Question & Replies No 226 to 250

2009-07-17

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

QUESTION NUMBER 226

WEDNESDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2009

ê226. Rev K R J Meshoe (ACDP) to ask the Minister in the Presidency: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation as well as Administration in the Presidency:

Whether the Government has started with the process of evaluating the performance of municipalities, especially those that have had service delivery protests; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the outcomes of the evaluation and (b) how will such results prevent the recurrence of violence? NO2382E

REPLY:

NO, the Ministry is still in the process of establishing the administration of the Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, therefore the ministry has not started with the evaluation process.

QUESTION NO: 227

QUESTION PAPER NO 4: 26 JUNE 2009

DATE SUBMITTED: 1 SEPTEMBER 2009

MR J SELFE (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

(1) When will the Correctional Services Amendment Act, Act 25 of 2008, be promulgated;

(2) whether the incarceration framework contemplated in section 73A of the principal Act has been developed; if not, why not; if so, when is it expected that the framework will be tabled in Parliament? NW275E

REPLY

(1) The Amendment Act will be promulgated on 1 October 2009 with the exception of sections 21, 48 and 49.

The incarceration framework has been developed and will be presented to the Minister by the end of September 2009 for her consideration.

QUESTION NUMBER 228

WEDNESDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2009

QUESTION NO: 245

Ms L D Mazibuko (DA) to ask the Minister of Communications:

(1) Whether he intends issuing any policy directives for the 2009-10 financial year; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many and (b) what is the nature of each directive;

(2) whether any draft policies will be gazetted in the 2009-10 financial year; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many and (b) what is the nature of each draft policy?

NO2565E

RESPONSE:

(1) Section 3(2) of the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) empowers the Minister to issue policy directions to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) consistent with the objects of the Act. Therefore, from time to time policy directions will be issued as required by the law.

(a) At this stage it is not possible to indicate how many policy directions will be issued for the 2009/10 financial year. The decision to issue a policy directive is dictated by developments at a particular time and the need for some form of intervention.

(b) The nature of any policy directive will always be aimed at advancing the objects of the ECA.

(2) The draft policies that have been gazetted for the 2009/10 financial year are:-

(i) Four (4) draft Bills and

(ii)Three (3) draft policies were gazetted for public comments.

The nature is as follows:-

(a) The four draft policies deal with issues related to the radio frequency spectrum, local and digital content, set-top-box manufacturing sector development, and broadband.

(b) The Bill deals with the corporatisation of the Postbank, governance issues at SAPO and the Public Broadcaster.

Depending on the nature of the comments received, any of the mentioned Bills and draft policies could be gazette again for further comment.

QUESTION NO.: 246

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26 June 2009

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

What total (a) remuneration packages and (b) bonuses were paid in the financial years (aa) 2007-08 and (bb) 2008-09 to the (i) Chief Executive Officer, (ii) Chief Operations Officer, (iii) Chief Operations Officer: Terminals, (iv) Business Unit Executive Person: Deep Sea Container Terminal Cape Town and (v) Chief Operations Manager: Deep Sea Container Terminal Cape Town, who are employed at the Port of Cape Town? NW294E REPLY

Transnet discloses the remuneration of executive management within the group in its Annual Report. Details of remuneration packages and bonuses paid to executive management are in the table below:

	GUARANTEED REMUNERATION		BONUSES
	2007/2008 R thousand	2008/2009 R thousand	2007/2008 R thousand	2008/2009 R thousand
Chief Executive Officer	5411	5328	5790	-
Chief Operations Officer	3922	4378	4285	2796
Chief Operation Officer: Terminals	3190	3092	2896	1438

With respect to other employees, remuneration forms part of the confidential employment contract between the company and the employee. Therefore, the information required by the Honourable Member can not be made public.

QUESTION NO.: 247

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26 June 2009

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

(1) Whether she has been informed of the congestion at Portnet's Cape Town container terminal; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what plans does Portnet have to reduce this congestion;

(2) whether any planning has been done for vehicles parked outside the gates of the container port; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) what is the average turnaround time for a vehicle collecting containers at the port;

(4)(a) how much has been collected by Portnet in penalties for the late collection of containers in each of the past three financial years up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) what rate was used to calculate these penalties for (i) 20-foot and (ii) 40-foot containers over this period? NW295E

REPLY

(1) The Minister has been informed of the congestion at the Cape Town Container Terminal. The congestion was primarily brought about by adverse weather conditions experienced during June this year. This was evidenced by five container vessels that were at anchorage (awaiting port entry) during this period. Adverse weather conditions (i.e. strong winds and poor sea state) during winter months contribute to congestion, since it results in the port having to halt operations from time to time.

In instances of congestion at the Cape Town Container Terminal, the Port puts in place appropriate mitigation measures, including directing some cellular container vessels and general cargo vessels to the multi-purpose terminal.

In addition, the upgrade of the Cape Town Container Terminal has improved productivity at the terminal facility, with improved turnaround times of vessels from 15 container moves per crane per hour, four years ago, to the current 22 container moves per crane per hour.

(2)Yes, there are plans in place to deal with the issue of vehicles parked outside the gates of the Cape Town Container Terminal in a sustainable manner. These include an agreement with a tenant, South African Container Depot, to relocate to a new site by March 2010, in line with the upgrading of the site.

(3)The average turnaround time for road trucks (from P-Check in-gate to P-Check out-gate) over the last three months stands at 28 minutes.

(4) The table below indicates the cost of penalties for the late collection of import containers in each of the past three financial years to 31March 2009:

Financial Year	Storage revenue (Rm)	6m Container Rate / 20 Foot Container (Rands per day)	12m Container Rate / 40 Foot Container (Rands per day)
2006/07	11.589	75	151
2007/08	15.058	80	160
2008/09	7.697	86	172

QUESTION 247

DATE OF PUBLICATION: TUESDAY 27 OCTOBER 2009 [IQP No 9 -2009]

FIRST SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

Question247 for oral reply National Assembly, Mr P J C Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

(1) Whether, with reference to her reply to Question 1045 on 6 October 2009, the expenditure was found to be reasonable and justified; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether any steps have been taken to ensure that future expenditure on car rental, air travel and accommodation by senior management officials are necessary and reasonable; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether any member of senior management of her department used hired cars of a category higher than 1600cc; if so, (a) why and (b) who approved this;

(4) in respect of what period of one year is the information given? NO2567E

REPLY

(1) Yes, the expenditure incurred was for official purposes and regarded as reasonable.

(2) Yes. All official trips have to be verified and approved by the supervisor or a senior manager. Air travel is limited to economy class with the exception of Deputy Directors-General and the Director-General. Accommodation in respect of all senior managers is limited to a maximum of R950 except Deputy Directors-General and the Director-General who are limited to R1200, per night. Any instance where these limits could be exceeded is subject to approval of supervisors (excluding the Director-General).

(3) Yes. There was one case in which the category limit was exceeded.

(a) In this case officials visited CASP projects and a suitable vehicle was needed due to the poor road conditions in rural areas.

(b) The vehicle was used by an official on the salary level of a Deputy Director-General who could, at the time, approve his own trip. However, the authorisation to this specific official has since been withdrawn.

(4) From 1 August 2008 till 31 August 2009.

QUESTION No 248

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

1) (a) (i) How many posts exist, (ii) posts are vacant and (iii) proportion of posts are vacant and, (b) on average how long have the posts been vacant in respect of (i)(aa)(aaa) helicopter pilots, (bbb) maritime transport pilots and (ccc) combat pilots, (bb) navigators and (cc) air space controllers in the SA Air Force, (iv) engineers in the (bbbb) SA Air Force

2) Whether, in respect of each of the above-mentioned posts, she will have to (a) recruit and (b) retain members of the SANDF in order to fill the vacancies; if not, why not; if so, what is the (i) plan and (ii) budget for the 2009-10 financial year?

REPLY

1) Find attached spread sheet indicating the SA Air Force Status on Posts for Pilots, Navigators, Air Traffic Controllers and Engineers.

