Question & Replies No 1276 to 1300

2009-10-05

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

QUESTION 1299

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 18 September 2009

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 17 OF 2009

Mrs J F Terblanche (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:

(1) Whether the official at her department's office in Pinetown accused of allegedly tearing up the application for an identity document of a certain person (name furnished) has been identified; if not, why not; if so, who is the person;

(2) whether any action has been taken against this official; if not, why not; if so, what action;

(3) whether she has sent a delegation to investigate the situation at that office of her department; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the outcomes of the investigation and (b) action is being taken there;

(4) whether she has taken any steps to change the public's perception and experience of her department as uncaring, unhelpful and unfriendly public servants; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW1646E

REPLY

(1) Yes. After the investigation, she was charged for misconduct.

(2) Yes. The official was suspended, and a disciplinary hearing was held on 25 September 2009. On request of the official, as well as, the number of witnesses to be cross-examined, the hearing was postponed, and will resume on 15 to 18 October 2009.

(3) Yes. A delegation was sent to the Pinetown Office of the Department, and an investigation was conducted.

(3)(a) The outcome of the investigation was that the head of the office in Pinetown, as well as, the offender,

be charged with misconduct.

(3)(b) Both officials in question were charged with misconduct. Their disciplinary hearings took place on 23 and 25 September 2009, respectively. Following requested postponement, as earlier, alluded to in (2), possible action is awaited on resumption of the hearing on 15 to 18 October 2009.

(4) Yes. The following measures were put in place:

· The re-enforced wearing of nametags by all officials of the Department.

· On Talk Show on Radio 702, every first Thursday of every month, between 21:00 and 22:00, where we interact with members of the public.

· We are, also, trying to enhance the Batho Pele principles in our offices.

· Plans are underway to start training for the front line office staff.

· Managers' visibility in all offices is made a pre-condition.

MEMBER: MR T D LEE

PARTY: DA

HOUSE: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

TYPE: WRITTEN QUESTION

MINISTRY: SPORT AND RECREATION SA

QUESTION: NO 1298

(Internal Question Paper No 18 – 2009)

Mr T D Lee (DA) to ask the Minister of Sport and Recreation:

Whether a certain person (name furnished) resigned as a result of the issue surrounding gender testing; if not, what is the reason for his resignation; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW1645E

REPLY:

All officials who may be able to answer the question have been suspended by SASCOC.

QUESTION NO: 1297

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18 September 2009

QUESTION PAPER NO: 17

DATE OF REPLY: 7 October 2009

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

(1) With reference to his reply to question 51 on 8 September 2009, (a) why are the programmes mentioned not being broadcast and (b) who commissioned each of these programmes;

(2) Whether any of these programmes will be broadcast; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW1644E

REPLY:

I was informed by the SABC as follows:

(1) It was determined that some of the programme information given for the reply to Question 51 on 8 September was not complete, as some of the programmes mentioned were actually broadcast. The dates when these programmes were broadcast is indicated in the attached table.

(a) The attached table also indicates the reasons why certain planned programmes were not broadcast.

(b) The SABC commissioned all the programmes.

(2) In the attached Annexure it is stated when the programmes were broadcast or will be broadcast.

SABC PROGRAMME INFORMATION (Question 1297)

