Question & Replies No 751 to 775

2009-08-31

Search this file by selecting Ctrl + F on your keyboard

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

QUESTION NO 751

(Internal Question Paper No 9 - 2009)

Ms A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:

(1) Whether all provinces have established disaster management centres in accordance with section 29 of the Disaster Management Act, Act 57 of 2002; if not, (a) which provinces have not yet done so and (b) what action is being taken to ensure that such centres are established; if so, what are the relevant details per province;

(2) whether all municipalities have established disaster management centres in accordance with section 43 of the Act; if not, (a) which municipalities have not yet done so and (b) what action is being taken to ensure that such centres are established;

(3) whether all provinces have submitted acceptable and appropriate disaster management plans to the national centre in accordance with section 38 of the Act; if not, (a) which provinces have not submitted acceptable and appropriate plans to the national centre and (b) what action is being taken to ensure that such acceptable and appropriate disaster management plans are in place; if so, what are the relevant details per province;

(4) whether all municipalities have submitted acceptable and appropriate disaster management plans to the national centre in accordance with section 53 of the Act; if not, which municipalities have not submitted acceptable and appropriate plans to the national centre; if so, what are the relevant details;

(5) whether all (a) provinces and (b) municipalities have submitted annual reports to the national centre in accordance with sections 36 and 50 of the Act; if not, which (i) provinces and (ii) municipalities have not submitted acceptable and appropriate plans to the national centre; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

ANSWER

(1) Not all provinces have established disaster management centres in accordance with section 29 of the Disaster Management Act, Act 57 of 2002.

(a) The Northern Cape is the only province that has not yet established a disaster management centre. The reason being financial and capacity constraints. Mpumalanga Province currently operates a satellite centre. The permanent centre is under construction and will be completed at the end of November 2009.

(b) Several discussions have been held and submissions have been made to National Treasury in an attempt to secure funds to assist provinces to establish fully operational disaster management centres.

(c) The relevant details of the Provincial Disaster Management Centres that have been established are as follows:

Province	Physical Address	Tel/Cell	e-mail address	Head of Centre/Comments

Eastern Cape	Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs Ground Floor Tyamzashe Buiding Bisho	0824953107	[email protected]	Mr Peter Hlazo The Department is also intending to establish a stand alone Disaster Management Centre. The Department of Public Works is assisting in this regard.








Free State	Provincial Disaster Management Centre MANCOFS Building Dr. Belcher Road Pelonomi Hospital Bloemfontein	0828256514	[email protected]	Ms Princess Sekulisa





Gauteng	Cnr Tonnetti / Old Pretoria Road Continuity SA Unit 4 Midrand	082 785 1950	[email protected]	Mr Colin Deiner




KwaZulu- Natal	Wadley House 115 Jabu Ndlovu Street Pietermaritzbura	033-897 5670 082 955 1056	[email protected]	Mr Mthokozisi Duze



Limpopo Province	20^th -12 Avenue Industria Polokwane 0701	015-284 5270 083 290 3570	[email protected]	Ms MG Makhurupelje
					I


Mpumalanga	Satellite Centre: Mbombela Station Fire 150 Henshall Street Nelspruit	082476001	[email protected]	Mr Slykie Dhludhlu The permanent Centre is under construction. The project will be completed in November 2009.






North West	Temporary Centre: 36 James Watt Crescent Mafikeng	083 654 8946	[email protected]	Acting Head: Mr T Watson-Thomas Land has been secured. Awaiting capital funds to build the permanent disaster manaaement centre.







Western Cape	Tygerberg Hospital Francie van Zijl Avenue Parow 7500	021-9370809	[email protected]	Acting Head: Ms J Pandaram

(2) In terms of section 43 of the Disaster Management Act, 2002) only Metropolitan and District Municipalities must establish a disaster management centre.