2) (a) In the SA Air Force all vacancies are planned to be filled by means of specific recruitment drives such as (i) the entry through Military Skills Development System as young SA Air Force Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers and Technicians; (ii) the re-appointment of personnel with specific skills; and (iii) to selectively utilise members of the Reserve Force.

(b) The introduction of unique allowances such as the Military Aviation Career Incentive Pay (MACIP) and the Technical Incentive Payment (TCIP) was done to retain members with specific skills. It is planned to transfer the remuneration system of members to an Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD). The improvement of working conditions also forms part of the current action plan of the SA Air Force.

(i) The SA Air Force develops an annual HR Support Plan, which includes the number of recruitment targets for that specific financial year, which also supports the Strategic Business Plan of the SA Air Force. The HR plan for the FY 2009/10 for recruitment is 747 Military Skills Development System members and 40 Skilled Members.

(ii) The cost in terms of salaries for these recruitment targets is approximately RM20, and has been provided for in the SA Air Force's HR budget for the FY 2009/10.

SA AIR FORCE STATUS ON POSTS FOR PILOTS, NAVIGATORS, AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS AND ENGINEERS

Other Posts

Helicopter

Maritime Tpt

Combat

Air Space Contr

Engineers

Pilot

Nav

Pilot

Nav

Pilot

Nav

Pilot

Nav

HOW MANY POSTS EXIST

187

167

156

130

HOW MANY POSTS ARE VACANT

50 (26%)

58 (34%)

1 (50%)

48 (30%)

16 (47%)

29 (48%)

2 (33%)

29 (37%)

70 (54%)

ON AVERAGE, HOW LONG BEING VACANT

1 Yr

1 Yr 4 m

1 Yr

9 m

1 Yr 5 m

6 m

3 Yr

See Note 1

See Note 2

Note 1: These figures indicate other posts at Staff Level or other Units which are not flying related

Note 2: There has always been a shortage of graduated Engineers, currently 54% shortage is experienced

Question no:248/ NW2568E : For oral reply no:9---

2009

Mr I M Ollis (DA) to ask the Minister of Labour;

(1) What are the reasons for under-spending by 51% of the National Skills Fund in the 2008-09 financial year;

(2) whether any action is being taken to ensure that this large surplus will be spent on training and skills development in the current financial year of the poor and unemployed; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether any person is being held accountable for this under-spending; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NO2568E

THE MINISTER OF LABOUR REPLIED

(1) The under-spending of the National Skills Fund for the 2008-09 financial year resulted from suspension of training activities under the Social Development funding windows.

The Department was qualified for the manner in which it procured training services from providers as the process that was followed over the years was found not to be consistent with the new supply chain regulations. As a result of this R455million could not be spent.

NSF Strategic Projects allocated to the nine Provincial Governments to support their Growth and Development Strategies only managed to spend 37% of funds allocated. This was partly due to the changes experienced at the management levels of these projects across the Premiers offices.

(2) The NSF has reprioritized sum of the surplus to support the Training Layoff Scheme through an allocation of R1.2 billion. The NSF has also prioritized another R1.2 billion to support skills interventions under the Strategic Projects Programme that are aimed at employment creation;

(3) The recorded under-spending is primarily as a result of unforeseen events that lie outside the control of the NSF. We could not therefore take any specific action against any person. What we have done though is that people who did not use the allocated funds lost them back to the NSF unless we were provided with concrete reasons and supplementary plans that clearly demonstrate how the funds are to be spent.

QUESTION NO 250

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: (26 June 2009) (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4 -2009)

"250 Ms M R Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:

(1) (a) How many (i) South African companies have. applied to participate in her department' s Research and Development Tax Incentive programme since it was launched in 2007 and (ii) of these companies are (aa) listed on the JSE Security Exchange and (bb) privately owned, (b) what is the (i) range of annual turnover of these companies, (Ii) range of research and development spent by these companies from highest to lowest and (ii) breakdown of the economic groups in which these companies operate, (c) how many of-the companies are involved-in (i) scientific and-(ii) technological research and (d) what is the (i) breakdown of the research areas as stated on the application form of each company and (ii) industrial classification of each of the companies;

(2) Whether the interest of the companies in this programme has increased as at the latest specified date for which information is available, if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether her department is on track to increase the research and development spend to more than one percent of GDP; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details;

(4) Whether her department has taken any further steps to encourage private enterprise to take advantage of the tax incentive scheme; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so what steps?"

REPl Y:

1. (a) (i) 80 companies since inception until 30 Sept 2008.

(ii) (aa) 15 JSE Listed.

(bb) 65 privately owned.

(b) (i) R846 000 to R5,7 billion.

(ii) R386 million to R56 000.

(ii) Manufacturing:

Financial and Business Services;

Agriculture.

(c) (i) 48 companies are engaged in scientific research.

(ii) 21 companies are engaged in technological development.

(d) (i) New Product Development:

Product Improvement;

Applied Research;

Basic Research.

(ii) Standard Industrial Classification .Codes (SI9):

33000 - Manufacture of Refined Petroleum, Coke, Nuclear Fuel, chemicals and chemical products including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, rubber and plastic products. .

35000 - Manufacture of Basic Metals, Fabricated Metal Products, Machinery and equipment.

80000 - Financial Intermediation, Real Estate and Business Services.

36000 - Manufacture of Electrical Machinery and Apparatus. 38.000 - Manufacture of Transport Equipment.

37000 -Manufacture of Radio, Television and Communication Equipment and Apparatus.

2. Yes. As at 15th of June 2009, the number of companies has more than doubled from 80 forms received since inception.

3. Yes. The latest measurement of the National R&D Survey on Research and Experimental Development, the 2006/07 R&D Survey, revealed that the gross domestic expenditure on research and development (GERD) has increased to R16,5 billion in 2006/07, which is 0.95% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This indicates that the target of 1 % is within reach.

4. Yes. The Department embarked on promotional activities which included presentations to the annual general meetings of industry associations, exhibitions at science and technology Expo events, presentations to auditing firms and targeted presentations to large R&D performers. Some of the promotional work was done in conjunction with the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti).

Advertorials were placed in relevant print media with national readership such as, Engineering News, Financial Mail, Mail and Guardian, Business Day, IT Web, Beeld, Sake and the South African Innovator.

The departmental web site has up to date information on the R&D Tax Incentives. Links have been established with other websites like the Innovation Fund website.

Promotion activities for the 2009/10 financial year are targeted to direct presentations to Small Medium Enterprises in all provinces in collaboration with the Provincial Investment Promotion Agencies, continued media advertisements and exhibitions.

QUESTION NO.: 245

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26 June 2009

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

(1) Whether the Transnet Board delayed the adjudication process in respect of a certain public and open tender (details furnished) for a period of more than 15 months; if so; why;

(2) whether this delay resulted in a loss of income for Transnet; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether a recommendation was made that the tender be awarded to the highest bidder; if not, what is the position in this regard, if so, (a) why was the contract not awarded to the highest bidder and (b) who got the tender;

(4) whether the Transnet Board members had any interest in the company that won the tender (details furnished); if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, what are the relevant details? NW293E

REPLY

(1) No, the Transnet Board did not delay the adjudication process. The tender adjudication was undertaken by a panel appointed by the Manager at the port of Port Elizabeth, in terms of the guidelines as set out in the Transnet National Ports Authority Lease Manual.

(2)The delay did not result in a loss of income for Transnet. During the adjudication process, the sheds were leased out on a month-to-month lease arrangement. As a result, Transnet National Ports Authority continued to receive income for the property in question during the period when the tender was being finalised.

(3)(a-b) The highest bidder has since withdrawn from the tender and that renders the name of the bidder irrelevant.

(4)Neither Transnet employees nor members of its Board of Directors held any interest in the company that withdrew from the bid. In all cases, members of the adjudication panel are required to disclose any interest in a register.

