Questions & Replies: Question & Replies No 251 to 275
2009-07-17
Search this file by selecting Ctrl + F on your keyboard
[PMG note: Replies are inserted as soon as they are provided by the Minister]
QUESTION NO 275
DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: THURSDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2009
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 26 JUNE 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4 – 2009)
Mr S B Farrow (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:
(1) Whether he has been informed of the SA Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) issuing seaman's discharge books to applicants who do not qualify; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how did this occur and (b) what action has been taken to avoid recurrence;
(2) whether Samsa is a signatory to the International Labour Organisation Convention of 1958 regarding travel and transshipment of seamen; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, why does it exclude the issuing of seaman's discharge books for individuals applying for work on international registered cruise liners and oil rigs;
(3) whether he will investigate the need for additional training in this sector in order to offer opportunities to those South Africans who wish to enter the marine industry; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW328E
REPLY:
The Minister of Transport:
(1) I am advised that, in terms of the Merchant Shipping (Seamen's Documents) Regulations, 2000 (the Regulations), a Seaman's Record Book may be issued to a person employed in a ship registered in the Republic of South Africa; or if the person is a South African citizen or is permanently resident in the Republic, in a ship registered outside the Republic.
The requirements for issuance of the Seaman's Record Book are that the applicant must, inter alia, have a letter from the employer or prospective employer, completion of the prescribed pre-sea training, et cetera.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) issues the Seaman's Record Book to bona fide seafarers and fishermen, as well as personnel working on vessels such as oil rigs, seismic survey vessels, cruise liners, et cetera, as required by the employer.
In view of the above, the Seamen's Record Books are issued by SAMSA within the ambit of the Regulations only, and have therefore not been issued to people who do not qualify.
(a) and (b) Fall away.
(2) The International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions are signed by the Department of Labour on behalf of the country and not by SAMSA. Furthermore, South Africa is not a signatory to the 1958 ILO Convention. South Africa is a signatory to the consolidated Maritime Labour Convention, 2006. The seamen's books are issued upon confirmation of employment over and above the applicant meeting other requirements and thus people still applying for work do not qualify for the documentation until they are successfully offered a job.
(3) This has proven to be a big challenge in the country since we do not have South African merchant ships that may accommodate our students for practical training as cadets. However, SAMSA has developed a strategy seeking to address the lack of accessing practical training for cadetship for our students on South African as well as non-South African ships. This project is conducted in conjunction with other role players, including the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA), the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and the Durban University of Technology. SAMSA is also negotiating with other foreign administrations and shipping companies for cooperation and assistance in broadening the maritime skill base in the country and access to berths.
QUESTION NO.: 275
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 27 OCTOBER 2009
Ms P Bhengu (ANC) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:
What is the extent and nature of his interaction with the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform? NO2600E
REPLY
The Economic Development Department (EDD) and the Department for Rural Development and Land Reform initiated a strong working relationship because of the significant connection between economic development and rural development.
To this end, the two Ministers together with senior officials have met and constituted a task team which is responsible for developing a joint work programme.
As a result, a Policy Platform was convened in September in Durban, Kwa Zulu-Natal. It considered the results of research on rural economic development in South Africa and policy insights from the international experience.
The Departments will work together on the formulation of a Rural Development Policy. It contains a number of specific proposals that will be considered.
QUESTION: NO 274
(Internal Question Paper No 4 – 2009)
Mr T D Lee (DA) to ask the Minister of Sport and Recreation:
Whether he had any interaction with the Minister of Transport regarding the Government's transport plans for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Soccer tournament; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW327E
REPLY: The Ministers of Sport and Recreation and Transport are part of the 2010 Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC). The IMC was constituted by Cabinet in 2005 to oversee the implementation of the 17 Guarantees the South African Government made to FIFA for the hosting of a successful 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The IMC is chaired by the Deputy President with the Sport and Recreation Minister as the Deputy. In the IMC's held on 28 July, the Minister of Transport presented a report to the collective.
The report by the Transport Minister covered all the good work the Department of Transport carried out during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the Transport Plan for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
QUESTION: NO 273
(Internal Question Paper No 4 – 2009)
Mr T D Lee (DA) to ask the Minister of Sport and Recreation:
Whether foreign nationals are allowed to play for a soccer club; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW326E
REPLY: Yes, foreign nationals are allowed to play for a soccer club (in South Africa). However, no club is allowed to have more than four players who are foreign nationals. The hiring of such players needs to be in compliance with regulations and laws as set out by the national football federation and Government respectively. The former refers to clearance that our national federation must receive from the foreign federation from which the player is being released. The latter provides for the Minister of Sport and Recreation, after satisfying himself that all proper processes and procedures have been followed, to give consent for a foreign player to be registered with a club of our football federation. Thus enabling him/her (the foreign player) to obtain other relevant documentation, such as a work permit from the Department of Home Affairs.
QUESTION NO 273
Mr Z C Ntuli (ANC) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:
(a) How many companies have been found guilty by the Competition Commission for collusion on prices (i) in the 2008-09 financial year and (ii) during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) what sanctions have been imposed upon these companies? NO2598E
ORAL REPLY:
(a)-(b) Firms who have been found by the Competition Commission to have engaged in cartel conduct (including price fixing and collusive tendering) and which findings have been confirmed by the Competition Tribunal are as follows:
(i) Number of companies found guilty for collusion on prices and sanctions imposed/penalties paid in the 2008/09 Financial Year:
Price Fixing:
| Name of Firms | Penalty (R thousand/million) | |
| 1 | Aveng (Africa) Limited | R46,277,000.00 |
| 2 | Lancewood | R100,000.00 |
| 3 | Foodcorp (Pty)Ltd | R45,406,359.82 |
| 4 | American Natural Soda Ash Corporation, CHC Global (Pty) Ltd | R9,696,846.96 |
| 5 | The New Reclamation Group (Pty)Ltd | R145,972,065.00 |
Collusive Tendering:
| Name of Firms | Penalty (R thousand/million) | |
| 1 | Adcock Ingram Critical Care (Pty) Ltd, Tiger Brands Limited | R53,502,800.00 |
| 2 | Thusanong (Pty) Ltd | R287,415.75 |
| 3 | Dismed Criticare (Pty) Ltd | R1,277,057.88 |
(ii) Number of companies found guilty for collusion on prices and sanctions imposed/penalties paid since 01 April 2009 until 27 October 2009:
Price Fixing:
| Name of Firm | Penalty | |
| 1 | Sasol Chemical Industries Ltd | R250,680,000.00 |
QUESTION 272
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [NO 4-2009]
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26 JUNE 2009
272. Mr M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:
What specific policy programmes does 'rural' incorporate with reference to rural development? NW325E
THE MINISTER FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:
Rurality refers to a way of life, a state of mind and a culture which revolve around land, livestock, cropping and community.
QUESTION NUMBER 270
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 27 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 25)
Ms F C Bikani (ANC) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources
(a) What progress has been made in establishing a state-owned mining company and (b) what would be its primary purpose? NO2595E
REPLY
The State Owned Mining Company was established prior to the democratic dispensation, with the aim of ensuring security of supply of strategic energy commodities for local consumption. At the time of its establishment, the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act was not in existence, which means the company was operating under a different regulatory regime, which did not embrace the transformation agenda. The resuscitation of this company under the current regulatory environment is intended to continue ensuring security of strategic commodities, particularly energy commodities, while effecting the developmental agenda of Government.
The primary purpose of the company is to acquire and hold rights in respect of energy related and other strategic minerals on behalf of the State and develop these mineral commodities for national interest.
QUESTION NO 270
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 JUNE 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4 - 2009)
Date reply submitted: 3 August 2009
Ms D Kohler-Barnard (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:
(1) Whether the SA Police Service (SAPS) has spent any money on the process to investigate the New Zealand-based nurse's release of the contents of the medical file of a certain person (name furnished) to the press; if not, why not; if so, (a) what amount has been spent and (b) from which budget was this amount taken;
(2) whether the SAPS has budgeted for or estimates any further amounts to be spent on this investigation; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what amount?
NW323E
REPLY:
(1)(a) The South African Police Service does not carry out a cost analysis of all general investigations. Budget and cost analyses are only carried out for project-related investigations. The investigation in question is not a project-related matter.
(1)(b) The costs of all investigations are derived from the budget of programme 3, allocated for the Detective Service.
(2) No. As indicated above, no budget is specifically allocated for an individual investigation.
QUESTION NO 269
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 JUNE 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4 - 2009)
Date reply ssubmitted : 4 September 2009
Mr G R Krumbock (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:
Whether his department has any plans in place to improve the security plans for the upcoming 2010 Fifa World Cup tournament to ensure that security breaches and security-related incidents do not occur; if not, why not; if so, what plans?
NW322E
REPLY:
Yes, after extensive consultation with all stakeholder departments and role players, including the Local Organizing Committee, a plan was compiled for both the 2009 Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This plan is called the General Security Concept.
The Concept addresses both strategic and operational planning principles and provides directions which must be followed for the planning and implementation of safety and security measures. The Concept has also been presented to and accepted by FIFA.
In addition, it is a well-known fact that operational plans are constantly adjusted and refined, as circumstances and conditions change.
I am confident that the safety and security plans being implemented for the 2010 FIFA World Cup are very comprehensive in nature, and address all possible contingencies. I wish to remind the honourable member that South Africa has an enviable track record in hosting major events, as proved recently by our extremely successful hosting of the 2009 Confederations Cup.
Question 268
Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:
(1) What criteria does his department use to measure the performance of (a) board members, (b) administrators and (c) officials responsible in (i) ensuring that the National Lottery functions properly and (ii) fulfilling their mandate of distributing funds to identified organisations or stakeholders;
(2) Whether, with reference to his reply to question 49 on 18 June 2009, any action has been taken against board members and administrators or officials who have not met these criteria and failed to fulfil their mandates; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?NW320E
Response:
(1)(a) the dti has a Memoranda of Agreement (MoA) with the National Lotteries Board which governs the relationship and expected compliance measures emanating from legislation. As part of the MoA, the National Lotteries Board is required to provide strategic and business plans annually to the department for review and approval. In order to monitor the performance, the department requires quarterly and annually reports against the agreed indicators and performance measures. Further, the annual reports of the National Lotteries Board are tabled in Parliament by the department to account and give progress on their achievements and challenges.
The National Lotteries Board (NLB) board members are governed by fiduciary duties as prescribed in the Lotteries Act, No 57 of 1997 ("the Act"). In terms of this Act, they are required to ensure that the NLB ensures that the national lottery functions effectively and that its mandate to distribute the lottery fund is carried out efficiently.
