Question & Replies No 926 to 950

2009-09-08

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

QUESTION NO 950

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28 JUNE 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 11)

950. Mr P J Groenewald (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:†

(1) (a) How much water has been provided to emerging farmers in terms of the Water Allocation Reform framework where previously no water was available and (b) where was this water acquired;

(2) whether (a) commercial farms and (b) white farmers have been receiving less water since the drawing up of the Water Allocation Reform framework; if not, why not; if so, (i) to what extent and (ii) how many (aa) farms and (bb) white farmers are now receiving less water;

(3) whether the decrease in water supply to (a) commercial farms and (b) white farmers took place (i) in terms of verification and differentiation and (ii) was caused by market forces; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details in each case? NW1145E

REPLY:

(1)(a) A total of 1 086 271 m³/a irrigation water has been authorised for the productive use by emerging farmers.

(1)(b) The water is acquired from various catchments around the country.

(2)(a) There has been no decrease or curtailment of Water Supply to commercial farmers and,

(2)(b) To white farmers as a result of Water Allocation Reform Framework

(2)(b)(i) Falls Away

(2)(b)(ii) Not applicable as none of these are receiving less water than entitled to.

(3)(a) There is no decrease of Water Supply to the commercial Farmers and,

(3)(b) White Farmers

(3)(b)(i) Falls Away

(3)(b)(ii) However some registered Water Use Entitlements that were incorrectly recorded in favour of certain farmers have in some instance been adjusted to reflect the actual Water Use. This is common in all the areas where validation and verification have been conducted such as Mhlathuze, Inkomati, Jan Dissels, Middle Vaal, Mokolo and Upper Vaal.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO 949/NW1110E

DATE: 18 AUGUST 2009

Mr. S.J. NJIKELANA (ANC) to ask the Minister of Labour:

(a) What programme are currently driven by AgriSETA? How many individuals have been trained in the programme of AgriSETA? Which courses have been offered by AgriSETA? What are the plans of AgriSeta regarding training of more farm workers in the current financial year?

Minister of Labour Replied:

(a) The programmes that the AgriSETA funded to date are in accordance with the National Skills Development Strategy 2005 – 2010. For the 2008/09 financial year, the table below illustrates the types of programmes that the AgriSeta funded and the number of learners that benefitted.

LEARNING PROGRAMS SUPPORTED BY AGRISETA DURING 2008/09 FINANCIAL YEAR
LEARNING PROGRAMMES	NUMBER OF LEARNERS
Agricultural Learnerships	2 961
Agricultural Skills Programs	6 896
Adult Basic Education (ABET)	3 704
Bursaries	266
Workplace Experiential Training	562
Apprentices	324
Mentorships : Emerging Farmers	447
TOTAL	15 160

For the 2009/10 financial year, the table below illustrates the types of programmes, the number of learners that benefitted and the amount allocated to end of August 2009.

LEARNING PROGRAMS SUPPORTED BY THE AGRISETA DURING THE 2009/10 FINANCIAL YEAR
LEARNING PROGRAM	NUMBER OF LEARNERS
Agricultural Learnerships ‐ employed	662
Agricultural Learnerships – under resourced	383
Agricultural skills programmes – employed	1 208
Agricultural skills programmes – under resourced	765
TOTAL NUMBER OF LEARNERS	3 018
TOTAL VALUE OF ABOVE	R28 556 792,00

AgriSETA PLANS

I am advised that the AgriSETA has developed short term plans to assist farm workers that are aligned to the seasonal nature of the agricultural sector and the different peak production periods.

The AgriSETA has also put aside an amount of R20 million to commence, in partnership with the Commissioner for the Restitution of Land Rights, a special project to build capacity of beneficiaries of agricultural land reform in a holistic manner, engaging with them in a long term project of skills development and mentoring. This project is in the final stages of planning and interventions with selected land reform projects will commence before the end of this calendar year.

I am also advised that given the size of the Land Reform project, the AgriSeta and the Land Commissioner are currently approaching a number of funders to raise a further R100 million to benefit more beneficiaries.