PROGRAMME	BROADCAST DETAILS
Skop 'n Jag	Not commissioned - no costs incurred.
The Playa	Not commissioned - no costs incurred.
Finishing School	Not commissioned - no costs incurred.
Mzansi Sings	New brief that is still to be contracted - not incurred yet.
Comedy of the present	New brief that is still to be contracted - not incurred yet. Expected to be broadcast in 2010.
The courage of your convictions	New brief that is still to be contracted - not incurred yet. Expected to be broadcast in 2010.
Fame from Faith	Expected to be broadcast on 01 May 2010
Issues of Faith - God's Gangster	Will be broadcast in "Issues of faith" strand in this fiscal. Production to start October 2009.
Issues of Faith - Crime and Punishment	Was broadcast on 4 May 2008.
Southern Rythms	Not commissioned - no costs incurred.
A Nur & Imani	Was broadcast on 15 December 2005
Dharma Moments & Simcha	Was broadcast on 27 September 2007
The First Fruit Festival	Broadcast schedule dependent on contracting period still to be determined - no costs incurred.
Siyakholwa - We Believe	Was broadcast on 7 November 2009.
Issues of faith 12 - The Rasta Movement	Was broadcast on 26 July 2009.
Issues of faith 12 - Bishop Paul	Was broadcast on 2 August 2009
Issues of Faith: Pascal's Journey	Was broadcast on April 2009
Issues of faith: Bridging the past	Was broadcast on 21 September 2009
Issues of faith: Rwanda	Will be broadcast on 11 October 2009
Issues of Faith: Cardinal Napier	Was broadcast on 13 September 2009
Issues of Faith: city of Dreams	Was broadcast as part of the Issues of Faith strand
Feminine / MaMa Africa	Was broadcast on 17 November 2005
Masindis's Story	Was broadcast on 1 December 2005
Mixed Blessings	Was broadcast on 24 April 2005
The Feminine Divine	Was broadcast on 8 December 2005
The Bridget Jones Phenomenon	Was broadcast on 10 April 2005
The secret art of human retrieve	Was broadcast on 11 May 2006
Heart Of The Feast	Was broadcast on 15 December 2005
The Bountiful Bunny	Was broadcast on 12 January 2006
Kapitan's	The episode was cancelled - no cost incurred
Mai Mai Magic'	The episode was cancelled - no cost incurred
Heritage Shorts	The brief was cancelled - no cost incurred
LIFESTYLES APART	The brief was cancelled - no cost incurred
PATH FINDERS –GOGO'S HEART	This project is on hold. No contract yet
Andile Vellem	The episode was cancelled - no cost incurred
WAYS OF SEEING, WAYS OF BEING	The brief was cancelled - no cost incurred
LEGACY -IN SEARCH OF PHYTHONO KEEN EYES	The brief was cancelled - no cost incurred
MIND THE GAP – MINA NAWE	The brief was cancelled - no cost incurred
IN THE NAME OF THE MOTHER	The episode was cancelled - no cost incurred
AFRICAN SCI FLY	The brief was cancelled - no cost incurred
THE MESAI WARROR:	The episode was cancelled - no cost incurred
MISSION TO BABADOS:	The episode was cancelled - no cost incurred
RUHENUERI	The episode was cancelled - no cost incurred
Bhambatha Rebellion	Was broadcast on 12 October 2006
HIP HOP MZANSI	The brief was cancelled - no cost incurred
Rate My Date	Was broadcast on 14 April 2009
SALUTE TO GREATNESS	Was broadcast on 18 August 2009
SALUTE TO GREATNESS	Was deferred to 2010 - as per austerity plan
SALUTE TO GREATNESS	Was deferred to 2010 - as per austerity plan
SALUTE TO GREATNESS	Was deferred to 2010 - as per austerity plan
SALUTE TO GREATNESS	Was deferred to 2010 - as per austerity plan
Salute To Greatness	Broadcast is scheduled for the 2010/11 financial year. No cost incurred yet.
Salute To Greatness	Broadcast is scheduled for the 2010/11 financial year. No cost incurred yet.
Salute To Greatness	Broadcast is scheduled for the 2010/11 financial year. No cost incurred yet.
Thabo Mbeki and the African Century	Was broadcast in late 2006 as part of the Unathorised series.
Biographies	The brief was cancelled – no cost incurred.
Ep-Till Death Do Us Part	Was broadcast pn 18 October 2006
NGAKA YA KO DIPOMPONG	The brief was cancelled – no cost incurred.
RHYTHM BROTHER DUKE	The brief was cancelled – no cost incurred.
SAMSON MNISI PROJECT	The brief was cancelled – no cost incurred.
RIAN CRUYWAGEN	The brief was cancelled – no cost incurred.
LEGENDS OF THE LEOPARDS	The brief was cancelled – no cost incurred.
DOWN MEMORY CLUB	The brief was cancelled – no cost incurred.
TREVOR MANUAL	The brief was cancelled – no cost incurred.
LIFE MOMENTS	The brief was cancelled – no cost incurred.
IMAGE OF DEFIANCE	The brief was cancelled – no cost incurred.
BIOGRAPHIES X4	The brief was cancelled – no cost incurred.
MY INVISIBLE FAMILY	Was broadcast on 7 August 2007
Oupa	The brief changed to a co-production due to high cost. Still seeking co-production partner. No cost incurred yet.
TEARGAS AND GUAVA JUICE	The brief was cancelled – no cost incurred.
THE PURPLE SHALL GOVERN	The brief was cancelled – no cost incurred.
Weave	The episode was cancelled – no cost incurred.
Dressed To Thrill	The episode was cancelled – no cost incurred.
HALLOW DAYS OR HOLLOW DAYS	The brief was cancelled – no cost incurred.
HOOKED	Was deferred to 2010 - as per austerity plan
Fact Of Fiction	Will be broadcast on 3 April 2010
BEYOND POSITIVE	In the process of commissioning - no cost incurred yet
Hola! Mpinji	Will be broadcast from 13 April 2010 to 13 July 2010
Meadowlands	Work in progress (script writing). Scheduled for broadcast from 28 August 2012 to 11 September 2012.
Makana	Work in progress (script writing). Scheduled for broadcast from 2 July 2013 to 30 July 2013.
LAND WITH A TEMPER	Will be broadcast from 2 August 2011 to 1 November 2011
LAND WITH A TEMPER	Work in progress, The script is being developed.
Bloodlines	The project is on hold. The company was successful in bid, but the channel has not decided to go ahead. No costs incurred.
DR ALIEN	Not commissioned - no cost incurred
n DUISENDE ENGELE	Will be broadcast from 25 November 2014 to 23 December 2014
Streets Of Maung	Work in progress (scriptwriting). Scheduled for broadcast 3 May 2011.
SHARPVILLE	Will be broadcast from 1 March 2011 to 22 March 2011
WHERE FREEDOM IS TREASON	Will be broadcast from 7 October 2014 to 18 November 2014
Vultures	Cancelled by channel. No cost incurred.
JAMES MPANZA	Will be broadcast from 3 April 2011 to 7 June 2011
YESTERYEARS	Will be broadcast from 19 August 2014 to 30 September 2014
SHREADS AND DREAMS	Deferred to 2010 (production is on hold).No cost incurred yet
Untitled	This is the "After 9 series" which was broadcast on SABC 1 in 2007
Miss Msawawa	Project on hold due to research & development. No cost incurred.
2 Untitled programmes	Asset: Only the script was done. Production to only start once broadcast is confirmed
My Perfect Family	The project is on hold until the next fiscal. No cost incurred yet.
Jabba Time	The project is on hold until the next fiscal. No cost incurred yet.
Jakkals Jol	Was broadcast on 7 April 2008
YOUTH FOR DEMOCRACY	Brief closed - no cost incurred
CIRCLES/Dawn Series 1	New brief, not yet contracted. Intend to broadcast in 2010/11 financial year.
SCARCE RESOURCE	Brief closed - no cost incurred
EK SE LALELA!	Brief closed - no cost incurred
ZABALAZA 3	Brief closed - no cost incurred
WHO AM I ?	New brief, not yet contracted. Intend to broadcast in 2009/10 financial year.
WHO AM I ?	New brief, not yet contracted. Intend to broadcast in 2009/10 financial year.
WHO AM I ?	New brief, not yet contracted. Intend to broadcast in 2009/10 financial year.
WHO AM I ?	New brief, not yet contracted. Intend to broadcast in 2009/10 financial year.
I-SPECIAL	New brief, not yet contracted. Intend to broadcast in 2011.
WHIZ KID	Brief closed - no cost incurred
PIMP MY SCHOOL	New brief, not yet contracted. Intend to broadcast in 2009/10 financial year.
Mother of all Professions 1	Still in production. Intend to broadcast in 2009/10 financial year
Learnership – 48 Hours	Was broadcast in the "Rivoningo" strand

