Questions & Replies: Question & Replies No 776 to 800

A link between the Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) and the University of Cape Town (UCT) is operational, allowing researchers at UCT to make use of the CHPC supercomputing facilities.

(ii) As the national backbone network has not yet been completed, it is not easy to assess the total impact of SANReN on the institutions using it. However, these institutions now have incredibly fast connections among themselves, and can transfer large amounts of data among themselves quite easily. Costs have remained the same, but local connectivity has been drastically improved (by 50 to 100 times).

Due to SANReN's connectivity, Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) was able to successfully take part in international Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) experiments which promoted the country's standing in the international radio-astronomy field.

The SANReN connection has made it possible to post large volumes of VLBI data recorded on disk packs at HartRAO to mirror servers in Johannesburg, to which HartRAO had a 10 gigabits per second connection. This rescued several VLBI experiments which had been threatened with failure owing to a sudden lack of local storage space related to disk import problems. The normal incoming international Internet bandwidth supplied by SANReN to HartRAO is one megabit per second and costs approximately R15 000 per month.

The SANReN's Internet access facilitates research by providing excellent access to the electronically published astronomical journals and rapid communication and data transfer to collaborating researchers across the globe. Cost savings from the SANReN circuits have allowed HartRAO to afford additional international bandwidth in support of these efforts.

2. SANReN has contracted with both Telkom SA Limited and Neotel, the two largest licensed communications service providers in South Africa. Neotel installed the Johannesburg network for SANReN, Telkom provided the circuits from Hartebeesthoek to Johannesburg and Pretoria, and has been contracted to deploy the SANReN national backbone network.

An agreement was entered into between SANReN and Tertiary Education Network (TENET). Through TENET, institutions have purchased a very high-speed (10 gigabits per second) circuit between South Africa and London on the recently commissioned SEACOM submarine cable. This circuit will connect SANReN to other research and education networks worldwide and to the Internet generally.

On 25 June 2009, the Independent Communications Authority of Southern Africa awarded the CSIR licence exemption under the Electronic Communications Act. This means that the CSIR may now roll out a network without any assistance from licensed operators if it so wishes.

3. (a) The budget allocated under the original three-year contract was in fact R367,1 million over the three-year period ending 31 March 2010. The expenditure is still within the budget of R367,1 million.

(b) Original conceptual planning was to connect 50 sites nationally which were supposed to be covered by the original budget allocation. Additional funding had to be requested when it became clear that there were a number of institutions that had not been included on the original list but had to be connected to SANReN. Secondly, the first quotes from service providers for connectivity exceeded the allocated budget considerably.

During the planning and roll-out of SANReN, it became clear that some institutions not on the original list (because of their proximity to those on the original list) might be serviced in a cost-effective basis by incrementally extending the current roll-out plans to them in view of their proximity to those on the original list. The SANReN team decided to extend the network in all cases where this was applicable to, for example, Tshwane University of Technology, the University of Johannesburg New Doornfontein Campus (old Witwatersrand Technikon), Cape Peninsula University of Technology, and the National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria (one of the National Research Foundation's national research facilities).

On the other hand, there are a number of rural campuses like Limpopo University that formed part of the original SANReN contract for which high-speed connections would be incredibly expensive. Typically, such sites are situated in very remote areas with inadequate telecommunications facilities at their disposal.

Furthermore, there are some institutions in rural areas that were not included in the original list, such as the Universities of Venda, Zululand and Fort Hare. Other examples include the Vaal Triangle campuses, and a number of Unisa campuses, all of which require connection to SANReN.

(c)(i) So far, SANReN has not been contractually awarded any additional funding. While there is as yet no contract beyond March 2010, the DST has indicated that further funding of SANReN is under consideration.

4. (a) Operational expenditure of the network (operational costs such as hosting of equipment in data centres and peering fees) was not included in the original budget. The funding was to be used primarily as capital investment to lower the cost of connectivity for institutions.

5. (a)(i) TENET, a section 21 company, currently purchases connectivity from telecommunication providers on behalf of its participating institutions. The current yearly expenditure (through TENET) on research and education networking, including general Internet services by institutions in South Africa, is approximately R100 million.