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO 948/NW1110E

DATE: 18 AUGUST 2009

Mr. S.J. NJIKELANA (ANC) to ask the Minister of Labour:

(a) What programme are currently driven by AgriSETA? How many individuals have been trained in the programme of AgriSETA? Which courses have been offered by AgriSETA? What are the plans of AgriSeta regarding training of more farm workers in the current financial year?

Minister of Labour Replied:

LEARNING PROGRAMS SUPPORTED BY AGRISETA DURING 2008/09 FINANCIAL YEAR
LEARNING PROGRAMMES	NUMBER OF LEARNERS
Agricultural Learnerships	2 961
Agricultural Skills Programs	6 896
Adult Basic Education (ABET)	3 704
Bursaries	266
Workplace Experiential Training	562
Apprentices	324
Mentorships : Emerging Farmers	447
TOTAL	15 160

For the 2009/10 financial year, the table below illustrates the types of programmes, the number of learners that benefitted and the amount allocated to end of August 2009.

LEARNING PROGRAMS SUPPORTED BY THE AGRISETA DURING THE 2009/10 FINANCIAL YEAR
LEARNING PROGRAM	NUMBER OF LEARNERS
Agricultural Learnerships ‐ employed	662
Agricultural Learnerships – under resourced	383
Agricultural skills programmes – employed	1 208
Agricultural skills programmes – under resourced	765
TOTAL NUMBER OF LEARNERS	3 018
TOTAL VALUE OF ABOVE	R28 556 792,00

AgriSETA PLANS

I am advised that the AgriSETA has developed short term plans to assist farm workers that are aligned to the seasonal nature of the agricultural sector and the different peak production periods.

QUESTION: 948

Ms B N Dambuza (ANC) to ask the Minister of Human Settlements:

Whether, with regard to an increased need for urban housing against the demographic trend towards urbanization and the growing scarcity in and increased cost of urban housing, his department is promoting the regulation and protection of sectional title holder, if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

The Sectional Titles Act, 1986 (Act No. 95 of 1986) ("the Sectional Titles Act") which regulate the sectional tittles industry is currently administered by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. The Department of Human Settlements is currently in the process of taking over certain provisions from the Sectional Titles Act. However, until this process has been finalized by Parliament, the Department does not have any legislative or Constitutional authority to promote the regulation and protection of sectional title holders since these functions currently still fall within the ambit of the mandate of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform through the Sectional Tittles Regulatory Board established under the Act.

QUESTION 947

Ms B N Dambuza, MP (ANC) to ask the Minister of Human Settlements:

Whether his department has a programme on its own, or in collaboration with other departments, to provide housing for child-headed households; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply

No. However, my Department is a process of finalising a new National Programme that will address the housing needs of orphans and vulnerable children. The programme will be finalised in consultation with the Department of Social Development.

The Programme will provide grant funding to registered care-givers to enhance their current houses by adding a room, or rooms as the case may be, to ensure that they provide adequate shelter to the orphans and/or vulnerable children placed under their care. The additional rooms could be attached to existing houses or could be constructed as stand alone units on the stand. It will also be possible to adjust the designs of new dwellings to be constructed as part of approved housing subsidy projects.

In the case of child-headed households living in the houses of their deceased guardians, the proposed Programme will provide similar relief. The difference being that the property will belong to the deceased estate of the guardians and not to the care-givers. Such properties will later be transferred to the children in terms of the law of succession and as instructed by the Master of the Supreme Court.

The Programme is subject to the conditions that care-givers must be legally appointed by the Department of Social Development and orphans and/or vulnerable children must be legally placed under the care of the legally registered care giver through a Court order.

The Department of Social Development will be required to certify the need for additional living space, administer the appointment of care-givers and the Court procedures to place children with care-givers. The said Department will also be required to ensure that the living space so provided, is utilised for the intended purpose.

My Department is in the process to consult the Sector Departments through the Directors-General Social Protection and Community Development Cluster to ensure all aspects of the proposed programme are supported where after the matter will be submitted for final approval.

In terms of planning, the new Programme will be implemented with effect from 1 April 2010.