QUESTION 1296

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Date of publication on internal question paper: September 2009

Internal question paper no:

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

(1) Whether her department has many any funding available to the South African Older Persons' Forum; if not, why not; if so, (a) on what date and (b) what amount in each case;

(2) whether her department received an application for funding from the South African Older Person's Forum in November 2008 for the current financial year, if so, when will this application be processed? NW1642E

REPLY:

(1) Yes, the Department supported the formation of the South African Older Persons Forum (SAOPF) on 18^th July 2005. The main purpose of the Forum is to serve as a voice of older persons that could be consulted upon on any issues affecting older persons, including the development of policies and legislation affecting older persons.

The existence of the Forum is in line with the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, as it promotes information sharing, and consultation with Older Persons on policies affecting them. The role of the Department towards the SAOF is that of support and guidance

(a) May 2007 and

(b) R750 000.00 as seed funding.

(2) Yes, DSD received an application for funding for the SAOPF for the current financial year 2009/10 in November 2008. The screening and assessment for compliance has been finalized and it is expected that the processing of application and transfer of is finalized by the first week of October 2009

QUESTION 1296

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18/09/09

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 17-2009)

Mr M H Steele(DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

(a)(i)What is the (aa) identity number, (bb) Persal number and (cc) occupation each of the nominated members of her department's 2008-09 Audit Committee and (ii) by whom is each of the audit committee members employed, (b) on which dates did the audit committee meet in the 2008-09 financial year and (c) what records are there for each of these meetings? NW1643E

REPLY:

(a)(i) INFORMATION REGARDING AUDIT COMMITEE MEMBERS

(aa) Members

S Sithole

MC Ledwaba

MJ Froneman

Dr CP Madiba

C Mpati

(bb) Persal number

S Sithole 19475527

MC Ledwaba 18696589

MJ Froneman 12091260

Dr CP Madiba 15758761

C Mpati 61082341

(cc) Occupation

S Sithole Chartered Accountant

MC Ledwaba Chief Financial Officer

MJ Froneman Consultant

Dr CP Madiba Director District Development

C Mpati General Manager Adult Literacy Campaign

(ii) Employed

S Sithole Partner at Sithole Incorporated Chartered Accountants

MC Ledwaba City of Polokwane

MJ Froneman Government Finance Projects Cc

Dr CP Madiba National Department of Education (Temporary basis)

C Mpati Kwa Zulu Natal of Education

(b) Dates of Audit Committee Meetings for 2008/2009

8 May 2008

29 May 2008

28 July 2008

30 September 2008

1 December 2008

19 March 2009

(C) Records of Audit Committee Meetings

Minutes of each audit committee meeting are kept and also distributed to each audit committee member, external auditors and the accounting officer.

