Question & Replies No 626 to 650

2009-08-19

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

QUESTION NO. 626

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 07 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 7)

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

Whether his department provides information on the current situation in respect of legislation and related regulations with regard to stem cell transplants; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW711E

REPLY:

(a) The department does provide information on the current situation in respect of legislation and related regulations with regard to stem cell transplants.

(b) Regulations with regard to stem cells derive from the National Health Act 2003 and are:

(i) Regulation No. R. 376 4 May 2007 – Regulations relating to Human Stem Cells;

(ii) Regulation No. R. 7 5 January 2007 - Annexure A 1 - National Health Act, 2003 – Regulations regarding the use of Human DNA, RNA, cultured cells, stem cells, blastomeres, polar bodies, embryos, embryonic tissue and small tissue biopsies for diagnostic testing, health research and therapeutics.

Due to the rapid developments in this area, a task team made up of experts in the field are currently considering these regulations and will advise the Department on their findings. Changes to the regulations may follow.

QUESTION 627.

MRS S V KALYAN (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES:

(1)What is the turnaround time to process an application of a novel agricultural chemical (details furnished);

(2) How many such applications are currently being processed?

(3) Whether there is a backlog of such applications; if so, what are the relevant details? NW712E

REPLY:

1. Prior 2005 it normally took on average of two years which took into account the toxicological evaluation done by Department of Health. During this period, the Department of Health used to have an in-house Toxicologist who conducted risk assessment on our behalf. Prior to 2005 the Department was registering one new product (with a new molecule) per annum. The number of new molecules has now grown due to the growing industry.

In the USA it takes them 2 to 4 years to register new molecules. The EU as a region has not manged to register new molecules since 2006.

2. In 2005, some toxicologists retired from the Department of Health. After 2005, it is unpredictable as to how long will it take to finalize these applications due to –

- the fact that the Toxicologist of Department of Health (DoH) retired and it took more time for DoH to address the vacuum left by such retirement as the country also has limited expertise in this field. The current process followed by the DoH with regard to toxicological evaluation is very slow and it impact on the finalization of new molecules registration by the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).

- The number of new molecules to be registered has significantly increased. Unfortunately, the DoH capacity is such that they cannot handle the large volume of toxicological dossiers that have been submitted to them by DAFF.

3. The main backlog dates back to 2005 and involves the registration of new

molecules which is about 28 products. Seven of them have already been

finalized.

QUESTION NO 629

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 7 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 7 - 2009)

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

Date reply submitted : 4 September 2009

(1) What total amount was spent on (a) the renovations and (b) security features for King's House in Durban;

(2) which of the materials and/or fittings used for the renovation (a) in the main house and (b) in general (i) were manufactured locally and (ii) were imported;

(3) whether any trees were cut down for any of the renovations; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what types of trees were cut down, (b) how many of each species of tree was cut down, (c) how old was each of the trees that were cut down and (d) what was the reason for cutting down each of the trees?

NW715E

REPLY:

This Department is not able to provide any of the requested information because the South African Police Service is not the custodian of the King=s House in Durban.

QUESTION NO 630

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 7 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 7 - 2009)

Date reply submitted : 14 September 2009

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

(1) (a) What is the current racial composition of the SA Police Service at (i) national and (ii) provincial level and (b) what are the equity targets for human resources;

(2) what will happen to the remaining members of a racial group when the quota for that group in any province has been exceeded;

(3) whether there will be room for promotion, based on merit, for all demographic categories; if not, why not; if so, how this process will work;

(4) whether he has been informed of any returning SAPS personnel that have been turned away because of equity targets; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW716E

REPLY:

(1)(a) The present racial composition of the SAPS is 72,59% Africans, 2,83% Indians, 10,65% Coloureds and 13,93% Whites.

The SAPS applies the National Demographics as a National Department under one National Commissioner as the Director General. Both the provincial and national Business Units implement the same Employment Equity Section 20 Plan with the same Employment Equity (EE) targets as outlined in the SAPS subsequent Employment Equity Section 20 Plan that spans from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2010.

(1)(b) The Equity targets in terms of the national demographic figures according to the Census report of 2001 and the SAPS Employment Equity Section 20 Plan is 79% Africans, 2,5% Indians, 8,9% Coloureds and 9,6% Whites.

(2) Section 15(4) of the EE Act No 55 of 1998 states that Asubject to section 42, nothing in this section requires a designated employer to take any decision concerning an employment policy or practice that would establish an absolute barrier to the prospective or continued employment or advancement of people who are not from the designated groups@. This means nothing will happen to any member of the SAPS, designated or not, as a result of to EE targets.

The SAPS is a growing organisation which will increase from 183 000 employees to a total number of 204 860 employees by 2012. The natural attrition rate and workforce movement take place continuously. All members from the four racial groups will be retained.

(3) There is room for promotions for employees from all the various racial groups in the SAPS. All the promotions are based on merit for all demographic categories in accordance with National Instruction 2/2008 for grade progression and the promotion of employees of the service post levels 2 to 12 and Bands A to MMS.

The same is also applicable in the Senior Appointments from level 13 (SMS) and above, in which case National Instructions 3/2000 and 3/2005 are used as a guiding policy.

(4) No employees have been turned away because of the Equity targets. The SAPS has a policy in place that regulates the re-enlistment of former members. This policy includes the criteria to be followed during the re-enlistment process.

QUESTION 632

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: August 2009

Internal question paper no:

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

(1) Whether, with reference to the funding granted by the board of the National Development Agency in the 2007-08 financial year, any sustainable income generated projects were established in any of the nine provinces; if not, why not; if so, (a) what amount was allocated to each of these projects, (b) what was the nature of each of the funded projects and (c) which civil organisations received funding in any of the provinces;

(2) whether signed contracts and business plans exist for each project; if not, why not;

(3) whether any evaluation has been conducted on the funded projects; if not, why not; if so, (a) what were the outcomes of each and (b) how often are these evaluations done;

(4) whether all of the funded projects can account for the funds they have received; if not, (a) why not, (b) which projects cannot account for all the funds that they have received, (c) what is the total value of the funds that cannot be accounted for each of the projects and (d) what steps have been taken with regard to each situation? NW719e

REPLY:

Honourable Member;

(1) Yes, the National Development Agency (NDA) approved 78 projects in the 2007/8 financial year. Out of the 78 projects, 61 were income generating, 15 food security and two (2) capacity building respectively. The duration of the projects ranges from 12 to 36 months. All projects were approved based on comprehensive viability assessment and potential for institutional and financial sustainability.