QUESTION NO. 945

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 12)

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

(1) Whether any pilot trials have been conducted on using private pharmacies to distribute medicine for state patients; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) where, (b) when and (c) with what success;

(2) whether there are any plans to implement such a system across the country; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW1048E REPLY:

(1) Yes.

(a) In KwaZulu-Natal Province, Ethekwini district which included private sector pharmacies in the area south of Durban i.e. Chatsworth and Umlazi townships.

(b) From 1 December 2007 until 31 May 2009.

(2) No decision has yet been taken as the complete report of above-mentioned feasibility study is still to be presented to the KwaZulu/Natal Provincial Department of Health.

QUESTION NO. 944

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 12)

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

(1) Whether (a) there are dates by which pharmaceutical companies must submit their application each year in order to establish the Single Exit Price (SEP) and (b) his department must approve or reject the submission; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case;

(2) when the new SEP comes into force;

(3) whether his department met the due date in (a) 2008 and (b) 2009 for approving all new SEP; if not, (i) why not, (ii) how many were (aa) approved and (bb) not approved by the deadline for each year and (iii) on which date was the new SEP approved for all medicines that failed to meet the deadline;

(4) how many people work in the Pharmaceutical Economic Unit that approves the SEP?

NW1045E

REPLY:

(1) (a) Yes, Pharmaceutical manufacturers must submit applications for price increases after the Minister has made a determination about the extent of the annual price increase. Pharmaceutical companies were requested to submit their applications for a maximum price increase by 1 September 2009.

(b) The Department, through the Directorate: Pharmaceutical Economic Evaluations must approve these price increases within 30 days of receipt of an application by the manufacturer.

(2) The new SEP comes into force 30 days after an application is received.

(3) (a) Yes

(b) Yes

(ii) (aa) All products that qualified for a price increase were granted an increase.

(bb) No applications have fallen into this category; all applications received were processed for a price increase.

(iii) To date no applicant has failed to meet the deadline.

(4) Seven (7) officials are currently involved in approving the SEP' – namely 2 Deputy Directors; 3 Chief Pharmacists; 1 SEP Pricing Administrator; and 1 Database Administrator.

QUESTION 942

DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY 28 AUGUST 2009 [IQP No 12 -2009]

FIRST SESSION, FOURTH PARLIAMENT

Question 942 for Written Reply, National Assembly: Mr. P J C Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries:

1) Whether newly qualified veterinarians are required to do a period of compulsory community service; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether it is the intention to introduce compulsory community service for newly qualified veterinarians; if not, why not; if so, (a) why will such a service be necessary, (b) when will it be introduced and (c) how long will the service be;

(3) whether all stakeholders have been consulted; if not, why not; if so, (a) which stakeholders have been consulted and (b) what were their views in each case? NW1040E

REPLY:

(1) Newly qualified veterinarians are not required to do a period of Compulsory Community Service at the moment. The programme will require additional funding for implementation and the amendment of the Veterinary and the Para-veterinary Act.

(2) It is the intention of the Department to introduce a compulsory community service for newly qualified veterinarians.

a. Such a service will be necessary in a short term to address:

i. skewed distribution Veterinarians in the rural areas

ii. the migration rate of newly qualified Veterinarians

iii. Expose newly qualified Veterinarians to challenges facing the country with regard to rural areas and research

b. As soon as the Department gets funding for the programme, the programme will be implemented.

c. As agreed with all the stakeholders, the compulsory community service will be for one year only.

whether all stakeholders have been consulted; if not, why not; if so, (a) which stakeholders have been consulted and (b) what were their views in each case?

