Question & Replies No 501 to 525

2009-07-17

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

QUESTION NO.: 501

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 10 June 2009

Mr S C Motau (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:

(1)(a) What is Eskom's estimate of the total cost for decommissioning (i) Koeberg 1 and (ii) Koeberg 2 and (b) how are these amounts made up;

(2)whether Eskom has set aside the funds required for decommissioning the plants; if not, from where will the required funds be obtained; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3)whether a timeframe has been established for the start of decommissioning and the decommissioning period of each of these plants; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(4)whether the required skills for decommissioning these plants are available to Eskom; if not, how will Eskom access these skills; if so, how was this conclusion reached? NW564E

REPLY

(1)(a-b)(i-ii) Koeberg unit 1 decommissioning cost is estimated at R2 627 M (Present value R937 M) and Koeberg unit 2 decommissioning cost is estimated at R3 584 M (Present value R1 184 M).

The costs are calculated from a study performed by TLG Services, Inc. (TLG) and a review is performed every 3 years to update economic assumptions and any new developments. TLG, an engineering and field service company, is the largest provider of decommissioning cost estimating services to North American commercial reactor owners.

The amounts are made up of preparatory studies, including assessments required by the Nuclear Regulatory and the Environmental Authorities, decontamination activities, decommissioning activities (both radioactive and non-radioactive infrastructure) and site rehabilitation/restoration activities.

(2) Financial provision is raised for the estimated decommissioning costs and reflected in the annual financial statements. The provision is adjusted annually for inflation and interest, and adjusted, if required, by the results of the 3-yearly review mentioned above. When the funds are required to execute the decommissioning process, Eskom will provide the funding.

(3) Both Koeberg units have a design life of 40 years life. However, the engineering assessments of plant condition indicate that a 50 year life or longer is possible. This is aligned to international practice - for example the life time of the Electricite de France reactor units, of equivalent design to Koeberg, has already been extended from 40 to 50 years, and studies are underway to extend their life time to 60 years. The extension of the lifetime of the Koeberg units to 50 years would be subject to, inter alia, the outcomes of engineering studies, the financial viability and regulatory approvals (including an environmental impact assessment). Decommissioning of the Koeberg units will thus commence at the end of the life time of the station. At the end of the operating life, the decommissioning period is expected to extend over approximately 15 years.

(4) The required skills for decommissioning will be available from:

Eskom staff (Project Management, Nuclear Engineering, Radiation Protection etc.)

The Original Equipment Manufacturers

Contractors who specialise in decommissioning (international for nuclear and local for conventional non-nuclear buildings).

QUESTION No. 502:NW565E

Mr J R B Lorimer (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:

(1) What is the current status of Project Vistula;

(2) whether the tender process is still under way; if not, when was it finalised; if so, (a) when will it be finalised, (b) when will the delivery of equipment procured in terms of the project begin and (c) why was the initial tender process stopped;

(3) whether there is any court action arising out of this project; if so, what (a) legal costs were incurred to date and (b) are the further relevant details?

Reply

I will revert to the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans on this matter as soon as I have acquainted myself with it.

QUESTION No. 503

Mr J R B Lorimer (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:

(1) Whether South Africa has incurred any financial liabilities as a result of the satellite contract with a certain company (name furnished); if not, what is the status of the contract; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether any money has been paid out in connection with the contract; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how much;

(3) whether any legal action for or against the State is being taken in respect of the contract; if so, (a) what action and (b) what are the costs to the State so far;

(4) whether the contract has any potential benefits; if not, why not; if so, (a) what benefits and (b) when will the benefits become operable in each case? NW566E

REPLY

The SANDF is involved in a number of highly classified projects to enhance the strategic intelligence collection capability of South Africa. Projects are fully audited by the office of the Auditor General and reports on this matter will be made directly to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.

QUESTION NO 504

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 10 JULY 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6)

Mr M J Ellis (DA) to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources:

(1) With reference to her reply to question no 71 on 2 July 2009, what is a negative environmental impact;

(2) whether acid mine drainage is regarded as having a negative environmental impact, considering the effect it has on the environment; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, why can funds held by her department for the rehabilitation of mines not be used for dealing with acid mine drainage? NW567E

REPLY

(1) Negative environmental impact, implies an activity or action or event that adversely impacts and influences the environment.

(2) If not managed properly, acid mine drainage can have negative impact on the environment.

QUESTION 506

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 10/07/09

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 06-2009)

Mr GG Boinamo to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

1. Whether any function was organised to mark the occasion of the delivery of her budget vote in 2009; if so, (a) what total amount was spent on this function, (b) from which budget was the money allocated, (c) what amount was spent on (i)food and refreshments, (ii) venue, (iii) entertainment, (iv) staff and (v) transport and (d) how many persons were invited to attend this function? NW569E

REPLY:

1. Yes

(a) R267 044.57

(b) The Communications budget

(ii) None

(iii) R20 500

(iv) None

(v) None

(d) 250

QUESTION 507

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 10/07/09

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 06-2009)

Mr G G Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

(1) Whether her 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 her 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 her department to use a private security firm as opposed to state security? NW570E

REPLY:

(1) No.