(a) The following municipalities have not done so due to financial constraints:

Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Eastern Cape

Xhariep District Municipality, Free State

Sedibeng District Municipality, Gauteng

Metsweding Distirct Municipality, Gauteng

Ethekwini Metroplitan Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal

Uthukela District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal

Amajuba District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal

Umkhanyakude District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal

Sisonke District Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal

Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo

Capricorn District Municipality, Limpopo

Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality, Limpopo

Gert Sibande District Municipality, Mpumalanga

Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Mpumalanga

John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, Northern Cape

Namakwa District Municipality, Northern Cape

Cape Winelands District Municipality, Western Cape

Central Karoo District Municipality, Western Cape

No information is available with regard to the following municipalities:

Motheo District Municipality, Free State

Lejweleputswa District Municipality, Free State

Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality, Free State

Fezile Dabi District Municipality, Free State

City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, Gauteng

Mopani District Municipality, Limpopo

Nkangala District Municipality, Mpumalanga

Frances Baard District Municipality, Northern Cape

Pixley Ka Seme District Municipality, Northern Cape

Central District Municipality, North West

(b) In view of the fact that the discussions with National Treasury on various occasions to support municipalities to establish disaster management centres by means of a start-up grant have had no positive result, the municipalities have been encouraged to rather make provision in their own budgets for this purpose or approach their relevant province for assistance.

(3) Gauteng Province is the only province that has submitted a disaster management planto the national centre in accordance with section 38 of the Act.

(a) The following provinces have not yet submitted plans:

Province		Reasons
Eastern Cape		Work is still in progress. The process is linked to the current Disaster Management Policy Development process
Free State		Plan is complete. Will submit it to the NDMC
Kwa Zulu-Natal		Plan still to be completed
Limpopo Province		Draft disaster management plan submitted to the Executive Management for approval prior to submitting it to the NDMC.
Mpumalanga		A draft disaster management plan is available
North West		Plan still to be completed
Northern Cape		In process of appointing a Service Provider to assist the PDMC to develop a plan
Western Cape		Plan is complete. Will submit it to the NDMC

(b) Provinces have again been requested to ensure that they submit disaster management plans to the National Disaster Management Centre in terms of section 38 of the Act. Guidelines will also be completed by the NDMC at the end of September 2009 to assist provinces in this regard.

(4) Not all metropolitan and district municipalities have submitted acceptable and appropriate disaster management plans to the national centre in accordance with section 53 of the Act.

The following metropolitan and district municipalities have not submitted acceptable and appropriate disaster management plans to the national centre:

Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality

Cacadu District Municipality

Amathole District Municipality

Chris Hani District Municipality

Ukhahlama District Municipality

OR Tambo District Municipality

Alfred Nzo District Municipality

Xhariep District Municipality

City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality

Sedibeng District Municipality

Metsweding District Municipality

West Rand District Municipality

Ethekwini Metropolity Municipality

Ugu District Municipality

Umgungundlovu District Municipality

Uthukela District Municipality

Umzinyathi District Municipality

Amajuba District Municipality

Zululand District Municipality

Umkhanyakude District Municipality

Uthungulu District Municipality

lIembe District Municipality

Sisonke District Municipality

Vhembe District Municipality

Capricorn District Municipality

Waterbeg District Municipality

Greater Sekhukhune Municipality

Gert Sibande District Municipality

Nkangala District Municipality

Ehlanzeni District Municipality

John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality

Frances Baard District Municipality

Namakwa District Municipality

Pixley Ka Seme District Municipality

Siyanda District Municipality

Bojanala Platinum District Municipality

Central District Municipality

Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality

West Coast District Municipality

Cape Wine lands District Municipality

Overberg District Municipality

Eden District Municipality

Central Karoo District Municipality

All the municipalities gave similar reasons, i.e. they have either omitted to submit their plan to the NDMC or the plan has not yet been finalised.

(5) (a) (i) Not all provinces have submitted annual reports to the national centre in accordance with section 36 of the Act.

(ii) The following provinces have not yet submitted their annual reports to the national centre:

Eastern Cape Free State Limpopo Mpumalanga Northern Cape North West Western Cape
(b) (i) Not all metropolitan and district municipalities have submitted annual reports to the national centre in accordance with section 50 of the Act.

(ii) The following municipalities have not yet submitted their annual reports to the national centre:

Cacadu District Municipality

Amathole District Municipality

Chris Hani District Municipality

OR Tambo District Municipality

Alfred Nzo District Municipality

Motheo District Municipality

Lejweleputswa District Municipality

Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality

Fezile Dabi District Municipality

City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality

Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality

Metsweding District Municipality

West Rand District Municipality

Ugu District Municipality

Uthungulu District Municipality

Mopani District Municipality

Greater Sekhukhune Municipality

Gert Sibande District Municipality

Nkangala District Municipality

Ehlanzeni District Municipality

John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality

Frances Baard District Municipality

Namakwa District Municipality

Pixley Ka Seme District Municipality

Siyanda District Municipality

Bojanala Platinum District Municipality

Central District Municipality

Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality

West Coast District Municipality

Cape Winelands District Municipality

Central Karoo District Municipality

The reason why the majority of the provinces and municipalities have not yet been in a position to submit their annual reports for the 2008/2009 Financial Year is because their financial year only ends on 31 July 2009. The process of preparing and finalising their annual reports and having them approved before submission to the national centre is a lengthy process.