3. Almost all the stakeholders have been consulted.

(a) The stakeholders were consulted through facilitator-formatted-tailored workshops, open-ended questionnaire-based surveys, semi-structured interviews. The lists of the stakeholders consulted included:

· Veterinary students (Faculty of Veterinary Science of the university of Pretoria)

· Parastatals and government agencies such as Agriculture Research Council (ARC), and Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP)

· Veterinary academics (Faculty of Veterinary Science of the university of Pretoria)

· South African Veterinary Association (including various specialist groups and private practice owners)

· Various Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as animal welfare organizations including National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), Peoples' Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), Animal Anti-cruelty League (AACL), Community Veterinary Clinics (CVCs), etc

· Animal Health Forum (which include all industry players such as Red Meat Producers Organisation (RPO), Red Meat Abattoir Association (RMAA), SA Ostrich Chamber (SAOBC), Milk Producer's Organization (MPO), SA Pork Producers, etc)

· South African Veterinary Council

· Various government departments including all 9 Provincial Departments of Agriculture, South African National Defence Force (SANDF), South African Police Services (SAPS), etc

QUESTION NO 941

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: THURSDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 28 AUGUST 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 12 – 2009)

Mr S J Njikelana (ANC) asked the Minister of Transport:

(a) How many external legal consultants were used with regard to road accidents in the

(i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09 financial years and (b) what amount did his department spend on their services in each case?

NW974E

REPLY:

The Minister of Transport:

(a) The Department of Transport (DoT) appoints legal counsels to represent it in litigious matters. The Minister is usually cited in cases relating to road accidents when the

constitutionality of the relevant legislation is challenged, or as an interested party.

(i) In the 2007/2008 financial year, the DoT, through the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, briefed four (4) legal counsels and in the (ii) 2008/2009 financial year, the DoT, through the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, briefed seven (7) legal counsels at a cost of R306 916-00, thus far.

(b) The total amount spent on the legal counsels in the 2007/2008 financial year amounted to R882 996-28. However, in some litigation matters, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has not yet invoiced the DoT in respect of counsels' fees. This may be due to the fact that legal counsels have not yet submitted their invoices to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development for payment.

The total amount spent on the legal counsels in the 2008/2009 financial year amounted to R306 916-00, thus far. However, the litigation matters have not been finalised. It is anticipated that, as the litigation matters progress to finality, further invoices would be submitted by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to the Department of Transport, in respect of counsels' fees.

QUESTION NO 940

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 12 - 2009)

Date reply submitted : 14 September 2009

Mr S J Njikelana (ANC) to ask the Minister of Police:

(a) How many arrested juveniles have been placed under the custody of their parents in the past two years and (b) what has been his department=s collaboration with other departments, especially the Department of Social Development in this regard?

NW973E

REPLY:

(a) The term Ajuveniles@ is no longer used in the South African policy and legislation that applies to children in the criminal justice system. A person under the age of 18 is defined as a child and over 18 as an adult.

This information can only be obtained from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development as decisions in regard to the release of a child offenders and into whose custody, is made in the Courts.

(b) The South African Police Service is represented on the Inter-sectoral Child Justice Steering Committee (ISCCJ) at a national level and also on the corresponding co-ordinating structures at provincial level which are established in accordance with the AInterim National Protocol for the Management of Children Awaiting Trial@.

The Inter-sectoral Committee enhances departmental collaboration in regard to the following:

$ effective inter-sectoral management of children who are charged with offences and who may need to be placed in alternative care.

$ appropriate placement of children in conflict with the law based on individual assessment.

$ correct utilisation of alternative care.

$ the monitoring of children within the Child Justice System.

The South African Police Service must, when a child is arrested:

$ notify parents or guardians about the arrest of a child.

$ notify the parents about the time, place and date of court.

$ consider the release of the child in custody of the parents, or person in who=s custody he/she is.

$ ensure that the child is assessed by a probation officer as soon as possible.

$ ensure that the child is not locked up with adults.

In collaboration with the Department of Social Development, SAPS has communicated the availability of probation services at local level to Provinces and Police stations, to ensure that children arrested are assessed within in the required time frames. This information includes the relevant names and contact details of probation officers, venues were children can be assessed and probation services that are available.

In terms of the AInterim National Protocol for the Management of Children Awaiting Trial@ the probation officer must, prior to appearance in court, hand over the assessment of a child in conflict with the law to the prosecutor, with recommendations in respect of suitable placement, including release in custody of parents or placement in secure care facilities.

