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 21-2009)

    Prof A Lotriet (DA) to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture:


    (I)Whether the forensic investigation Into the Chief Executive Officer of the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) has been completed; if not, when will it be completed; if so,

    (2) Whether the report has been made available; if not. Why not; If so, what are the (a) findings and (b) recommendations;

    (3) Whether she Intends taking any action; If not, why not, if so, what action?

    REPLY:

    1 Yes. The forensic investigation has been completed. It was undertaken by Nkonki Incorporated and the report was handed in on 1 September 2009 to the Board of PanSALB.

    2. No. The report has not been made available to anyone other than the Board of PanSALB as they are they are Executive Authority of PanSALB and also that the report is being utilized as evidence in the hearing which is sub judice.

    (a) and (b) falls away.

    (a) The findings as reported by the PanSALB Board are that there are serious allegations of financial misconduct and subordination against the CEO.

    (b) The recommendations are that a disciplinary enquiry be held against the CEO for these allegations The Board had set the hearing for 4 September 2009 but at the request of the CEO, it was postponed to 4,5 and 6 November 2009.

    As the Minister of Arts and Culture, I am not the Executive Authority of this Constitutional Body in terms of its founding legislation, therefore I cannot take any action. I have noted the Board's decision and they will inform me of the outcome of the hearing.

    QUESTION 197

    DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19/06/09

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 03-2009)

    Ms JC Kloppers- Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

    (1) What was the backlog of textbooks in each province as at the latest specified date for which information is available;

    (2) whether her department has taken any steps to rectify this situation; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will these backlogs be eliminated; if so; what steps;

    (3) whether officials in her department have been held responsible for these backlogs; if not, why not; if so, (a) which officials and (b) what? NW243E

    REPLY:

    1 Although the procurement of textbooks is a provincial competence, the Department of Basic Education decided to conduct a survey in schools with the aim of determining the availability of textbooks in Grades 10-12. The number of school that responded and returned the survey back to the Department of Basic Education is 509, which represents 9% of secondary schools in South Africa. As indicated above only 509 surveys were returned and captured by the Department.

    It is difficult to conclude that the budget given to schools is inadequate from the information provided by provinces. Not all schools provided information relating to budgets.

    From the information gathered from schools, not many schools have retrieval systems in place. The table below shows the number of schools surveyed and the number of schools with retrieval systems in place.

    Province

    Number of schools

    Number schools retrieval system

    Eastern Cape

    78

    68

    Free State

    66

    43

    Gauteng

    174

    125

    Kwa-Zulu Natal

    24

    18

    Limpopo

    50

    35

    Mpumalanga

    28

    15

    Northern Cape

    15

    8

    North West

    53

    41

    Western Cape

    21

    16

    Total

    509

    369

    From the analysis of the survey, it is evident that many learners are not allowed to take textbooks home. The lack of textbooks impacts negatively on their performance. See table below.

    Province

    Number of schools

    Number of schools allowing learners to take textbooks home

    Eastern Cape

    78

    67

    Free State

    66

    41

    Gauteng

    174

    116

    Kwa-Zulu Natal

    24

    15

    Limpopo

    50

    35

    Mpumalanga

    28

    15

    Northern Cape

    15

    8

    North West

    53

    42

    Western Cape

    21

    17

    Total

    509

    356

    2. It is evident that textbook availability in schools is a problem and the Department of Education together with provincial education departments need to provide a solution to the shortage of textbooks in schools. The shortages maybe ascribed to the following:

    · Inadequate budget.

    · Number of subjects offered by schools.

    · Procurement practices by schools.

    · Lack of retrieval systems in schools.

    The report was presented to provinces and their response was positive. The report allowed provinces to engage with the fact that not all learners have seven textbooks despite good intentions of provinces. From the analysis, it was agreed that proposal to draft a policy on the funding and procurement of textbooks should be developed.