(2) Not applicable.

(3) Not applicable.

QUESTION NO: 508

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15 July 2009

QUESTION PAPER NO: 6

DATE OF REPLY:

Mr N J van den Berg (DA) to ask the Minister of Communications:

Whether any function was organised to mark the occasion of the delivery of his budget vote in 2009; if so, (a) what total amount was spent on this function, (b) from which budget was the money allocated, (c) what amount was spent on (i) food and refreshments, (ii) venue, (iii) entertainment, (iv) staff and (v) transport and (d) how many persons were invited to attend this function?

NW571E

REPLY

YES, a function was organised to mark the delivery of my 2009 Budget Vote Speech.

(a), (b), and (c): Not applicable. As has been the practice in the past, the event was fully sponsored by members of the sector. It should also be noted that the staff who attended the function was in Cape Town to manage the departmental exhibition and deal with the media. The members of Top Management attended the Speech to provide support to me. The attendance of the staff therefore did not incur additional cost top the Department.

(d) 350 people were invited to the function.

QUESTION NO: 509

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15 July 2009

QUESTION PAPER NO: 6

DATE OF REPLY:

Mr N J van den Berg (DA) to ask the Minister of Communications:

(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?

NW572E

REPLY

(1) Yes, the Department make use of private security firms. An amount of R2 628 696.70 was spent in 2008.

(2) Yes the firms are used on a contractual basis

(a) The Department took 3 contracts in 2008;

(b) Names of the firms and (c) purpose of the contracts

U2 Security Services was contracted for offices in Pretoria;

Eldna Security was contracted for the 112 Emergency Call Centre in the Strand, Western Cape; and

Africa Security Solutions was contracted to augment ITU security services during the World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly (WTSA), a conference of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), which was hosted by South Africa, held at Emperor's Palace in October 2008.

(d) Value of each contract:

U2 Security Services: The value was R4 229 609.76 for the period June 2006 to July 2008. The contract was extended for 5 months costing R1 077 541.10. The contract was also expanded with four (4) additional security personnel commencing from July 2007 until the end of December 2008 costing R282 983.70, for patrolling and guarding of parking basements.

Eldna Security Services: The value was R588 000.00 for the period July 2006 to August 2008. The contract extended for four (4) months costing R98 000.00.

Africa Security Solutions: The value was R59 850.00 for the period of two (2) weeks during the WTSA conference in October 2008.

(3) The Department contracts security firms only for the purpose of physical security services which is required 24 hours, seven days a week. The Department does have 2 employees who deal with security administration and supervision of contracted security firms; coordination of security matters within the Department, including investigation of security breaches in order to advise the management. The Security Unit also serves as the link between the Department and other State Security Agents.

It is common practice for government departments to use private security firms for the purpose of physical security services.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 510

(Internal Question Paper No 6 - 2009)

Mrs M Wenger (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:

Whether any function was organised to mark the occasion of the delivery of his budget vote in 2009; if so, (a) what total amount was spent on this function, (b) from which budget was the money allocated, (c) what amount was spent on (i) food and refreshments, (ii) venue, (iii) entertainment, (iv) staff and (v) transport and (d) how many persons were invited to attend this function? NW573E

ANSWER

A function was organised to mark the occasion of the delivery of the Minister's budget vote in 2009.

(a) Total amount spent on the function: R 67 768.70

(b) The amount was allocated from departmental activities budget. (c) Amount spent on:-

(i) Food and refreshments: R 42 812.50

(ii) Venue: R 2 169.70

(iii) Entertainment: R 22 786.50

(iv) Staff: N/A

(v) Transport: N/A

(d) 125 persons were invited to attend the function.

QUESTION NO: 512

QUESTION PAPER NO 6: 10 JULY 2009

DATE SUBMITTED: 12 AUGUST 2009

MR A T FRITZ (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

Whether any function was organised to mark the occasion of the delivery of her budget vote in 2009; if so, (a) what total amount was spent on this function, (b) from which budget was the money allocated, (c) what amount was spent on (i) food and refreshments, (ii) venue, (iii) entertainment, (iv) staff and (v) transport and (d) how many persons were invited to attend this function? NW575E

REPLY

A function was organised and dinner was served to guests of the Minister and Deputy Minister as well as to staff and offenders who attended the Budget Vote. An external venue was used seeing that all venues within the parliamentary complex were fully booked.

(a) R101, 594

(b) Communication Services Chief Directorate.