Information regarding children in the criminal justice system is discussed on a monthly basis during ISCCJ meetings at national and provincial levels. As part of this monthly meeting services rendered to children are assessed and challenges identified. This includes challenges in regard to the availability of probation officers and facilities for detention of children and allows for provincial management to address problems immediately and for national management to be informed to assist and intervene where necessary.

QUESTION NO 938

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 12 - 2009)

Date reply submitted : 14 September 2009

Mr V B Ndlovu (IFP) to ask the Minister of Police:

(1) How many (a) resignations have there been from forensic science laboratories (FSLs) in the past five years and (b) of these vacancies have been filled;

(2) whether it has been found that the under-resourced FSLs contribute to poor performance and high staff turnover; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW683E

REPLY:

(1)(a)

	RESIGNATIONS (ANALYSTS)	VACANCIES FILLED (ANALYSTS)
2005	45	51
2006	34	43
2007	51	41
2008	35	107
2009	15	69
TOTAL	180	311

(1)(b) The number of personnel from 1 April 2005 to 30 June 2009 has increased by 311 whilst resignations for the same period is 180.

(2) Formal research has not been conducted in this regard. Based on the assumption that an under-resourced Forensic Science Laboratory does contribute to poor performance and high staff turnover, the division has implemented a series of initiatives to enhance service delivery and retain scarce skilled personnel:

Every two months posts are being advertised at the division as an attempt to fill vacant posts within 6 months from vacancy as requested by the cabinet.

Via recruitment drives, the division attempts to be as close as possible to the allocation of posts as outlined in the Resource Allocation Guide.

The division has received R 200 million from the Criminal Justice System (CJS) to enhance its capacity and equipment.

A Scarce Skills allowance was approved to retain members and is paid since 2007 to members.

A higher entry for first time appointees as analysts was also approved in 2007.

QUESTION NO 936

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 12 - 2009)

Date reply submitted : 14 September 2009

Mr V B Ndlovu (IFP) to ask the Minister of Police:

(1) How many detectives (a) were trained under the SA Police Service=s detective training plan in the 2008-09 financial year and (b) will be trained under the plan in the 2009-10 financial year;

(2) what was the ratio of reported cases of contact crime to the number of trained detectives in respect of the 2008-09 financial year?

NW681E

REPLY:

(1) (a) A total of 10 853 detectives were trained in various detective related training programmes in the 2008-09 financial year.

(b) It is planned that a total of 12 928 detectives will be trained in the various detective related training programmes for 2009-10 financial year.

(2) The ratio of reported cases of contact crime to the number of trained detectives in respect of the 2008-09 financial year can not be provided because the crime statistics for the 2008-09 financial year has not yet been released by the Minister of Police.

QUESTION NUMBER: 935

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 AUGUST 2009

Dr D T George (DA) to ask the Minister of Finance:

(1) Whether the National Treasury has assisted any state-owned entities (SOEs) or semi-state-owned entities by way of financial support and/or loans in the (a) 2005-06, (b) 2006-07, (c) 2007-08 and (d) 2008-09 financial year; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what did the financial support and/or loans amount to for each SOE or semi-SOE in each financial year in each case;

(2) whether the National Treasury has agreed on performance criteria for the financial assistance or loans to SOEs or semi-SOEs in each of these financial years; if not, why not; if so, what criteria in each case?

Reply:

(1) Financial support by the State to Schedule 2 (Major Public Entities) and 3B (Government Business Enterprises) listed under the Public Finance Management Act (No 1 of 1999 as amended), comprises of guarantees, loans and transfer payments. A schedule of financial support by the State for the financial years 2005/06 to 2008/09 is provided in Annexure A .

Loans and transfer payments to Schedule 2 and 3B Public Entities are reflected in the relevant Appropriation Acts passed by Parliament for each of the respective years. The expenditure is reflected on the Budget Vote of the relevant Departments to whom the Public Entity is accountable.

Guarantees are issued in terms of Section 70 of the Public Finance Management Act by the Executive Authority (Responsible Minister) of the relevant Public Entity, in concurrence with the Minister of Finance.