While the National Lotteries Board performs fairly well on most of its functions in terms of the Act, the distribution of funds remains a matter of concern as it has not been optimal. It is on this basis that the department decided to enhance its oversight role in relation to the National Lotteries Board in order to improve performance in the area of the distribution of funds, including the performance of board members.
(1)(b-c)In terms of the MoA, the dti requires the NLB to put in place policies and monitoring procedures to give effect to sound corporate governance and ensure effective and efficient operations. In this regard, the performance of administrators and officials of the NLB is governed in terms of a Performance Management Policy that has been implemented by the National Lotteries Board.
(2) The department has not at this point considered taking any specific action against any board member or member of staff. However, the dti has introduced measures to address inefficiencies relating to the distribution of funds. In this regard, the dti will be overhauling the administrative system to improve efficiencies in the distribution process. The department has recently issued a call for nominations to appoint a new board and the closing date was 7 July 2009. A selection process will shortly take place to appoint a new board. As the Act makes provision for the Minister to designate a member to the board, the Minister will be designating a senior member of the department who will also provide strategic direction required at board level. the dti will is also be in the process of reviewing the legislation to deal with some of the challenges that arise from the legislation.
QUESTION NO 268
Mrs F Hajaig (ANC) asked the Minister of Trade and Industry:
What programmes and projects are in place to promote the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) (a) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and (b) on the African continent?NO2593E
REPLY:
At a SADC level, South Africa is closely involved in a series of cross-border infrastructure projects which are driven mainly through the Africa Bilateral Spatial Development Initiative (SDI) programme. The SDI methodology was developed in South Africa in 1996 as an integrated planning tool aimed at promoting investment in regions/ countries that were underdeveloped but had potential for growth. The methodology involves a process in which the public sector develops or facilitates conditions conducive to private sector investment and Public-Private-Community partnerships. It is also an integrated process of identifying economic potential in a specific geographic area and the requisite infrastructure that is necessary to promote trade.
Initiatives currently receiving assistance from the South African SDI support programme are: (i) Maputo Development Corridor - with focus on development of infrastructure to support the Iron and Steel Initiative (MPISI). (ii) Limpopo Valley SDI - Focus has been on Agro-Industrial Processing, the Livestock Sector and developing tourism and mining anchor projects. Opportunities for Investment are in rail development. (iii) Beira Development Corridor SDI – while the work programme has been delayed, it is expected that the corridor will be re-launched as the political situation continues to improve in Zimbabwe. Other SDIs include the Zambezi Valley, Beira Development Corridor Nacala Development Corridor,Mtwara Development Corridor, Central Development Corridor and the Great Lakes (Bas Congo SDI). They are all at various levels of implementation.
At a continental level, the implementation of NEPAD programmes and projects is guided by the AU/NEPAD African Action Plan (AAP). The dti provides technical support to the NEPAD SDP programme through the NEPAD Secretariat.
the dti also work through the NEPAD/OECD Africa Investment Initiative to assist African countries efforts to strengthen their investment environment for growth and development. Under the programmes and projects of the Strategy for the Implementation of the Action Plan for Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa, the dti has participated in developing an Implementation Strategy that sets out seven clusters of actions to be taken in the short, medium and long term to promote Africa's industrial development. The implementation of this strategy is monitored by the Conference of African Ministers of Industry (CAMI). South Africa is the current chair of CAMI and is providing leadership in the implementation of agreed projects.
QUESTION NO. 267
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4 of 2009
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26 June 2009
Ms A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether elephants will be culled in the Kruger National Park; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) (a) what is the current estimated size of the elephant population in the Kruger National Park, (b) how was this figure arrived at and (c) what options were considered for the management of elephants in the park?
NW319E
MS A T LOVEMORE (DA)
SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENTHANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS267. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
(1)Culling of elephants in the Kruger National Parkwill be determined once an Elephant Management Plan has been submitted by SANParks to the Department for approval.
(2) (a) Estimated at 17 300.
(b) Elephant counts are conducted from the air using a helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft.
(c) All options as provided for in the Elephant Norms and Standards are to be considered.
QUESTION NO. 267INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO
DATE OF PUBLICATION:
Mr D.M. Gumede (ANC) to ask the Minister of Tourism:
(1) How many small enterprises have been assisted by the Tourism Enterprise Programme;
(2) (a) how many were from (i) historically disadvantaged communities and (ii) rural areas (b) what kind of assistance was given in each case? NO2592E
MR D M GUMEDE (ANC) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENTHANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESSTHE MINISTER OF TOURISM ANSWERS:
1) Since the incorporation of the Tourism Enterprise Partnership (TEP) as a Section 21 company on 1 April 2008 to date, 1 842 tourism small enterprises have been assisted.
2) (a) (i) Of the small enterprises that TEP has assisted since 1 April 2008, 1 233 (66%) have been from historically disadvantaged communities.
(ii) About 736 (40%) of the tourism small businesses that TEP assists, are from rural areas.
(b) Historically disadvantaged enterprises were assisted with the following TEP interventions:
1. Business Development Fund
The 1 842 enterprises were assisted through TEP's Business Development Fund. This is a fund that assists tourism small businesses with marketing material, grading, signage, attendance at local and international exhibitions and membership of associations amongst other. Of these 1 233 were HDE.
Example: SMMEs Provided with BDF assistance to attend a local exhibition
TEP assisted SMMEs to attend SA Handmade Exhibition from 31 July to 3 August 2008. TEP assisted 30 craft businesses with 50% of their exhibition costs to the value of R 206,377.05. These crafters generated a total of R 327,075 sales during the four days of trading and received additional orders to the value of R 721,245
In addition to the 1 842 enterprises assisted through the Business Development Fund, 7605 enterprises were trained during the above mentioned period. All facilitators, venues and training are quality assured by SMMEs themselves at each session.
2. SA host training
1 465 SMMEs were trained on SA Host
2 Day customer service training session, undertaken by both product owners and their staff. Product owners receive certificates at the end of the training.
THETA accredited facilitators are utilized.
3. Mentorship
60 SMMEs were mentored
The mentorship programme is a structured, 12 month programme. Mentors are industry specialists, and reports are generated for each
4. Business skills training
567 Product owners were trained on Business Skills over the period.
TEP's business skills training course consists of 4 modules, each 2 days. The modules are Finance, Marketing, HR and Business Administration. Product owners receive a certificate at the end of the training.
5. Toolkit training
5 564 SMMEs undertook toolkit training during the above mentioned period. TEP implements 8 1-day toolkit training interventions, viz Legalities, Websites, Communication, Channel, Business Planning, Marketing, Administration and Quality Assurance
6. TEP craft programme – related to market access for crafters specifically
Based on TEP's work in the field, it has been discovered that there are a limited number of TEP craft makers around the country who are currently producing small quantities of high quality goods that are capable of being sold in the international market. The challenges faced by these crafters are access to buyer markets due to limited sales platforms and marketing exposure.
TEP identified 17 innovative crafters, whose hand-made products reflect the imagination creativity of South Africa. TEP assisted. 53% of these were rural crafters. TEP showcases the craft product through the development of marketing material, focused sales platforms and thereby facilitates access to markets that these crafters would never have access to.
Example: TEP facilitated a sale for Imiso Ceramics, a black owned crafter in Cape Town. R250 000 pure profit was generated as a result of the sale.
7. TEP cluster programme – related to grouping and linking of products to create bigger and more market-significant products
TEP facilitated the development of 4 clusters (1 rural) during the above mentioned period. The clusters are packages of small business tourism products that are clustered into experienced in order to facilitate market access through the creation of economies of scale.60 Small business products formed part of the original clusters.
The unique small business products that have been identified and supported by the Tourism Enterprise Partnership (TEP), to form part of the clusters provide visitors with an authentic taste of South Africa's rich and varied history and culture. Products that are packaged as part of the clusters include artists, performers, tour guides, cuisine, and cultural and heritage products. TEP provides these product owners with the training and development tools to make them internationally competitive.
Example:
16 Sales representatives from the Thebe Tourism Group undertook a familiarization trip to the Cape Town cluster, and as a result have agreed to sell the sell TEP's small business cluster packages internationally.
QUESTION NO 266
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 JUNE 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4)
266. Ms A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) (a) What has been the total cost of studies to determine ecological reserves since 26 August 1998, (b) how is the figure made up according to each ecological reserve determined and (c) which (i) have been implemented and (ii) are being monitored;
(2) whether the results of the monitored ecological reserves indicate that the monitoring tools are effective; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether skills are available to conduct effective monitoring of ecological reserves by using the current methodologies; if not, why not; if so, how was this conclusion reached;
(4) whether any new monitoring methodologies are being developed; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW317E
REPLY:
(1)(a) The total expenditure on studies conducted to determine ecological Reserves since the NWA was enacted is calculated at approximately R 43 million.
(1)(b) The above-mentioned figure takes into account a vast number of Ecological Reserve determinations that have been conducted, resulting from Water Use License applications and also water resource planning studies that were conducted by My Department.
(c)(i) The phased implementation of various ecological Reserve determinations (as mentioned above) is considered through conditions set as part of water use licenses being issued by my Department, and by means of decisions relating to national water resources planning. We have also commissioned a comprehensive study to undertake a national review and audit of the status, implementation and success of the ecological Reserve as a mechanism to ensure that environmental flows are calculated and implemented. The result from this review study will be published towards the end of this financial year.
(c)(ii) The Ecological Reserve Determinations are being monitored periodically through resource quality objectives which form part of our River Health Program. A key objective of this monitoring program is to assess and report information on river health in order to ensure the ecologically sound management of the country's rivers, and inform and educate South Africans about the health status of rivers. However, the ecological Reserve is lagging behind the determination process, due to the relatively slow response of ecosystem change, among other.
(2) Yes. Recent monitoring conducted by the Cape Action for People and the Environment (C.A.P.E) programme in the Western Cape (a joint initiative between My Department, the South African National Biodiversity Institute and Cape Nature) has proved that the ecological Reserve can be achieved and monitoring has indicated that ecosystems can be kept in an acceptable condition, for instance through the releases of water from dams, and hence the effectiveness of such monitoring tools.
(3) Yes, skills are available to conduct Monitoring of Ecological Reserves. However, South Africa does not have sufficient skills to address all the monitoring needs, hence we require a gradual shift from the determination of the ecological Reserve towards monitoring, reporting and enforcement to ensure the re-deployment of experience, skilled scientists and engineers to move from determination to monitoring and enforcement, while we continue to address the skills shortages through various training and capacity building initiatives by My Department in collaboration with various water sector institutions.