(a) and (b) Refer to a full list of all projects approved by the NDA board in 2007/8 in the annexure. The list provides location of province, project name, district municipality, sector, number of direct and indirect beneficiaries, and the approved amount.

(c) All projects listed in the enclosed annexure received funding from the NDA in 2007/8 All projects funded in 2007/8 financial year are civil society organisations as the NDA only provides funding to civil society organisations.

(2) Yes, contracts have been signed with all approved projects and business plans were submitted as part of the adjudication process. The Board has requested submissions of specific business plans linked specific tranches.

(3) No, formal formative (mid-term review) and summative evaluations have not been conducted as most projects have been in operation for approximately 11 months.

(a) The evaluation outcomes for the projects approved in 2007/8 are not available as both the mid-term review and summative evaluations have not been finalised.

(b) The mid-term review is conducted after 12 months of project implementation and the final evaluation is commissioned at the end of the project. All projects have dedicated approved budget for evaluation. However, all the projects have been consistently monitored in accordance with our standard operating procedures on grant making.

(4) (a) No, the NDA has uncovered potential irregularities in the management of Funds;

(b) Thuthukisikhono Development Club in Kwa-Zulu Natal. The total grant approved for this project is R2 752 579.

(c) The NDA has to date disbursed R825 773 to the project. Of this amount, R411 000 was transferred by the project to a service provider for the construction of poultry houses. The houses have still not been constructed.

(d) The NDA has taken the following steps in respect of funds that could not be accounted for.

· A compliance audit was conducted by the NDA.

· Further funding to the project has been suspended until the funds paid to the service provider are returned to the project, or alternatively the poultry houses are constructed.

· The strategic partners in the project have been consulted and informed about the NDA position.

· The community has indicated that they cannot afford to have funding to the project withdrawn by the NDA and have undertaken to remove the official implicated in the irregularity.

QUESTION 633

Date of publication on internal question paper: August 2009

Internal question paper no:

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

(2) whether signed contracts and business plans exist for each project; if not, why not;

(3) whether any evaluation has been conducted on the funded projects; if not, why not; if so, (a) what were the outcomes of each and (b) how often are these evaluations done;

REPLY:

Honourable Member;

(3) No, formal formative (mid-term review) and summative evaluations have not been conducted as most projects have been in operation for approximately 11 months.

(a) The evaluation outcomes for the projects approved in 2007/8 are not available as both the mid-term review and summative evaluations have not been finalised.

(4) (a) No, the NDA has uncovered potential irregularities in the management of Funds;

(b) Thuthukisikhono Development Club in Kwa-Zulu Natal. The total grant approved for this project is R2 752 579.

(d) The NDA has taken the following steps in respect of funds that could not be accounted for.

· A compliance audit was conducted by the NDA.

· Further funding to the project has been suspended until the funds paid to the service provider are returned to the project, or alternatively the poultry houses are constructed.

· The strategic partners in the project have been consulted and informed about the NDA position.

· The community has indicated that they cannot afford to have funding to the project withdrawn by the NDA and have undertaken to remove the official implicated in the irregularity.

QUESTION NO. 634 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 7 of 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 7 August 2009

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

(1) (a) What is the current estimated population of (a)(i) white and (ii) black rhino in the Kruger National Park, (b) when was the last census for each of the (i) white and (ii) black rhino populations conducted and (c) what institution conducted the census;

(2) when is the next census for the (a) white and (b) black rhino populations likely to be conducted?

NW720E

MR G R KRUMBOCK (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

634. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) (a)

(i) 10 800

(ii) 300.

(b)

(i) 2008

(ii) 2007

(2) (a) Late dry season of 2009

(b) Late dry season of 2009.

Question 635

Ms H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

(a) How many prizes were awarded and (b) what was the total value of the prizes awarded by the National Lottery (i) in (aa) 2005, (bb) 2006, (cc) 2007 and (dd) 2008 and (ii) during the period 1 January 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available?NW721E

Response:

(a) The prizes awarded and the total value of prizes awarded by the NLB in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and during 2009 are as follows:

(i) (aa) R40,3 million prizes in 2005 and the total value was R2,0 billion

(bb) R55,2 million prizes in 2006 and the total value was R2,1 billion

(cc) R40,9 million prizes in 2007 and the total value was R2,0 billion

(dd) R15,5 million prizes in 2008 and the total value was R582 million

(i) R20,5 million prizes from January 2009 to date and total value is R1, 7 billion.

Question 636

H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

(1) What names were submitted for nomination to the new Lotteries Board for which nominations closed on 7 July 2009;

(2) Whether any of these nominees were members of the Lotteries Board in the past; if so, which nominees;

(3) Whether the selection process has been completed; if not, when is it expected to be completed; if so, who are the new board members?NW722E

Response:

(1) The department received sixty (60) nominations and in terms of the process needs to convene a selection committee which will compile a short list for the interviews. Also, in terms of section 3(3) of the Lotteries Act of 1997, the Portfolio Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Minister in relation to the nomination of the Chairperson. In order not to prejudice the candidates we recommend that the list of applicants be availed to the Committee at that stage.

(2) Four (4) nominations were received for members who are currently associated or serving the Board. However, it is recommended that their names not be revealed at this stage so as not to prejudice the candidates. We recommend that these names be forwarded to the Portfolio Committee with the rest of the nominees.

(3) The department is going through the short-listing process and will be assembling a selection panel shortly. It is anticipated that the whole process will be finalised by mid-September 2009.