QUESTION NO: 228

QUESTION PAPER NO 4: 26 JUNE 2009

DATE SUBMITTED: 1 SEPTEMBER 2009

MR J SELFE (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

(a) What provision was made in her department's 2008-09 financial year for advertisements, (b) how many advertisements were placed, (c) in which media, (d) on what dates, (e) with what purpose and (f) at what cost? NW276E

REPLY

(a) The Communication Services Chief Directorate has a budget line item "Goods and Services". This item is used to purchase space in the media and is budgeted for every financial year. Taking into cognizance that communication is a support function some of the costs of advertising have been borne by the respective project leaders.

(b) Seventeen (17).

(c) MEDIA	(d) DATES	(e) PURPOSE	(f) COST

CITY PRESS	2008-04-01	DCS EXCELLENCE AWARDS	R161, 520


BUSINESS DAY	2008-05-19	INAGURAL ANNUAL MLOMBILE MEMORIAL LECTURE	R34, 000


DAILY SUN	2008-06-05	BUDGET VOTE SPEECH INFORMATION	R69, 000


SUNDAY TIMES	2008-06-08	UNPACKING THE DETAILS ON THE BUDGET VOTE SPEECH	R220, 000


SUNDAY TIMES, CITY PRESS AND RAPPORT	2008-06-08	ADVERTORIALS ON VACANCIES	R1, 034, 902


DAILY SUN	2008-06-19	PROFILE RECEIPT OF A GRANT FOR BASIC EDUCATION OF OFFENDERS	R69, 000


SUNDAY TIMES, CITY PRESS AND RAPPORT	2008-07-13	ADVERTORIALS ON VACANCIES	R66, 324.26


SUNDAY TIMES, CITY PRESS AND RAPPORT	2008-09-22	ADVERTORIALS ON VACANCIES	R83, 554.26


SUNDAY TIMES, CITY PRESS AND RAPPORT	2008-11-09	ADVERTORIALS ON VACANCIES	R136, 466.21


CITY PRESS	2008-12-07	CORRECTIONS WEEK AND LAUNCHING OF OPERATION VALA	R166, 860

(c) MEDIA	(d) DATES	(e) PURPOSE	(f) COST

DAILY SUN	2008-12-09	PROFILING REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS IN BREAKING THE CYCLE OF CRIME	R138, 000


SUNDAY TIMES, CITY PRESS AND RAPPORT	2009-01-11	ADVERTORIALS ON VACANCIES	R24, 987.60


CITY PRESS	2009-01-25	URGING THOSE THAT HAD INFORMATION ABOUT THE NUTRITION TENDER RIGGING TO COME FORWARD WITH EVIDENCE	R69, 562


RAPPORT	2009-01-25	URGING THOSE THAT HAD INFORMATION ABOUT THE NUTRITION TENDER RIGGING TO COME FORWARD WITH EVIDENCE	R117, 169


SUNDAY TIMES	2009-03-01	15 YEARS DEPARTMENTAL REVIEW	R741, 000


SABC RADIO	2009-03-03	CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY	R923, 337


SUNDAY TIMES, CITY PRESS AND RAPPORT	2009-03-22	ADVERTORIALS ON VACANCIES	R992, 429.28

QUESTION NUMBER: 227

DATE FOR PUBLICATION: 28 OCTOBER 2009

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 28 OCTOBER 2009

DR C P MULDER (FFPlus) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF WOMEN, CHILDREN AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES:

(1) Whether she has found that legislation against violent crime and domestic violence against women and children measures up to the aim of protecting women and children ; if so; what additional measures does she propose to render more assistance to women and children; if not,

(2) Whether in consultation with her colleagues in the Cabinet (details furnished) she would consider further measures; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

N02383E

REPLY:

(1) Yes there is legislation to protect women and children. South Africa has committed itself to the implementation of the prevention and eradication of violence against women as well as to other regional and international instruments such as CEDAW, the SADC Addendum to the Declaration on Gender and Development, among others. These instruments have contributed immensely to the implementation of measures aimed at achieving an integrated response to violence against women and children. There are also monitoring instruments developed under the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development which presents an excellent framework for implementing and monitoring an integrated response to violence against women and children. In pursuit of the constitutional imperatives on violence against women, the SADC Addendum, Beijing Platform for Action; CEDAW; and other relevant international human rights norms and instruments, South Africa has implemented a comprehensive law reform programme.

The Ministry for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities will explore various options for strengthening social interventions to address the causes and influencing factors at an individual level, as well as develop a strategy to decrease the incidence of violence against women and children, increase the engagement with men and boys in all initiatives to curb violence against women and children, increase resource allocations aimed at addressing violence against women. We have noticed that there is considerable investment of resources and for consistent assistance to all civil society organizations focusing on violence. The Ministry will be coming up with a more cohesive and strategic approach inclusive of all sectors, the international community and civil society. An action plan to eliminate violence against women will be refined and regular monitoring and evaluation of such plans will be done.

(2) One of the deliverables of the Ministry for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities in the next five months is to refine and review the South African National Policy Framework for Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality. It needs to be a binding document which will surely be consulted upon and presented to Cabinet for buy in and approval. In addition, this Policy Document will be the stepping stone towards the development of a Gender Equality Bill which will seek to put in place mechanisms to address the lack of compliance and gaps in implementation of legislations and policies. This would therefore include the issue of violence against women and girls.

Capacity building and training for all those who respond to violence against women will be facilitated by the Department in collaboration with the related national Departments. Law enforcement officers, immigration officers, judicial and medical personnel, and social workers will have to be capacitated to deal with violence in a more gender sensitive manner. To achieve all of this I will have to work closely with my counterparts on this initiative. The Ministry will also facilitate the development of guidelines and manuals relating to violence against women and children. This will also have to be a coordinated and collaborative effort between my Ministry and other Departments.

WEDNESDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2009

ê228. Ms S P Lebenya-Ntanzi (IFP) to ask the Minister in the Presidency: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation as well as Administration in the Presidency:

What initiatives have been launched by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) since June 2009 to (a) advance youth development and (b) promote the economic development of young people? NO2384E

REPLY:

The NYDA was formed out of the merger between the National Youth Commission (NYC) and the Umsobomvu Youth Fund (UYF) and has sustained the programmes of the two institutions. Due to budgetary constraints, no major new projects have been developed.

a) In respect of youth development programmes, the NYDA implements the National Youth Service programme; career guidance programme called Start Here campaign; In School Entrepreneurship Education programme and Graduate Placement programme.

b) In respect of economic development, the NYDA provides micro and small business loans up to R300 000. In addition it has the Business Development Support programme using vouchers to facilitate non financial advisory support to entrepreneurs. The NYDA also has a programme to support young entrepreneurs to obtain procurement opportunity from large enterprises.

QUESTIONS 229 FOR ORAL REPLY

Friday, 16 September 2009

229. Mr J H van der Merwe (IFP) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and Administration:

(a) How many state departments employ outside consultants to assist them in executing their duties and (b) how much does the Government spend per annum on employing outside consultants? NO2385E

REPLY

(a) At the moment there's no instrument which the Department of Public Service and Administration uses to deal with this matter. As part of current initiatives, we are creating an Information technology system that will assist us in capturing all information relating to consultants employed by the state.

QUESTION NO. 230

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) Whether there are any backlogs in the mortuaries of his department's forensic chemistry laboratories with regard to (a) post mortems and (b) toxicology reports; if not, what is the (i) optimal and (ii) actual number of positions filled for each category at each centre; if so, (aa) how many in each case and (bb) what steps are being taken to rectify the problem;

(2) whether (a) post mortems and (b) toxicology reports have to be completed within a certain timeframe; if not, why not; if so, what timeframe?

NW278E

REPLY:

(1) (a) There are no backlogs in the mortuaries of the Department's Forensic Pathology Services with regard to post mortem.

(b) There is a backlog in the mortuaries with regard to Toxicology reports. All Toxicology analyses are performed at the three Forensic Chemistry laboratories ie. Johannesburg (JHB), Pretoria (PTA) and Cape Town (CT). Samples are received from all over the country and the delays in obtaining the toxicology results vary from 6 to 18 months.