(4) Yes, standard methodologies to determine the Ecological Reserve were compiled in 1999, and My Department (together with the Water Research Commission) is in the process of updating and refining these methodologies to make provision for effective resource quality monitoring of the ecological Reserve in particular.
Question 266
28 OCTOBER 2009
266. Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs: [Written Question No 482]
(a) How much was spent by his department on consultants in the 2008-09 financial year and (b) what was the brief of each consultant contract? NW544E
ANSWER
(a) The department spent R45.8 million on consultants in the 2008/09 financial year. Refer to note 5.3 of the financial statements on page 213 of the 2008/09 Annual Report.
(b) The detail of the brief of each consultant contract is reflected in Chapter 4, pages 366 to 376 of the 2008/09 Annual Report.
Question 265
28 OCTOBER 2009
265. Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: [Written Question No 481]
(a) How many professionals and experts were deployed under programmes of his department at municipalities as at 31 March 2009 and (b) what is the total number of municipalities for each province they were deployed in? NW543E
ANSWER
(a) As of March 2009, about 1283 technical expert and/or professionals had been deployed to 268 municipalities (including the 139 Project Consolidate municipalities). This is the cumulative number since the launch of Project Consolidate in 2004 and includes all associated programmes, e.g. Siyenza Manje & Ilima Trust.
(b) The total number of municipalities that received support through deployments per province can be broken down as follows:
| Province | Number of Municipalities received support |
| Easter Cape | 42 |
| Free State | 23 |
| Gauteng | 20 |
| KwaZulu Natal | 54 |
| Limpopo | 31 |
| Mpumalanga | 22 |
| North West | 25 |
| Northern Cape | 21 |
| Western Cape | 30 |
Some municipalities received two or three deployees covering expert areas of Development Planning, Financial Management, Civil Engineering and Project Management. This includes Young Professionals and Artisans.
QUESTION NO. 265
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4 of 2009DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26 June 2009
Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) What is the estimated (a) number of lions in captive breeding facilities and (b) breakdown per province;
(2) what is likely to be the fate of the lions currently living in captive breeding facilities following the ruling in a certain case (details furnished);
(3) whether her department will assist in ensuring the welfare of these lions; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) what is her department's policy with regard to canned hunting in view of the ruling of the court?
NW315E
MR G R MORGAN (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENTHANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS265. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
(1) (a) and (b) The previous Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism commissioned a study to compile a report on the captive breeding of lions in South Africa. The final report is expected soon, however, the preliminary results indicate that there are approximately 2196 captive bred lions in the North West province and 800 in the Free State province. The rest of the figures from other provinces are expected soon with the final report.
(2) The Department can not speculate on the fate of the lions but it will co-operate with all stakeholders and investigate all available options to address the issue should it arise.
(3) The Department can not speculate on the fate of the lions but it will co-operate with all stakeholders and investigate all available options to address the issue should it arise.
(4) The department regards canned hunting as a reprehensible practice and the judgment will ensure that this practice will indeed come to an end.
QUESTION NO. 265 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NODATE OF PUBLICATION:
Mrs V. Bam-Mugwanya (ANC) to ask the Minister of Tourism:
Whether any plans are in place to develop rural heritage sites for the purpose of tourism; if not, why not; if so, what plans? NO2590E
MRS V BAM-MUGWANYA (ANC)
SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENTHANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESSTHE MINISTER OF TOURISM ANSWERS:
The development and listing of National Heritage Sites is the responsibility of the Department of Arts and Culture, while the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs is responsible for World Heritage Sites. However, the Department of Tourism is acutely aware of the importance of culture and heritage tourism, and is interacting with said departments to support tourism development in areas of significant heritage value.
QUESTION NO 264
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 JUNE 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4)
264. Mr M J Ellis (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether any quantitative studies have been conducted to measure the effectiveness of the Working for Water programme in improving water availability; if not, why not; if so, (a) what areas have been studied, (b) on what dates and (c) what were the relevant results of these studies;
(2) whether her department intends to conduct more studies in this regard; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW314E
REPLY:
(1) Yes, Working for Water in partnership with the Water Research Commission (WRC), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Academic Institutions has conducted a number of studies on the impact of clearing on stream flow.
(a) & (b) Such studies have been conducted at different levels and scales. At a site scale the following studies were conducted:
· Dye, P. J., Jarmain C., 2004. Water Use by Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii) implications for the link between removal of invading trees and catchment stream flow response. South African Journal of Science 100, 40-44. – (Area where study took place – KwaZulu Natal)
§ Dye, P. J., Poulter A.G., 1995. A field demonstration of the effect on stream flow of clearing invasive pine and wattle trees from a riparian zone, South African. Forestry Journal 173: 27-30. – (Area where study took place – Mpumalanga)
§ Prinsloo, F.W., Scott D.F., 1999. Stream flow responses to the clearing of invasive alien trees from riparian zones from three sites in the Western Cape Province. South African Forestry Journal 185: 1-7. – (Area where study took place – Western Cape)
The most recent study that WRC, CSIR and Working for Water collaborated on was:
§ Everson, C., Gush, M., Moodley, M., Jarmain C., Govender, M. & Dye, P. (2007) effective Management of the riparian zone vegetation to significantly reduce the cost of catchment management and enable greater productivity of land resources. WRC Report No. 1284/1/07. – (Area where study took place – KwaZulu Natal)
(c) The results (impacts of invasive alien trees on stream flow) of the above as well as earlier research are summarized in Table 1 below (extract from Blignaut et al 2008):
The above results and earlier research were then applied to estimate the local regional and national impacts of invasive alien plants on water resources. These studies included:
· Cullis, J.D.S., Görgens, A.H.M., Marais C., 2007. A strategic study of the impact of invasive alien plants in the high rainfall catchments and riparian zones of South Africa on total surface Water Yield Water SA 33, 35-42. – (Area where study took place – National)
· Larson, E.J., Marais, C., Görgens, A.H.M., 2001. Water resources planning with recognition of alien vegetation eradication. Tenth South African Hydrological Symposium 26 – 28 September 2001. – (Area where study took place – Western Cape at George)
· Marais, C, & Wannenburgh, A.M., (2008) Restoration of water resources (natural capital) through the clearing of invasive alien plants from riparian areas in South Africa - costs and water benefits. South African Journal of Botany doi.10-1016/j.sajb.2008.01.175 – (Area where study took place – National Level)
The most significant findings of the above studies were as follows:
Cullis et al 2007 found that the total impact of upland invasive alien plants (IAP's) in the mountain catchment areas on the total surface water yield of the country, which included the yield from major dams, minor dams and run-of-river yield, was currently 172 Mm3/a, and could go up to 1410 Mm3/a in the future. The impact varied greatly between Water Management Areas (WMAs) and had the potential to reach 50 % (195 Mm3/a) of registered water use in the Thukela WMA in the future if not controlled. The reduction in yield due to IAP's in the riparian zone in all catchments was estimated to be equal to 523 Mm3/a under current conditions and this would increase to 1314 Mm3/a if the riparian zone was allowed to become fully invaded. The combined impact was estimated to currently be equivalent to 4 % of registered water use and would increase to 16 % of registered water use in the future.
Larson et al 2001 found that when clearing invasive alien trees from the mountain catchments in the Outeniqua Mountains above the town of George under different management scenarios can reduce the cost of water yield by between 2% and 56%.
Marais & Wannenburgh (2008) found that overall it is estimated that around 7% of riparian invasions have been cleared between September 1998 and August 2006 resulting in significant yield increases. The increased estimated yield of 34.4 million m3 is about 42% of the yield of the new Berg River Scheme in the Western Cape (81 million m3). The investment in clearing species known for excessive water use from riparian areas at a cost of R116 million was found to be a very good investment. It is however important to note that the clearing of invasive alien plants will seldom result in the total elimination of short falls in water supply and should be seen as part of a package of water resource options to optimize supply, aimed at minimizing wastage of water.
It must be mentioned that the above are some examples of research that has been done, with a specific objective in mind. Much more research has been done on the programme over the last 13 year. Most of the research was however done to address specific questions.
The Everson et al 2007 research is ongoing, so is the work reported on by Marais & Wannenburgh (2008) in the form of implementing payments for watershed services.
(2) Yes, My Department has collaboration agreements with the Water Research Commission, CSIR and Academic Institutions aimed at ongoing research on the impacts of invasive alien trees with much of the focus on water and biodiversity.
The researchers are all encouraged to publish the research in peer reviewed scientific publications to ensure that the research is of the highest possible quality. The programme also has a research advisory panel that advises on research approaches and quality.
Question 264
28 OCTOBER 2009
264. Ms M Wenger (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: [Written Question No 360] - Minister
(1) Whether he purchased a new vehicle on his appointment to office; if so, (a) why, (b) what make and model is the vehicle, (c) what did the 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? NW420E
ANSWER
(1) (a) The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs acquired new vehicles as the previous or old vehicles were acquired in terms of the option 3 (Full Maintenance Leasing of Vehicles) which provided flexibility of disposal of the vehicles every two years. The option 3 as mentioned above, was incorporated when Chapeter 5 of the Ministerial Hand Book was revised by the Minister of Transport and implemented on 24 June 2004.
(b) The vehicles acquired are as follows:
· Audi Q7 4.2 TDi Quattro Tiptronic – 2008 model
· Mercedes Benz S320CDI – 2008 model
(c) The vehicles costs:
· Audi Q7 4.2 TDi Quattro Tiptronic – R732 344.00
· Mercedes Benz S320CDI – R828 850.00
(d) (i) The vehicle accessories:
(Audi Q7)
· Metallic Paint, electrical folding tow bar, advance key, privacy glass, 3rd row seats, Audit lane change assist, BOSE sound system, 19"7 spoke design alloy wheel and cell phone preparation in front centre armrest with Bluetooth.
· The accessories costs are R63 054.00.
(Mercedes Benz S320CDI)
· Reversing camera and Burr Wallnut High Gloss
· The accessories costs are R10 500.00
(2) I have not inherited any vehicle.
QUESTION 263
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26/06/09
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 04-2009)
Mr GR Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
- Whether her department has a policy on the use of South African Sign Language (SASL) as (a) language of study and (b) an examinable language; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the policy;
- Whether the policy is reflected at provincial level; if not, why not; if so what are the relevant details,
- How many learners (a) studied and (b) wrote matric exams on SASL in each of the most recent years? NW313E
REPLY:
1. Yes, the Department of Basic Education has several policies that have relevance to the South African Sign Language. Firstly, The Language in Education Policy (14 July 1997) published in terms of the National Education Policy Act (Act 27 of 1996) states that in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, the government, and thus the Department of Education, recognizes that our cultural diversity is a valuable national asset and hence is tasked, among other things, to promote multilingualism, the development of the official languages, and respect for all languages used in the country, including South African Sign Language and the languages referred to in the South African Constitution.