(ii) R12, 500

(iii) R0

(iv) R4, 113

(v) R5, 536

(d) 200 inclusive of organising staff.

QUESTION No 514

J R B Lorimer (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:

Reply:

The date of the budget vote debate was deliberately chosen to coincide with the Bi-lateral meetings of the South Africa/ Namibia Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security (JPCDS) in Cape Town. The two functions were combined, which allowed for maximum participation in both events. This was deliberately done to offset the need for a function for the budget vote. No expenses were specifically related to the budget vote.

QUESTION No 515

Mr I M Ollis (DA) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:

(1) Whether her department makes use of private security firms; if so, how much money was spent on such firms in 2008;

(3) why is there a need for her department to use a private security firm as opposed to state security?

REPLY

1. Yes, the Department of Defence makes use of a private security firm. An amount of R979 266.00 was spent in 2008.

2. Yes, the firm is used on a contractual basis

a. One (1) contract was concluded in 2008

b. The contract concluded with Fidelity Cash Management Services

c. The contract with Fidelity cash management Services is for Cash-in-Transit Services. (Transporting the Department of Defence cash assets between Finance Accounting Services Centres and commercial banks and vice versa).

d. Fidelity Cash Management Services – R979 266.00

3. The transfer of cash assets is renowned to be a high risk and very simple specialised function, which even the private financial and banking sector grapples with. Continuous improvements and measures have to be taken to counter criminal activities. The SANDF does not have a law enforcement mandate. Cash-in-transit services can thus only be acquired through the contracting of private security firms, which are accredited to carry out certain law enforcement functions.

QUESTION: 516

516. Dr P J Rabie (DA) to ask the Minister of Economic Development:

RESPONSE

Economic Development has not been allocated a budget vote as yet. The Minister of Economic Development addressed Parliament on the occasion of the dti's budget vote. The function organised to mark the occasion was arranged by the dti, and accordingly the Hon Dr. PJ Rabie is referred to the dti.

QUESTION NO 517

DATE OF PUBUCATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 10 JULY 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6)
Mr S C Motau (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy:

\Nhetf1er any function was organised to mark the occasion of the delivery of her budget vote in 2009; ff so, (a) what total amount was spent on this function, (b) from which budget was the money allocated, (c) what amount was spent on (i) food and refreshments, (ii) venue, (iii) entertainment, (iv) staff and (v) transport and (d) how many persons were invited to attend this function?

REPLY

Yes

(a) The overall amount spent for the function was R412 077.72

(b) The budget was from DME and our partners

(c) (i) R293 752.72 (paid by partners)

(ii) R25 252.27 (paid by DME)

(iii) A99 475.00 (paid by partners)

(iv) 13 DME staff

(v) R77149.00

(d) 250 invited guests

QUESTION NO 518

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 10 JULY 2009 (INTERNAL) QUESTION PAPER NO 6)
Mr S C Motau (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy:

(1) Whether her 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 en a contractual basis; if so, (a) how many contracts did her 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 her department to use a private security firm as opposed to state security?

REPLY

(1) The Department Is currently using two private security firms:

Siyashesha Security Services (Physical security at Olifantsfontein training centre): R182 400.60 Enforce Security Services - Armed Response System (Durban regional office): R4 035 .60 Total costs for 2008: R186 435.60

(2) The firms are used on contractual basis

(a) Two private security contracts

(b) Siyashesha Security Services and Enforce Armed Response System

(c) Siyashesha Security Services for Physical security at OIifantsfontein training center Enforce Security Services - Armed Response System at Durban regional office

(d) Siyashesha Security Services: R182 400.60 annually

Enforce Securi1y Services - Armed Response System R4 035 .60

(3) At Olifantsfontein Training Centre. it is not cost effective to deploy 3 x Security Officer(s} of the Department at a cost of approximately R64 410.00 x 3 = R193 230.00 annually for 24 hours in the building that Is not occupied or does not contain sensitive information of the State, hence the services were outsourced to private security. The above mentioned cost of R193 230.00 does not include over-time inspections by supervisor, transport costs, uniforms, security equipment and aids, and maintenance of the equipment. The Department is using the Enforce Alarm System at Durban to monitor and respond in case of emergency situations. The security in the building after-hours is under the landlord and the Department looked at having security officer after-hours but realised that the threats are minimal, hence the DME Offices were demarcated and the monitoring system was installed as opposed to physical security officers.

QUESTION NUMBER 521

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 10 JULY 2009

Mr P van Dalen (DA) to ask the Minister of Finance:

Reply:

No official function was organised to mark the occasion of the delivery of the budget vote.

QUESTION NO. 522

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 10 JULY 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 6)

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

NW586E

REPLY:

Yes, as is the norm, functions were organised to mark the occasion of the delivery of our budget vote in Parliament.