    3. The General Education and Training Branch has initiated a process of developing a national catalogue, which will also include an audit of LTSM in schools. However, as with FET, provincial Departments of Education are responsible for the procurement of LTSM.

    4. The Department of Education is not directly involved in the procurement and dissemination of textbooks and therefore no officials could be held responsible.

    QUESTION NO. 198

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 JUNE 2009

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 3)

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

    Whether his department released certain state employees prior to the 2009 election for political and/or trade union duties; if so, (a) how many members were released, (b) on what basis was this done and (c) for what period?

    NW245E

    REPLY:

    No, the Ministry is not aware of anybody who was released for reasons stated above

    (a), (b) and (c) Fall away.

    QUESTION NO 199

    DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 19 JUNE 2009

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3 - 2009)

    Date reply submitted: 20 July 2009

    Ms D Kohler-Barnard (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

    Whether his department released certain state employees prior to the 2009 election for political and/or trade union duties; if so, (a) how many members were released, (b) on what basis was this done and (c) for what period?

    NW246E

    REPLY:

    No employees were released for political duties.

    The only employees that were released for trade union duties are full-time shop stewards.

    The South African Police Service has, on the basis of the full-time shop steward agreements (3/2005), released employees below salary level 9 to serve on the two trade unions.

    The basis for the release of the full-time shop stewards is the collective agreement concluded between the Service and the trade unions that have been admitted to the Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council (SSSBC).

    The precursor to the release of full-time shop stewards is an agreement entered into by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) and the trade unions at Public Service Bargaining Council (PSCBC) level and applies to the SAPS as a sector of the SSSBC.

    NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

    FOR ORAL REPLY

    QUESTION NO 199

    I DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 16 OCTOBER 2009

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 07-2009)

    "Prof A Lotriet: (DA) to ask the Minister of Arts and Cult re:

    (1) Whether her Deputy Minister or her department purchased a new vehicle on the Deputy Minister's appointment to office; (a) why , (b) what make and model is the vehicle, (c) what did he vehicle cost and (d) (i) what accessories were included in excess of the vehicle's purchase price and (ii) what was the cost of such accessories; if not,

    (2) whether he Inherited an existing vehicle; if so, (a) what was the make and model and (b) how old is the vehicle

    REPLY:

    (1) Yes

    (a) The contract of the vehicle that was used by the former Deputy Minister expired in January 2009

    (b) BMW 550i Sedan

    (c) The cost of the vehicle is R723, 000.00

    (d) Cost of accessories was R57,950.00

    (2) Yes

    (a) BMW 750i ,,

    (b) 2006 model,3 years

    QUESTION 181

    FOR ORAL REPLY ON 21 OCTOBER 2009

    Date of publication on internal question paper: 13 October 2009

    Internal question paper no: 21

    Ms SP Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

    (1) (a) How many and (b) which provisions of the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005, have been implemented;

    (2) whether any deadlines have been set for the implementation of the remaining provisions; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NO2080E

    REPLY:

    (1) (a) 43 provisions have been implemented and

    (b) The provisions that have been implemented did not need regulations and these included:

    Chapter 1: Interpretation, Objects, Application and Implementation of Act

    1. Interpretation

    2. Objects of the Act

    3. Conflicts with other legislation

    4. Implementation of Act

    5. Inter-sectoral implementation of Act

    Chapter 2: General principles

    6. General principles

    7. Best interests of child standard

    8. Application

    9. Best interests of child paramount

    10. Child participation

    11. Children with disability or chronic illness

    13. Information on health care

    14. Access to court

    15. Enforcement of rights

    16. Responsibilities of children

    17. Age of majority

    Chapter 3: Parental responsibilities and rights

    Part 1: Acquisition and loss of parental responsibilities and rights

    18. Parental responsibilities and rights

    19. Parental responsibilities and rights of mothers

    20. Parental responsibilities and rights of married fathers

    21. Parental responsibilities and rights of unmarried fathers

    27. Assignment of guardianship and care

    Part 2: Co-exercise of parental responsibilities and rights

    30. Co-holders of parental responsibilities and rights

    31. Major decisions involving child

    Part 3: Parenting plans

    35. Refusal of access or refusal to exercise parental responsibilities and rights

    Part 4: Miscellaneous

    36. Presumption of paternity in respect of child born out of wedlock

    37. Refusal to submit to taking of blood samples

    38. Effect of subsequent marriage of parents on child

    39. Rights of child born of voidable marriage

    40. Rights of child conceived by artificial fertilization

    Chapter 7: Protection of children

    Part 3: Protective measures relating to health of children

    130. HIV-testing

    131. HIV-testing for foster care or adoption purposes

    132. Counselling before and after HIV-testing

    133. Confidentiality of information on HIV/AIDS status of children

    134. Access to contraceptives

    Chapter 20: Enforcement of Act

    305. Offences

    Only the following sections are in operation:

    305(1) (b), 305(1)(c), 305(3), 305(4), 305(5), 305(6), 305(7).

    Chapter 21: Administration of Act

    307. Delegation of powers and duties by Minister

    308. Assignment of powers and duties by Minister

    309. Delegation of powers and duties by MECs for social development

    310. Delegation of powers and duties by Director-General

    311. Delegation of powers and duties by provincial heads of social development

    Chapter 22: Miscellaneous matters

    313. Amendment of laws

    314. Transitional matters

    315. Short title and commencement

    (2) Yes, the dead line for the remaining provisions have been set for 01 April 2010. The regulations have been finalized and after approval by the Minister the regulations and the Proclamation will be submitted to the President for his approval. The Proclamation and regulations will then be published in the Gazette.

    QUESTION 180

    FOR ORAL REPLY ON 21 OCTOBER 2009

    Date of publication on internal question paper: 13 October 2009

    Internal question paper no: 21

    Ms SP Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

    (1) What is the current quality level of care and treatment provided to patients by the Noupoort Christian Care Centre;

    (2) whether any steps have been taken to close down this facility; if so, (a) what steps and (b) with what results; if not, why not? NO2079

    REPLY:

    (1) The temporary registration was granted to Noupoort Christian Care Centre (NCCC) in terms of section 9 (4) of the Prevention and Treatment of Drug Dependency Act, No 20 of 1992, on 29 April 2005 under the following conditions:

    · Provide a list of all patients that have to date been admitted at the centre and the date of completion of treatment of all patient at the centre.

    · Implement acceptable health and safety practices and services by a professional nurse to oversee health matters.

    · Acceptable disciplinary policy and appropriate disciplinary interventions.

    · A properly constituted and well functioning Board of management to oversee the smooth running of the centre, including implementation of proper financial management and controls

    · Administer an acceptable multi-disciplinary treatment programme.

    · Institute proper measures of well being of residents including the provision of a healthy balanced diet.

    · Compliance with minimum norms and standards for children in residential care.

    · Compliance with minimum norms and standards for in-patient treatment centres.

    · Inform the Department of any changes that may occur at the centre, which may influence the temporary registration.

    · Co-operating with the Monitoring Task Team appointed by the Director-General by amongst others giving them unrestricted access for purposes of performing their functions.

    Based on the summary report from the Departmental Monitoring Task Team and the progress report submitted by NCCC, the centre failed to meet the conditions for registration.

    (2) Yes

    (a) & (b)In 2004, the Department decided not to register NCCC as a treatment centre and that it should close down. The decline of registration of the centre was based on the results of the comprehensive assessment conducted by the Department following the death of a child at the centre. The assessment revealed unacceptable treatment and abuse of patients at the NCCC.

    In response to the decision of the Department, the NCCC applied for High Court interdict to prevent the Department from closing it down. The Court ordered that the Department grant temporary registration under certain conditions. The Department then established a task team to monitor the functioning of NCCC.