QUESTION 1294

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [NO 17-2009]

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009

1294. Mr M M Swathe (DA) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:

Whether his department drafts programmes with consideration to reports and work from local government programmes such as Project Consolidate and the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Programme; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1641E

THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:

Yes. Lessons learnt from programmes such as Project Consolidate and the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Programme (ISRDP) are currently being integrated into the Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP). In relation to the ISRDP, communication on this process has been sent out to all nodal mayors, provincial Heads of Departments in the nodal areas and technical stakeholders that were involved in its implementation in the nodes. Stakeholders will continue to be consulted on how to integrate the best practices from these programmes during the rollout of the CRDP.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

WRITTEN TO ORAL REPLY

QUESTION 1293

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 11/09/09

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 16-2009)

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

Whether his department has invested in a university that teaches in languages other than English and/or Afrikaans; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1640E

REPLY:

The Department of Education has published the Language in Education Policy (1997) and the Language Policy for Higher Education (2002) which, are designed to promote multilingualism in the education sector. Their aim is to ensure that all South African languages are "developed to their full capacity while at the same time ensuring that the existing languages of instruction (English and Afrikaans) do not serve as a barrier to access and success."

As part of our initiative to promote multilingualism in higher education, the Department of Education supports a number of pilot projects under the South African-Norway Tertiary Education Development programme. The focus of the pilot projects is promoting multilingual proficiency for academic staff and students registered in service disciplines such as social work, law, nursing, medicine and other health sciences. Support is also provided for academic tutorials conducted in indigenous languages.

Question 1292

Mr A P van der Westhulzen (DA) to ask the Minister of Tracie and Industry:

(1) Whether his department has commissioned independent studies into the effectiveness and sustainability of trade incentive schemes in the past five years; if not, why not: if so,

(2) Whether such studies identified any sectors in which incentives may be more effective in terms of Its impact on economic growth and/or job creation; if not, what Is the position in this regard: if so, what are the relevant details?

Response:

(1) The department commissions regular review studies of its Incentive programmes, inclusive of those aimed at growing exports. The reviews are conducted with the aim of determining whether the incentives are meeting their intended objectives With regards to promoting investment, job creation, competitiveness and exports. The results of a review study become the basis of a decision on whether to continue offering an incentive as is, continue offering the incentives with amendments aimed at enhancing impact or discontinue completely

(2) Several studies have been commissioned in the last five years. Amongst some of the more significant studies commissioned in the past five years are:

The Department of Trade and Industry Incentive Review, conducted by Dr. Zavareh Rustomjee, and completed in November 2006. The consultant was required to provide policy recommendations regarding, among other things, sectors, sub-sectors and areas to be supported through incentive schemes, and type of Incentive instruments to be used, like tax based incentives, grant based Incentives, In developing new incentives such as the Enterptise Investment Programme and the Business Process Outsourcing and Offshoring (BPO&O), the department took into account the recommendations of the review by ensuring improved alignment between incentive schemes and the customized sector programme as well as the need to avoid the proliferation of incentive programmes and over subsidization of projects. The recommendations of the review also informed amendments to the Large Budget Film and Television Rebate Programme as well as the Black Business Supplier Development Programme. .

A review of the Technology programmes, namely the Support for Industrial innovation (SPII) and the Technology and Human resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) was concluded in 2006. The review concluded that the schemes were meeting their intended objectives. 43% of THRIP beneficiaries and 54% of SPII beneficiaries indicated that their projects would not have been undertaken in South Africa without the programmes' assistance. The studies further proposed enhancements to the schemes which have since been implemented.

A review of the Motor Industry Development Programme (MIDP) was commissioned in 2005 with the purpose of assessing industry performance against set objectives of increasing international competitiveness, sustainable employment and increased contribution to the country's economic growth. This review was also undertaken with a view to providing long-term certainty to the industry about the investment environment from 2012 to 2020.

The MIDP review has led to the announcement of a replacement programme named the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP). It is aimed at the creation of an environment that will encourage the Industry to make the necessary investments to achieve significant economies of scale by increasing vehicle production volumes to 1.2 million units per year by 2020. It is expected that significant direct and indirect employment opportunities will be created during the implementation of the APDP.

QUESTION 1290
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [NO 17–2009]
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009
1290. Mrs P de Lille (ID) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:

(1) With reference to the unresolved land claims (details furnished) with regard to (a) Ngxobeleni/Shep 11cc, (i) why was the payment not made, (ii) when will it be paid and (iii) what was the reason for the delay and (b) Mchobololo/Shep 11cc, (i) why has it not been signed and (ii) when will it be signed;

(2) whether his department will resolve these delays; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1637E

THE MINISTER FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM:

(1)(a)(i) Payment has not been effected due to financial constraints experienced by the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights (CRLR).

(ii) In the 2010-2011 financial year.

(iii) The financial constraints within the CRLR.

(b)(i) & (ii) The agreement cannot be signed until additional funds are made to available to the CRLR.

(2) Yes, once additional funding is made available to the CRLR.

QUESTION NO: 1289

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18 September 2009

QUESTION PAPER NO: 17

DATE OF REPLY: 7 October 2009

Mrs P de Lille (ID) to ask the Minister of Communications:

How many sets of regulations (a) under the Electronic Communication Act, Act 36 of 2005, is the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) working on and (b) have been gazetted by ICASA?

NW1636E

REPLY:

I was informed by ICASA as follows:

(a) ICASA is currently working on thirty-five (35) sets of regulations under the Electronic Communication Act, Act 36 of 2005. The attached Annexure indicates what these regulations will be dealing with.

(b) Fourteen (14) sets of regulations have been gazetted by ICASA since 2005. The attached Annexure indicates the details of these regulations.