(i) Actual number of vacancies in the three toxicology laboratories

LEVELS	PTA	JHB	CT	TOTALS
12	0	1	0	1
10	1	1	0	2
9	1	0	1	2
8	2	0	0	2
6	1	0	1	2
4	1	0	0	1
Totals	6	2	2	10
Filled Posts	5	13	6	24

(aa) The shortage of medical natural scientists and forensic analysts contributes to the delays in processing the toxicology specimens.

(bb) Forensic analysts posts have been advertised but unfortunately many of the candidates who apply do not have the required skills to can work in these laboratories.

(2) (a) The benchmark for the completion of post mortem is 2 to 3 days from date of admission;

(b) Samples for toxicology are received from all over the country and the delays in obtaining the toxicology results vary from 6 to 18 months. However there are current backlog dating back to 2004.

The delay in obtaining toxicology results is caused to a greater extent by shortage of skilled staff in the laboratories. Vacant posts have been advertised and interviews in certain categories will be conducted soon. Analysts receive in-service training to bring them to speed so that they become efficient as quickly as possible. To avoid analysts leaving, the Department is considering remuneration options for specific categories of staff.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION 230

FOR ORAL REPLY ON 21 OCTOBER 09

WRITTEN QUESTION 1369 TRANSFERRED IN TERMS OF RULE 117

Date of publication on internal question paper: September 2009

Internal question paper no:

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

(1) (a) How many pension pay-out points are there in each province, (b) where are each of these points located, (c) how many days of each month does each of these points operate, (d) how many pensioners are registered to receive pension pay-outs (i) from each of these points and (ii) on each of the pension pay-out days and (e) how many officials are employed at each of these points;

(2) how many deaths of pensioners waiting in queues have been reported at each specified pension pay-out point in each month (a) in the (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09 financial years and (b) during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available? NW1725E

REPLY:

	Eastern Cape	Gauteng	Mpumalanga	Free State	Limpopo	Northern Cape	North West	KwaZulu- Natal	Western Cape
1(a) Number of Pay Points	2873	147	298	210	2125	365	856	2864	300

(b) Location of Pay Points Please refer to the Excel Annexure of 249 pages

(c) Payment Days per month	Approximately 20 working days, between the 1st and 20th of every month.	Approximately 20 working days, between the 1st and 20th of every month.	Approximately 19 working days, between the 1st and 19th of every month.	Approximately 15 working days, between the 1st and 16th of every month.	Maximum of 16 working days, between the 1st and the 23rd of every month.	Approximately 20 days, between the 1st and the 20th of every months.	Approximately 15 working days, between the 3rd and the 23rd of every months.	Approximately 25 days, between 1st and 25th of each month excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays	Approximately 15 working days, between 2nd and 21st of each month.
(d)(i)Number of Pensioners registerd per Region	461774	316005	172720	149856	383322	65413	213545	515478	203746
(ii)Overall Number Paid per day	Determined by Payment Schedule	Determined by Payment Schedule	Determined by Payment Schedule	Determined by Payment Schedule	Determined by Payment Schedule	Determined by Payment Schedule	Determined by Payment Schedule	Determined by Payment Schedule	Determined by Payment Schedule
(e) Number of officials employed	69	24	18	24	25	12	27	52	24
2(a) Number of death reported during the period;(i) 2007-2008	None	One	None	None	None	None	None	Six	Two
(ii) 2008-2009	One	Four	None	Two	None	None	none	Seven	None
(iii) 1 April 2009 to date	None	None	None	None	None	None	None	Four	Four

QUESTIONS 231 FOR ORAL REPLY TUESDAY, 19 September 2009

231. Mrs C Dudley (ACDP) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and Administration:

Whether ethics training is being integrated into the education of public servants in light of recent incidents of fraud, moonlighting and the unethical acquiring of tenders which illustrated the lack of such understanding in the public service; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NO2390E

REPLY

Yes, ethics training has been integrated into the education of public servants. In 2006, the Department of Public Service and Administration in collaboration with Public Administration Leadership and Management Academy (PALAMA) conducted training for 462 officials to assist departments and government components to implement minimum anti-corruption capacity requirements.

Feedback obtained from this training led to the process to develop and roll-out accredited training programme in the Public Service.

QUESTION NO. 232

DATE PUBLISHED: 26 June 2009

DATE SUBMITTED: 24 July 2009

232. Ms D Kohler-Barnard (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:

Whether, with reference to his statement on 12 June 2009 (details furnished), the Government intends introducing policy with regard to crime reporting; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) when and (b) what are the relevant details regarding such policy? NW280E

REPLY:

The media should be free to report on any matter that affects our society in terms of the Constitution and subject to any applicable laws.

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4 ‑ 2009)

Miss D A Schäfer (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

(1) Whether prospective (a) students of police academies and (b) members of the SA Police Service are screened for (i) criminal records and/or (ii) criminal tendencies; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) what overriding criteria are considered when recruiting new SAPS members;

(3) whether SAPS members who are accused of criminal offences are placed on suspension until their guilt or innocence can be established; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NA281E

REPLY:

(1) (a)(i)(ii) Yes, all applicants for entry level positions in the South African Police Service are screened for criminal records and criminal tendencies. Morpho‑Touch screening that provides immediate results on whether or not applicants are listed as wanted suspects is conducted at the initiation of the recruitment, selection and enlistment process. A full set of fingerprints are processed by the SAPS Criminal Record Centres for clearance purposes through the AFIS system.

(b)(i)(ii) No, there is no need to repeat the screening for criminal records and/or criminal tendencies that was adequately performed during the enlistment and/or appointment process.

(2) The core criteria considered when recruiting new SAPS members are that they must ‑

(i) have permanent residence in the Republic of South Africa, and documentary proof of this fact must be supplied

(ii) be at least eighteen (18) but under thirty (30) years of age of which documentary proof must be supplied (concerning reservists this requirement has been relaxed to minimum18 and maximum 40 years of age)

(iii) subject himself or herself to a physical and medical examination

(iv) successfully undergo a psychometric assessment

(v) have obtained a grade 12 school certificate

(vi) be able to speak, read and write at least two official languages, of which one must be English

(vii) be in possession of a valid driver's licence

(viii) be physically fit in order to undergo physical training

(ix) not have a criminal record.

(3) No, it is not in all instances that members accused of criminal offences are put on suspension until their guilt or innocence can be established. Each case is dealt with on its own merits as the constitutional principle of innocent until proven guilty, is also applicable to members of the South African Police Service. In cases where suspension is not a viable option, the alternative placement and/or temporary transfer of the accused member is considered.

QUESTION 233

WEDNESDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2009

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [NO15-2009]

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 27 October 2009

233. Mr P S Sizani (ANC) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:

Whether, since the promulgation of the Extension of Security of Tenure Act (ESTA), Act 62 of 1997, any farm dwellers have been evicted from farms; if so, (a) how many and (b) what steps are being taken by his Department to (i) monitor and (ii) prevent evictions?

N01452E

THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:

Yes.

(a) The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is aware of 826 evictions which affected approximately 2 100 people that have occurred since 1997. The Department has also heard of many other alleged eviction cases in the media and from other sources, but has no record of such cases.

(b)(i) The Department has district offices in all provinces whose functions include attending to reported incidents of land rights infringements. Contact details of these offices are available and will be tabled with this response. However, there are approximately 2.8 million people living on commercial farm land throughout the country, which creates a challenge in keeping track of their situations since they are not always able to report their cases immediately.

(ii) The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform together with the Department of Human Settlements has commenced a process of reviewing tenure security and eviction laws in an attempt to close the gaps identified in relevant legislation. It must be noted however, that it is not really possible to prevent evictions within the current constitutional order since any law is subject to the Constitution, which protects property rights. This consequently limits the extent to which any law could attempt to prevent evictions.

The Department has however, put several interventions in place in an attempt to minimise evictions. These interventions included the provision of funding, between 2006 and 2008, to the Rural Legal Trust to provide mediation and legal representation in partnership with the Justice Centres throughout the country.

The Department has since 2008 provided legal and mediation services through the Land Rights Management Facility (LRMF). The LRMF has a panel of mediators who mediate disputes between farm dwellers and land owners and a panel of lawyers who provide legal representation within 24 hours of referral. It further consists of a Call Centre with Toll Free Number 0800 007 095 which assists farm dwellers to report cases of land rights infringements.