QUESTION NO. 753

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 14 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 9)

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

(1) Whether any categories of health professionals are currently allocated scarce skills quotas in terms of the Department of Home Affairs' scarce skills programme; if so, (a) which categories and (b) what is the quota allocation for each of these categories; if not,

(2) whether he will take steps to ensure the inclusion of any scarce skills quotas in this programme; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW879E

REPLY:

(1) No.

(a) and (b) Not applicable

(2) The Department of Health is exempted from applying for scarce skills quota in terms of the Immigration Act, with regard to the recruitment of foreign health professionals.

QUESTION NO. 754

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 14 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 9)

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

In each of the three most recent specified years for which information is available, how many (a) adults and (b) children under the age of five years (i) were treated for and (ii) died from diarrhoea in each province?

REPLY:

(a) The Department of Health does not collect statistics for adults who were treated for or died from diarrhoea.

(b) (i) Diarrhoea in children under five years of age – treated:

	2006	2007	2008
Eastern Cape	66,286	64,305	84,318
Free State	22,959	21,789	25,066
Gauteng	58,403	52,693	56,629
KwaZulu-Natal	243,827	239,745	235,421
Limpopo	118,873	115,421	119,701
Mpumalanga	44,530	38,853	37,652
North West	44,828	41,322	41,133
Northern Cape	22,309	19,821	18,695
Western Cape	52,172	57,461	69,096
South Africa	674,187	651,410	687,711

(ii) Deaths from Diarrhoea in children under five years of age:

	2006	2007	2008
Eastern Cape	167	243	536
Free State	345	276	607
Gauteng	27	188	221
KwaZulu-Natal	988	691	543
Limpopo	521	563	541
Mpumalanga	117	411	331
North West	57	236	361
Northern Cape	87	119	221
Western Cape	No data	No data	24
South Africa	2,309	2,727	3,385

Note: Figures extracted from DHIS, 4^th September 2009

Increase in number of deaths is due, at least in part, to improved reporting rates from hospitals (where most deaths occur).

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 14 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 9 - 2009)

Date reply submitted : 4 September 2009

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

Whether any steps have been taken to investigate alternative sites for the relocation of the Kirstenhof Police Station; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details of each of the sites so investigated, (b) what progress has been made and (c) when will they (i) be moved and (ii) to what location?

REPLY:

(1)(a) No steps have been taken to investigate alternative sites for the relocation of the Kirstenhof Police Station because the relocation of this police station was not placed on the Province=s priority list for capital works.

(1)(b)(c)(i)(ii) No priority is allocated for the relocation of Kirstenhof Police Station, therefore, no project is registered for the relocation of this police station, hence it cannot be determined when this station will be relocated or to what site it will be relocated to.

QUESTION 758 (WRITTEN REPLY) 14 AUGUST 2009

Mr A C STEYN (DA) to ask the MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS:

Whether any request or application is being considered for the construction of a helipad and or any remedial work connected thereto at any of the public buildings; if so what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

The Department of Public Works has received no request or application for the construction of a helipad. There is no helipad that is under construction and or major refurbishment on the Department of Public Works' Implementation Programme.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO. 759

DATE PUBLISHED: 14 August 2009

DATE SUBMITTED: 19 October 2009

759. Mr P.J.C. Pretorius (DA) to ask the President:

Whether he will consider changing the name of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in view of the fact that only aquaculture, responsible for a mere 0.3% of the total national marine production, falls under the jurisdiction of this Department, and that the bulk, 99.7% of the total national marine production therefore does not fall under jurisdiction of this Department but under the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs? NW886E

REPLY:

No, I have no reason to consider changing the name of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

We announced a new cabinet structure on the 10^th of May 2009 to achieve better alignment between the structure, our electoral mandate as per our election Manifesto and the developmental challenges that need to receive immediate attention from government.

We explained in the Presidency Budget Vote on 3 June 2009 that the fisheries sector is a critical part of the limited natural resources base of the country and that it is critical for food security and economic development. It requires our utmost attention.