ANNEXURE

REGULATIONS BEING DEVELOPED BY ICASA

1. Interconnection regulations

2. Electronic communications facilities leasing regulations

3. Carrier pre-selection regulations

4. Review of price cap regulations

5. Review of numbering plan regulations

6. Unreserved postal services regulations

7. Review of postal tariffs regulations

8. Local loop unbundling regulations

9. Review of handset subsidy regulations

10. Advertising of infomercials regulations

11. Competition framework regulations

12. Regulatory impact analysis regulations

13. Review of standard terms and conditions regulations

14. Review of process regulations

15. Digital migration regulations

16. Local content regulations

17. Sports broadcasting rights regulations

18. Licensing of commercial radio regulations

19. Licensing of I-ECNS regulations

20. Licensing of mobile TV regulations

21. Licensing of Broadband Infraco regulations

22. Ownership and control for individual licences regulations

23. Review of Universal Service and Access regulations

24. Radio regulations

25. Frequency band plan regulations

26. Radio Frequency Spectrum fees regulations

27. Licensing of high frequency bands regulations

28. Review of type approval regulations

29. Spectrum licensing regulations

30. Spectrum co-ordination regulations

31. E-rate regulations

32. Conveyance of mail regulations

33. Complaints and compliance regulations

34. Enquiry for services without frontiers and Video on Demand

35. Regulations concerning procedures for ICASA inspectors

REGULATIONS GAZETTED BY ICASA

1. Mobile Number Portability regulations published on 30 September 2005

2. Numbering plan regulations published on 15 May 2006

3. Standard terms and conditions for class licences regulations published on 23 November 2007

4. Standard terms and conditions for individual licences regulations published on 30 November 2007

5. Licensing processes and procedures(I-ECNS, I-ECS & BS) regulations published on 31 March 2008

6. Licensing processes and procedures (ECS, ECNS & BS) regulations published on 31 March 2008

7. Handset subsidy regulations published on 17 June 2008

8. Broadcasting services code regulations published 06 July 2009

9. Minimum standards for end-user and subscriber service charter regulations published on 24 July 2009

10. Must carry obligations regulations published on 10 October 2008

11. Prescribed annual contributions of licensees to the Universal Service and Access Fund regulations published on 10 October 2008

12. Party election broadcasts (amendment)regulations published on 29 January 2009

13. General licence fees regulations published on 01 April 2009

14. Licence exempt regulations

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO. 1288

DATE OF PUBLICATIONIN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO

Date reply submitted:29 October 2009

1288.Mrs P de Lille (DA) to ask the Minister of Labour:With reference to his reply to Question 604 on 2 September 2009, what (a) was the outcome of the special committee's meeting that was scheduled to take place on 7 August 2009, (b) was the decision taken on the verification report and (c) sanction has been decided on?

QUESTION NO. 1287

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 17)

Mr M H Hoosen (ID) to ask the Minister of Health:

What (a) is the total number of medical doctors who graduated in the past three years and (b) steps are being taken to increase the intake of students for the medical profession?

NW1634E

REPLY:

(a) Graduates that applied and were placed into medical internship are as follows:

- in 2007: 1 422

- in 2008: 1 336 and

- in 2009: 1 315

(b) There are regular discussions with the heads of health science facilities at universities to increase the number of students. Immediately following my appointment I met the deans of our 8 medical schools about this issue. Another meeting is scheduled for later this month between the Department of Health, the Department of Higher Education and Training and the Vice-Chancellors of Universities and Deans of medical schools, to take the matter further.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO. 1286

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 17)

Mr M H Hoosen (ID) to ask the Minister of Health:

What (a) is the total number of vacant positions for (i) doctors and (ii) nurses in his department in each province and (b) steps are being taken to address these shortages?

NW1633E

REPLY:

The following information was obtained from the Provinces:

EASTERN CAPE

(a) (i) Doctors = 1 217

(ii) Nurses = 25 954

(b) The Occupational Specific Dispensation has been introduced in order to attract and retain scarce skills. The vacant funded posts are being advertised and in the process of being filled.

FREE STATE

(a) Total number of vacant positions

(i) Doctors/registrars = 368

(ii) Nurses = 1466

(b) The Department has established a team that revises, and when approved, implements the Service Transformation Plan. This will also link to the re-designing of the staff establishment, addressing shortages and service delivery. The Department is also part of the project of HR Connect of the DPSA, which will lead to the cleaning up of the staff establishment and PERSAL.