Question 638

Mr T D Lee (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

Whether all the money that have been allocated by the National Lotteries Distribution Fund for distribution (a) in (i) 2007 and (ii) 2008 and (b) during the period 1 January 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, have been distributed to sport organisations; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details with regard to the amount awarded to each specified organisation? NW724E

Response:

Not all the funds allocated have been paid since the majority of the grants are allocated in multiple payments and over multiple years. Subsequent payment of grants is only made on receipt of a satisfactory Progress Report from the beneficiary.

(a) Funds allocated to Sports organisations in:

2007 R117,7 million

2008 R422,4 million

2009 R596,6 million

(b) Funds disbursed to Sports organisations in:

2007 R291,8 million

2008 R211,2 million

2009 R298,3 million

The NLDTF has in place criteria for assessing applications and awarding of grants to sport organisations. This criteria is also used when making calls for grant money applications.

The Department of Trade and Industry, the Distribution Agencies and the National Lotteries Board have embarked on a process to improve efficiencies in the grant making process to disburse as much money available in each allocation.

QUESTION: 639

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

(1) What is the total amount of money that has been spent on peacekeeping operations outside of the South-African territory (a) in each of the past five financial years and (b) in every region where the SA National Defence Force participated;

(2) what was South Africa's (a) designated contribution and (b) actual contribution to the United Nations peacekeeping budget in each of the past five financial years? NW725E

REPLY

As soon as the reply information is received and verified, the reply will be forwarded to Parliament

QUESTION No. 639

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

(2) what was South Africa's (a) designated contribution and (b) actual contribution to the United Nations peacekeeping budget in each of the past five financial years? NW725E

REPLY

(1) The amounts paid in respect of AU/UN peace keeping operations outside of the South African territory in the various regions for the past five financial years are reflected in the table below:

Ser	Region	2004/05 Expenditure RM	2005/06 Expenditure RM	2006/07 Expenditure RM	2007/08 Expenditure RM	2008/09 Expenditure RM
	A	b	c	d	e	f
1	DRC	313	369	472	410	505
2	BURUNDI	382	315	229	234	348
3	SUDAN	6	70	211	152	288
4	TOTAL	701	754	912	796	1 141

(2) The Minster of Finance would be in a position to respond to this question as this is within the ambit of National Treasury and not Defence.

Arts and culture

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 04 AUGUST 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 640-2009)

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

(1) Whether there has been any cost analysis undertaken by her department on the implementation of the Bill; if so, what are the relevant details; if not, (a) does her department plan on conducting such a cost analysis, (b) when and (c) if no such plan on conducting an cost analysis, why not?

REPLY:

(1) There was no cost analysis undertaken on the implementation of the South African Languages Bill (SALB) per se.

(2) On the contrary, cost analyses were undertaken on some critical prerequisite for the implementation of SALB namely, the South African Language Practitioners Council Act (SALPC Act) and the establishment of language units (LUs) in government departments. At the time the cost analyses were undertaken, figures stood at R10m and R18, 3m respectively.

--- -

(3) As it stands now, the costing of the establishment of language units is going to escalate when considering the requests of translations and interpreting in the nine (9) official languages as well as foreign languages. Moreover, the costing that was done by National Treasury considered four language categories based on the rotational principle stipulated in the policy framework as opposed to eleven (11) languages. It was then determined that the cost would amount to 1 % of departmental budgets, Costing on all official languages would increase by about 3% excluding inflation.

(4) As a result. more financial resources will have to be allocated.

(5) On account of the Cabinet decision of July 2007 that non-legislative and practical measures be undertaken to reinforce government responsibility and ensure that benefits of service delivery are distributed equally by providing equitable access to information for all citizens irrespective of language, the Department of Arts and Culture has focused more on building capacity and creating necessary infrastructure than on legislation.

(6) However, there are plans to resubmit the Bill for consideration by Cabinet. As soon as permission is obtained to do so, the costing exercise will be carried out.

Arts and culture

QUESTION PAPER NO 640- 2009

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 04 AUGUST 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 640-2009)

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

REPLY:

(1) There was no cost analysis undertaken on the implementation of the South African Languages Bill (SALB) per se.

(4) As a result. more financial resources will have to be allocated.

(6) However, there are plans to resubmit the Bill for consideration by Cabinet. As soon as permission is obtained to do so, the costing exercise will be carried out.

Question 642

Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

Whether his department will provide information to farmers in respect of the present Doha (WTO) negotiations on any concessions regarding greater market access for exporters of beef, sugar, grapes and oranges; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?NW730E

Response:

The Department of Trade and Industry consults with NEDLAC on a monthly basis on the Doha Round negotiations. Representatives of the agricultural sector are present during these consultations. In addition, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing consults with the agricultural sector, which includes producers of beef, sugar, grapes and oranges, on all aspects relating to international trade, under the Agricultural Trade Forum (ATF). Representatives from the dti attend this forum. The ATF meets approximately every six weeks, and members are briefed in detail on all bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations, including the WTO Doha negotiations. Negotiation positions are only formulated after in-depth consultations with the relevant stakeholders in the ATF. Through the ATF, producers and exporters of the products in question have been briefed in detail on the expected provisions relating to market access in agriculture.

It should be noted that the Doha negotiations have not yet progressed to a point where there is clarity on the market access opportunities that will emerge at a product level. The designation of which sensitive products will be excluded from tariff reduction obligations has not yet been clarified. This makes it impossible, at this stage, to predict which agricultural products may enjoy enhanced market access from the Doha Round and which will not.

It should further be noted that a substantial part of South Africa's agriculture exports (more than 60%) enjoy tariff preferences under the range of trade agreements concluded between South Africa and partner countries. We have preferences into the European Union under the Trade Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA), the Southern African Development Community under the SADC Trade Protocol, the USA through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), and Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland through the free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Agricultural product exports further enjoy preferential market access under various GSP (General Scheme of Preferences) schemes offered by developed countries.

Nevertheless, we anticipate that many agricultural products that are currently excluded from these preferential arrangements will be designated as sensitive products in the Doha Round. This suggests that South African agricultural exporters are unlikely to gain improved market access out of the Doha Round. South African agriculture may however benefit indirectly if the Round is concluded and industrial economies substantially reduce trade distorting support and eliminate the export subsidies they currently provide to their farmers.