Of the Public Entities listed in Annexure A that received financial support, the Minister of Finance and the National Treasury are accountable for the Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa (transferred to the Minister of Finance from 1 July 2008), and the Development Bank of Southern Africa. Should further information be required regarding the other Public Entities, it is recommended that the Honourable Member approach the Executive Authority accountable for the relevant Public Entity.

(2) Performance criteria for Public Entities are determined by the respective line departments to whom they are accountable. The performance criteria for Public Entities that are accountable to the National Treasury and which received financial assistance are listed in Annexure B .

QUESTION NO.: 934

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 August 2009

Mr M R Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:

(1) Whether the African West Coast Cable (AWACC) project (details furnished) is

proceeding; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the cost and (b) who are the (i) funders and/or (ii) shareholders;

(2) whether any funding arrangements have been finalised; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are these arrangements, (b) when will work commence on the (i) planning and (ii) implementing of the cable and (c) what is the expected completion time? NW1147E

REPLY

(1)(a-b)(i-ii) The original African West Coast Cable (AWCC) project was launched by Broadband Infraco as a developmental project in August 2007, together with 13 other interested parties in the sector, with the objective of being ready for service by mid 2010. Negotiations commenced on the Construction and Maintenance Agreement (C&MA) that would govern the ongoing commercial relationship between the parties after financial closure of the project. The AWCC C&MA was not concluded in its envisaged form because the parties could not reach consensus on various commercial principles and consequently the project was underfunded. The AWCC development project was therefore suspended in July 2008.

Broadband Infraco and the other major South African telecommunications operators then investigated new opportunities to cooperate and an MOU was signed in September 2008 between Broadband Infraco, MTN, Vodacom, Neotel and Telkom to jointly develop a new undersea cable project called the West African Cable System (WACS). Governance structures for WACS were established and the development of the C&MA and Supply Contract for the WACS project commenced in October 2008.

The commercial principles of participation were negotiated and agreed between the parties and the C&MA was signed by Angola Telecom, Broadband Infraco, Cable & Wireless, MTN, Telecom Namibia, Portugal Telecom, Sotelco, Tata Communications, Telkom SA, Togo Telecom and Vodacom on 8 April 2009. Broadband Infraco's investment in WACS will result in it acquiring a 12% stake in the total capacity of the system.

(2)(a-b)(i-ii)(c) Broadband Infraco's participation in the project will be financed through a combination of existing equity and debt funding. Debt funding is being arranged in the form of a senior debt package from the Development Bank of Southern Africa.

From a technical perspective, WACS is a high capacity marine cable system that will link countries in Southern and West Africa and Europe, with at least 5.1 terabits per second of international bandwidth capacity. Planned landing points include South Africa, Namibia, Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Nigeria, Togo, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Cape Verde, Canary Islands, Portugal and the United Kingdom. The estimated capital cost of WACS is approximately US$ 660 million.

The supplier for the system was selected by the WACS consortium and a contract was signed on the 8 April 2009 for the supply, implementation and commissioning of the cable system with all associated landing points. The activities for the deep water trunk route survey and desk top study have commenced and will be completed by mid September 2009. Manufacture of the marine cable and repeaters is scheduled to start in December 2009. Implementation of the system is expected to commence in May 2010. The cable system is expected to be ready for service during the second half of 2011.

QUESTION 932

QUESTION NO. 931

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10 of 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 August 2009

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

(1) Which offices of the SA Weather Service are equipped with video conferencing facilities;

(2) whether there is a policy that governs the use of these facilities in order to minimise the costs incurred by staff flying to the head office in Pretoria for meetings; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW1089E

MR M M SWATHE (DA)

SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

931. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

(1) The following offices of the South African Weather Service are equipped with video conferencing facilities; The South African Weather Service Headquarters in Pretoria, the Aviation Weather Centre at OR Tambo International Airport, and the Regional Forecasting Offices at Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Bloemfontein and Nelspruit (Kruger International Airport).