LIMPOPO

(a) Total number of vacant positions

POSITIONS	VACANT
Doctors	1815
Nurses	3829

(b) Steps being taken to address these shortages

· The Department has established two additional colleges of nursing for the training of professional nurses in the province

· The implementation of the Occupational Specific Dispensation for nursing personnel from July 2007 is also a means to recruit and retain nursing personnel

· The Department is awarding bursaries for studies in medicine as a recruitment measure. The students awarded bursaries sign a contract to serve the department for at least the number of years of the duration of studies

· The Department is also employing foreign Cuban, Iranian and Tunisian doctors in terms of the Government to Government Contract

· There is also a United Nations Volunteer Programme through which the Department is also able to acquire doctors

· The Department also send students for training as doctors in Cuba who after completion come back to serve the province

MPUMALANGA

The following table reflects the situation in this regard

Doctors

Nurses

(a) Vacant positions

Medical Doctors: 696

Medical Specialists: 93

Total: 789

Nursing Assistants: 1366

Staff Nurses: 1229

Professional Nurses: 1542

Total: 4137

(b) Steps taken to address these shortages

As Mpumalanga is a rural province, it is difficult to attract health professionals to the province. The implementation of the OSD for the medical cluster should attract medical doctors and specialists to work in the province as the salaries will be substantially higher. The provision of a career path in the OSD will also assist in attracting medical doctors and specialists (Translation to higher grade is no longer dependent on availability of posts)

As Mpumalanga is a rural province, it is difficult to attract health professionals to the province. The implementation of the OSD for nursing staff is however slowly starting to attract nurses to the province, especially rural areas as the rural allowance is now calculated on the higher salaries offered by the OSD.

NORTHERN CAPE

The following table reflects the situation in this regard

Category	No. of Posts	No. of Posts Filled	No. of Posts Vacant
Medical Officer (perm)	600	232	368
Medical Officer (temp)	47	51	-4
Professional Nurses (perm)	1856	1207	649
Professional Nurses (temp)	4	4	0

WESTERN CAPE

(a) (i) Doctors: 158 vacant funded posts (total include Specialists and Medical Officers)

(ii) Nurses: 465 vacant funded posts (include all nursing categories)

(b) The Occupational Specific Dispensation has been introduced in order to attract and retain scarce skills. The vacant funded posts are being advertised and in the process of being filled.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NUMBER: 1285

DATE FOR PUBLICATION: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009

DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: 27 NOVEMBER 2009

MR D A KGANARE (COPE) TO ASK THE MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: PERFOMANCY MONITORING AND EVALUATION AND ADMINISTRATION:

(1) Whether there are any guidelines for the purchase of official vehicles by Ministers and Deputy Ministers; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether any purchase of official vehicles contravened these guidelines; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether the Ministers or the Deputy Ministers were informed of these guidelines; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(4) whether the guidelines permit a Minister or Deputy Minister to utilise his or her own transport for official duty; if so, (a) which Minister or Deputy Minister is using his or her own personal transport and (b) how much has each claimed for mileage and tax rebates in each month since his or her appointment;

(5) whether he will make a statement regarding the public outcry over the purchasing of official vehicles by the Ministers and the Deputy Ministers; if not, why not; if so, when?

NW1627E

REPLY: message from the Minister

(1) The ministerial hand book is administered by Department of Public Service and Administration and Department of Transport in respect ot transport matters the question has been referred to the two departments.

Question referred to DPSA and department of transport

QUESTION 1284

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER [NO 18-2009]

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009

1284. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform:

(1) Whether he can furnish the details of the new formula being developed for land redistribution; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) how does the Government envisage that this formula will address the ongoing effort at national reconciliation;

(2) whether this new formula will take into consideration section 25 of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

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THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM

(1) No. The Department is still in the process of consulting with stakeholders within the sector.

(a) & (b) Fall away.

(2) Yes. All government policy must reflect constitutional principles from which our mandate is derived.

QUESTION NUMBER 1283

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009

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

Whether the National Treasury has conducted and/or commissioned a study on the (a) fiscal and/or (b) financial and/or (c) economic effects of the proposed banning of temporary employment services or labour brokers; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

The National Treasury to date has not conducted and/or commissioned any study into the fiscal, financial and/or economic effects of the proposed banning of labour brokers.

The principle difficulty for conducting such a study is data. To conduct such a study would require detailed data on the number of workers involved with temporary employment services or labour broking, the wages of these workers and some estimate for the number of workers who would lose their jobs if labour broking were to be banned.

The data currently available is very limited and where it does exist, it is often conflicting. For example, official data from Statistics South Africa Labour Force Survey indicates only a small number of workers (37 115) were employed by labour brokers in 2007, with a further 273 000 workers paid by contractors or agencies (Statistics South Africa, September 2007). This is in contrast to industry estimates which suggest temporary employment services or labour brokers employ 500 000 workers.

The Department of Labour has conducted research on labour brokers and temporary employment services. This research did not focus specifically on the fiscal, financial and economic effects of banning labour brokers, but was aimed more at evaluating the extent of atypical forms of employment and their effects in the labour market.

The Department of Labour is also responsible for the policy and legal reforms associated with temporary employment services.

Without better data, any study would be unlikely to provide accurate or valid insights into the fiscal, financial and economic impact of banning temporary employment services or labour broking. Nevertheless, improving employment conditions and increasing employment in South Africa are key objectives of government policy.

QUESTION NO 1280

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 17 - 2009)

Date reply submitted : 16 November 2009

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

(1) How much money has the SA Police Service paid out in (a) legal fees and other related costs and (b) actual claims paid directly to the claimants in the 2008-09 financial year;

(2) whether it is the policy of the SAPS to refer all civil claims for litigation regardless of the merits of the individual cases; if so, (a) why and (b) what is the policy of the SAPS in this regard;

(3) whether all civil liability claims and payments are reported in the SAPS annual report under the heading contingent liabilities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

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REPLY:

(1)(a) and (b) R82,9 million for all legal costs in respect of legal work performed on behalf of SAPS. Legal costs in respect of civil claims contributed to the reduction / cancellation of civil claims amounting to R903,4 million during the financial year, as well as compensation payments amounting to R57,4 million.