Question 643

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

Whether the dispute between the service sector education and training authority (SSETA) and the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB) will have an effect on the implementation date of the NQF4 and NQF5 qualifications that will be required by estate agents from 2011; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?NW729E

Response:

The dispute between the Service Sector Education and Training Authority (SSETA) and the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB) will not affect the implementation date of the new NQF4 and NQF5 qualifications required by estate agents. There have been engagements recently between the two bodies and it is not expected that there would be a need to extend the December 2011 deadline.

The two bodies have agreed to renew their efforts to bring professionalism to the industry and that the majority of practicing estate agents will be fully qualified by the December 2011 deadline.

The EAAB has recognised that the SSETA is statutorily mandated to quality assure and accredit the relevant study material, education providers and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Assessment centres where the SA Qualifications Authority approved estate agency qualifications are concerned. The EAAB, for its part, will ensure that sufficient SSETA accredited constituent assessors and moderators are provided from within its ranks to serve the SSETA in its quality assurance endeavours.

In addition, the dti has set-up a meeting with the Department of Labour to ensure an amicable resolution to the dispute and to discuss other related matters that have and may come up in relation to this matter.

Question 644

Mr S J F Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

Response:

Agricultural product exports further enjoy preferential market access under various GSP (General Scheme of Preferences) schemes offered by developed countries.

QUESTION NO. 647

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 07 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 7)

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

(1) Whether he will appoint a commission to do a comprehensive study into Fœtal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS); if not, why not; if so, what is the latest date by which the commission will (a) be appointed, (b) start the study and (c) release the report of the commission to the public;

(2) whether he will declare FAS to be a notifiable disease; if not, why not; if so, what is the latest date by which he will make this declaration;

(3) whether the Government currently provides any (a) prevention and (b) treatment programmes for FAS; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW733E

REPLY:

(1) We have not to date considered appointing a Commission to look into FAS. The Department has however used research information from the Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR) in South Africa, the South African Medical Research Council (MRC) and international best practices from the National Institute on Acoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA) in the United States of America to assist it in dealing with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (a broader designation of the erstwhile Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) which it considers a Strategic Health Programme.

In this regard, epidemiological studies were conducted in South Africa to determine the prevalence of FAS amongst the school-entry children (between 7 and 8 years). These studies were conducted in the Western Cape, Northern Cape and Gauteng Provinces between 1997 and 2001 with funding support from the NIAAA and other funders.

(2) FAS is not a notifiable disease because it is not contagious and is a totally preventable condition if pregnant mothers abstain from ingesting alcohol during pregnancy. Diagnosing the Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders is a very demanding exercise, and hence the Department has taken the well considered decision that prevention should be the foundation of dealing with alcohol abuse during pregnancy.

(3) (a) and (b) Yes, Government is currently providing prevention and treatment programmes for FAS, especially through National and Provincial Maternal, Child, and Women's Health programmes, and the Directorates: Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Health Promotion and Communication.

The Department's educational approach to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is aimed at prevention programmes. These prevention programmes are presented in the health facilities. The Department is thus engaged in primary, secondary and tertiary FAS prevention strategies. This is an integrated effort of the government structures, communities and other stakeholders including academic institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The emphasis in the communities is that "Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is 100% preventable!"

♦ Primary prevention

Primary prevention strategies include the following capacity building programmes:

· Educating women (and their partners), families and communities about the dangers of alcohol intake during pregnancy through campaigns, educational material and radio talk shows.

· Encouraging establishment of support groups within communities.

· Increasing capacity, expertise and knowledge of FAS among health care professionals at all levels through training and workshops.

· Introducing life skills programmes in schools, and engaging the youth in such programmes.

· Most importantly, regulations relating to FAS health messages on container labels of alcoholic beverages have been passed in terms of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972. These Regulations were passed in August 2007, to be operative from February 2009. The messages directly relating to FAS are: "Drinking during pregnancy can be harmful to your unborn baby", "Alcohol abuse is dangerous to your health" and "Alcohol is addictive".

· The Department is presently planning for International FAS Day (9 September) awareness campaign, and has developed a campaign programme on FAS to support provincial and district initiatives.

♦ Secondary prevention

Secondary prevention focuses on screening for early diagnosis and instituting measures to stop the progression of a disability. For example, the parents of a child with FAS are referred for counselling, and the child is referred for further neurodevelopmental evaluation.

♦ Tertiary prevention

Tertiary prevention involves rehabilitation activities in an effort to return the affected child with FAS to a level of maximum usefulness by engaging in the following activities:

· Further counselling of families with FAS-affected children;

· Offer physiotherapy and occupational therapy to the child with FAS

· Provide appropriate school placement for the child;

· Follow up of at-risk families;

· Offer psychosocial support to FAS-affected families; and

· In severe cases of alcoholism, affected family members may be referred for rehabilitation.

QUESTION NO 648

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 7 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 7 - 2009)

Date reply submitted : 4 September 2009

Ms M Smuts (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

What is the language profile of the citizens living in the area served by the Manenberg Police station, what is the percentage breakdown of SA Police Service (SAPS) personnel stationed at this police station in terms of (i) Afrikaans (aa) first and (bb) second language speakers, (ii) English (aa) first and (bb) second language speakers, (iii) Xhosa (aa) first and (bb) second language speakers and (iv) other specified (aa) first and (bb) second language speakers?

NW734E

REPLY:

According to Strategic Development Information of the City of Cape Town the language profile of the community of Manenberg is as follows:

24,57% English

72,07% Afrikaans

2,94% Xhosa

0,29% Other African languages

0,13% Other foreign languages

The above information was also retrieved from the website, www.capetown.gov.za and from 2001 Census data supplied by Statistics South Africa.

