Questions & Replies: Question & Replies No 1301 to 1325

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2009-10-07

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

QUESTION NUMBER: 1325

1325. Mr J Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy:

(1) Whether Eskom's coal procurement process will be investigated; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) Whether she is taking any steps to increase Eskom's coal stockpiles to an average of at least 21 days of stock; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) Whether she or her department has any plans in place to ensure that Eskom fulfil its mandate of supplying affordable energy; if not, why not; if so, what plans;

(4) Whether she has taken any steps to ensure that Eskom is regulated in line with the strategies and programmes of her department; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply

(1) Yes. The costs associated with the procurement of primary energy generally, or coal in this case, are a critical component in the process of determining the tariff increase that would be allowed to Eskom in a particular year. As such, the regulator NERSA is empowered and mandated, in terms of the Electricity Regulation Act, to investigate the coal procurement process. NERSA derives this power from s4 (b) of the Electricity Regulation Act and they have already indicated that they intend to commence an inquiry on this matter, in order to ensure that possible inefficiencies are addressed.

(2) No. The stockpiles have to be prudently managed and this is an operational matter that must balance the security of supply requirement against the cost related to keeping hug~ stockpiles. At the moment stockpiles far exceed 21 days (they are at an average exceeding 30 days). NERSA is mandated to interrogate the prudency of keeping stockpiles to a particular level, because this has an impact on the electricity tariff and as such it falls within their jurisdiction.

(3) Yes. The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is the plan that will ensure that energy supply will be maintained in the short-medium and long-terms.

Insofar as affordability, we believe that domestic consumers, particularly the poor, have to be cushioned against high tariffs by cross-subsidizing the cost against charges to industrial consumers. The rationale is based on the fact that industrial consumers are responsible for the high marginal cost of electricity, due to the capital expansion program that supports industrial demand. Therefore, the principle Is that costs need to be recovered more from whence they are largely driven. In this way, we will be able to continue providing affordable electricity to domestic consumers without under-recovering from industrial consumers.

(4 ) Yes. The regulatory framework is encompassed under the provisions of the Electricity Regulation Act of 2006, and regulations promulgated thereunder. NERSA is then responsible for performing their regulatory functions in accordance with this framework. In addition, various policies guide NERSA in this process, chief amongst the policies being the Electricity Pricing Policy and the Integrated Resource Plan. These legal and policy instruments are applicable to Eskom to ensure that Eskom executes programmes that are aligned with the programmes of the department.

We will continue to introduce new regulations as provided under the Electricity Regulation Act, to close any existing loopholes and to align government energy policies with the legislative mechanisms that will ensure Eskom compliance. An example Is the introduction of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, rather than a coal biased energy mix.


NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 1323

(Internal Question Paper No 17 - 2009)

Mrs M Wenger (DA) to ask the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:

(1) Whether he has visited the area of Thokoza in Ekurhuleni after the recent demonstrations; if not, why not; if so,

(2) whether he found any improvements implemented by the municipality to improve the conditions under which the residents are living; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what improvements;

(3) whether he intends taking any steps to improve the circumstances of the residents; if not, why not; if so, what steps? NW1671E

ANSWER

(1) No. My colleague Minister Tokyo Sexwale, Minister for Human Settlements led a government delegation to hostels in Thokoza on the East Rand on Sunday 13 September 2009.

(2) Not applicable. (3) Not applicable.



QUESTION NUMBER 1322


DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009

Mr P J C Pretorius (DA) to ask the Minister of Finance:

Whether he will consider amending Rule 14.6.2 of the Rules of the Government Employees Pension Fund to provide for an increased pension payable to the deceased member's spouse(s); if not, why not?

REPLY:

No. The Rules of Government Employees Pension Fund already provide for an increased pension payable to the deceased member's spouse(s). The Member can choose to reduce his or her gratuity or annuity in order to provide for an increased pension payable to the spouse(s).

This is a choice which the member may exercise. If the member so elects, the pension payment for spouse(s) will be increased to 75% of the annuity which will be received on the date of his or her death.

The pension for member's spouse(s) also increases annually on the same basis as the member's annuities.

In addition, any increase of annuities which include pension for member's spouse(s) may in accordance with the Government Employees Pension Law, 1996, only be authorised by the Board of Trustees within the financial constraints of the GEPF and on the advice of the actuary to the GEPF. The matter is continually reviewed in order to ensure an optimal dispensation in the interest of all parties involved and can only be considered if it is affordable.

QUESTION NUMBER 1317

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009

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

(1) Whether current projections indicate that all national debt obligations that are to be repaid between 2009 and 2013 can be met; if not, why can they not be met; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether any debt roll-over is anticipated; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

(1) Yes, All national debt obligations over the period 2009 to 2013 are fully provided for in the government's financing programme. As of 31 August 2009, the projected total domestic and foreign debt obligations to be repaid are R22.2 billion (2009/10), R16.8 billion (2010/11), R25.2 billion (2011/12) and R73.2 billion in 2012/13.