QUESTION NO 234

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 JUNE 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4 - 2009)

Date reply submitted: 3 August 2009

Ms D A Schäfer (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

(a) What is the racial breakdown of new police recruits in each province in each of the past three years for which information is available and (b) how many persons from each racial group (i) applied for and (ii) were successfully recruited in each case?

NW282E

REPLY:

(a) The racial breakdown of new police recruits per province for 2006/2007, 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 in terms of (i) applied and (ii) successfully recruited is as follows:

2006/2007 BREAKDOWN PER RACE AND GENDER (Information regarding number of police trainees who applied is not available)
PROVINCE		AM	AF	WM	WF	CM	CF	IM	IF	TOTAL
Eastern Cape	Recruited	823	374	7	5	64	35	3	0	1311
Free State	Recruited	527	152	2	5	3	0	1	0	690
Gauteng	Recruited	1360	425	3	1	13	3	2	0	1807
KwaZulu-Natal	Recruited	1038	427	7	2	13	5	61	7	1560
Limpopo	Recruited	717	296	0	1	2	0	0	0	1016
Mpumalanga	Recruited	607	281	1	0	1	0	0	0	890
Northern Cape	Recruited	249	107	5	1	105	40	0	0	507
North West	Recruited	543	249	3	2	7	5	0	0	809
Western Cape	Recruited	367	123	19	7	514	198	2	0	1230

2007/2008 BREAKDOWN PER RACE AND GENDER
PROVINCE		AM	AF	WM	WF	CM	CF	IM	IF	TOTAL
Eastern Cape	Applied	1 245	643	2	0	25	6	45	2	724
Eastern Cape	Recruited	586	432	1	0	25	4	43	1	1092
Free State	Applied	2101	1500	30	15	17	12	0	1	3676
Free State	Recruited	261	278	4	1	3	2	0	0	549
Gauteng	Applied	8968	6986	19	14	11	22	4	7	16031
Gauteng	Recruited	1829	1547	8	4	4	7	4	2	3405
KwaZulu-Natal	Applied	1256	888	6	0	25	9	55	7	2246
KwaZulu-Natal	Recruited	1050	658	6	0	21	7	52	5	1799
Limpopo	Applied	5225	4321	1	0	0	0	0	0	9547
Limpopo	Recruited	537	338	1	0	0	0	0	0	876
Mpumalanga	Applied	4521	2202	2	0	17	4	0	0	6746
Mpumalanga	Recruited	656	251	2	0	7	4	0	0	920
Northern Cape	Applied	2154	1394	1	2	605	447	0	0	4603
Northern Cape	Recruited	265	130	1	2	54	44	0	0	496
North West	Applied	3641	2051	2	0	17	4	0	0	5715
North West	Recruited	732	251	2	0	17	4	0	0	1006
Western Cape	Applied	1821	767	29	20	1182	264	11	6	4100
Western Cape	Recruited	429	222	7	4	344	211	0	0	1217

2008/2009 BREAKDOWN PER RACE AND GENDER
PROVINCE		AM	AF	WM	WF	CM	CF	IM	IF	TOTAL
Eastern Cape	Applied	1234	333	2	0	12	1	34	2	1618
Eastern Cape	Recruited	622	236	2	0	11	0	31	1	903
Free State	Applied	5210	2750	11	8	42	39	0	0	8060
Free State	Recruited	277	145	1	0	5	1	0	0	429
Gauteng	Applied	32533	24072	45	12	28	13	9	12	56724
Gauteng	Recruited	2982	1100	19	19	6	3	0	2	4131
KwaZulu-Natal	Applied	1185	525	2	0	11	0	65	5	1793
KwaZulu-Natal	Recruited	1170	417	2	0	11	0	56	5	1661
Limpopo	Applied	4865	5526	0	0	2	0	0	0	10393
Limpopo	Recruited	441	162	0	0	0	0	0	0	603

QUESTION NO. 234

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 25

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 27 October 2009

Mr D.M. Gumede (ANC) to ask the Minister of Tourism:

Whether any plans are in place to use our diverse political and cultural heritage to promote local and international tourism; if so, what will the benefits be for rural communities in terms of job opportunities and a sustainable livelihood? NO1464E

MR D M GUMEDE (ANC) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

234. THE MINISTER OF TOURISM ANSWERS:

(1) Yes. The Department of Tourism is acutely aware of the importance of culture and heritage tourism, and is interacting with the Department of Arts and Culture – being the authority responsible for National Heritage Sites – as well as the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs – being the authority responsible for World Heritage Sites – to support tourism development in areas of significant heritage value. This will unlock opportunities for rural communities to participate in the mainstream tourism industry, thereby contributing to entrepreneurship and the creation of decent jobs.

QUESTION NO.: 235

WEDNESDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2009

QUESTION NO: 232

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

Whether any measures were introduced for the smooth transition to digital terrestrial television; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NO1410E

RESPONSE:

In 2008 the Cabinet approved the Broadcasting Digital Migration policy which sets out the parameters within which migration from analogue to digital broadcasting has to occur. In addition, the Digital Dzonga has been established to coordinate all the activities related to this migration process in SA.

· The Digital Dzonga is an Advisory Council established by the Department of Communications, dedicated to making the migration from an analogue broadcasting platform to a digital one as smooth and easy as possible for all South Africans, in line with Government's Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy.

· The Digital Dzonga is a non-executive body appointed by the Minister of Communications from nominations received from government, the regulator, industry, consumer bodies and the general public, following a call for members of the public to nominate. It interacts with ICASA, role-players and the Department throughout the process on all matters relating to digital migration.

· The Digital Dzonga is involved in every aspect of the Digital Migration, equipping stakeholders with the necessary skills and information required for the transition. It coordinates the efforts of government, broadcasters and equipment manufacturers, educates South Africans about how digital TV works and protects consumers' rights by regulating the supply and distribution of the new technology.
It also regulates technical support systems for consumers and addresses conformance issues.

· The Digital Dzonga regularly produce report to the Minister on the state of readiness of the country and also recommend urgent steps to be taken by the government regarding migration.

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 JUNE 2009

WEDNESDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2009

QUESTION NO: 232

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

Whether any measures were introduced for the smooth transition to digital terrestrial television; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NO1410E

RESPONSE:

· The Digital Dzonga is involved in every aspect of the Digital Migration, equipping stakeholders with the necessary skills and information required for the transition. It coordinates the efforts of government, broadcasters and equipment manufacturers, educates South Africans about how digital TV works and protects consumers' rights by regulating the supply and distribution of the new technology.
It also regulates technical support systems for consumers and addresses conformance issues.

· The Digital Dzonga regularly produce report to the Minister on the state of readiness of the country and also recommend urgent steps to be taken by the government regarding migration.

QUESTION NO 233

QUESTION NO 246

DATE OF PUBLICATION: TUESDAY 27 OCTOBER 2009 [IQP No 9 -2009]

FIRST SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

Question 246 for Oral Reply National Assembly, Mr P J C Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

(1) Whether, with reference to her reply to Question 858 on 1 October 2009, she will take any action to ensure that our forests are able to meet the current and future domestic timber related needs; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether the land already identified for future afforestation is being developed as a matter of urgency; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether she will make a statement on this matter? NO2566E

REPLY:

(1) Yes, our existing forests can not meet the current and future domestic timber demands, and therefore the following actions have been initiated to address the main challenges in terms of securing timber supply:

(i) Afforestation targets (an average of 10 000 ha to be planted per annum) have been set and agreed between Government and the forestry industry in the Forest Sector Charter.

(ii) The development of a saw timber strategy, which will consider opportunities in terms of import, rehabilitation, afforestation, increased productivity of plantations, recycling and mitigation and adaptation measures in terms of climate change.

(iii) The development of a protection strategy to address the risk associated with fires and pests and disease and a research and development strategy to ensure the sector is able to adapt to changes in the environment.

(iv) Close cooperation with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform to facilitate process to secure forestry as continued land use in areas under claim.