The percentage breakdown of SA Police Service personnel at this station is as follows:

(i) Afrikaans (aa) 65% (bb) 5%

(ii) English (aa) 5% (bb) 95%

(iii) Xhosa (aa) 30% (bb) 0%

(iv) None

QUESTION 646

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: Aug 2009

Internal question paper no:

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

(1) Whether her department is funding any children's homes in any of the nine provinces; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many homes in each province, (b) where are these homes situated, (c) on what date did her department first start subsidising each home, (e) how much funding does each home receive and (e) how many children reside at each home;

(2) whether her department has conducted any evaluation of the homes since departmental funding commenced; if not, why not; if so, on what dates was each evaluation conducted;

(3) whether any irregularities were identified during the evaluation of the children's homes; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what were the regularities, (b) at which children's home was each irregularity identified and (c) what action has been taken to rectify the situation? NW732E

REPLY:

Honourable Member,

(1) Yes, although the Department of Social Development subsidises Children's Homes in nine provinces, funding is not automatic. Children's Homes must be registered and should operate in accordance with the Child Care Act No 74 of 1983 as amended. The Children's Home must register as a legal entity in terms of the Non Profit Organisation (NPO) Act No 71 of 1997.

(1)(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e)

Kindly refer to included table herewith. The overall running cost of a Children's Home, is provided per child per month. Although disparity of funding exists in the nine provinces, the recommended subsidy per child per month is R1 800.00.

The table illustrates the number of Children's Homes, location, actual number, unit cost and the number of subsidised Children's Homes in each province.

(2) Yes, the table provides details on the Developmental Quality Assurance undertaken in the Children's Homes.

(3) Yes, irregularities were identified in some of the Children's Homes. The table provides narrative detail information on irregularities identified and action taken.

TABLE 1 - CHILDREN'S HOMES IN PROVINCES
	NUMBER OF CHILDREN'S HOMES		LOCATION	NUMBER OF CHILDREN'SHOMES PER LOCATION	ACTUAL NUMBER OF CHI LDREN	UNIT COST PER CHILD PER MONTH	NUMBER OF CHILDREN HOMES SUBSIDISED
	NGO	State owned
Eastern Cape	28	0	Amathole Alfred Nzo Ukhahlamba Chris Hani OR Tambo Nelson Mandela Cacadu	12 1 1 1 6 7 0	1811	R 1,700	24
Free State	31	2	Xhariep Moteo Lejweleputswa Thabo Mofutsanyane Northern Free State	2 9 7 8 7	1056	R 1,865	30
Gauteng	71	1	Ekurhuleni Johannesburg North Rand Region Sedibeng West Rand	9 32 15 8 8	3792	R 1,680	58
KwaZulu-Natal	47	0	Durban Pietermaritzburg Ulundi	29 12 6	3079	R 1,765	46
Limpopo	9	4	Waterberg Vhembe Capricorn Mopani	4 3 3 3	562	R 1,800	9

	NUMBER OF CHILDREN'S HOMES		LOCATION	NUMBER OF CHILDREN'S HOMES PER LOCATION	ACTUAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN	UNIT COST PER CHILD PER MONTH	NUMBER OF CHILDREN HOMES SUBSIDISED
	NGO	State owned
Mpumalanga	6	1	Gert Sibande Nkangala Ehlanzeni	2 3 2	511	R 2,180	6
Northern Cape	8	0	· Namaqua · Siyanda · Frances Baard	2 1 5	449	R 2,03,15	8
North West	2	1	· Dr Kenneth Kaunda · Mgaka Modiri Molema	2 1	390	R 1,500	2
Western Cape	36	0	· Athlone · Bellville · Caledon · Cape Town · Eersterivier · George · Khayelitsha · Outdshoorn · Vredeburg · Worcester · Wynberg	6 3 1 5 2 3 2 1 1 4 8	1790	R1 700	34
Total	238	9		247	13,440		217