Should there be overlaps in functions or any other matters that require our attention, these will be attended to by the Departments concerned.

QUESTION NO 761

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 14 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 9 - 2009)

Date reply submitted : 14 September 2009

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

(1) Whether he has been informed of a certain person=s (name and details furnished) alleged interference in the investigation at the scene of a car accident involving a certain person (name furnished), if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,

(2) whether the allegations will be investigated; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

(1) There was no interference at the scene of the accident. He, as the then MEC of Community Safety and Liaison, arrived at the scene of the accident and asked specific questions relating to the collision.

(2) The conduct at the scene is not subject to any investigation - as it did not constitute any interference or obstruction on the scene.

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 14 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 9 - 2009)

Date reply submitted : 4 September 2009

Mr T W Coetzee (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

Whether any commanding officers have been appointed to the Hawks; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will they be appointed; if so, (i) who has been appointed as commanding officers, (ii) what are their ranks, (iii) what are each of their backgrounds and (iv) what mandate has been given to each of them?

REPLY:

No commanding officers have been appointed on a permanent basis. All personnel from the Commercial Branch, the Hi-Tech Centre, Organised Crime and the former NPA investigators have been assigned to deal with the work of the Hawks. These members are on various levels from constable to assistant commissioner.

The provincial heads of Detective Service are currently taking charge of the DPCI personnel in their respective provinces.

(a) The members are still undergoing the selection process that includes vetting for security clearance.

(b) Permanent appointments will be done once the selection process is concluded.

(i) Not applicable

(ii) Not applicable

(iii) Not applicable

(iv) Not applicable

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [NO 9-2009]

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 AUGUST 2009

765. Mr M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:

Whether his department has taken any money through virement from the Land Restitution Commission to rural development pilot projects; if so, (a) what will happen to (i) land claims beneficiaries and (ii) unsettled claims and (b) what was the reason for this?

THE MINISTER FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM

No.

(a)(i)-(ii) & (b) Fall away.

Question 767

Mr M W Rabotapi (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

Whether he will introduce legislation that will limit the advertising of alcoholic beverages similar to legislation on tobacco advertising; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Response:

the dti has recently commissioned a study on the impact of the advertising of alcoholic beverages. This study was necessitated, in part, by concerns relating to the impact of advertising on alcohol abuse and on alcohol consumption by youth and the extent to which alcohol advertising influences or stimulates drinking.

It is also important to assess the approach or content of adverts in relation to responsible drinking, or in terms of stimulating drinking by youth and poor communities. The findings of the study, after thorough consideration and interrogation, will guide the department on whether a stricter regulatory regime or prohibition of liquor advertising is needed.

The study was finalized in August 2009 and the dti is currently assessing its findings and recommendations

QUESTION NO. 768

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 14 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 9)

Mr M W Rabotapi (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

Whether, with reference to his reply to question 127 on 28 July 2009, any producers of alcoholic beverages have started labeling their beverages; if not, (a) which producers have not labeled their alcoholic beverages, (b) why have they not done so, in each case, (c) what fines have been issued and (d) what is the amount of each fine; if so, (i) which producers and (ii) from which date did each of these producers start to label their beverages, in each case?

REPLY:

(a) My Department and I are not aware of any alcohol producers who are not complying with the Regulations Relating to Health Messages on Containers Labels of Alcoholic beverages. A plan is currently being developed to monitor the compliance to these regulations.

(b) Not applicable, see above response.

(d) Any person who contravenes the provisions of these regulations shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(i) No fines have been issued.

(ii) These regulations came into effect on 24 February 2009 and they apply to all alcoholic beverages labelled from this date. The date and exemption of alcoholic beverages produced before this date was agreed upon between the producers and the national Department of Health.

QUESTION NO. 769

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 14 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 9)

Mr M W Rabotapi (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:

Whether he will introduce legislation that limit or prevent the use of trans fats in all foods and drinks; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW898E

REPLY:

It is our intention to introduce legislation regarding the prohibition of industrially produced trans fats in all processed and prepared foods. My Department has already started with the process of developing a draft regulation that will specifically deal with the prohibition of industrially produced trans fats in foods. The Department, through the Directorate Food Control is currently in consultation with the relevant stakeholders with the intention to develop and finalise the draft regulations for the reduction of certain trans fats (those obtained through the process of partial hydrogenation, also referred to as industrially produced trans fats), in processed and prepared foodstuffs in South Africa. Once ready, the draft regulations will be published under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972) by the Minister of Health.