The above figure includes local and international connectivity costs, as well as other operational costs. When SANReN is completed, it is expected that these costs will remain similar in scale, although the bandwidth that institutions receive will increase at least 20 times for international bandwidth, and between 50 and 100 times for local bandwidth. Currently SANReN does not charge participating institutions.

(ii) According to TENET, approximately R8 million per year is spent directly on overhead costs (staff, rent, professional services, travel).

(iii) About R90 million per annum is spent on providing telecommunications services nationally and internationally using companies such as Internet Solutions, Neotel and Telkom SA Limited, and providing network monitoring services.

(b) The intention is for TENET to recover SANReN's operational costs from participating institutions, while providing those operational services. It is expected that the brunt of operational costs will decrease as SANReN reaches more institutions, though the exact amounts have not yet been determined.

QUESTION NO 791

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 14 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 9)

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

Whether her department has agreed to an allocation of water to be piped from the Glen Melville Dam, sourced from the Gariep Dam, to alleviate an anticipated shortage of water in the Ndlambe municipality; if not, what plans are in place to ensure a sustainable supply of water to the Ndlambe municipality; if so, (a) when will this allocation of water be available to the Ndlambe municipality, (b) what will the cost of this water scheme be and (c) who will be responsible for funding the scheme? NW921E

REPLY:

No, My Department has not agreed to give a Water Allocation Sourced from the Gariep Dam to the Ndlambe Local Municipality (LM). The municipality has however been informed that a licence will be considered, and if approved will be subject to a number of conditions, such as being granted for a period of between 15 and 20 years; that the existing water resources are still utilised, and that further research be conducted to search for more local supplies.

Should a licence for water sourced from the Gariep Dam be approved, the entitlement will have to be bought out from a willing seller who already has an allocation at present since the yield of the dam has already been fully allocated.

One of the considerations to be taken into account in assessing the license is the "efficient and beneficial use of water in the public interest". To do this, My Department must be sure that the proposed project to take the water from the Orange River System is the best available option.

From the Feasibility Study report for the project made available to My Department, it was ascertained that only the Glen Melville option was studied in detail to supply the total water needs of the area for the next 10 to 15 years. No other alternatives as recommended in the recent Departmental study titled "Albany Coast Situation Assessment" were studied in any comparable detail. The fact that the recommended alternatives from the Albany Coast Situation Assessment were ignored is of particular concern. A proper comparison taking into account all possible alternatives must now be done to enable a decision based on the optimum long-term environmentally sustainable, socially and economically beneficial use of water for the greater society.

As mentioned above, the recently completed Albany Coast Situation Assessment sets out the way forward for the future of Ndlambe LM's Water Supply. The search and development of local and especially groundwater resources was recommended as the next development option, as well as other options such as desalination and partial desalination of dune water or saline groundwater. In support of the recommendations of the study, My Department has already spent more than R2, 5 million on groundwater searches, and very promising results have come to light. My Department is convinced that the development of local resources will be far cheaper, and equally sustainable a source as water from the Gariep Dam.

-2-

(a) Falls away

(b) Falls away

(c) Falls away

QUESTION NO 790

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 14 AUGUST 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 91

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

Whether her department has made funding available to the Albany Coast Water Board to allow for the refurbishment of the desalination plants operated by the board; if so, (a) what amount was made available and (b) when will the money be transferred to the board; if not, (i) why not, (ii) what measures will be put in place to ensure that the board meets the current and anticipated demand for water in the area and (iii) when will these measures be in place?

REPLY:

(a) No. Albany Coast Water Board has recently approached My Department to make an amount of R 2.47 million available as grant funding for the refurbishment of their desalination plant. A submission is being considered by My Department.

(b) The money will be transferred to the board as soon as the request is approved.

(b)(i) Falls away

(b)(ii) If approved the R 2.47 million requested from My Department and a further R 1.6 million that will be funded by Kenton Eco-Estate (a private real-state developer) will be utilised to refurbish the three desalination plants, this will restore operating capacity and will enable the water Board to effectively meet the current and anticipated demand.