The Revised National Curriculum Statement, Gr R – 9, 2002 states that the Languages Learning Area Statement includes all eleven official languages as well as languages approved by the Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB) such as South African Sign Language (p.19, Overview). It must however be noted that the process of standardising South African Sign Language, although far advanced, has not yet been completed by PANSALB.
Although Education White Paper 6 on Building an Inclusive Education and Training System, July, 2001, published in terms of the National Education Policy Act (Act 27 of 1996) does not make specific reference to SASL, it emphasises that language and medium of learning and teaching are critical barriers to learning that have to be addressed in education (Section 2.2.6.1). SASL is thus used as a medium of instruction in schools for deaf learners. Several Guidelines that have been developed to strengthen the implementation of the Departmental policies have emphasised the strengthening of SASL as a medium of instruction for Deaf learners (e.g. Guidelines to Ensure Quality Education and Support in Special Schools and Special School Resource Centres, 2007; the National Strategy on Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support, 2008; Guidelines for Inclusive Learning Programmes, 2005). The Department has also ensured that the capacity of teachers at schools for the Deaf are strengthened in the area of SASL by several nationally organised training programmes between 2006 and 2008.
SASL is not an examinable subject. The National Senior Certificate: A Qualification at Level 4 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), 2005, does not list SASL as a nationally approved subject that complies with the programme requirements of the NCS Grades 10 – 12 (General) under either Group A or Group B. Provision is made in the policy for the recognition of subjects not listed in the National Curriculum Statement Grades 10 – 12 (General) provided that formal application is made to the Department of Basic Education according to set procedures. Such a process has not yet been formally initiated by the SASL interest groups.
2. All the above-mentioned policies are carried out by Provincial Departments of Education. The Department of Basic Education identifies priority areas of development and monitors whether these are implemented. One of the priority areas has been the strengthening of educational standards in all special schools. This includes continued professional teacher development in the use of SASL as a medium of instruction. All curriculum policies are implemented at provincial level.
3. No learners have studied SASL as a subject, nor written the National Senior Certificate examination in SASL, as PANSALB has not finalised the development of the SASL as a language. A curriculum has therefore not yet been developed for the study and examination of SASL as a subject. SASL is used as a medium of instruction in a number of special schools.
Question 263
28 OCTOBER 2009
263. Ms M Wenger (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs: [Written Question No 312]
(a) Which municipalities do not comply with the quality standards to supply safe drinking water and (b) what measures have been put in place to remedy this situation? NW369E
ANSWER
The National Drinking Water Quality Regulation programme is managed by the Department of Water Affairs and has set in place systems to monitor the performance of municipalities and their providers in this regard. Therefore the Department of Water Affairs will be better placed to provide relevant details to the question.
Question 262
28 OCTOBER 2009
262. Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: [Written Question No 296]
(1) What was the total amount his department (a) budgeted for the municipal infrastructure grant and (b) paid to municipalities in the 2008-09 financial year;
(2) whether the full amount was spent by municipalities in the 2008-09 financial year; if not, (a) what amount was not spent and (b) what were the reasons for not spending it; if so, what are the relevant details? NW351E
ANSWER
(1)(a) The total amount budgeted for MIG during 2008/2009 was R8,369 billion.
(1)(b) The total amount paid to municipalities during 2008/2009 was R8,369 billion and an amount of R287 million was stopped due to the significant under spending by 31 municipalities across the country of the 272 municipalities that received the Municipal Infrastructure Grant.
(2) The full MIG amount was not spent.
(a) The unspent amount was R1,184 billion as at 31 March 2009 and R360,341 million as at 30 June 2009 (end of the municipal financial year)
(b) The reasons for under-spending were as follows:
· Delays in the registration of projects due to:
o Poor planning by municipalities
o Lack of capacity at provincial level
o Inadequate information on registration forms reaching the national office
o Late approvals of technical reports and Environmental Impact Assessments by relevant sector departments.
· Poor consultant/contractor performance on projects.
· Expenditure by municipalities on unregistered projects.
· Value Added Tax (VAT) and retention funds on MIG projects not clearly understood by municipalities.
· Lengthy Supply Chain Management processes.
· Municipal staff not adequately trained in Supply Chain Management processes.
· High staff turnover and a lack of technical capacity in municipalities.
· Political challenges and governance issues within municipalities.
QUESTION 262
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26/06/09
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 04-2009)
Dr JC Kloppers - Lourens (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:- Whether teachers are required to contribute towards the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), if so, (a) what conditions apply to their joining and (b) what reasons might result in a teacher not contributing to the UIF; if not, (i) why not and (ii) what other provision is made for teachers who lose their jobs? NW312E
REPLY:
1 In terms of section 4 of the Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act, No. 4 of 2002 (the Act), the Act applies to all employers and employees, other than, inter alia, employers and employees in the national and provincial spheres of government.
1(a) They may not join at all
1(b) They are prohibited to join by law
1(b)(i) They are required to contribute towards the Government Employees' Pension Fund (GEPF)
1(b)(ii) Government employees contribute to the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), and upon termination of service, pension benefits are paid to the former government employees.
QUESTION NUMBER 261
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 27 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 25)
Adv A de W Alberts (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:
Whether she intends proposing an amendment to the policy regarding the private ownership of mines; if so, (a) why and (b) what are the Government's proposals in this regard? NO2583E
REPLY
No
a) Falls off
b) Falls off
QUESTION 260
FOR ORAL REPLY ON 04 NOVEMBER 2009
260. Mr L W Greyling (ID) to ask the Minister of Energy:
(1) Whether she is considering increasing the renewable energy target set for 2013; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) What progress has been made in reaching this target?
(3) Whether any measures have been proposed to ensure that the target is reached; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what measures? NO2582E
REPLY
1) No. The Department intends to meet the 2013 target in the short term while reviewing the Renewable Energy White Paper to determine medium term and long term targets. Beyond 2013 the review process will be consultative and inputs from stakeholders and the general public will be taken into account in determining the next Renewable Energy target.
(2) Since we reported at the Renewable Energy Summit in March 2009 less than 10% has been achieved. Nonetheless the REFIT Scheme provides incentives that will increase the Renewable Energy uptake above 10TWh level.
(3) Yes. New Generation Capacity Regulations promulgated in 2009 will enable the procurement of power from Independent Power Producers including those using renewable energy sources.
This regulation defines the institutional arrangement within which this procurement must be controlled. The afore-mentioned regulation is expected to expedite the procurement process of the IPP's as well as ensure that all future electricity plans are streamlined to correspond with the country's position on primary energy mix in general; clean energy power production is prioritized in the plan.
Furthermore, the Department through NERSA is implementing the Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff (REFIT), which is an incentive scheme for the procurement of Renewable Energy at very attractive tariff level.
QUESTION NO. 260
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 JUNE 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 4)
Ms L D Mazibuko (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) With reference to each specified hospital in Mpumalanga, (a) who is the chief executive officer, (b) when was he/she appointed, (c) what are his/her qualifications, (d) what is his/her previous work experience and (e) what is his/her current salary;
(2) whether he/she has received any bonuses in any of the three most recent financial years for which information is available; if so, what amount was received in each of these years?
NW309EREPLY:
Information is still being sought from the Mpumalanga Provincial Department of Health. The detailed response will be submitted as soon as it is received from the Province.
QUESTION 259
FOR ORAL REPLY ON 04 NOVEMBER 2009
259. Mr L W Greyling (ID) to ask the Minister of Energy:
(1) What budget has been set aside for driving forward energy efficiency?
(2) Whether this budget will be increased; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) Whether any targets and measures are envisaged to be put in place to drive forward energy efficiency in the next 10 years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NO2581E
Reply
(1) The Minister of Finance has allocated an amount of R980m for the next three years to Eskom and Municipalities to assist them with the implementation of the Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management (EEDSM) programmes in order to address the electricity supply challenges.
(2) The fiscal allocations (MTEF) will remain as is for the next three years after which the electricity tariff funding will kick in as per the electricity pricing policy.
(3) Yes: The National Energy Efficiency strategy sets a national target of 12% energy savings by 2015. The Energy Efficiency Strategy is being revised in order to make it more responsive to the challenges facing energy supply and demand.
The Department has also proposed a standard offer model where EEDSM programmes will be funded from the electricity tariff as per the electricity pricing policy. NERSA will determine during Multi Year Pricing Determination (MYPD) process, the extent of Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management (EEDSM) allowance in the tariff.
Under section 19 of the Energy Act No: 34 of 2008, the Minister may in consultation with other Ministers, whose areas of responsibility may be affected by the regulations, promulgate regulations enforcing the following:
(i) Energy Efficiency labelling of household appliances, devices and motor vehicles
(ii) Prohibition of the manufacture and importation or sale of electrical and electronic products and fuel burning appliances for reasons of energy efficiency
(iii) Standards and specifications for energy carriers
(iv). Energy efficiency standards for specific technologies, processes, appliances, devices, motor vehicles and buildings
(v). Minimum levels of energy efficiency in each sector of the economy.
(vi) Steps and procedures necessary for the application of energy efficiency technologies and procedures
(vii) Energy conservation measures to be used during energy shortage, which may include but not limited to the amount of energy to be saved, the duration for such measures and penalties associated with non-compliance to such measures.
These regulations will positively impact on Energy Efficiency uptake in the country
QUESTION 258
WEDNESDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2009
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [No 15-2009]
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 27 October 2009
257. Mr J H van der Merwe (IFP) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:
What amount in state funds was spent on settling land claims in KwaZulu-Natal in the 12 months before the 2009 general election? NO2580E
THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:
R794 021 313.00.
QUESTION NO 257
Ms S P Lebenya-Ntanzi (IFP) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:
(1) Whether he intends taking any steps to increase the level of entrepreneurialism; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps;
(2) whether the Government's various programmes which intended to foster a culture of entrepreneurship have generated appropriate numbers of new business entrants in the formal economy over the past five years for which information is available; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) (a) what are the details of the total state expenditure on the (i) small and medium enterprise (SME) and (ii) small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) sectors over the past five financial years and (b) what were the outcomes of this in respect of the number of (i) viable businesses established and (ii) people they employ;
(4) whether the Government provided any resources to fund support programmes to assist with the training and mentorship of entrepreneurs; if not, why not; if so, what resources? NO2578E
Reply
(1) The promotion of entrepreneurship and small business remains an important priority of the government of South Africa. Since 1994 a number of government owned institutions have been established and programmes have evolved among all 3 spheres of government with the aim of providing comprehensive support to small business. The Ministry and department is striving constantly to improve the performance of these programmes and will introduce new initiatives where needed. An example of the latter will be the roll-out of the Khula direct facility intended to improve access to finance for small business.