(2) Yes, identified land suitable for afforestation purposes will be developed as a matter of urgency when required authorisations have been obtained by landowners. Authorisation in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No 107 of 1998), Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983 (Act No 43 of 1983) and the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No 36 of 1998) are required before land can be afforested. Unfortunately, the process to obtain authorisations are resulting in delays and government and industry will not be able to reach the target of 10 000 ha afforested per annum as specified in the Forest Sector Charter. The Department is however engaging and collaborating with the departments administering the above mentioned legislation to facilitate and streamline the authorisation processes.

(3) Yes, in the Eastern Cape an estimated 100 000 ha has been identified for afforestation; in Limpopo 6 000 ha; in Mpumalanga 10 000 ha; and in KwaZulu-Natal 39 000 ha, however due to slow licensing processes the actual areas afforested in 2007/08 was 4 637 ha and in 2008/09 only 1034 ha. The Department is committed to find means to fast-track the licensing processes and to assist communities and the industry to reach the targets as specified in the Forest Sector Charter.

WEDNESDAY, 04 NOVEMBER 2009

QUESTION NO 249

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 S B Farrow (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:

What are the reasons for the increase in emoluments (details furnished) of the Road Traffic Management Corporation's executives in 2009?

NO2569E

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

The reason for the increase in the total emoluments paid collectively to the Executives of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is because the 2007/2008 financial year commenced with only one Executive until November 2007, being paid in the budget of emoluments for Executives. In December 2007, the Chief Executive Officer was appointed and paid until end March 2008, and in March 2008, three other Executives were appointed and paid only for the month of March 2008. The total emoluments paid to Executives in 2007/2008 amounted to R647, 090.

During the 2008/2009 financial year, the RTMC had six Executives, who were paid the total amount of R3, 164,510 in emoluments from the beginning of the financial year until March 2009.

WEDNESDAY, 04 NOVEMBER 2009

QUESTION NO 250

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 S B Farrow (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:

(1) Whether any proposed increases in tariffs by the Regulating Committee will (a) impact on the passenger fares or (b) affect the airline operators who are landing or parking aircraft at our airports; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether landing and parking fees are in line with international trends of other major countries; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

NO2570E

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

(1) (a) and (b)

The Airports Company South Africa Limited (ACSA) and the Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company Limited (ATNS) recover the cost of providing aviation related infrastructure and services from passengers and airlines through passenger service charges, landing and parking fees, and air navigation charges, which are determined by the Regulating Committee. Increases in tariffs will, therefore, impact on passenger fares and affect the airline operators who are landing or parking aircraft at ACSA airports.

The Regulating Committee was established in terms of the Airports Company Act, 1993 (Act No 44 of 1993), and is required to issue both ACSA and ATNS with Permissions to levy airport and air navigation charges, respectively. The Regulating Committee is currently considering applications received from ACSA and ATNS for the 5-year Permission period of 2010/11 to 2014/15. This process, which includes extensive consultation with all interested parties, is still underway and the matter pertaining to tariffs has not been decided upon as yet. It is envisaged that the requested information will only be available in April 2010.

(2) In terms of the international publication "Review of Airport Charges 2008" released by Jacobs Consultancy, ACSA's airports are ranked 46^th out of the 50 monitored international airports in terms of passenger service charges and aircraft landing and parking fees (the airport that is ranked number one being the most expensive). This ranking also contains an index, where the most expensive airport has an index of 100, and the least expensive airport has an index of 22. ACSA's airports have an index of 28.

ATNS tariffs have been benchmarked with Air Navigation Service Providers in Canada; Germany; Australia; India; and New Zealand. It was found that ATNS' tariffs are lower than those charged by Canada, Germany and Australia.

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26 October 2009

Mr N J J van R Koornhof (Cope) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:

(1)Whether there are any guidelines on remuneration packages for the top officials of parastatals; if not, why not;

(2)whether she will consider appointing a remuneration committee to set guidelines and to make sure that these remuneration packages are more moderate in future; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NO1827E

(1) Yes. The remuneration guidelines were approved by Cabinet in 2007 and apply to both the remuneration of senior Executives and Non-Executive members of the Board.

(2) The Minister of Public Enterprises is responsible for the appointment of Board members and in turn, the Board appoints members of Board subcommittees as may be necessary including the members of the remuneration committee. The Board and the remuneration committee must ensure that the remuneration of Executive and Non-Executive Directors are in line with the remuneration guidelines.

Another comparative benchmarking exercise has been conducted to update the guidelines and the report will be presented to the Oversight Committee before being submitted to Cabinet for approval.

QUESTION NO.: 236

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26 October 2009

ê236. Mr L Ramatlakane (Cope) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:

(1) Whether a certain parastatal (name furnished) accountable to her department has spent large amounts of unbudgeted funds to settle disputes with companies and service providers; if so, (a)(i) which companies had a dispute, (ii) how was it handled, (iii) who (aa) gave the mandate for the negotiation of a settlement amount and (bb) approved the settlement amount, (iv) what amount was budgeted to settle the dispute and (v) who gave the mandate for the settlement of a certain consortium (name furnished) to (aaa) R60m and (bbb) R70m and (b) how will the settlement amount be paid without a budget;

(2) whether she approved of this practice by this parastatal; if not, why not;

(3) what total amount was paid to companies in the 2008-09 financial year and during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;

(4) which company received such settlement amounts? NO1834E

REPLY

(1) No, Transnet makes provision for contingent liabilities. There are exceptional instances where Transnet settles cases in order to avoid the risk of having to pay a substantial sum of money as a result of legal action.

(1)(a)(i-iv) The entities that had disputes that were settled by Transnet are set out in Annexure A (attached)

(1)(v) Transnet's dispute with the consortium referred to was settled by Transnet. Transnet's Acting Group Chief Executive, acting with the concurrence of Transnet's Group Executive: Office of the Group Chief Executive, in accordance with the authority delegated to the Group Chief Executive by the Board of Directors of Transnet led the settlement of the case. The case against the Government of South Africa was withdrawn by the consortium and government will recover half of its legal costs.

(aaa-bbb) The settlement amount was neither R60 million, nor R70 million.

(b) The exact terms of the settlement agreement (covering the settlement amount paid hereunder) are confidential and the consortium's lawyers have advised Transnet that such confidential information cannot be made public. The settlement paid by Transnet to resolve the dispute with the consortium referred to, was decided upon to avert the potential risk of a R616 million award. The settlement payment was derived from Transnet's available cash resources.

(2) These settlements did not require my approval as the Minister of Public Enterprises.

(3) The total amount in settlements paid to entities, excluding the consortium, in the 2008-09 financial year, and for the period 1 April 2009 to 30 September 2009 is approximately R23.9 million against the total potential claims of R54.5 million.

(4)Annexure A sets out each of the entities that were recipients of the respective settlement amounts.

PERIOD: 01 APRIL 2009 TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2009

Companies

paid

How was the dispute handled?

Who gave the mandate and approved the settlement?

What was the settlement amount?

How much was claimed?

How much was provided or budgeted for?

Mediterranean Shipping Company SA

The merits of the matter were investigated by line management and settlement was considered prudent.

TransnetPort Terminals GM: Risk, Corporate Governance and Legal pursuant to the authority delegated in terms of the Transnet Limited Delegation of Authority Framework.

R5 347

R7 130

Nil

Mediterranean Shipping Company SA

As above

R42 542

R60 724

Nil

Mediterranean Shipping Company SA

As above

R6 913

R9 218

Nil

Mediterranean Shipping Company SA

As above

R40 498

R53 998

Nil

Mediterranean Shipping Company SA

Matter was defended until Plea stage and, after further consideration of the merits of the matter, settlement was considered prudent.

As above

R298 180

R458 739

Allanca Navegacao E Logistics LTD

Matter was defended by external attorneys until Plea stage and eventually, a tripartite agreement was reached. After analysing the merits of the matter and considering Counsel's advice it was considered prudent to settle.

As above

R360 000

R1 025 254

R500 000

Star Maritime Agencies cc

Matter was defended by external attorneys and set down for trial, but, on further assessments, it was considered prudent to settle.