TABLE 2 - DEVELOPMENTAL QUALITY ASSURANCE

PROVINCE	NAME OF FACILITY	DATE OF EVALUATION/DQA	IRREGULARITIES IDENTIFIED	ACTION TAKEN
EASTERN CAPE
	Good Samaritan	1–5/09/2008	· Multi disciplinary team not properly functioning.	· Improvement of relations with external social workers. · Appointment a psychologist at the centre. · Strengthening running of joint therapeutic programmes with other centres. · Development of programmes by the multi disciplinary team in consultation with the children. · Role clarification of officials in the multi disciplinary team.
			· The Children's Home is struggling with finances because they depend primarily on government.	· Identification of mentor for strengthening of fundraising activities.
			· Filing system not properly administered.	· Establishment of alphabetical and numerical register of children. · Proper filing system must be implemented.
			· Structured supervision for all staff not existing.	· Supervision scheduled as follows: On line supervision daily. · Group supervision – fortnightly. · Monitoring of staff attendance register.
			· Safety and Security measures not existing.	· Employment of security officers · To have a visitor's register at the gate.
			· Infrastructure not conducive to the safety of the children.	· Fundraising to be done for the fixing of the roof, door locks, etc.
	Isaiah Children's Home	1–5/09/2008	· Multi disciplinary team not existing.	· Development of admission procedure by the multi disciplinary team. · Role clarification for officials. · Submission of recording interventions to the central file.
			· Lack of proper filing system.	· Implementation of proper filing system. · Development of format for the various reports compiled by social workers.
			· Movement of children not monitored.	· Facilitate immediate availability of court orders. · Resuscitate reunification services. · Initiate an interface between the children and the external case managers. · Improve relations between young people and the Child and Youth Care Workers through training on interpersonal skills and communication
			· Supervision and monitoring structures do not exist in the centre.	· Appointment of supervisors for social workers and child and youth care workers.
			· Training programme not existing.	· Training of Children's Home staff on minimum norms and standards and practice principles. · Develop a training manual on Individual Development Plan (IDP's), Care Plans and report writing. · Development of protocols in dealing with complaints, behaviour management, etc.
			· No response to basic needs of the children.	· Engaging a dietician for the purposes of designing the menu for the children's home. · Development of specific therapeutic programmes for the children. · Improve relations between young people and the Child and Youth Care Workers.
			· Unavailability of registers.	· Establish the following registers: Ø Behaviour management register Ø Medical report register Ø Incident register Ø Visitors register Ø Admission register
	East London Children's Home	03–28/02/2008	· Overcrowding.	· Relocation of the home to a bigger site which was later bought by the Department.
			· No reunification services rendered.	· Parents & relatives of children placed at the centre were allowed to visit their children. · 4 Children were permanently reunified with their families, · 1 was placed in Foster Care and 1 was placed in an institution for children with disabilities in Port Elizabeth.
			· Children's rights not upheld e.g children's names were changed and were not allowed to speak their own language.	· Children must be allowed to use their African names and languages. This is a process which will take time to accomplish.
			· No Individual Development Plans (IDP's) and Care Plans in children's individual files.	· Individual Development Plans (IDPs) and Care Plans were developed for each file.
			· Lack of counselling services as well as development. of programmes due to not having a social worker at the centre.	· Social workers were placed to render professional therapeutic services to the children.
			· Boys and girls were placed together which led to allegations of sexual abuse.	· Children were separated according to their ages and gender.
			· Children's health at risk as health procedures were not followed ( e.g. staff were not allowed to use gloves when handling HIV positive children, the same syringe used to administer medicine on an occasion to children and dogs)	· Removal of dogs from the centre. · Application of health standards by the staff members.
			· Labour laws not upheld (workers made to work 12 hour shifts for twelve consecutive days).	· Integration of staff from the two centres has led to workers working normal hours.
			· Centre had high staff turnover as staff members were threatened with dismissal if they complained about anything.	· The couple that managed the place was removed from the centre.
			· No trained professional staff.	· Employment of a social worker. · New management has taken over and the Child and Youth Care Workers were trained on basic child care work.
	Daily Bread	19–22/11/2002	· Lapsed court orders.	· Review of lapsed court orders and developed a mechanism to avoid lapsing of orders. · Assessments of children and integration of those who were ready to go back to their families.
			· Lack of middle management.	· Identification of potential staff for middle management.
			· Inappropriate placement of staff.	· Reshuffling of staff in order to put people who can easily catch up who had an interest in child care work.
			· Funds not properly managed.	· Re-assess the role of consultants to reduce expenditure on outsourcing services and spend more on the children's basic needs.
			· No developmental programmes rendered to the children.	· Design stimulation programs and activities for children.
			· No transport management policy and log books are not available.	· Develop policies and procedures e.g. policy on transport management and compliance.
			· Staff files have no appointment letters, conditions of service, contracts, job descriptions, etc.	· Ensure submission of work plans and reports. Draw up job descriptions.
			· There is no understanding of minimum norms and standards on child care.	· Conduct training on minimum norms and standards.
	Daily Bread	23–26/06/2009	· Multi disciplinary team not existing.	· Identification of members and role clarification. · Development of an admission policy. · Design developmental programmes for the children. · Improvement of the relationship with the external case managers. · Develop reunification programmes for the children.
			· No Monitoring and Evaluation	· Development of supervision criteria for all staff. · Monitoring of the attendance register. · Revamping the filing system. · Design a case load analysis with return dates. · Review and renewal of lapsed court orders. · Transfer of children previously placed at Gates Way to Deerfield by the social worker. · Development of the Individual Development Plan (IDPs) and Care Plan involving the Child and Youth Care Worker and the child concerned. · Training on minimum norms and standards and report writing. · Training on compilation of log book for vehicles.
			· Lack of staff development.	· Identification of training needs . · Development of a training plan and deciding on cost effective funding. · Training of the book keeper. · Full utilization of the existing security guards to extend services to the children's home.
			· Safety and security measures not adhered to.	· Development of the controlled entrance to the Children's Home. · Establishment of a visitor's register. · Provision of fire extinguishers. · Introduce regular safety drills.
			· Long working hours.	· Review of the working hours for the staff members
			· Lack of good financial management practise	· Monitoring and evaluation of the financial systems through: Ø Development of a cheque register Ø Asset register Ø Donations register Ø Procurement register Ø Institute bulk purchasing of food and clothing on a quarterly basis.

PROVINCE	NAME OF FACILITY	DATE OF EVALUATION/DQA	IRREGULARITIES IDENTIFIED	ACTION TAKEN
Free State	Bolokanang	27/3/2008	None	Not applicable
	Carpe Diem	17/02/2009	None	Not applicable
	Charlotte Theron Children's Home	19/06/2009	None	Not applicable
	David's Place	26/03/2008	None	Not applicable
	Deo Juvante	21/08/2007	None	Not applicable
	Dumisani	03/09/2008	None	Not applicable
	Eikelaan Youth Care Centre	29/01/2008	None	Not applicable
	Esperanza	18/08/2007	None	Not applicable
	Gardenia	16/10/2007	None	Not applicable
	Gladestoneweg	23/05/2008	None	Not applicable
	Hlohloloane	6/02/2008	None	Not applicable
	Lefika	28/10/2008	None	Not applicable
	Letsemeng Youth Care Centre	21/08/2007	None	Not applicable
	Maanblom	26/10/2007	None	Not applicable
	Marquard Child and Youth Care Centre	22/08/2008	None	Not applicable
	Memorial Children's Home	16/10/2007	None	Not applicable
	Nalare Tabile	26/06/2009	None	Not applicable
	Ons Kinderhuis	18/08/2007	None	Not applicable
	Presedentia	2/03/2009	None	Not applicable
	Ringerstraat	10/07/2007	None	Not applicable
	Sasolburg Youth Care Centre (1)	21/07/2008	None	Not applicable
	Sasolburg Youth Care Centre (2)	21/07/2008	None	Not applicable
	Senekal Youth Care Centre	11/02/2008	None	Not applicable
	Thusano Youth Care Centre	19/08/2008	None	Not applicable
	Van Heerden	21/ 08/2007	None	Not applicable
	Viljoenskroon Youth Care Centre	29/02/2008	None	Not applicable
	Vrede Youth Care Centre	4/09/2008	None	Not applicable
	Welkom Youth Care Centre	27/01/2009	None	Not applicable
	Welriedal Youth Care Centre (1)	27/01/2009	None	Not applicable
	Welriedal Youth Care Centre (2)	20/03/2008	None	Not applicable
	Merafong Child and Youth Care Centre	New centre evaluation report outstanding	None	Not applicable
	Winburg Children's Home	21/08/2007	None	Not applicable
	President Kruger Children's Home	7/09/2007	None	Not applicable

PROVINCE

NAME OF FACILITY

DATE OF EVALUATION

IRREGULARITIES IDENTIFIED

ACTION TAKEN

Gauteng

Nazareth House Children's Home

3-5/09/2008

· No social worker at the children's home.