(2) In the 2001-2002 financial year there were slightly more than 120 000 new enterprise registrations and in 2006-2007 the number increased to almost 280 000 new enterprise registrations. Since the introduction of various support programmes, there has been an increasing number of new entities into the formal sector
(3)(a) During the 2005/6 to 2009/10 financial years, total allocations to support SMME development grew from R1.8 billion to R3.1 billion per annum for the dti.
(3)(b) The dti records reflect that:
· the number of enterprises supported increased from 32 796 to 186 195 between 2005/6 and 2007/8.
· the number of enterprises, the number of new registrations increased from 120 000 in 2001/2 to 280 000 in 2006/7.
· According to the Annual Review of Small Business in South Africa 2005-2007 , small enterprises contributed 21%, medium-sized enterprises accounted for 18% and micro enterprises accounted for 17% to employment. This suggests that at that time , SMMEs contributed a total of 56% employment.
4. Services to SMME's include training and mentorship. Such services are provided in varying degrees by SEDA, Khula and SAMAF. In the interest of time, I would be glad to provide more detailed information to the Honourable Member, in writing
Question 257
257. Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: [Written Question No 121]
(a) Which Members of the Executive Council in each province conducted an investigation in terms of section 106(1)(b) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, in the 2008-09 financial year, (b) at which municipalities were these investigations conducted and (c) what (i) was the main reason for and (ii) were the findings of each investigation? NW130E
ANSWER
(a) A number of allegations of corruption were referred to Members of the Executive Councils in all the provinces for investigation during 2008-09 in terms of The Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000. Despite the request for feedback on progress or outcome of investigation by the National Minister, no such feedback has been received. It should also be noted that the national department has no records of some of the allegations of corruption which have been reported directly to the Members of the Executive Councils in provinces.
This is an area that we intend to strengthen significantly, including using legal instruments to ensure that we get regular reports from provinces.
(b) The allegations of corruption referred to Members of the Executive Councils were received from different municipalities across all the provinces. This information can be provided separately.
(c)(i)(ii) The reasons and findings for investigations may also be obtained from the Members of the Executive Councils. However, the Department is following up with provinces on these investigations.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
(For written reply)
QUESTION NO. 256
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER
DATE OF PUBLICATION
Mr R N Cebekhulu (IFP) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether her department has any control over foreign vessels fishing in South African waters; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so. what are the relevant details;
(2) whether her department monitors the catch of these vessels; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether these vessels are penalised if they overfish; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
256. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
(1) Yes. Foreign vessels are not allowed to fish in South African waters. The only exception is in the Tuna fishery. Tuna is a migratory fish stock that moves between South Africa's EEZ and the high seas. As many of the Tuna rights holders do not have the necessary capacity to catch their allocations granted by the Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) on their own, they are allowed to enter into joint ventures with foreign countries. In such instances, there are specific timeframes in terms of which these vessels must be reflagged under the South African flag.
(2) No foreign vessels, with the exception of the Tuna Fishery, are allowed to fish in South African waters. Any foreign vessel entering South African waters, irrespective of the purpose of the visit, must apply for a permit from the department. All foreign vessels that enter our ports will be monitored and inspected in line with the management and conservation measures under the auspices of the relevant RFMOs.
(3) Foreign vessels are not allowed to fish in South African waters. In the event of any contravention of South African or RFMO regulations, drastic penalties such as arrests, fines, seizures and confiscation of vessels and equipment will be imposed.
Question 256
256. Ms A M Dreyer (DA) to ask the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: [Written Question No 21]
(1) Whether the success of technical experts deployed to municipalities to address the skills shortage in local government since the start of Project Consolidate in 2005 up to 31 December 2008 has been assessed by his department; if not, why not; if so, (a) what measures were used to measure the successes and (b) what were the findings of this assessment;
(2) whether the majority of projects were found to be successful; if not, why not; if so, (a) in which municipalities and (b) which projects were successfully completed;
(3) whether his department has taken any steps to ensure the sustainability of these successes once the technical experts are withdrawn; if not, why not; if so, what steps? NW22E
ANSWER
(1) An initial assessment of the success of Project Consolidate and the Service Delivery Facilitators & other technical experts deployed to municipalities was undertaken in 2005/6. The initial assessment covered the first two years of Project Consolidate (2004-2005). This assessment informed the development of the Five Year Local Government Strategic Agenda (2006-2011).
(a) The methodology involved various interviews with stakeholders and municipalities, e.g.
§ Interviews with key stakeholders (DBSA, National Treasury, DWAF, SALGA, MDB, IMFO and SAICE)
§ Interviews with Municipal Managers, Heads of Technical and Financial Divisions in municipalities and Portfolio Councilors)
The analysis made a determination on the relevance, appropriateness, effectiveness and sustainability of the programme concept, design and implementation.
(b) The assessments confirmed the relevance of Project Consolidate and that 'hands-on' support is effective in unblocking capacity constraints towards accelerating service delivery. The augmentation of technical, financial, planning, project management and other specialized skills have been beneficial in the short-term. These deployees all had the single common objective of strengthening the capability of our municipalities to deliver on its obligations in all key functional areas of municipal performance, i.e. transformation and institutional development, basic services and infrastructure delivery, financial management and financial viability and good governance and public participation. The key challenge was one of sustainability regarding the positive gains made.
Specific findings on service delivery since 2004 included the following:
a. In 116 of the 283 municipalities in 2004, 60 percent or more of the households did not have access to formal housing. Three years later, that number has been reduced to 87. (A 33 percent reduction in the number of municipalities)
b. In 155 of the 283 municipalities in 2004, 60 percent or more of the households did not have access to water in their yards or in their dwelling. Three years later, that number has been reduced to 115. (A 35 percent reduction in the number of municipalities)
c. In 122 of the 283 municipalities, in 2004 60 percent or more of the households did not have access to electricity, at least for the purpose of lighting. Three years later, that number has been reduced to 45. (A 71 percent reduction in the number of municipalities)
d. In 203 of the 283 municipalities in 2004, 60 percent or more of the households did not have access to sanitation at the standard of a flush toilet, a septic tank sanitation system or a chemical toilet. Three years later, this number has been reduced to 150. (A 35% reduction in the number of municipalities)
e. In 182 of the 283 municipalities in 2004, 60 percent or more of the households did not have access to refuse removal at least once a week. Three years later, this number has been reduced to 159. (A 14% reduction in the number of municipalities)
These outcomes clearly indicate that a lot of progress has been made. They indicate that we were successful in our effort to awaken the country to the importance of providing meaningful, purposeful and focused support to local government.
At the same time we are aware of weaknesses in our support programmes. These include fragmentation of support by national and provincial government, and weak political oversight and management.
We have therefore decided to undertake a comprehensive assessment of Project Consolidate, the 5 Year Local Government Strategic Agenda & the Siyenza Manje Programme that will assist in the rollout of the Local Government Turn-around Strategy.
(2) Many of projects have been found to be successful.
(a) Progress was made in a number of municipalities. Some examples of progress include:
§ Sakhisizwe (Eastern Cape): Financial Management Turn-around and Recovery to fulfil service delivery obligations
§ Koukamma (Eastern Cape): Progress in registering MIG projects, reconciliation of MIG expenditure
§ Cederberg (Western Cape): Filing of Critical Vacancies
§ UMngeni (KwaZulu-Natal): Unblocking of Housing Delivery Bottlenecks
§ Mafikeng (North-West): Submission of Financial Statements for the First Time in Five Years
§ Makhudutamaga (Limpopo): Implementation of the Performance Management System
§ Marble Hall: (Limpopo): Completion of Water Service Level Agreement (WSLA) with Sekhukhune District and replication of lessons learnt to other local municipalities within the district
(b) Programme successes were noted in the following areas:
§ Improvement in the alignment of MIG projects with IDPs and registration of MIG projects
§ Improvement in MIG expenditure, the number of projects completed and people connected to services especially water and sanitation
§ Improvement in the reporting of MIG
§ Bucket eradication (with few remaining backlogs in the Free State)
§ Improvement in audit reports of municipalities
§ Healthy improvement in municipal expenditure. Municipalities were able to spend over R7bn in the 2007/8 financial year compared to R5.2bl the previous financial year
3. One of the main objectives of Project Consolidate was to build capacity through the transfer of skills by technical experts to municipal officials. Project Consolidate through partnership with Siyenza Manje (it's main support programme) has introduced two structured flagship complimentary programmes namely the "Young Professional Programme" and the "Artisan Programme" to ensure sustainability of the hands-on interventions once the technical experts are withdrawn.
The matter of sustainability will be looked at as part of the comprehensive assessment of the above programmes and the 5 Year Local Government Strategic Agenda.
Details:
Under the Young Professionals (YP) Programme, young graduates in the field of engineering, finance and planning are recruited and deployed in municipalities working under the guidance of the senior experts. The graduates undergo a three year structured training programme to enable them to be registered/certified by respective professional bodies. Mentors and Coaches are provided to guide and support the graduates through the training and registration processes. Most graduates are deployed in their home municipalities and are bound contractually to work in those municipalities for a period of two years, post training and registration. It is planned that they will thereafter be absorbed and retained in the municipalities as part of their professional staff members. To this date, about 15% of the young professionals have already been absorbed by the municipalities.
In the Artisan Programme, apprentices are recruited and deployed in municipalities. They are supported through a practical training programme of 2 – 3 years towards trade testing and accreditation as qualified Artisans. The main objective of the programme is to create a pool of qualified artisans to strengthen operations and maintenance (O & M) capacity in municipalities. The overall goal of the programme is to achieve sustainability in the utilization of service delivery infrastructure in local government and thus enhance the quality of service delivery.