(b )(iii) The measures will be in place after

QUESTION 788

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: 14 August 2009

Internal question paper no: 9

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

(1) Whether his department will investigate the backlogs in the review of foster care grants in every province; if not, why not; if so, (a) when and (b) how;

(2) whether his department will take remedial action with regard to the backlogs in the review of foster care grants in every province; if not, why not; if so, what action;

(3) whether the foster care review backlogs have any impact on the quality of life of children; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(4) what is the extent of the backlog in each province?

REPLY:

Honourable Member,

(1) Yes, backlogs in the expired Foster Child Grants are monitored monthly. A weekly or monthly report can be obtained from the Social Pensions System (Socpen) per region / province on both expired Foster Child Grants and the number of reviews completed with respect to these grants.

(2) The target for the review of expired Foster Child Grants for the current financial year for each region are as follows:[1]

(3) Payment of a Foster Child Grant is not suspended when a Foster Child Grant falls into backlog. Payment is only suspended when the foster parent is duly informed to come to the office to have the Foster Child Grant reviewed and fails to do so. The foster parent is informed three months in advance to come in and have their Foster Child Grant reviewed. If they fail to do so, they are given a notice for an additional three months to review the grant, failure of which will result in the suspension of payment. If the foster parent continues to fail to obtain an extended court order within this 6 month or 90 day period and fail to review their Foster Child Grant, then payment of the grant is suspended. The foster parent is informed of a further 3 month period to have their Foster Child Grant restored. If they review and continue to be eligible, they receive payment from the date the grant was suspended. In actuality foster parents have 9 months or 270 days within which to have their foster child grants reviewed and obtain an extended court order without losing any payments. The suspension of payment of a Foster Child Grant when a foster parent fails to review may have no impact on a child as the child may no longer be in the care of the foster parent. There may be an impact when a child continues to be in foster care and the social worker fails to obtain an extension order and payment is suspended. The nature and extent of the impact is outside the current operational mandate of SASSA.

(4) The extent of Foster Child Grant backlogs in respective regions as at 17 August 2009 are as follows:

[1] EC – Eastern Cape, FS – Free State, GP – Gauteng Province, KZN – Kwa-Zulu Natal, LP – Limpopo Province, MP – Mpumalanga Province, NC – Northern Cape, WC – Western Cape.

the request to grant-funding has been considered and approved.

QUESTION 787

Date of publication on internal question paper: 14 Aug 2009

Internal question paper no: 9

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

(1) What (a) was the cost of each of the 40 fully equipped, mobile trucks that were purchased by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to service rural areas and (b) are the cost implications in terms of (i) maintenance, (ii) value depreciation and (iii) storage fees when they are parked;

(2) whether the financial implications that caused 30 of these trucks to be grounded was due to poor management; if not, (a) why are the trucks grounded and (b) what action is being taken to ensure that these grounded trucks are utilized; if so, what are the relevant details:

(3) whether a needs analysis was done prior to the purchase of these trucks; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW917E

REPLY:

(1) (a) The cost of incurred by the Agency to procure the 40 mobile units is R49 686 665. This gives an average cost of R1, 242 167 per mobile unit.

(b) (i) The amount of R232 817 was incurred for the maintenance cost of the mobile units.

(ii) A 20% per annum depreciation value is being provided for the mobile units.

(iii) No parking cost has been incurred as these mobile units are parked in Agency district offices.

(2) No.

(a) The budgetary constraints have forced the Agency not to utilize all of these mobile units.

(b) The Agency is reviewing its budget allocation with a view to identify funds to ensure all these mobile units are utilized.

(3) Yes, a need analysis was done the former Bantustans areas and deep rural areas were targeted together with the poorest municipal areas where the services were not being accessed by the prospective beneficiaries which were informed by the multiple Deprivation Indices reports on child poverty information by Statistics South Africa in 2005.

QUESTION NO 786

(Internal Question Paper No 9 - 2009)

Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:

(a) Which municipalities were in arrears with their levies to the SA Local Government Association for the 2008-09 financial year and (b) how are the levies currently calculated?