    The roundtable discussion held between the Department and the NCCC on 12 June 2009 resolved that NCCC provide progress report regarding their compliance with conditions of their temporary registration. A report was submitted and new allegations of abuse and violation of human rights necessitated further investigation currently underway. The matter is still pending before the High Court and shall, as soon as the findings and recommendation of the current investigation are finalised, be set down for hearing.

    QUESTION 199

    DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13/10/09

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 21-2009)

    Dr JC Kloppers (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

    (1) Whether any research has been done on the average amount of time spent by educators actively teaching the curriculum in classrooms per day; if not, why not; if so what are the relevant details;

    (2) Whether any plans have been drawn up to improve the number of hours spent by educators in classrooms, if not; why not; if so what are the relevant details

    NO2106E

    REPLY:

    (1) The last comprehensive study on teacher workload was conducted in 2005 by the HSRC for the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) entitled "Educator Workload in South Africa". In summary the study found that, on average, educators spent less time on teaching than required. The study made several recommendations which included, among others, improvement of administrative support to schools; reduction of class sizes and; reduction of learning areas in the curriculum; reduction of required assessment and recording and reporting.

    (2) Measures in regards to teaching loads do exist and it is the responsibility of the Principal to allocate the minimum teaching time and Districts to monitor this. These measures are stipulated in section 3 of the Personnel Administration Measures (PAM) in (G.N. 222 of 1999 published in Government Gazzette No. 19767, as amended and updated on a regular basis). In summary the PAM stipulates that all post level one educators shall be at school for the minimum of seven hours per day. Out of that time 85%-92% and 85%-90% in primary and secondary school respectively shall be allocated to teaching. The Department has commissioned a report to review and reform the implementation of the curriculum, with a particular focus on the reduction of the administrative burden on teachers and an increase in teaching time.

    A final draft report has been received and discussed in the Council of Education Ministers meeting and the final report is imminent. Among the preliminary recommendations is a reduction in administrative workload which the Department supports.

    QUESTION 200

    FOR WRITTEN REPLY

    Date of publication on internal question paper: 19 Jun 2009

    Internal question paper no: 3

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

    Whether her department or reporting entities released certain state employees prior to the 2009 election for political and/or trade union duties; if so, (a) how many members were released, (b) on what basis was this done and (c) for what period? NW247E

    REPLY:

    On behalf of Department of Social Development (DSD), the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the National Development Agency (NDA);

    No state employees were released prior to the 2009 election for political and / or trade union duties.

    (a), (b) and (c) falls away.

    QUESTION 200

    DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 13/10/09

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 21-2009)

    Rev K R J Meshoe (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

    Whether she has found that the poor matric results are as a result of outcomes-based education (OBE); if not, what is her conclusion based on; if so, what are the further relevant details? NO2108E

    REPLY:

    The National Senior Certificate (NSC) which is the new curriculum that replaces the old "matric" was implemented for the first time in 2008. The new curriculum which adopts an outcomes based approach to teaching, learning and assessment, incorporates the best practices that are designed to improve on the limitations of the old curriculum. Given that this curriculum was implemented for the first time in 2008, and that it is a significant change from the old, the performance in 2008 cannot be compared to previous years. The new NSC curriculum must be evaluated in the context of what this curriculum has produced and how does it better equip learners for further education and the world of work. The performance in 2008 will serve as a baseline for future comparative studies. However, one the biggest achievements of the new curriculum is that 343 000 learners have exited the system with either Mathematics or Mathematical literacy as part of their qualification, compared to the 184 000, that exited the system with Mathematics in 2007. Making Mathematical knowledge and skills available to the broader population of learners is certainly a remarkable gain.

    The new curriculum is internationally comparable and therefore cannot be linked to poor performance. There are issues relating to the implementation of the new curriculum, which include, inter alia, effective advocacy of the new policy, teacher training, availability of appropriate learner and teacher support material, advisory and assessment support to teachers, which my Department is dealing with in a decisive manner. My Ministry is committed to improving learner performance in the education system and will therefore leave no stone un-turned in ensuring that this goal is achieved.