QUESTION 255
FOR ORAL REPLLY ON 21 OCTOBER 2009
WRITTEN QUESTION 1470 TRANSFERRED IN TERMS OF RULE 117
Date of publication on internal question paper: September 2009
Internal question paper no:
Ms SP Kopane (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) What amount in funding has been allocated to each (a) public and (b) private rehabilitation centre in each of the past three years up to the latest specified date for which information is available;
(2) whether these centres are registered with his department; if not, (a) which centres in each province are not registered with his department and (b) what is the reason for this in each case; if so, which centres are registered (i) permanently and (ii) temporarily;
(3) what is the (a) actual and (b) optimal number of staff for (i) doctors, (ii) nurses, (iii) social workers, (iv) forensic social workers and (v) other specified professions at each of these centres? NW1831E
REPLY:
(1) Amount of funding allocated to each public and private treatment centre in the past three years is as follows:
Table 1: Public treatment centres
| Province | Name of treatment centre | (a) | ||
| 2007/2008 | 2008/2009 | 2009/2010 | ||
| Gauteng | Dr F.F Riberro | R11,324 103.00 | R15,310 64.00 | R29,223 000.00 |
| Mpumalanga | Swartfontein | R7,738 490.00 | R6,343 128.00 | R7,633 377.00 |
| Western Cape | De Novo | R1,073 100.00 | R13,194 000.00 | R14,608 000.00 |
| Kensington | n/a | n/a | R4, 626 000.00 | |
| KZN | Madadeni | R4,306 000.00 | R7, 094 047.00 | R6, 677 035.00 |
| Newlands Park | R7, 972 000.00 | R10, 464 00.00 | R10, 485 000.00 | |
NB: Kensington rehabilitation centre was established in April 2009, thus there was no funding for 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 financial years.
Table 2: Private treatment centres
| Province | Name of treatment centre | (b) | ||
| 2007/2008 | 2008/2009 | 2009/2010 | ||
| Gauteng | Wedge Gardens | R837 000.00 | R837 000.00 | R1,500 000.00 |
| Horizon clinic | R826 920.00 | R826 920.00 | R240 000.00 | |
| SANCA: Pretoria/ Soshanguve | R715 920.00 | R715 920.00 | R600 000.00 | |
| House of Mercy | R628 500.00 | R628 500.00 | R900 000.00 | |
| SANCA: Johannesburg | R55 800.00 | R55 800.00 | R350 000.00 | |
| Stabilis | R712 934.00 | R712 934.00 | none | |
| Eastern Cape | Welbedacht | R364 824.00 | R494 877.65 | R467 036.00 |
| Tembelitsha | R810 000.00 | R1,300 852.00 | R1,300 852.00 | |
| SANCA- East London | R1,672 298.00 | R2,066 980.12 | R2,082 126.00 | |
| Mpumalanga | Mkhondo Alathia | R323 040.00 | R323 040.00 | R323 040.00 |
| Mkhondo Alathia (for youth) | none | R1,166 921.00 | R2,068 921.00 | |
| North-West | Sanpark | R924 000.00 | R1, 111.000.00 | R1, 146 000.00 |
| Free State | Aurora | R360 000.00 | R518 000.00 | R518 000.00 |
| Province | Name of treatment centre | (b) | Province | Name of treatment centre |
| Western Cape | Hesketh King | R1,408 599.96 | R1,408 599.96 | R1,408 599.96 |
| Hesketh King (for youth) | R1,219 000.00 | R1,219 000.00 | R975 200.00 | |
| Ramont | R987 000.00 | R987 000.00 | R987 000.00 | |
| Toevlug | R1,656 797.04 | R1,656 797.04 | R1,656 797.04 | |
| Toevlug (for youth) | R864 200.00 | R898 400.00 | R898 400.00 | |
| KZN | Khanyani | R574 652.00 | R821 958.00 | R863 056.00 |
| Shekinah | R134 285.00 | R156 365.00 | R148 692.00 | |
| SANCA: Lulama/Warman House | R2, 410 675.00 | R3 182 000.00 | R3, 182 000.00 | |
| Siyakhula | R137 700.00 | R136 000 | R136 000 | |
| Sitholimpilo | R 580 035.00 | R 734 940.00 | R 659 692.00 | |
(2) Permanently registered, temporarily registered and unregistered treatment centres with reasons for non registration.
Table 3: Registered and unregistered treatment centres
| Province | Name of treatment centre | Registered | (a) Not Registered | (b) Reasons for non-registration | |
| (i) Permanently | (ii) Temporarily | ||||
| Gauteng | Wedge Gardens | X | |||
| Horizon clinic | X | ||||
| SANCA: Pretoria/ Soshanguve | X | ||||
| House of Mercy | X | ||||
| SANCA: Johannesburg | X | ||||
| Eastern Cape | Welbedacht | X | |||
| Tembelitsha | X | The centre was previously registered but relocated to a new facility. The Department of Social Development is in the process of registering the new facility. | |||
| SANCA- East London | X | ||||
| Mpumalanga | Mkhondo Alathia | X | |||
| Mkhondo Alathia (for youth) | X | ||||
| North-West | Sanpark | X | |||
| Free State | Aurora | X | |||
| Western Cape | Hesketh King | X | |||
| Hesketh King (for youth) | X | ||||
| Ramont | X | ||||
| Toevlug | X | ||||
| Toevlug (for youth) | X | ||||
| KZN | Khanyani | X | |||
| Shekinah | X | ||||
| SANCA: Lulama/Warman House | X | ||||
| Siyakhula | X | ||||
(3)Actual and optimal number of professional staff in treatment centres
Table 3: Actual number of professional staff in public treatment centres
| Province | Name of treatment centre | (a) | |||||
| (i) Doctors | (ii) Nurses | (iii) Social Workers | (iv) Forensic Social Workers | (v) Other | |||
| Gauteng | Dr F.F Riberro | 1 (sessional) | 4 | 8 | none | · 3 Auxiliary Social Workers · 1 Occupational Therapist · 37 Care Workers · 1 Psychologist (sessional) | |
| Mpumalanga | Swartfontein | Doctors from the provincial hospital visit on a bi-weekly basis. | 2 | 3 | 0 | · An Occupational Therapist from the provincial hospital visits the centre once a month. | |
| Western Cape | De Novo | 1 (sessional) | 3 professional nurses & 3 nursing assistants | 8 | none | · 1 Occupational Therapist · 1 Occupational Therapist Assistant | |
| Kensington | 1 | 4 | 3 | none | · 1 Clinical Psychologist · 3 Professional Counsellors · 1 Occupational therapist | ||
| KZN | Madadeni | The centre make referrals to doctors at Madadeni Provincial Hospital | 4 | 1 | · 10 Social Auxiliary Workers · The centre make referrals to Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Occupational Therapists at Madadeni Provincial Hospital | ||
| Newlands Park | 1 (sessional) | 5 professional nurses 1 staff nurse 5 nurse assistants | 4 | 0 | · 1 Occupational Therapist · 3 Occupational Therapist assistants | ||
Table 4: Optimal number of professional staff in public treatment centres
| Province | Name of treatment centre | (b) | ||||
| (i) Doctors | (ii) Nurses | (iii) Social Workers | (iv) Forensic Social Workers | (v) Other | ||
| Gauteng | Dr F.F Riberro | 1 (sessional) | 18 Nursing Assistants | 11 Social Workers | none | · 1 Occupational Therapist · 4 Occupational Therapist Assistants · 1 Pharmacist Assistant · 1 Psychologist (full time) · 1 Psychiatrist (sessional) |
| Mpumalanga | Swartfontein | 1 (sessional) | 5 | 6 | 0 | · 1 Psychologist (sessional) · 1 Occupational Therapist (sessional) |
| Western Cape | De Novo | 1 | 5 | 10 | none | · 2 occupational therapists · 1 psychologist |
| Kensington | 1 | 5 | 4 | none | · 2 Occupational therapists · 2 Professional Counsellors | |
| KZN | Madadeni | 1 | 13 | 2 | 1 | · 1 Occupational Therapist · 16 Auxiliary Social Workers |
| Newlands Park | 1 | 9 professional nurses 1 staff nurse 5 assistant nurses | 8 | 1 | · 1 Occupational Therapist · 3 Specialist Auxiliary Services · 1 Psychiatrist · 1 Clinical Psychologist | |
Table 5: Actual number of professional staff in private treatment centres
| Province | Name of treatment centre | (a) | |||||
| (i) Doctors | (ii) Nurses | (iii) Social Workers | (iv) Forensic Social Workers | (v) Other | |||
| Gauteng | Wedge Gardens | 1 (sessional) | 8 | 4 | 0 | · 1 Auxiliary Social Worker · 1 Psychologist · 1 Spiritual Counsellor · 1 Psychologist (intern) | |
| Horizon clinic | 1 (sessional) | 7 | 8 | 0 | · 1 Psychologist · 4 Spiritual Counsellors | ||
| SANCA: Pretoria/ Soshanguve | 1 (sessional) doctor | 3 | 6 | 0 | · 1 Psychologist | ||
| House of Mercy | 1 (sessional) | 5 | 2 | 0 | · 1 Spiritual Counsellor | ||
| SANCA: Johannesburg | 1 (sessional) | 4 | 6 | 0 | · 4 Auxiliary Social Workers · 1 Psychologist · 2 Lay Counsellors | ||
| Eastern Cape | Welbedacht | none | 1 | 1 | none | · 1 Occupational therapist · 1 Physical trainer | |
| Tembelitsha | 1 (sessional) | 3 1 (sessional) | 1 1 (intern) | none | · 1 Psychologist · 2 Counsellors | ||
| SANCA- East London | 1 (sessional) | 6 | 9 | none | · 1 Auxiliary Social Worker · 1 Programme coordinator | ||
| Mpumalanga | Mkhondo Alathia | 1 (sessional) | 3 | 1 | none | ||
| Mkhondo Alathia (for youth) | 1 | 3 | 2 | none | · 1 Teacher | ||
| North-West | Sanpark | 1 (sessional) | 3 2 Nursing assistants | 2 | none | 1 Psychologist (sessional) | |
| Free State | Aurora | 2 (sessional) | 5 | 5 | 0 | · 1 Lifeskills Educator · 4 Ministers (sessional) · 2 Psychologists (sessional) | |
| Province | Name of treatment centre | (a) | |||||
| (i) Doctors | (ii) Nurses | (iii) Social Workers | (iv) Forensic Social Workers | (v) Other | |||
| Western Cape | Hesketh King | 1 | 2 | none | 2 | · 1 Addiction Counsellor | |
| Hesketh King (for youth) | 1 | 2 | none | 1 | · 1 Addiction Counsellor | ||
| Ramont | 1 (sessional)) | 9 | none | none | · 5 Psychologists · 1 Dietician | ||
| Toevlug | 1 | 3 | 3,5 | none | · 1 Psychologist · 1 Occupational therapist · 1 Creativity Coordinator: · 1 Personal Care Worker | ||
| Toevlug (for youth) | 1 | 2 | 1,5 | none | · 1 Psychologist · 1 Occupational therapist · 8 Caregivers | ||
| Khanyani | 1 (sessional) | 1 | 2 | · 1 Occupational Therapist | |||
| Shekinah | · 1 Clinical Psychologist | ||||||
| SANCA: Lulama/ Warman House | 1 (sessional) | · 1 Educator · 6 Auxiliary Social Workers | |||||
| Siyakhula | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | · 5 Care Workers | ||
| Sitholimpilo | 1 | 5 | 6 | 0 | · 1 Psychiatrist | ||
Table 6: Optimal number of professional staff in private treatment centres
| Province | Name of treatment centre | (b) | ||||||||
| (i) Doctors | (ii) Nurses | (iii) Social Workers | (iv) Forensic Social Workers | (v) Other | ||||||
| Gauteng Gauteng (cont.) | Wedge Gardens | 1 | 8 | 5 | 0 | · 1 Auxiliary Social Worker · 1 Psychologist · 1 Spiritual Councillor · 1 Psychologist (intern) | ||||
| Horizon clinic | 1 | 7 | 8 | 0 | · 1 Psychologist · 4 Spiritual Counsellors | |||||
| SANCA: PTA/ Soshanguve | 1 | 3 | 6 | 0 | · 1 Psychologist | |||||
| Name of treatment centre | (b) | |||||||||