ANSWER

(a)

1. EASTERN CAPE = 26

2. FREE STATE = 11

3. GAUTENG = Nil

4. KWAZULU NATAL = n/a

5. LIMPOPO = 6

6. MPUMALANGA = 2 7

7. NORTHERN CAPE = 18

8. NORTH WEST = 7

9. WESTERN CAPE = 9

TOTAL = 79

(B) The levy formula is as follows for the 2009/10 financial year:

Local Municipalities = 0,05% of its salary budget (minimum threshold of R100, 000) District Municipalities = 0.6% of its salary budget (minimum threshold of R120, 000) Metropolitan Municipalities = R8, 500 000 Flat rate

QUESTION NO 785

(Internal Question Paper No 9 - 2009)

Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:

(a) Which 32 municipalities and (b) in which provinces had funds stopped in terms of section 27 of the Division of Revenue Act, Act 2 of 2008, in the 2008-09 financial year as part of their municipal infrastructure grant

ANSWER

Funds were stopped in 33 and not 32 municipalities in terms of section 27 of the Division of Revenue Act, Act 2 of 2008, in the 2008-09 financial year as part of their municipal infrastructure grant. Funds were stopped in 33 municipalities in 9 Provinces as per the table below:

QUESTION NO 784

(Internal Question Paper No 9 - 2009)

Mr W P Doman (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:

(1) Whether the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities have been suspended; if so, for what reasons;

(2) whether any steps have been or will be taken against the CEO; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

ANSWER

(1) No, the CEO's was never suspended, but the contract lapsed on 31 July 2009.

(2) No steps will be taken as the contract legally came to an end and a new process of appointing new CEO is in place.

QUESTION 783

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [NO 9-2009]

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 AUGUST 2009

783. Mrs A Steyn (DA) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:

(1) (a) How many farms have been distributed in each province in terms of the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS) and (b) what was the total cost incurred, per province, to acquire these farms;

(2) whether any beneficiaries have benefited from this programme; if not, (a) why not and (b) why are there no programmes in place to assist these beneficiaries; if so, (i) how many, (ii) what support is given and (iii) what monitoring is taking place?

THE MINISTER FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM

(1)(a) & (b) Please refer to the table below, noting that the total extent of farms distributed in terms of the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS) is 529,898.5896 hectares.

(2) Yes.

(a) & (b) Fall away.

(i) 1 443 beneficiaries.

(ii) Potential beneficiaries have access to land via lease or caretakership agreements.

(iii) The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is currently developing a settlement support programme which will include capacity building and monitoring of farms distributed in terms of PLAS. Finally, an amount of R250 million has been earmarked for this programme in the 2009/2010 financial year.

QUESTION NO 781

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 9 - 2009)

Date reply submitted : 4 September 2009

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

(1) Whether the e-docket system has been implemented in any police station in the country; if not, (a) why not and (b) what are the reasons for the delay in implementing the e-docket system in all police stations; if so, (i) in which stations and (ii) since when has it been in operation;

(2) whether he and the SA Police Service regards the e-docket system as important; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is being done to address the problems with the delay in implementation and (b) when will the system be implemented countrywide?

REPLY:

(1) (a) Yes, the capability to scan the content of dockets has already been implemented at 143 police stations countrywide. This capability is enabling the SAPS to use this as a building block to evolve into a full electronic case docket. (E-Docket).

(b) The SAPS is following a phased-in approach with the implementation. However, the successful implementation is dependent on the availability of suitable scanners, network, resources and the upgrading of the network.

(i) The solution has been implemented in the following provinces and stations:

GAUTENG

Alexandra Actonville

Akasia Alberton

Bedfordview Benoni

Boksburg Boksburg North

Booysens Brackendowns

Brakpan Bramley

Brixton Bronkhorstspruit

Brooklyn Carltonville

Cleveland Cullinan

Daveyton De Deur

Diepkloof Dobsonville

Douglasdale Edenvale

Eldorado Park Elsburg

Ennerdale Erasmia

Etwatwa Evaton

Florida Ga-Rankuwa

Garsfontein Germiston

Heidelberg (Gauteng) Hercules

Hillbrow Honeydew

Ivory park Jabulani

Jeppe Johannesburg Central

Kagiso Katlehong

Kempton Park Kliptown

Krugersdorp Kwathema

Lenasia Lenasia south

Linden Loate

Lyttelton Mabopane

Mamelodi Mamelodi East

Meadowlands Meyerton

Midrand Mondeor

Moroka Naledi

Norkempark Norwood

Orange Farms Orlando

Parkview Pretoria Central

Pretoria Moot Pretoria north

Pretoria West Primrose

Protea Glen Rabie Ridge

Randburg Randfontein

Rietgat Roodepoort

Sandringham Sandton

Sebokeng Sharpeville

Silverton Sinoville

Sophia Town Soshanguve

Springs Sunnyside

Temba Tembisa

Tokoza Tsakane

Vanderbijlpark Vereeniging

Villieria Vosloorus

Wedela Westonaria

Wierdabrug Yeoville

KWAZULU-NATAL:

Alexandra Road Amanzimtoti

Berea Brighton Beach

Cato Manor Chatsworth

Durban Central Greenwood Park

Hillcrest Inanda

Isipingo Kwa Mashu

Kwadabeka Kwadukuza

Ladysmith Margate

Montclair Newcastle

Phoenix Pietermaritzburg

Pinetown Plessislaer

Point Port Shepstone

Ulundi Umbilo

Umlazi Verulam

Vryheid

LIMPOPO

Modimolle

NORTHERN CAPE

Roodepan

MPUMALANGA

Middelburg (Mmpumalanga)

WESTERN CAPE

Cape Town Central Khayelitsha

Mitchells Plain Nyanga

Paarl East Worcester

NORTH WEST

Christiana Leeudoringstad

Mogwase Schweizer-Reneke

Stella

(ii) The solution was first implemented as a pilot solution at Cullinan on

1 July 2008. After a two-month monitoring period the further roll-out of this capability to the rest of the stations started on 1 September 2008.

(2) (a) and (b) This solution is very important because it will definitely contribute towards eradicating corruption and speeding up the judiciary process. This will also prevent information being lost as a result of lost, sold or stolen dockets.

To speed up the implementation process additional resources have been assigned in all the provinces to assist with the distribution and implementation of scanners and computers. The SAPS is also at present busy with a major network upgrade process as a prerequisite for the implementation of this capability.

Depending on the availability of the required funds to purchase scanners and to complete the network upgrade, the SAPS plans to conclude the implementation of this scanning solution to all stations and investigation units by the end of March 2014.

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 August 2009

Ms L D Mazibuko (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) (a) What entity do professional hunters register with and (b) how many professional hunters are registered;

(2) whether there is a prescribed limit to the number of registered hunters permitted; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

MS L D MAZIBUKO (DA)

SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

779. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) (a) Professional hunters have to apply for a professional hunter's license from the provincial conservation authority in the province where they wish to hunt.

(b) The Department does not keep a register of how many professional hunters are registered; this information is kept by provincial conservation authorities.

(2) There is no prescribed limit to the number of registered hunters permitted in any of the provincial conservation ordinances/acts.

QUESTION NO 778

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: MONDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 14 AUGUST 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 9 – 2009)

Mr G R Morgan (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:

(1) Whether SA National Roads Agency Ltd (Sanral) has conducted a study to determine the effect that the location of the Marianhill toll plaza on the N3 road has on truck volumes on the M13 road; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether Sanral will consider moving the existing toll plaza closer to Hammarsdale in order to prevent the diversion of trucks onto the M13 road; if so, what are the relevant details; if not,

(3) whether he will launch any other initiative to minimise the diversion of trucks onto the M13 road; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

(1) As will be appreciated by the Honourable Member, there are a myriad of reasons why trucks would use the M13. These are not only related to the location of the Marianhill Toll Plaza. The location of the overload control weighbridge at Marianhill also influences the route that truckers use.

Two scenarios are considered here:

· Firstly, the location of the Toll Plaza at Marianhill on the N3 toll section between Paradise Valley to Key Ridge; and

· secondly, the location of the overload control weighbridge at Marianhill, south of the Toll Plaza.

However, the diversion of traffic to the M13 is considered minimal (and most of it is local traffic) as the traffic volumes monitored at the Toll Plaza have always shown an increase in traffic over the years. The South African National Roads

Agency Limited (SANRAL) also understands that the provincial traffic department imposed restrictions on heavy vehicles not to use the M13 between 06:00 and 08:00 daily in order to reduce congestion on this road.