Approval has already been granted in March 2009 by my predecessor, for the Department to proceed with the process of developing draft regulations. This process will follow the normal procedure, which will include consultations with stakeholders as well as request for public comments through the publication of the draft regulations in the Government Gazette, whereafter it will be finalised and published as final regulations, allowing. The Department envisages for the draft regulations to be published before the end of 2009, and for the final regulations before the end of the first quarter of 2010, which will include a six-month grace period for the industry to comply with the requirements thereof.

QUESTION 770

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 the lack of office space (details furnished) has any impact on (a) the quality of service delivery; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether this has resulted in corrupt and fraudulent activities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW899E

REPLY:

Honourable Member;

(1) The lack of office space does impact on the quality of service delivery at local level. To address this challenge, we have submitted budget bid to the National Treasury for additional office space.

(2) No, we are not aware of any corrupt and fraudulent activities related to the lack of office space.

QUESTION NO. 771 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 9 of 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 August 2009

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

(a) (i) How much of the funds raised by the recent sale of elephant ivory have been spent and (ii) how was it spent and

(b) (i) how much of this amount still have to be spent and (ii) how will it be used?

MR M J ELLIS (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

771. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(a) (i) None spent.

(ii) See (i) above

(b) (i) R67 617 677.29

(ii) The money will be used exclusively for elephant conservation and community conservation and development programmes within or adjacent to the elephant range as per the agreement from the 14^th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

QUESTION NO. 772 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 9 of 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 August 2009

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

(1) What are the (a) names and (b) locations of all registered private zoos;

(2) whether there are any regulations that govern the monitoring of (a) animal welfare and (b) risks to human safety in zoos; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

MR M J ELLIS (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

772. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) The provincial conservation authorities are responsible for the register and registration of private zoos.

(2) (a) Yes. The Animals Protection Act No. 71 of 1962 and the Performing Animals Protection Act No. 24 of 1935 under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries governs animal welfare.

(b) I am not aware of any regulations which govern the risks to human safety in zoos. There is a standards document, SANS10379 (2005) South African National Standards for Zoo and Aquaria from the South African Bureau of Standards which touches on the issue of human safety but the document is not legally binding.

QUESTION NO. 773 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 9 of 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 August 2009

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

(1) Whether, with reference to her reply to Question 498 on 31 July 2009, her department will conduct an epidemiological research study to assess the health impact of emissions from the fish factories in St Helena Bay; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether her department will assess the emissions levels of hydrogen sulphide from these factories; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) what will the maximum permissible concentration of hydrogen sulphide in emissions from factories be in terms of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act No. 39 of 2004) that will come into effect in September 2009?

MR G R KRUMBOCK (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

773. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) In fish processing plants, hydrogen sulphide is produced during the bacterial breakdown of organic matter and the odour complaint could be evidence of its production. However, the amounts (concentrations) are unknown. The chemical is more likely to affect employees in the fish processing plant than the community due to dispersion and diffusion in the air, and that hydrogen sulphide evaporates easily in the air.

Hence, an epidemiological study will not be an appropriate intervention to determine the extent of the alleged problem and its possible impact on health due to the fact that there is no evidence of exposure (no measurements were taken to determine exposure levels) to hydrogen sulphide and other potential hazards from the fish processing factories. Furthermore, before an expensive and time-consuming epidemiological study can be justified, the impact on the odour levels resulting from revised emission permit conditions (see 2) should be assessed.

(2) The National Department of Environmental Affairs, together with the Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning and the West Coast District Municipality are currently revising the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act (APPA) registration certificates for the fish meal sector.The objective of this project is toreview and amend the Registration Certificates for the fish meal sector in such a way as to ensure the building of initial air quality management capacity in provinces and affected local authorities, as well as ensuring measurable air quality improvements during, and immediately following, the period of transition between APPA and AQA. The specific conditions that will form part of the new registration certificates are still in the process of being formulated, but they will take the odour issues into consideration.

The odours emanating from fish meal plants are not only hydrogen sulphide, but a variety of reduced sulphur compounds. Conditions are being drafted that look to control the suite of compounds that are generated by the plants. The feasibility of assessing the emission levels will be looked at during the review process.