(2) Yes, a Video Conference Scheduling and Use Policy was developed. The primary objective of this policy is to facilitate an environment in which the video conferencing facilities can be optimally used for the benefit of its users and stakeholders. Currently, the system is used mainly for Forecast Discussions between the various forecasting offices to improve efficiencies, especially during periods of severe weather conditions and for meetings on operational issues.

QUESTION NUMBER 930

^{_{DATE OF PUBLICATION: 21 AUGUST 2009}}

Mr P J Groenewald (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Finance:

(1) Whether the claim of R41 million instituted by the SA Revenue Service against the Klerksdorp Medical Benefit Society (KDM) has been decided; if not, why not; if so, when was it decided;

(2) why did the SA Revenue Service institute a claim against the KDM;

(3) whether irregularities did take place in the KDM fund; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what irregularities;

(4) whether any proceedings have been instituted; if not, why not; if so, against whom?

NW1086E

REPLY:

(1) – (4) Due to the secrecy provisions contained in the tax laws administered by SARS, it is not in a position to disclose any information about the circumstances or matters of a particular taxpayer. SARS can therefore unfortunately not respond to the specific question raised.

QUESTION NO. 929

QUESTION

Dr CP Mulder (FF Plus), to ask the Minister of Human Settlements:

(1) With regard to each financial year since 2004 until the latest specified date for which information is available, (a) how many (i) developers and (ii) construction firms in (aa) each province and (bb) countrywide were responsible for the construction of Government housing projects and (b) what amounts for each of the projects has the Government paid out to each of the (i) developers and (ii) construction firms;

(2) whether the Government has used any of the (a) developers and (b) construction firms more than once; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) which (aa) construction firms and (bb) developers were used for which projects and (ii) how much were they paid for each project;

(3) how many of the (a) developers and (b) construction firms (i) experienced financial problems or (ii) were declared insolvent prior to the completion of the Government housing projects;

(4) how many of the (a) developers and (b) construction firms who erected Government housing projects were involved in corruption and fraud in respect of the Government projects?

REPLY:

1 (a) Number of developers and construction firms.

(i) (aa)

Number of developers in each province

PROVINCE	Number of Developers
EASTERN CAPE	133
FREE STATE	206
GAUTENG	108
KWAZULU NATAL	111
LIMPOPO	209
MPUMALANGA	77
NORTHERN CAPE	47
NORTH WEST	90
WESTERN CAPE	143
TOTAL	1124

(i) (bb)

The number of developers country wide is 1124

(ii) (aa)

Number of Construction firms (Contractorsl Builders) in each province

PROVINCE	Number of Developers
EASTERN CAPE	8
FREE STATE	109
GAUTENG
KWAZULU NATAL	5
LIMPOPO	7
MPUMALANGA
NORTHERN CAPE	70
NORTH WEST	1
WESTERN CAPE	2
TOTAL	202

Gauteng and Mpumalanga have classified construction firms and municipalities in the Housing Subsidy System (HSS) data as developers.

(ii) (bb)

There are 202 construction firms country wide.

(b) The amounts paid by government for each project in respect of:

(i) Developers, refer to list A and D - Projects and payments

(ii) Construction firms, refer to list Band C - Projects and payment

2 (a) Yes, Government has used developers and

(b) Yes, Construction firms

(i) (aa) Lists Band C contain Construction firms used for each housing project: .

(bb) Lists A and D contain Developers used for each housing project

(ii) (aa) Amounts paid to construction firms for each housing project are as listed in lists Band C.

(bb) Amounts paid to developers for each housing project are contained in lists A and D.

3 (a) (i) As the Information Systems at the disposal of the Department does not incorporate information relating to the financial status of developers and construction firms, this information had to be requested from Provincial Human Settlements Departments who at this stage only two have indicated as follows:

Gauteng

Northern Cape: 11 contractors have experienced financial problems and did not complete the projects.

Further information regarding the other province will be provided as soon as it is received in full

(ii) The information regarding insolvency and liquidation of construction and development companies is not kept by the Department, therefore no information is available in this regard.

None

(b) (i) and (ii)

Information Systems at the disposal of the Department does not incorporate information relating to the financial status of developers and contraction firms. The Information was requested from Provincial Departments and they have not been able to provide such details.