· Board members are not with familiar with the legislation and policies governing the children's home.

· No Individual Development Plan (IDP) and Care Plan for each child in the home.

· Board members are not forming a quorum since some of them resigned due to old age and ill health.

· No incident register and abuse register for children

· Files of individual children does have required documents such court orders and extension orders.

· No admission policy.

· Social worker to be transferred from an Old Age Home to address children's needs.

· Training will be provided to board members on the legislation and policies.

· IDP and Care Plan will have to be designed for each child by the social worker.

· Organisation must elect new members for efficiency.

· Incident and abuse register to be put in place

· The files need to be updated.

· Case conferences/panel discussions must be held with relevant stakeholders with prior to admission.

PROVINCE	NAME OF FACILITY	DATE OF EVALUATION/DQA	IRREGULARITIES IDENTIFIED	ACTION TAKEN
Limpopo	Abraham Kriel Children's Home	September 2009	None	Not applicable
	Mtsetweni Children's Home	September 2009	None	Not applicable
	Takalani Children's Home	September 2009	None	Not applicable
	Thohoyandou Children's Home (government)	September 2009	None	Not applicable
	Polokwane Welfare Complex	During 2008	· No programmes for children and no records on children. · Ratio not in line with the norms and standards	· The Province will embark on a full scale audit of all the programmes in all the facilities. · To employ more staff which will be planned for the next financial year. (2010/2011).
	Huis Talje Children's Home	September 2009	None	Not applicable
	Samaritan Centre	September 2009	None	Not applicable
	Huis Tekna	September 2009	None	Not applicable
	Iris Children's Home	September 2009	None	Not applicable
	Thabang Children's Home	September 2009	None	Not applicable

PROVINCE	NAME OF FACILITY	DATE OF EVALUATION/DQA	IRREGULARITIES IDENTIFIED	ACTION TAKEN
Mpumalanga	SOS Children's Home	March 2009	None	Not applicable
	Theresa Willis Home of Hope	March 2009	None	Not applicable
	Louis Hildebrandt Children's Home	March 2009	None	Not applicable
	Uzwelo Children's Home	March 2009	None	Not applicable
	Middleburg Care Village	March 2009	None	Not applicable
	Bethesda Home of Hope	March 2009	None	Not applicable
	Belfast Children's Home	February 2009	· A concern was raised by a parent that her child was sodomised by other children and the Child and Youth Care Worker was assisting.	· A criminal case was opened, but subsequently the case was dismissed due to lack of evidence. · The Child and Youth Care Worker resigned.

PROVINCE	NAME OF FACILITY	DATE OF EVALUATION/DQA	IRREGULARITIES IDENTIFIED	ACTION TAKEN
Northern Cape	Kestell Children's Home	19/04/2009	None	Not applicable
	Christina Kiddie	19/03/2008	None	Not applicable
	Sinothando (HIV and AIDS infected and affected)	7/05/2008	None	Not applicable
	Helen Bishop (Children with disabilities	9/04/2008	None	Not applicable
	Jannie Roux	19/03/2008	None	Not applicable
	Tsolofelo Children's Home	September 2009	None	Not applicable
	VGK Kinder Herberg	4/03/1991 1-2/1/2004	None	Not applicable
	Bright Lights	4/03/1991 22/06/2005 18/03/2008	None	Not applicable

PROVINCE	NAME OF FACILITY	DATE OF EVALUATION/DQA	IRREGULARITIES IDENTIFIED	ACTION TAKEN
North West	Abraham Kriel Children's Home		None	Not applicable
	Boikagong Children's Home	During 1995	None	Not applicable
	Rethabile Children's Home	December 2006	· No admission register. · · No feedback from the provincial Department of Social Development after an evaluation was done.	· Registers put in place. · Feedback is given after every evaluation process.

QUESTION NO. 650

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 07 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 7)

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

(1) Whether a moratorium is currently in place on the employment of SADC health personnel in South Africa; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether this moratorium will be lifted; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW737E

REPLY:

(1) It is policy not a moratorium. It arises from the fact that South Africa has an obligation to assist neighbouring countries and other developing countries in the African continent in strengthening its health systems especially in the health workforce area. As a result South Africa recognizes various international recruitment codes of practice issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), bilateral and multilateral agreements and recruitment protocols that exist, particularly in the context of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU). These codes of practice and protocols are aimed at precluding the uncontrolled recruitment of health professionals that could prejudice the healthcare systems of developing countries. Because South Africa has a stronger economy than many countries in SADC, health professionals from these countries, particularly medical doctors would prefer to work in South Africa than in their countries of birth, in the same way that some South African doctors prefer to work in European countries than in their country of birth. South Africa assists SADC countries by also reserving a limited number of training spaces in the medical schools for under and post-graduate studies. Upon graduating these health professionals are expected to go back to their countries so that they can play a role in strengthening their countries' health systems. Please note that having a policy not to recruit actively from SADC countries does not mean that doctors from those countries are barred from working in South Africa if they choose to on their own accord. It simply means that in terms of this policy, we do not recruit them but individual labor rights and human rights still apply.

(2) There is currently no need to reverse the policy as this could lead to undermining of the recruitment protocols and agreements as stated in (1) above. It would also cause serious challenges for neighbouring countries in terms of the loss of their health personnel to South Africa. The SADC Protocol on Health signed by the Presidents in 1999 precludes uncontrolled recruitment among its Member States. South Africa's approach is to assist in a developmental manner than to look only at its own needs.