As above

R600 000

R884 051

R600 000

Mediterranean Shipping Company SA

Notice to Defend noted. The merits were analysed and settlement was considered prudent.

As above

R75 000

R307 113

R75 000

PERIOD 01 APRIL 2008 TO 31 MARCH 2009

Companies

paid

How was the dispute handled?

Who gave the mandate and approved the settlement?

What was the settlement amount?

How much was claimed?

How much was provided or budgeted for?

Mediterranean Shipping Company SA

Matter was defended until Plea stage. However, further consideration of the merits of the matter supported a settlement.

As above

R400 800

R801 800

R500 000

Mediterranean Shipping Company SA

As above

R389 631

R779 262

R170 043

Mediterranean Shipping Company SA

Agreed to stay legal proceedings pending internal enquiry on merits of claim, which supported a settlement.

As above

R17 600

Mediterranean Shipping Company SA

Matter was defended until Plea stage. However, the merits of the matter supported a settlement.

As above

R11 271

R37 571

Much Ashalt (Pty) Limited

Matter was defended until Plea stage and the merits of the matter supported a settlement after reviewing Counsel's advice on evidence.

As above

R544 320

R765 867

R592 011

Barwill Ship Services (Pty) Ltd

Notice to Defend noted and merits evaluated, which supported settlement.

As above

R1 012 276

R2 124 752

Soul on Turf CC

The matter was settled for the amount claimed after consideration of the merits of the claim.

TNPA EXCO, pursuant to the authority delegated in terms of the Transnet Delegations of Authority Framework

R57 000

Boudenwyn Homburg De Vries

The matter was settled for R260 000, with TNPA and CDC paying R130 000 each, after an assessment of the merits of the claim.

The Executive: Legal, Risk and Compliance of TNPA, who has the authority in terms of the Transnet Delegations of Authority Framework.

R130 000

R312 000

R130 000

Telkom SA Limited

Transnet defended the matter in order to avoid a default judgement against it, and because it did not believe that it owed the amount of about R46.8 million claimed.

After an assessment of the merits, the risk of not being able to secure critical witnesses and the fact that there is an obligation in terms of section 41 of the Constitution as well as the Inter Governmental Relations Framework Act, 2005 to seek the amicable resolution of disputes with other organs of state rather than litigate, it was considered prudent to settle this matter.

The Group Executive: Office of the Group Chief Executive pursuant to the Authority Delegated in terms of the Transnet Limited Delegation of Authority Framework.

R20 million

R46.8 million

Nil

QUESTION NO 237

Mr SJF Marais asked the Minister of Trade and Industry:

Whether he intends expanding the current capacity of the Competition Commission; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NO2554E

REPLY:

Yes, with the amendments to the Competition Act there will be added capacity to deal more effectively with cartel investigations, research into sectors and market inquiry to identify and deal with constraints affecting downstream industries. With criminalisation of cartel conduct on the part of Directors, the Competition Commission's Legal Services will have to be increased to provide adequate support for the handling of criminal evidence that will be used in criminal prosecution. Thus, we intend increasing the enforcement, legal and research capacity.

QUESTION NO 238
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 26 JUNE 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 4 - 2009)

"238. Dr W G James (DA) to ask the Minister of Science and Technology:

(1) Why are funds for student fellowships at the National Research Fund being cut

(2) whether any effort has been made to find alternative funding to support students; If not, why not; If so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether she Intends ring - fencing all government support for students so that they may complete their studies and degrees as planned; If not, why not, If so what are the relevant details?"

REPLY

1. The DST Ten-Year Innovation Plan (TYIP) which was approved by Cabinet In 2008 aims at, amongst other things, Increasing high level research and Innovation skills In the country. The Plan calls for an Increase In the number of people with PhDs. True to this plan; the DST Is Increasing Its student support measures In the human capital development pipeline leading to attaining a PhD qualification. At a PhD level funding, the amounts allocated In student fellowships Is shown in the table below:

The data below shows audited figures for PhD bursars via the NRF.

Year	Number of PhD bursaries	Expensed Amount (contract & core funding) In Rand
2005	1317	47150463.00
2006	1419	53809423.19
2007	1401	55 662 304.26
2008	1416	67192701.30

Apart from the observable trend that PhD fellowships have been consistently Increasing, It should also be noted that:

a. Slight decreases In the number of PhD supported has arisen from an Increase In fellowship values rather than In the total amounts allocated for fellowships. For an example, the NRF increased the average PhD bursary values by 28.6% In the years 2007/8 to 2008/9 (from R35, 000 to R45, 000). Therefore a small temporary decline in the total number of PhDs supported does not constitute a disinvestment in PhDs nor a cut in student fellowships.

b. In order to be responsible, the NRF continually has to balance the numbers of PhDs supported with the need to offer competitive bursary values to grow the investment In PhDs over time.

c. The same trend Is observable with regard to Master's funding.

2. The Department of Science and Technology together with the National Research Foundation are continually exploring new avenues and alternatives to secure additional PhD funding. For example:

a. The NRF is currently discussing such ventures with the Departments of Agriculture and Forestry, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and the Department of Human Settlements.

b. In addition, many foreign partners are Interested In collaborating with the NRF to establish PhD training opportunities as part of the NRF/DST SA PhD project. They are aware that the NRF has the Infrastructure and the experience to deal with such grants. However, the relationship they are looking for is a partnership where the NRF must, typically contribute at least 50% towards the partnership.

Some examples of student funding, through such partnerships, which are currently being Implemented Include:

I. Partnership with DAAD (R2.3 million) and the NRF contributing R2.3 million towards the NRF/ DAAD joint In-South Africa scholarship aiming at funding 50 Masters and 50 Doctoral students per year.

II. Commonwealth funds students for 1 year in the UK and NRF for the remaining 2 years locally. Three awards are on offer.

III. Fulbright Scholarships: There are two doctoral Fulbright awards. NRF pays US$12,000 per year for four years, for each of them and Fulbright covers all other expenses.

Iv. Vrije University In Amsterdam: Funding for five doctoral students with supervision In Amsterdam and co-supervision In SA. NRF pays US$12, 000 per year. This is a 50/50 partnership.

v. Cambridge Commonwealth Trust: NRF offers £7,000 per year for % years and Cambridge the rest. The Grant is dependant on acceptance Into Cambridge.

c. These varied Initiatives are gradually growing the number of PhD opportunities available to South African students, both here In South Africa as well as abroad.

3. All commitments to students have been honoured in full to date. In response to a withdrawal of Scarce Skills funding from the Department of Labour In 2009, the NRF committed R15 million of Its own internal resources to enable continued funding to those scarce skills students that were caught In mid stream with their studies.

QUESTION NUMBER 239

DATE OF PUBLICATION 26 JUNE 2009

Mr M Swart (DA) to ask the Minister of Finance:

When will the findings of the forensic investigation into the pyramid scheme be submitted to him?

NW287E

Reply:

I am unable to confirm with certainty when the findings of the probe into the alleged pyramid scheme in question will be made known to me. Once the facts have been established and made known to the task team looking into this issue, a decision will be taken regarding the most appropriate manner in which to take the matter further. The law enforcement authorities and other entities are required to comply with official procedure to ensure the credibility of the findings and to enable the use thereof in the criminal justice processes which might follow.

QUESTION NO.: 239

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26 October 2009

239. Mr J Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:

Whether she has any plans to avert the looming water crises at the Medupi power plant; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?NO2556E

REPLY

There is no water shortage being experienced at Medupi Power station; however, Eskom has undertaken substantive work in response to the water challenges in the Waterberg region.

Eskom has developed long-term planning scenarios for the next 50 years in an attempt to secure its water supply for existing and new power stations and associated developments such as coal mines. These scenarios have been shared with the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs (DWEA) to assess the water resources' potential and bulk infrastructure requirements and timing to meet the power station's and associated development water requirements. Some of the immediate options to be implemented across all sectors include water conservation and water demand management, whilst the long term options include the desalination of water and sourcing water from the SADC region.