(2) No.

(3) Yes, as disclosed in Annexure 5 on page 216 of the Annual Report.

QUESTION NO. 1279

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 17)

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

With reference to his reply to Question 332 on 24 July 2009, (a) what qualifications will be required of persons to be considered for a position at the Office of Standards Compliance and (b) what are the reasons for the delay in the establishment of the Office of Standards Compliance in terms of the National Health Act, Act 61 of 2003?

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REPLY:

(a) Staff of the Office of Standards Compliance will be required to have a minimum of a tertiary qualification as a health professional or a health service manager.

(b) The Post of Cluster Manager of the Office of Standards Compliance was filled in January 2008 and work in terms of the National Health Act is already underway. Recent proposals regarding changes to the location and functions of this Office have led to a process of consultation and review, following which the necessary steps for full functioning will be taken.

QUESTION 1278

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18/09/09

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 17-2009)

Ms S P Lebenya-Ntanzi (IFP) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

Whether she intends introducing sign language as an official school subject; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the timeframe for establishing a process to recognise sign language as a school subject and (b) what are the further relevant details? NW1299E

REPLY:

Yes.The Department of Basic Education in cooperation with PANSALB has already commenced with the development of Sign Language to be listed in the National Curriculum Statement Grades R-12.

The first step in the development process is to develop terminology for Sign Language. The terminology list, once finalised must be verified and authenticated by the National Language Board. PANSALB will assist the Department of Basic Education in this regard.

Furthermore, information must be obtained of the level at which the language subject will be offered. Languages are currently offered at three language levels, namely Home, First Additional and Second Additional Language levels.

Once Sign Language has been standardised, a Ministerial Task Team must be established with the aim of determining what expertise is needed and to invite experts in the identified fields of Sign Language to serve on a Subject Working Group.

It is imperative that all groupings in the aurally impaired community are identified because there must be consensus on what exactly Sign Language is and whether South African Sign Language is the only or best option. It is also important that all official languages will be accommodated in the chosen version of Sign Language.

The Subject Working Group will commence with its duty as spelt out in the Terms of Reference as developed by the Ministerial Committee. The Subject Working Group will develop the following required policy and guideline documents:

Ø Subject Statements which form the national education policy framework and stipulate the learning outcomes, assessment standards and content required for Sign Language;

Ø Learning Programme Guidelines to assist teachers with the interpretation of the Subject Statements, especially with regard to the conduct of School-Based Assessment; and

Ø Subject Assessment Guidelines to assist teachers with the composition of the School-Based Assessment and Practical Assessment Tasks of Sign Language as outlined in the Subject Assessment Guidelines.

Once the above policy and guideline documents have been developed, they must be published for public comment in the Government Gazette.

The above process takes approximately ten months.

The implementation date is to a large extent dependent on whether all groupings of the aurally impaired community have agreed to the curriculum.

Other factors that could influence the planned date for implementation, are the availability of qualified teachers in Sign Language and the availability of suitable and acceptable teaching and learning support material

Ø Subject Statements which form the national education policy framework and stipulate the learning outcomes, assessment standards and content required for Sign Language;

Ø Learning Programme Guidelines to assist teachers with the interpretation of the Subject Statements, especially with regard to the conduct of School-Based Assessment; and

Once the above policy and guideline documents have been developed, they must be published for public comment in the Government Gazette.

Other bodies/organisations to be involved are:

Ø The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for the registration of qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF);

Ø Umalusi, the Council for General and Further Education and Training Quality Assurance as Quality Council, which must develop and implement policy and criteria for the development, registration and publication of qualifications; and the quality assurance thereof; and

Ø Higher Education South Africa (HESA), which must consider if a subject qualifies to be regarded as a gateway subject for entrance to a Bachelor's degree at a university. Currently there are only 18 of the 29 National Senior Certificate subjects identified for university admission. These gateway subjects are listed in paragraph 4 of the Minimum Admission Requirements for Higher Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor's Degree Programmes requiring a National Senior Certificate (NSC), published in Government Gazette, No, 31231 of 11 July 2008.

If Sign Language is to be developed at Home and First Additional Language level, the implementation thereof should commence at General Education and Training (GET) Level before there can be any implementation at Further Education and Training (FET) Level.

The duration of the National Senior Certificate qualification which is based on the National Curriculum Statement Grades 10-12 is three years, namely Grades 10, 11 and 12. A learner must offer all subjects selected, including Sign Language for all three grades, Grades 10-12. In view of this, the implementation of a newly developed subject should be incrementally, starting with Grade 10 in January of the year after approval of the subject.

Only Sign Language at Second Additional Language level can be directly implemented at FET level.

The above process takes approximately 10 months. The implementation date is to a large extent dependent on whether all groupings of the aurally impaired community have agreed to the curriculum.