(2) SANRAL is investigating various options in connection with this road, including the improvement and upgrading of the N3 between Durban and Pietermaritzburg (including the addition of a third lane on both the north and southbound carriageways between Cato Ridge and Town Hill).

(3) As alluded to above under (1), the control and effective law enforcement on the M13, together with the application of load restriction, would minimise any unlawful diversions.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

WRITTEN TO ORAL REPLY

QUESTION 977

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28/08/09

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 12-2009)


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

Whether he has taken any steps with regard to suspending import duties or on finding other means of reducing the cost of imported prescribed text books for university students, especially in the disciplines of science and medicine; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1178E

REPLY:

I would like to recommend that the Minister of Trade and Industry be approached for a reply as tariffs and related duties are determined by the Ministry of Trade and Industry in consultation with the International Trade and Administration Commission. I will however explore this possibility in the near future and ask my officials to consult with the Department of Trade and Industry

QUESTION NO. 777

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 9 of 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 August 2009

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

(1) Whether SANParks has plans to move any section of the boundary fence of the Kruger National Park to allow for a specific area where hunting will be allowed ; if so, (a) what area of the boundary fence will be affected and (b) how will this be adjusted in light of the fact that hunting is prohibited in national parks;

(2) whether such a move will be subject to obtaining an environmental authorization from a designated authority; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether there will be a consultation process with (a) surrounding communities and (b) the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

MR G R MORGAN (DA)

SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

777. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) No.

(2) No.

QUESTION NO. 776

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 9 of 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 August 2009

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

(1) Whether the European Union (EU) is planning to institute a catch document scheme on fish imports from South Africa; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details of this requirement;

(2) whether there are plans in place to ensure that exports to the EU comply with the requirements; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether there are cost implications for the department in complying with these requirements; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, what are the relevant details;

(4) what was the total tonnage of fish exported to the EU in (a) 2007 and (b) 2008?

NW905E

MR G.R. MORGAN (DA)

SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

776. HE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) Yes. The EU Member States have reached an agreement to institute a Catch Document Scheme on fish imports from all over the world. The Scheme will be introduced from 1 January 2010 in order to improve traceability of all marine fisheries products being imported into the EU.

(2) Yes. South Africa has held ongoing bilateral discussions with the EU on the acceptability of South Africa's current export permits in ensuring the traceability of fish and fish products in order to comply with the EU regulations.

(3) If the EU accepts South Africa's current export permits, there will not be additional cost implications for the country.

(4)(a) 22 362 260 kg.

(4)(b) 2008 data will be available by 31 March 2010 as the processing of data is collated by Customs.

QUESTION NO 775

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 775

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 14 AUGUST2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 91

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

(1) Whether her department has conducted an investigation into the quality of water flowing out of the Rooiwal Power Station into the Apies River; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether her department has investigated the effect that the sewage treatment plant on the old Warm bath road is having on the Apies River; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether any strategies are in place to monitor the general health of the Apies River; if not, why not; if 50, what strategies?

REPLY:

(1) Yes. This is done as part of the monthly monitoring programme conducted in the Apies River Catchment. The monitoring programme was implemented in the late 1980's and no significant pollution arose due to the Rooiwal Power Station.

However, the water quality of the Apies River (like other streams in urban areas) shows an increasing trend in sewage relate"d pollutants (Chemical Oxygen Demand, Total Dissolved Solids, Ammonia-Nitrates, Phosphates and Faecal-Coli forms). The main source of the pollutants in the Apies River is rather from the Rooiwal Sewage Treatment Works. The problem was identified last year and communicated to the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. Operational plans were implemented to dear with immediate threats, while long terms plans are underway to rectify the infrastructural problems.

(2) Yes, My Department appointed specialists to conduct a performance audit on the Rooiwal Sewage Treatment Works. This was done during November 2008 and the results of the audit were communicated to the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. The Municipality is in the process of upgrading the Rooiwal Sewage Treatment Works to address the problems that were identified

(3) Yes, a monitoring program is in place. Samples are collected on a monthly basis and analyzed by an accredited laboratory for physical, chemical and microbiological constituents. Records are kept on the Departmental Water Management System (WMS).

This system is used to identify problems (such as in the case of the Rooiwal Sewage Treatment Works) and appropriate actions are taken to ensure the protection of the water resource.