	National Assembly	National Council of Provinces (NCOP)
(a) Total Amount spent	R34 568-20	R31 071-40
(b) Budget from which allocated	Ministerial Services	Ministerial Services
(c) Amount spent on: (i) food and refreshments (ii) venue (venue staff) (iii) entertainment (iv) staff (v) transport (vi) other (flowers)	R33 208.56 Nil Nil Nil Nil R1 359-64	R25 194-21 R4 561-40 Nil Nil Nil R1 315-79
(d) Number of guests invited	140	100

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

WRITTEN TO ORAL REPLY

QUESTION 523

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 10/07/09

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 06-2009)

Dr W G James (DA) to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training:

Whether any function was organised to mark the occasion of the delivery of his budget vote in 2009; if so, (a) what total amount was spent on this function, (b) from which budget was the money allocated, (c) what amount was spent on (i) food and refreshments, (ii) venue, (iii) entertainment, (iv) staff and (v) transport and (d) how many persons were invited to attend this function? NW587E

REPLY:

Yes, one function was held for the two departments namely the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Higher education and Training. The amounts spend and number of persons invited is as indicated below.

R267 044.57

The Communications budget

(i) R47 673.99

(ii) None

(iii) R20 500

(iv) None

(v) None

(d) 250

QUESTION 524

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 10 July 2009

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6 of 2009

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

Whether any function was organised to mark the occasion of the delivery of her budget vote in 2009; if so, (a) what total amount was spent on this function, (b) from which budget was the money allocated, (c) what amount was spent on (i) food and refreshments,
(ii) venue, (iii) entertainment, (iv) staff and (v) transport and (d) how many persons were invited to attend this function?

NW588E

REPLY

(1)(a)(b) Yes. The total amount spent on the function was R52 365.30, and it was taken

out of the Minister's budget.

(c)(i) Money spent on food was R50 000.00, and refreshments (non-alcoholic drinks)

was R2 365.30.

(ii) The venue hire is included in the above-mentioned amount.

(iii)(iv)(v) No money was spent on entertainment, staff, and transport.

(d) About 100 persons were invited from a range of stakeholders, namely, the

Portfolio Committee, Refugees Appeal Board, Standing Committee, Department of Home Affairs (DHA) agencies (IEC,FPB, and GPW), Disabled persons, DHA management, Members of Parliament, etc. However, a total of 200 persons attended, hence the inflated amount on food.

QUESTION NW 525

(NW589E)

Whether any function was organized to mark the occasion of the delivery of his budget vote in 2009: if so,

(a) What total amount was spent on this function?

(b) From which budget was the money allocated?

i. Food and refreshments

ii. Venue

iii. Entertainment

iv. Transport

(d) How many persons were invited to attend this function?

REPLY

(a) R 114 184.31

(b) Cooperate Communications

(d) Two hundred ( 200 ) including members of Parliament

QUESTION NO: 513

QUESTION PAPER NO 6: 10 JULY 2009

DATE SUBMITTED: 24 AUGUST 2009

MR A T FRITZ (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

(1) Whether her department makes use of private security firms; if so, how much money was spent on such firms in 2008;

(3) why is there a need for her department to use a private security firm as opposed to state security? NW576E

REPLY

(1) Yes, the department made use of one private security firm and an amount of R62, 2 million was spent in the 2008/09 financial year.

(2) Yes, the firm was used on a contractual basis.

(a) Only one contract that commenced in 2005 and expired on 31 March 2009 existed. No new contracts were entered into during the 2008/09 financial year.

(b) The contract was signed with the company Sondolo IT.

(c) The contract makes provision for the staffing of Security Control Rooms from where the integrated security systems are monitored.

(d) The value of the contract over the four (4) year period was R256, 9 million.

(3) With the installation of the new Access Control Systems and Control Rooms in 2005, the department regarded it as the most viable option to outsource the staffing of the Control Rooms in terms of the transfer of risk in the case of the replacement of damaged equipment and it was the most affordable option at that stage.

QUESTION NO. 505 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6 of 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 10 July 2009

Mr M J Ellis (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) (a) What legislation governs the operation of the SA Weather Service (SAWS), (b) when did it become applicable to the governance of SAWS and (c) what are his responsibilities towards SAWS;

(2) whether all the clauses in the South African Weather Service Act, Act 8 of 2001, took effect on the same day; if not, on what dates did the respective clauses take effect; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW568E

MR M J ELLIS (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

505. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) (a) The South African Weather Service Act, 2001 (Act No. 8 of 2001), Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999), and Treasury Regulations for Government Departments, Trading Entities (issued in terms of the Act No. 1 of 1999),

(b) When the South African Weather Service (SAWS) became a public entity on 29 June 2001, and

(2) Yes.

2009-07-17

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