4 (a) and (b) There were 289 developers and construction firms who were allegedly involved in corruption and fraud in respect of the Government projects.

QUESTION NO 937

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 28 AUGUST 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 12 – 2009)

Date reply submitted : 7 October 2009

Mr V B Ndlovu (IFP) to ask the Minister of Police:

(a) What are the obstacles to the Independent Complaints Directorate finalizing investigations into deaths in custody as a result of police action, (b) what is being done to overcome these obstacles and (c) what is the effectiveness of the initiatives in light of the Directorate's target of maintaining a 60% finalization rate?

NW682E

REPLY:

(a) The obstacles that have contributed to the ICD not being able to finalise investigations into deaths in custody and as a result of police action include –

· The vastness of the provinces affects the ability to arrive at scenes in time to ensure proper and timeous investigations. Although the establishment of satellite offices in some Provinces have assisted in addressing the problem, the reality of long distances to travel is affecting the finalization of cases.

· The delays in reporting of scenes of deaths in some provinces have a negative effect in that a reconstruction of the scene has to happen to enable investigation to proceed. This also affect the timeous identification and location of possible witnesses to the incident;

· The delays in processing of technical reports after analysis of firearms and related items by the Forensic Science Laboratory;

· The delays in the releasing of post mortem reports by the Department of Health's Pathology Sciences; and

· The general turnaround time by other role-players within the Criminal Justice System (CJS) contributes to the delay in finalization of complaints.

(b) The ICD is constantly engaging key stakeholders within the CJS to address areas of concern that contribute to the delays outlined above. ICD Management is involved in discussions with the SAPS Provincial Commissioners in different Provinces, to ensure that there is improved communication and deal with identified problem areas. ICD Management has also implemented a new and improved Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), a procedure manual that guides the investigation of complaints, to make it user-friendly and easy to understand to all investigators. The Monitoring and Evaluation Committee of the Department is also embarking on a program to assist provincial offices to improve operating methodology in relation to Class 1-cases.

(c) These initiatives are evaluated on a quarterly basis to establish their effectiveness and examine other available means of addressing the impediments with a view to attain the 60% finalization rate.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21/08/09

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 10-2009)

Mrs C Dudley (ACDP) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

What was the urgency that resulted in a last minute change of design to the 2008 National Senior Certificate delaying its distribution to August;

whether she has been informed of the difficulties experienced by learners as a result of the delay; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,

whether she will take any steps in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what steps? NW1090E

REPLY:

The National Senior Certificate is being issued for the first time this year, following the first National Senior Certificate examinations in 2008. As a new qualification, this Certificate needed to be designed afresh, so there are no"last minute changes of design"as indicate in the question.

It may be recalled that the old Senior Certificates did not carry the Coat of Arms, and only reflected the Umalusi logo. This is inappropriate for a government issued, national certificate, and created problems for students who took the certificate oversea, only to be asked whether the certificate had any official status. It was therefore agreed that the new National Senior Certificate should indicate it is a properly endorsed and official certificate of the government of South Africa, by carrying the Coat of Arms of Republic.

The initial draft version of the new Certificate developed by Umalusi showed the Coat of Arms in the one Corner of the page- in clear contravention of the guidelines pertaining to the use of national symbols. The Department, working with Umalusi, therefore agreed on a new design which would place the Coat of Arms at the centre, in accordance with protocol. Umalusi would remain as the issuer of the Certificate, duly signed by the Chief Executive Officer Dr. Rakometsi. The acquisition of the high quality paper required has followed the approval of this design , and the new Certificates are being issued at present.

While the delay may be regrettable, I believe it would have been even more problematic to have issued this first cohort of Senior Certificate recipients with an inferior product. The new design is one that any matriculant would be proud to display, with international and national currency.

I am not aware of any difficulties being encountered in this regard, since all students have a full "Statement of Results", which is all that most employers and higher education institutions require. If any student is experiencing genuine difficulties they are welcome to contact the Department of Education, but none have been raised with us to date.

2009-09-08

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