QUESTION 645 (WRITTEN REPLY) 7 AUGUST 2009

Mr S.J. Masango (DA) to ask the MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS:

(1) Whether all former members of Parliament have vacated their houses in parliamentary villages; if not, (a) what are the names of the former MPs who have not vacated the houses and (b) why have they not vacated the houses;

(2) Whether legal notices were issued and served on them to vacate the houses; if not; why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) Whether any MPs are being accommodated in any establishment other than a parliamentary village; if so , (a) who are these MPs and (b) what are the details in each case of their accommodation in respect of (i) where they are accommodated, (ii) what is the (aa) daily and (bb) monthly cost involved and (iii) how long (aa) have they been staying there and (bb) will they continue staying there ;

(4) Whether all new MPs who require housing have been allocated houses in parliamentary villages; if not; (a) why not and (b) how many have not been allocated houses?

NW731E

REPLY:

(1) There are seven (7) former MPs who still occupy residences in the Parliamentary Villages. However, these are not residences allocated for Members of Parliament as they( the MPs concerned) have been relocated to smaller units.

(a) Ms P Daniels;

Mr KM Khumalo;

Mr E Magubane;

Mr MS Moatshe;

Mr MI Moss;

Mr SN Nxumalo; and

Mr B Xuma.

(b) The former MPs have requested an extension of time due to the fact that they have school- going children, for whom they are seeking alternative schooling facilities.

(2) All 7 former MPs referred to above have been issued with a notice to vacate their respective residences by no later than 31 August 2009. Failure to do so will result in the matter being referred to the State Attorney for eviction proceedings to be initiated.

(3) MPs are only accommodated in the three Parliamentary Villages, ie. Acacia Park, Laboria Park and Pelican Park.

(4) All new MPs are currently being accommodated in the Parliamentary Villages, including those sworn in on 6 August 2009.

Question 640

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 04 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 640-2009)

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

REPLY:

(1) There was no cost analysis undertaken on the implementation of the South African Languages Bill (SALB) per se.

--- -

(4) As a result. more financial resources will have to be allocated.

(6) However, there are plans to resubmit the Bill for consideration by Cabinet. As soon as permission is obtained to do so, the costing exercise will be carried out.

QUESTION 637

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: Aug 2009

Internal question paper no:

Ms H Lamoela (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

(1) How many incidents of corruption occurred in the past four financial years involving (a) departmental officials and (b) staff of entities reporting to her department;

(2) in each case, (a) on what date was (i) the complaint first raised, (ii) an investigation first initiated and (iii) a report submitted on the outcome of the case; (b) what is the (i) name and (ii) position of the persons who were investigated; (c) what was the outcome of the investigation and (d) what was the (i) financial and (ii) service delivery impact of the above on the department and entities reporting to it;

(3) whether any steps were taken against the persons who were found guilty of corruption; if not, why not; if so, with regard to each person who was found guilty, (a) what are their names, (b) on what charges were they found guilty, (c) what was the recommendation of the investigation report and (d) what steps were taken against them? NW732E

REPLY:

NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (DSD)

(1) (a) None in DSD

(2) and (3) falls away.

SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIAL SECURITY AGENCY

(1)(b) SASSA was established in April 2006 hence information is only available from the 2006/07 financial year. SASSA is mandated to administer the application, processing, approval and payment of social grants. This reply has been constructed with detail in included in the attached annexure and is limited to the interpretation of fraud (see footnote).[1] This data is limited to the disciplinary cases that were dealt internally within the Agency and excludes the national project of the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) which is tasked with identifying social security fraud within the entire public service.

(1) (a), (b), (c) and (d) (i) refer to annexure included herewith

(ii) In instances where officials were placed on precautionary suspension, their absence in the workplace creates operational challenges. Managers whose sub-ordinates have been placed on suspension strategize to ensure that the void created does not adversely affect service delivery.

Operational challenges are addressed through job rotation, alternative utilization of staff with special focus on skills development. We have also ensured that existing staff were optimally utilized through job enrichment. This has required that performance agreements and work plans be amended to accommodate additional responsibilities. Where there was a lack of additional capacity to address precautionary suspension challenges, the Agency made use of contract employees.

(2) (a), (b), (c) and (d) refer to annexure included herewith.

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (NDA)

(1) (b) One incident of corruption was reported in the 2006/2007 financial year

(2) (a) (i) May 2006;

(ii) A forensic investigation by the Auditor-General was initiated in June 2006;

(iii) A forensic investigation report was submitted by the Auditor-General.

(b) (i) Sheila Kgomotso O'Reilly

(ii) Accounts Clerk.

(d) (i) R8.7 million misappropriation

(ii) Money destined for NDA funded projects was misappropriated.

(3) Yes, the NDA instituted disciplinary hearings against Ms O'Reilly who was found guilty and dismissed. The fraud was also reported to the Police and Ms O'Reilly was arrested.

(a) Sheilla Kgomotso O'Reilly;

(b) fraud;

(d) Disciplinary enquiries were held and all managers affected were exonerated from any wrongdoing.

[1] Financial implications: It must be noted that among the reported fraud cases from SASSA, some are monetary and in some are not. Those that do not reflect amounts are cases whereby the offence could not be quantified in monetary terms. Mainly it is where the fraud was due to false information provided, attempted and failed monetary fraud transactions which did not lead to any financial loss to the Agency.

Recovery of Monies: Where officials acknowledged debt to SASSA, monies were recovered. In other cases the monies involved were those belonging to 3^rd parties (beneficiaries and service providers) and as such the Agency does not have jurisdiction to litigate the recovering of such monies. Where necessary, the Agency is open to assisting third parties who need evidence or support related to proceeding with litigation on non financial transgressions.

QUESTION 632

Date of publication on internal question paper: 7 August 2009

Internal question paper no: 8

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

(1) Whether a certain person (name and details furnished)*, has resigned from his position; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,

(2) whether the said person resigned voluntarily, if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what were the details of his exit report and (b) what is the detailed breakdown of his severance package;

(3) whether there will be any inquiry into the matter; if not, why not, if so, when will the findings of the inquiry be made available?

REPLY:

Honourable Member;

(1) Yes;

(2) Yes

(a) The exit interview took place on 17 August 2009. However, the exit interview has not yet been finalised as it yet has to be submitted to the Board. The exit interview was conducted by the deputy chairperson of the Board and

(b) The Board negotiated an exit package to the value of R 1 310 112, 00, which was accepted;

(3) No, the resignation was voluntarily.

2009-08-19

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