QUESTIONS 1276 FOR WRITTEN REPLY

11 SEPTEMBER 2009

1276. Mr L Ramatlakane (Cope) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and Administration:

(1) Whether his Deputy Minister or his Department or an agency of his department such as the Public Services Sector and Education and Training Authority (Pseta), has granted a tender of service to a service provider last year; if not, what is the position in this regard, if so, (a) for what type of service, (b) to which service provider, (c) what was the tender period and (d) what was the amount of the tender;

(2) (a)(i) which service provider have received the 25 highest amounts and (ii) what are the amounts in numerical order and (b) how many tenders were awarded to the same service provider in the (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09 financial year;

(3) (a) what is the composition of the internal tender committee, (b) what are the names of the internal tender committee members and (c) how many tender committee members declared interests in any service provider during the process;

(4) Whether any tender committee members recused themselves during the tender processing; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so; (a) who recused themselves and (b) what names and details were recorded;

(5) whether the Public Service Act, Act 103 of 1994, and the relevant regulations are being adhered to in the prevention of corruption; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so; what are relevant details?

REPLY:

(1) The Department has awarded tenders to service providers listed here-below for rendering of services to the department in the last year. There was, however, no tenders awarded for Pseta as most of the procurement requests fell below the tender threshold of R500 000 per request thereby procured through quotation process.

(a) for what type of service	(b)to which service provider	(c) what was the tender period	(d) what the amount
Professional Service	IT Aware	5 months	R4 188 360.00
	Price Waters House Coopers (PWC)	5 months	R17 173 813.00
	Price Waters House Coopers (Joint Venture Indyebo Consulting)	36 months	R3 495 671.00
	Village Exhibitions	3 days	R11 740 654.00
	CASE	4 months	R1 416 749.00
	KPMG	4 months	R3 700 000.00
	The Resolve Group	12 Months	R6 000 000.00
	Sharp Pencil	4 months	R1 318 752.00
	Bhubezi Printers	4 months	R3 700 000.00
	Formeset Digital	24 months	R1 920 253.05
Travel & Accommodation Service	Wings Naledi	12 months	26 231 000.00

(2) (a) (i) No service providers have received the 25 highest amounts.

(ii) There are no amounts involved, as there were no service providers who received the 25 highest amounts

(b) (i) No tenders were awarded to the same service providers

during 2007-08

(ii) No tenders were awarded to the same service providers during 2008-09

(3) (a) The Department has two internal tender committees, which are the

Bid Evaluation Committee and Bid Adjudication Committee. It is not certainly stated which committee is being referred to above hence the provision of information on both. The Bid Evaluation Committee is not a fixed committee, the composition of the committee is amended in terms of needs of the Department, whereas, the Bid Adjudication Committee is a fixed and permanent committee that is cross functional of members from different directorates within the Department. It is therefore not easy to report on members of the Bid Evaluation Committee as it changes from one functionality or need to another.

(b) The names of the Bid Adjudication Committee members are the following:-

1. Director SCMS – Chairperson

2. Felicity van Vuuren – Member (Finance)

3. Lufuno Raliphada – Member (OGCIO)

4. Kelebogile Thulare – Alternate (OGCIO)

5. Rhulani Makhubela – Member (HRMD)

6. Geeeva Pillay – Alternate (HRMD)

7. Tumelo Gopane – Member (GOVN)

8. Dumisani Mncube – Alternate (GOVN)

9. Folusho Mvubu – Member (SDI)

10. Vincent S Mabunda – Alternate (SDI)

11. Sybil Lyons Grootboom – Member (Legal Services)

12. Renisha Naidoo – Alternate (Legal Services)

13. Koos K.M. Shabangu – Rotational basis (MOC)

14. Gert Oelofsen – Rotational basis (MOC)

15. Louisa Reutener – Rotational basis (MOC)

16. Nico Ntsimane – Rotational basis (MOC)

17. Robert Lidevhele – Rotational basis (MOC)

18. Desmond Van der Westhuizen – Rotational basis (MOC)

19. James Agenbag – Observer (Internal Audit)

(c) No Bid Evaluation and Bid Adjudication Committee members have declared interests in any service provider during the process.

4. None of the committee members recused themselves during the tendering processing.

It means none of the members had any conflict of interests to declare.

(a) No one recused himself /herself.

(b) There are no names and details applicable.

5. The Public Service Act, Act 103 of 1994 and the relevant regulations are constantly being adhered to in the prevention of corruption. This is evident by the clean audit report from the Auditor – General and the Internal Audit on matters of compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.

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The Minister of Labour replied:

(a) I was advised by the Chairperson of the LGSETA that the Executive Committee of the SETA could not meet on the 07^th August as initially planned due to unavailability of some members, however they have since met on the 08^th September 2009. The EXCO did receive a report on the investigation on the qualifications of the CEO and could not make a final decision as some of the stakeholders felt that there were still some gaps in the report. The concerned stakeholders were given an opportunity to submit their concerns in writing. The EXCO was to assess all concerns received, where necessary to initiate further investigations and to submit their final report and recommendations to the full LGSETA Authority meeting before the end of October 2009.

(b) Question (b) and (c) are not applicable due to processes that are still underway as outlined above.

2009-10-05

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