| (i) Doctors | (ii) Nurses | (iii) Social Workers | (iv) Forensic Social Workers | (v) Other | ||||||
| House of Mercy | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | · 1 Spiritual Counsellor | |||||
| SANCA: Johannesburg | 1 | 4 | 6 | 0 | · 4 Auxiliary Social Workers · 1 Psychologist · 2 Lay Counsellors | |||||
| Eastern Cape | Welbedacht | none | 3 | 1 | none | · 1 Occupational therapist · 1 Physical Trainer · 1 Auxiliary Social Worker · 2 Care Workers | ||||
| Tembelitsha | 2 (sessional | 3 1 (sessional) | 1 | 1 | · 1 Psychologist · 2 Counsellors | |||||
| SANCA- East London | 4 | · 1 Psychologist (sessional) · 1 Occupational Therapist · (sessional) | ||||||||
| Mpumalanga | Mkhondo Alathia | 1 | 3 | 2 | n/a | · 1 Psychologist · 1 Occupational Therapist | ||||
| Mkhondo Alathia (for youth) | 1 | 3 | 2 | n/a | · 1 School Psychologist | |||||
| North-West | Sanpark | 1 | 4 | 5 | n/a | · 1 Psychologist | ||||
| Free State | Aurora | 2 (sessional) | 5 | 5 | 0 | · 1 Lifeskills Educator · 4 Ministers · 2 Psychologists (sessional) | ||||
| Western Cape | Hesketh King | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | · 1 Addiction counsellor | ||||
| Hesketh King (for youth) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | · 1 Addiction counsellor | |||||
| Ramont | 1 (sessional) | 9 | none | none | · 5 Psychologists · 1 Dietician | |||||
| Toevlug | 1 | 4 | 4 | n/a | · 1 Psychologist · 1 Occupational therapist · 1 Creativity Coordinator · 1 Pastoral worker | |||||
| Toevlug (for youth) | 1 | 2 | 2 | n/a | · 1 Psychologist · 1 Occupational therapist · 8 Caregivers · 1 Pastoral worker | |||||
| Province | Name of treatment centre | (b) | ||||||||
| (i) Doctors | (ii) Nurses | (iii) Social Workers | (iv) Forensic Social Workers | (v) Other | ||||||
| KZN | Khanyani | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | · 1 Forensic Social Worker | ||||
| Shekinah | 1 | 9 | 6 | 1 | · 1 Psychiatrist · 1Occupational Therapist · 1 Psychologist · 5 Child and Youth Care Workers | |||||
| SANCA: Lulama/ Warman House | 1 | 5 | 6 | 1 | · 1 Psychiatrist · 1 Occupational Therapist · 1 Psychologist · 6 Child & Youth Care Workers | |||||
| Siyakhula | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | · 5 Child & Youth Care Workers | |||||
| Sitholimpilo | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | · 5 Child & Youth Care Workers | |||||
QUESTION NO. 254
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 JUNE 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 4)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) With reference to each specified hospital in KwaZulu/Natal, (a) who is the chief executive officer, (b) when was he/she appointed, (c) what are his/her qualifications, (d) what is his/her previous work experience and (e) what is his/her current salary;
(2) whether he/she has received any bonuses in any of the three most recent financial years for which information is available; if so, what amount was received in each of these years?
NW303EREPLY:
Information is still being sought from the KwaZulu/Natal Provincial Department of Health. The detailed response will be submitted as soon as it is received from the Province.
QUESTION NO.: 254
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 27 OCTOBER 2009
Mr S N Swart (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:
(1) Whether his department has done an assessment of the impact of the proposed increase of 45% per annum over the following three years in the price of electricity on inflation and economic growth prospects; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether he will make a statement on the matter? NO2575E
REPLY
Honourable Member, my Ministry is working closely with an Inter-Ministerial Committee that includes the Ministers of Finance, Energy and Public Enterprises, to consider the implications of the ESKOM application.
We are carefully considering three dimensions:
- first, the impact of different tariff increases on economic growth, employment, competitiveness and industrial performance, inflation and the impact on poor communities;
- second, the demand-management measures that can prudently be factored into the estimates of the country's energy needs;
- third, the need to ensure the resources for a programme to build additional energy-generating capacity, including different funding options that may be available.
The research as well as the work at interdepartmental level has not yet been concluded and thus any statement will be premature. The Minister of Finance will make a submission to the regulator by 9 November 2009 on behalf of government.
The decision on the tariff lies with the regulator. The challenge that the regulator will face in the months and years ahead is to find the optimum balance in the tariff structure that limits the negative social and economic impact and yet ensures the resources for an appropriate build-programme and the future energy-mix that provides for cleaner and renewable electricity-generation technologies.
QUESTION NO. 252
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 JUNE 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 4)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) With reference to each specified hospital in Gauteng, (a) who is the chief executive officer, (b) when was he/she appointed, (c) what are his/her qualifications, (d) what is his/her previous work experience and (e) what is his/her current salary;
(2) whether he/she has received any bonuses in any of the three most recent financial years for which information is available; if so, what amount was received in each of these years?
NW301EREPLY:
Information is still being sought from the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health. The detailed response will be submitted as soon as it is received from the Province.
QUESTION NO.: 251
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 25 June 2009
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development:
Arising out of the institution of international arbitration proceedings against South Africa under the Additional Facility of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes ("ICSID") in the matter of Piero Forest and Others v The Republic of South Africa (Case No ARB (AF)(07/1) on 1 November 2006:
(1) What are the total costs incurred by the Government in (a) Euros and (b) rand in each year from the beginning of a certain case (details furnished above) up to the latest specified date for which information is available;
(2) whether the Government has come to any fixed fee arrangements with its foreign legal counsel; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply to (1) (2) & (3):-
The arbitration proceedings referred to above are still on-going and the matter is therefore sub-judice. The Government of the Republic of South Africa is not at liberty to comment on the matter which is the subject of arbitration proceedings. Reference is also made to Rule 67 of the National Assembly rules which provides that:
"Matters sub-judice
67. No member shall refer to any matter on which a judicial decision is pending."
WEDNESDAY, 04 NOVEMBER 2009
QUESTION NO 251
DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: FRIDAY, 06 NOVEMBER 2009
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: TUESDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 25 – 2009)
Mr M S F de Freitas (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:
What (a) are the reasons for (i) appointing and (ii) terminating the contract of a certain company (name furnished) in the past three years, (b) processes were followed in this regard in each case and (c) was the total value spent for the services of the said company during the said period?
NO2571E
REPLY:
The Minister of Transport:
(a) (i) and (ii)
I am advised by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) that the said security company was appointed by the Gauteng Region of Metrorail on an urgent basis after the contract of the company that was providing security was terminated due to non- performance.
The said company has been given notice of termination of the contract effective 1st November 2009, also due to non-performance.
(b)
The process followed in appointing this company was not in line with the Supply Chain Management Policy of PRASA. An investigation was conducted into the appointment of this company, and the implicated employees subsequently put on suspension. A disciplinary process is underway.
(c)
The said company was appointed in May 2009. An amount of R 3.3 million is spent per month on the contract and the total cost will be R19.9 million by November 2009. The performance of the two companies was poor, leading to a danger that the security of assets and people within Metrorail would be compromised.
Question 258
258. Ms M Wenger (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: [Written Question No 174]
(1) Whether any municipalities have not complied with the implementation of the Local Government: Municipal Property Rates Act, Act 6 of 2004; if so, (a) why not; and (b) which municipalities;
(2) whether his department has taken any action in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what action;
(3) whether his department will intervene to rectify the shortcomings in each case; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW220E
ANSWER
(1) According to the Department's records, there are 13 municipalities that have not complied with the implementation of the Local Government: Municipal Property Rates Act, Act 6 of 2004. This figure represents statistics provided to the Department by the provincial departments responsible for local government as at 30 July 2009.
(a) The reason that these municipalities have not complied with the implementation of the Act is because they failed to compile a valuation roll that is consistent with the Act. The primary reason for this failure is that the municipalities began the requisite procurement processes required to appoint a valuer to compile a valuation roll late. Some appointed a service provider as late as December 2008, when in terms of the Act and its regulations, the certified valuation roll must be submitted to the municipal manager by not later than 30 January 2009.