(3) No specific maximum permissible concentration of hydrogen sulphide has been specified in the Draft Section 21 notice on listed activities and minimum emission standards, published for public comment on 24 July 2009. As explained above, the odour problem associated with fish meal plants stems from a variety of reduced sulphur compounds and the management of these odours relates to freshness of the fish being processed, with fresh fish producing less odours than rotten and decaying fish.

QUESTION NO. 774 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 9 of 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 August 2009

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

With reference to her reply to Question 308 on 31 July 2009, (a) why was no input into the National Protected Areas Expansion Strategy sought from civil society stakeholders and (b) with regard to each of the marine protected areas, what is the (i) name of the manager and (ii) date on which the manager was appointed?

MR G R KRUMBOCK (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

774. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(a) As noted in the earlier reply to question 308, input on the National Protected Area Expansion Strategy (NPAES) was obtained primarily from members of agencies responsible for marine protected area and experts in the fields of conservation planning, but civil society was also consulted. In particular, during the development of the NPAES, and the associated document entitled "Guidelines for Offshore Marine Protected Areas in South Africa, a workshop was held in June 2007 to introduce commercial fishery stakeholders to the concepts of systematic conservation planning, and the need for greater spatial protection of resources. Feedback and perspectives from industry role players were incorporated in both documents.

A draft version of the NPAES was also work-shopped with local communities from around the National Parks, at the "People and Parks" summit in Mafikeng in August 2008 and at an earlier meeting, and the subsequent version took on board a number of new inputs relating to ensuring rural livelihoods. Before proceeding with the declaration of the Stilbaai MPA in 2008, a "reconnection meeting" with stakeholders was held to get maximum support for what would subsequently be put to the Minister. In conclusion, a key factor to consider is that the NPAES is not intended to replace the need for stakeholder engagement during declaration of new marine protected areas, or expansion or amendment of existing marine protected areas, but rather co-ordinates the process, informs it and tries to achieve consistency.

(bi) and (bii)

Because Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are usually adjacent to terrestrial protected areas, MPAs are now primarily managed by Provincial Agencies such as CapeNature, Eastern Cape Parks, and Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, as well as SANParks and iSimanagaliso. This has been done since 2007 in terms of funded partnership agreements between such agencies and the Department. In July 2009 an agreement was also signed with the City of Cape Town. These contractual management arrangements now cover 19 of the 20 MPAs. The names of the particular managers in these agencies are stipulated in the table below:

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.

QUESTION 766

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [NO 9-2009]

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 AUGUST 2009

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

Whether his department investigated allegations of fraud and corruption by officials allegedly colluding with farmers to charge exorbitant land prices; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

THE MINISTER FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM

No. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) has neither received nor investigated allegations of this nature.

QUESTION 763

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [NO 9-2009]

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 AUGUST 2009

763. Mr M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:

Whether he and his department will consider requests from people who did not comply with the closing date of 31 December 1998, of the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights, who want to record their claims; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

THE MINISTER FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM

No. Section 2 of the Restitution of Land Rights Act, 1994 (Act No 22 of 1994) stipulates the qualification criteria for all land claims. In terms of section 2(1)(e) of the said Act, in order for a claim to be considered by the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights, it must have been lodged not later than 31 December 1998.

QUESTION 764

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [NO 9-2009]

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 14 AUGUST 2009

764. Mr M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:

(1) Whether any (a) vacancies exist and (b) skills are needed in his department to ensure that the department performs its duties; if so, (i) how many vacancies exist and (ii) what type of skills are needed;

(2) whether any action has been taken to remedy the current situation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM

(1)(a) & (b) It would be premature to answer yes/no to this question.

(i) The Department is undergoing a restructuring process in order to align it with the new mandate of Rural Development and Land Reform. The Department has also started the process of integrating employees from the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights into the Department, such as the Regional Land Claims Commission: Gauteng where all land claims have been settled. It is therefore not possible to provide a conclusive number of vacancies at this stage.

(ii) Falls away.

(2) Falls away.

QUESTION 765

QUESTION NO 762

QUESTION NO. 755

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 14 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 9)

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

(1) Whether his department is considering to replace regulations that are currently in place to govern the advertising of liquor; if not, why not; if so, when will the new regulations come into effect;

(2) whether any further regulation of liquor advertising is being developed; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

(1) The National Department of Health does not have regulations governing the advertising of liquor. This mandate falls under the Department of Trade and Industry through the liquor Act No. 59 of 2003.

(2) Not applicable, based on the response above.

QUESTION NO 757

2009-08-31

What's wrong with this page?