Medupi Power Station has adequate water supplies utilising the existing surplus of water from Matimba Power Station (Eskom Power Station) and an additional pipeline from the existing Mokolo Dam.

Eskom, along with DWEA, has been hard at work to ensure the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan as indicated above in response to the water challenges of the Waterberg area, not only for Eskom's requirements but for the region as well.

DATE OF PUBLICATION 26 JUNE 2009

Mr M Swart (DA) to ask the Minister of Finance:

Whether the pyramid scheme to the value of R10 billion that was launched by a certain person (name furnished) is being investigated for money laundering; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW288E

Reply:

The task team established to probe the alleged pyramid scheme in question presently estimates that the amounts involved do not exceed R2 billion. The team is conducting a probe to determine if any common or statutory laws recognised in South Africa were contravened, this includes money laundering. The findings made by the task team thus far cannot be shared as it is envisaged that judicial proceedings might follow this process.

QUESTION NUMBER 241

DATE OF PUBLICATION 26 JUNE 2009

Mr M Swart (DA) to ask the Minister of Finance:

(1) Whether the participants in the pyramid scheme initiated by a certain person (name furnished) complied with the exchange controls; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) Whether the Reserve Bank reported any exchange violations during the transactions; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW289E

Reply:

(1) The Investigations Division of the Exchange Control Department of the South African Reserve Bank is part of the task team established to probe the alleged pyramid scheme in question. The task team has been mandated to consider if there have been contraventions of the Exchange Control Regulations. In this regard information exists that certain transactions between the various participants in the said scheme may have been contrary to the Exchange Control Regulations. While the Exchange Control Department has already taken action against certain participants, it would be inappropriate to reveal further detail at this stage lest this jeopardises further consideration of the matter.

(2) The Reserve Bank did not report any "exchange violations during the transactions".

Question 242

Dr P J Rabie (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

How many existing job opportunities will be retained after the announcement regarding the relief packages on Monday, 15 June 20097 NW290E

Response:

South Africa like most countries in the world is negatively affected by the current global economic crisis. Recognising that the economic situation requires an effective collective response, the government through the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) set up a multi - stakeholder task team made up of government, business, labour and community social partners to agree on the country's response strategy. This culminated in a Framework for South Africa's Response to the International Economic Crisis Agreement of 19 February 2009.

In the President's State of the Nation Address on 3 June 2009, it was emphasised that the Framework is the guiding document that binds all government departments in responding to the crisis. As per the Framework, employment retention will be central to all interventions taken by government and will be a condition for any support given by government and its agencies.

However, because of the complexity of the crisis, it is not possible to precisely quantify how many jobs will be retained as a result of interventions undertaken under the ambit of the Framework.

4 NOVEMBER 2009

QUESTION NO.: 242

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 27 OCTOBER 2009

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

(1) What is the nature of the broad-ranging economic policy changes (details furnished) that he intends to implement;

(2) whether he intends to propose any long-term changes to the exchange rate; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NO2560E

REPLY

The Honourable Member's question was prompted by a report that appeared on 22 October, in the local media. Let me start by noting that the media report was without factual basis and we have written to the media outlet concerned.

However, the broader question raised by the Honourable Member deserves a reply.

When the ruling party went to the electorate to seek a fresh mandate in the recent elections, its Manifesto set out a policy framework that contained 5 priorities. One of these relate to economic policy issues and decent work.

The President appointed a Cabinet and we adopted a Medium Term Strategic Framework that sets out the operational components of our economic programme.

So, Honourable Member, this does involve ensuring that we secure better employment outcomes principally through a more labour-absorbing growth path. This has been the theme of our public pronouncements.

I refer in this regard to the President's State of the Nation address on 3 June wherein he outlined government's economic priorities and the centrality of decent work – by which we refer to the need for more jobs and better jobs – to government's economic policies. Similarly, in a presentation I made to the Portfolio Committee on Economic Development on 19 June, these priorities and their linkages to an employment-absorbing growth path were elaborated upon. These sentiments were recently re-emphasised in the Honourable Minister of Finance's Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) speech delivered to the House just over a week ago. Similarly, my colleague, the Honourable Minister of Trade & Industry noted 2 days ago the need to place the economy on a new growth path.

The guiding principles in looking at economic policy include the following:

1. Policy adjustments will be evidence-led. We will look at the facts and we let that guide us;

2. Economic outcomes must lead to better development outcomes: in reducing income inequality, fighting poverty and addressing unemployment;

3. Policy changes will be considered and approved by Cabinet. No single Ministry makes policy – we do so as a team and we place the results of our work before the President and Cabinet for consideration;

4. We will seek as far as possible the views of our social partners, i.e.of the business community and organised labour, of civil society – because they have insights and a knowledge base in the real economy that can be of enormous benefit to policy-making and they will be partners in a common vision we need to forge;

5. We learn from the experiences of countries elsewhere- both in what works and what does not work, but we have the confidence to develop a growth path appropriate to South Africa.

In respect of the exchange rate, we have expressed our goal of achieving a competitive value to the Rand. Since January this year the Rand has strengthened by about 15.5% against the US Dollar. Against the Chinese Renminbi, it has strengthened by about 16%.

The impact of this is significant. The exchange rate is a key economic variable which impacts on competitiveness, employment, industrial development, trade flows and export performance. We have become about 15% more expensive in our exports, and imports are 15% cheaper from these two major trading partners.

Private sector representatives and trade unionists have met with my Ministry to convey their concerns of the impact of the Rand on their businesses and on workers. We agreed that there is value in a Policy Platform that we will convene with economists and social partners to dialogue further on this matter.

Question 244

Dr P J Rabie (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

With which manufacturing sectors did communication take place regarding a reduction of import duties so as to curtail input costs? NW292E

Response

The need to reduce input costs on key intermediate inputs into manufacturing, agriculture and mining was identified in the National Industrial Policy Framework and the 2007/8 Industrial Policy Action Plan.

The International Trade Administration Commission, has commissioned a series of investigations in sectors such as steel, chemicals, aluminium, and selected textile products.

In terms of aluminium products, the Commission concluded that duties are not required as the domestic industry already has a price advantage. An increase in the duties would have an unnecessary cost-raising impact on downstream producers.

With regards to the clothing and textile sector, the Commission found that the duty-free importation of certain fabrics not manufactured domestically, would contribute to the reduction of input costs over the full value-chain of clothing and thus recommended that rebate provisions be created in Schedule no. 3 of the customs tariff.

The Commission also established that duties in the chemicals industry have a cost-raising impact on a number of industrial inputs required for downstream activities. In this regard, certain rebate provisions and duty reductions have been recommended.

QUESTION NO. 244

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO

DATE OF PUBLICATION:

Mr G.R. Krumbock (DA) to ask the Minister of Tourism:

1) Whether expenditure has been determined to market South Africa adequately as a tourist destination; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) how does this compare to our closest long-haul competitors;

(2) whether there is a timeframe for equalising such market support with our competitors in the event of underfunding being identified; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NO2564E

MR G R KRUMBOCK (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS THE MINISTER OF TOURISM ANSWERS:

1) Yes.

(a) Every three years, the Department embarks on a market prioritisation process through its entity, South African (SA) Tourism. Based on this, priorities are determined within the available financial means. The Department then submits requests based on the review of market portfolios to the National Treasury, with requests for additional market funding.

(b) As far as our biggest competitor, Australia, is concerned, Tourism Australia receives a state budget of double that what SA Tourism gets, although they only attract about 5,6 million tourists a year. SA Tourism employs a targeted marketing strategy, which yields more results for South Africa.

2) No, although tourism funding has been a government priority, and SA Tourism has received sizeable increases in the past. Our government has many other key priorities that need funding, and with which SA Tourism competes for scarce monetary resources. As Tourism has now been converted into a standalone department, we believe that the government has clearly recognised the importance of tourism in creating jobs and attracting much needed foreign exchange to our country. We are therefore confident that our marketing funding will increase in the future, which will bring us closer in line with the financial resources of our competitors.

QUESTION NUMBER 240
Annexure A:

2009-07-17

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