Most municipalities do not have dedicated capacity to undertake mass general valuations internally, and they have to outsource this undertaking to external service providers that have the requisite skills. As a result the appointed service providers were unable to compile a comprehensive valuation roll for the municipal area as required by the Act in time for the implementation of that valuation roll on 1 July 2009. The majority of these municipalities, particularly those that had rated before in terms of provincial ordinances, therefore implemented valuation rolls in terms of those provincial ordinances. These valuation rolls are invalid, given that in terms of section 89 of the Act, they can no longer be used from 1 July 2009. These municipalities are listed in table 1 below:
(b) Below is the list of affected municipalities:
Table 1: List of Municipalities that did not implement the Municipal Property Rates Act on 1 July 2009
| Name of Province | Municipality | Status |
| *indicates those municipalities that levied rates prior to the commencement of the Municipal Property Rates Act, 2004. The Act commenced operating on 2 July 2005 | ||
| North West (3) | *Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality (LM) | Implemented an old valuation roll in terms of the Transvaal Ordinance. |
| *Lekwa-Teemane LM | Implemented an old valuation roll in terms of the Transvaal Ordinance. | |
| *Ditsobotla LM | Implemented an old valuation roll in terms of the Transvaal Ordinance. | |
| Northern Cape (3) | *Magareng LM | Has not implemented a valuation roll, no rates budget. |
| Moshaweng LM | Has not implemented a valuation roll, no rates budget. | |
| *Tembelihle LM | Implemented an old roll in terms of the Cape Ordinance. | |
| Limpopo (1) | *Polokwane LM | Implemented an old valuation roll in terms of the Transvaal Ordinance. |
| Free State (2) | *Nala LM | Implemented an old valuation roll in terms of the Free State Ordinance. |
| *Matjhabeng LM | Implemented an old valuation roll in terms of the Free State Ordinance. | |
| Eastern Cape (4) | *Makana LM | Implemented an old valuation roll in terms of the Cape Ordinance. |
| *Mbizana LM | Implemented an old valuation roll in terms of the Cape Ordinance. | |
| *Qaukeni LM | Implemented an old valuation roll in terms of the Cape Ordinance. | |
| *Engcobo LM | Implemented an old valuation roll in terms of the Cape Ordinance. | |
(2) By way of action in this regard, the Department has as a last resort, introduced a Bill to amend the Local Government: Municipal Property Rates Act to Parliament on 10 October 2009 (Bill 12, 2009). The Bill seeks to extend the period of validity of valuation rolls that were in force (old order valuation rolls) before the Municipal Property Rates Act commenced on 2 July 2005 by a further two years up to 30 June 2011. This means that the municipalities listed above that implemented a valuation roll inconsistent with the Act will be legally able to collect rates in terms of the valuation roll in terms of provincial ordinances until 30 June 2011, while compiling a valuation roll consistent with the Act to implement it by 1 July 2011.
(3) The enactment of the Bill before Parliament is an urgent intervention in this regard. The Department together with provincial departments responsible for local government will continue to support the affected municipalities over the next two years to ensure that they prepare and implement a valuation roll that is consistent with the Act by 1 July 2011.
WEDNESDAY, 04 NOVEMBER 2009
QUESTION NO 263
DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: FRIDAY, 06 NOVEMBER 2009
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: TUESDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 25 – 2009)
Dr C P Mulder (FF Plus) asked the Minister of Transport:
Whether he has put any measures in place to get compensation from taxi-associations and taxi-drivers for the damage and loss of income caused by their protest against the introduction of the Rapid Bus Transport System in Gauteng; if not, why not; if so, (a) which steps and (b) against whom?
NO2585E
REPLY:
The Minister of Transport:
The national Minister of Transport is responsible for the policy oversight of the implementation of the Public Transport Strategy. The actual implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit System occurs at Local Government (municipal) level. The City of Johannesburg is therefore responsible for the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit System in Johannesburg. Accordingly, it is the responsibility of the City of Johannesburg to assess and quantify the damage to property within the city in order to recover same from the taxi-associations and taxi drivers.
The City of Johannesburg has advised that, to date, no legal action for damages has been instituted and that the damage and injury was covered by insurance, including public liability insurance taken out by the City of Johannesburg.
With regard to the loss of income as a result of the protest action, it is submitted that those who have been affected should explore the legal remedies available to them, to address same.
(a) and (b) Fall away.
Question 267
28 OCTOBER 2009
267. Mrs M Wenger (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: [Written Question No 511]
(1) Whether his department makes use of private security firms; if so, how much money was spent on such firms in 2008;
(2) whether these firms are used on a contractual basis; if so, (a) how many contracts did his department take out in this regard in 2008, (b) with which firms were these contracts taken out, (c) for what specific purpose was each contract taken out and (d) what was the value of the contract in each case;
(3) why is there a need for his department to use a private security firm as opposed to state security? NW574E
ANSWER
(1) The department makes use of private security firm and the amount spent
is:
(a) R3 20 940.68 in 2008/09 financial year (R211 468.42 pm x 7 = R148 027.89: paid in terms of the old contract that expired on 31 October 2008 and R288 187.99 pm x 5 = R172 912.79: paid in terms of the new contract that started in November 09 and will end in October 2010)
(2) (a) The COGTA contracted one (1) company namely Hlanganani Protection Services to render security services in the 5 buildings occupied by staff on 24 hour basis. (b) The contract has been signed with Hlanganani Protection Services for a period of twenty four (24) months with effect from 01 November 2008 to 31 October 2010. (c) The contracted company operates access and control room equipment, control access points, conduct patrolling services in and out of the cogta buildings on 24 hour basis. (d) The value of the above-mentioned contract is R7 158 588.00 for a period of twenty four (24) months with effect from 01 November 2008 to 31 October 2010.
(3) The department opted for private security firms as opposed to state security to ensure 24hours consist security services managed through service level agreement. The advantage to the private security option is that the department is able to transfer risks to the contracted security company.
Question 271
28 OCTOBER 2009
271. Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: [Written Question No 616]
(1) What is the remuneration for chief financial officers with regard to (a) basic packages and (b) bonuses for each of the six metropoles;
(2) whether performance agreement contracts have been signed with each of the current (a) municipal managers and (b) chief financial officer in each of the six metroples; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case? NW699E
ANSWER
Each of the six metros has differing remuneration packages for their Chief Financial Officers. In terms of total package which will include basic salary, contributions, allowances such as housing, and performance bonus.
Ekhurhuleni Metro CFO – R1,3 mil
Johannesburg Metro CFO – R1,819 mil
Tshwane Metro CFO – R1,226 mil
Cape Town Metro CFO – R1,291 mil
Ethekwini Metro CFO – R1,602 mil
Nelson Mandela Metro CFO – information still outstanding
According to the information submitted by provinces (at my disposal) monitoring the signing of performance agreements, all the metros Municipal Managers and CFOs have signed performance agreements.
Question 261
28 OCTOBER 2009
261. Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs: [Written Question No 261]
(1) Whether his department had a deadline for the production of a formula to determine how many wards each municipality is to be divided into for the local government elections in 2011; if not, why not; if so, what was the deadline;
(2) whether this deadline was met; if not, (a) why not and (b) when is it likely to be met; if so, what is the formula;
(3) what will the implications be of the delay in producing this formula for the timing of the local government elections? NW311E
ANSWER
The formula for determination of number of councilors was published on the 15 July 2009. The MECs in the provinces published a number of Councilors in September 2009, with the exception of KZN.
After the publication of the number of councillors by the MEC, the Municipal Demarcation Board couriered information packs during September 2009 in accordance with the plan of action, including proposed ward boundaries to municipalities qualifying to have wards.
QUESTION NO 262
Mr Adv A de W Alberts (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:
Whether the agreement between the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and a bank (name furnished) whereby prospective buyers of taxis can apply for funds for their vehicles (details furnished) in terms of the national policy in respect of obtaining services and goods through state departments and parastatals took place; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NO2584E
REPLY:
The IDC-ABSA Finance Scheme was launched on the 30th September 2009. It comprises a guarantee by IDC and ABSA of R150 million each. The combined R300 million will be used to provide asset-based guarantees against the risk of default on the loan. The key criteria of the scheme are that participating taxi operators must have a valid operating license, be BEE entrepreneurs, provide a shareholder contribution of a maximum of 20% and qualify in terms of ABSA's credit policy. Further fully imported vehicles will not be financed. Only vehicles that are either locally assembled or the manufacturer should have a local automotive assembly plant. It is envisioned that IDC's participation within the taxi industry could foster the local manufacture and distribution of new vehicles, the provision of facilities at taxi ranks for consumer needs, as well as the scrapping and disposal of unsafe fleet.
There are no implications in terms of procurement rules applicable to national departments and parastatals, as the vehicles will be privately purchased and not by any government department or state owned enterprise.
QUESTION NO. 266 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NODATE OF PUBLICATION:
Mr L.P. Khoarai (ANC) to ask the Minister of Tourism:
What (a) is the representation of tourism at the ports of entry; and (b) information is given to tourists at these ports? NO2591E
MR L P KHOARAI (ANC) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENTHANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS THE MINISTER OF TOURISM ANSWERS:What (a) is the representation of tourism at the ports of entry?
The Provincial Tourism Authorities have information desks at airports, which are the main gateways to South Africa. However, there are no such facilities at other ports of entry.
South African Tourism has however extended the Welcome campaign to four of South Africa's busiest borders targeting border personnel. Through these activations we are not only thanking border officials for their hard work, but inspiring them to deliver even higher levels of service leading to 2010 and beyond and
make them understand the importance and the contribution that our African visitors make each time they are visiting South Africa.
Border activations were done in March 2009 at the following borders:
- North West – Kopfontein Border – Botswana visitors
- Mpumalanga – Lobombo Border – Mozambican visitors
- Mpumalanga – Oshhoek Border – Swaziland visitors
- Free State – Maseru Bridge – Lesotho visitors
In December 2009, further Welcome activations at these borders will be done in preparation for the festive season.
What (b) information is given to tourists at these ports?
The information provided at these ports of entry relates to tourism attraction areas available in the particular province. The National Department of Tourism has also developed and distributed safety tips to all ports of entry through the Provincial Tourism Authorities and Provincial Tourism Departments, which are mandated to attend to tourism-related matters in their respective provinces.
QUESTION NO.: 264
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 30 October 2009
Mr P J Groenewald (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:†
Whether she will be issuing an instruction advising all parastatals owing money to Eskom to discharge their debts; if not, why not; if so, when? NO2587E
REPLY
All parastatals supplied with electricity by Eskom directly would have entered into electricity supply agreements that govern payment for services rendered. Eskom then engages with the parastatals on that basis for any outstanding debts (as it would with any other customer)
It should, however, be noted that the majority of parastatals electricity supply agreements are not directly with Eskom as their offices and infrastructure are generally embedded within municipal distribution areas. As such they are supplied with and billed by the municipal electricity distributor, who in turn purchases its bulk electricity supply from Eskom.
In these cases, Eskom's supply contract is with the municipalities and not the parastatals. The relevant municipalities are therefore responsible for collecting payment on those agreements.
QUESTION NUMBER 269
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 27 OCTOBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER 25)
Mr V V Magagula (ANC) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources
What programmes of assistance and/or strategic plans are in place to encourage and develop small-scale miners in the country? NO2594E
REPLY
The department has identified small scale mining as a prospect of critical intervention to uplift rural communities. As a result the department is developing a small scale mining strategy, which will be implemented in the next financial year
Background Information
The department adopted a pilot project on small scale mining with a lifespan to test the prospects of effecting transformation agenda in communities. The learning from the pilot model of small scale mining has yielded varying levels of success, but provided a solid basis on which the department will develop and adopt a permanent approach to small scale mining development in the country. To this extent, the department is finalising the new small scale mining strategy, which will serve as a basis for the department's contribution to the rural community upliftment – the high impact approach with particular emphasis on poverty nodal points.