(2) Government's debt obligations are refinanced through new debt issuances. Details are set out in the annual Budget Review, and regular updates which can be accessed through the National Treasury's website.


NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NUMBER 1316

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009

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

(1) Whether any progress has been made in easing customer access to credit by the banks; if not, why not; if so, what progress;

(2) Whether an analysis of the risk associated with such easing has been conducted; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

NW1664E

REPLY:

(1) Yes, I have responded to this matter in a related question posed previously by the Honourable Member, where I indicated that government is focusing on the role that development finance institutions could play in assisting banks to access the resources of the public sector in lending to distressed sectors. For the record, government does not (and has not) directed banks to provide credit, as we do not want to increase moral hazard risks to financial stability, and do not want to create similar problems as subprime lending in the other parts of the world.

(2) Yes. Government does conduct its own analysis on the risks faced by banks, and does engage with industry through forums such as NEDLAC. The National Treasury also monitors credit trends, as do the SA Reserve Bank and the National Credit Regulator, (the reports of the SARB and NCR are available on their websites).

During May and June 2009, National Treasury conducted a series of meetings with each of the four major banks, with the purpose of discussing the impact of the global financial crisis and the economic slowdown on their operations; understanding their lending behaviour; and identifying key risks faced by banks. Though this is an internal analysis, I am quite willing to indicate our conclusions.

The conclusions from the National Treasury's analytical exercise were that the continued slowdown in the economy has put pressure on the banks in terms of increased nonperforming loans and bad debt provisioning. In addition, rising liquidations and a fall in corporate profitability coupled with deteriorating conditions in the property market have put further pressure on profitability in the sector. Due to the global credit squeeze, international funding was also more difficult to obtain. Banks responded to these adverse conditions by reducing credit extension. However, since this analysis was done, the banks have started to ease their lending criteria, especially for mortgage finance. This should assist in propelling credit extension to households and companies in the medium term.

QUESTION NO 1315

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 17)

1315. Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) Whether her department will apply black economic empowerment (BEE) criteria that are aligned to the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998, and to the agricultural charter agreed between Agri South Africa and the Department of Agriculture in the future to applications for the transfer of water use authorisations for farming; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) whether any action will be taken to expedite the re-assessment of such applications that have been rejected or not approved since 2007 on the basis of BEE criteria that are not aligned to the said act and the agricultural charter; if not, why not; if so, what action? NW1663E

REPLY:

(1) Yes. The application of the BEE criteria in the agricultural charter will be considered for implementation to the extent that it is consistent with the National Water, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998)

(2) No action will be taken by My department to expedite the re-assessment of the applications that were not approved as they were not aligned to the National Water Act (NWA) however the NWA provides for appeals against any decisions of My department to be lodged with the Water Tribunal. Contact details therefore are provided to the applicant in every decline letter.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

(For written reply)

QUESTION NO. 1314

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 17 of 2009

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18 September 2009

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


(1). Whether her department intends to increase the minimum thickness of plastic carrier bags and flat bags to 30 microns; if so, (a) what benefits will be derived for the protection of environment, (b) when is it anticipated that the new compulsory standard for this thickness will be enforced and (c) what process will be undertaken by her department to ensure that all plastic carrier bag and flat bag manufacturers are aware of and comply with the new standard;

(2). whether consumers will have to bear the cost of the increased thickness of the plastic carrier bags and flat bags; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1662E

MRS A T LOVEMORE (DA)

SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT

HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS

1314. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:


In 2002 the Organised Business, Organised Labour and Government concluded a phased implementation agreement of a minimum allowable thickness of 30 microns, with a maximum allowable tolerance of 20% on 30 microns for a period of 5 years, resulting in minimum allowable thickness of 24 microns over the said 5 years and thereafter, the maximum tolerance on a 30 micron bag would reduce to 10%. The Minister therefore does not need to increase bag thickness but to see to the phased implementation of the 30 microns agreed to in 2002.

See response in (1) above.

See response in (1) above regarding the phased implementation of the 30 micron bag thickness. There is no new standard outside what was agreed in 2002.

An additional grace period of two years was allowed to reach the 10% tolerance on a 30 micron bag. The 10% tolerance is therefore required to be achieved in June 2010.

All parties were informed in June 2008 of the extension granted to reach the 10% tolerance through letters addressed to the parties to the original agreement that represented the industry through the negotiations.

It is common practice that industry passes on costs to the consumer, so it is possible that the costs associated with compliance to the phased implementation of the bag thickness may be passed on. If this happens, it will further encourage the reduction in the use of plastic bags and further increase the reuse of reusable bags. It must also be noted that consumers currently have the choice to bring their own bags for packaging their products.


QUESTION NO 1313

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 17)


1313. Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) Whether the Green Drop Report will be made public; if so, when; if not, why not;

(2) what has caused the delay in publication of the report;

(3) whether the publication of the report will be accompanied by a public commitment to a plan of action to address shortcomings identified in the report; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1661E

REPLY:

(1) Yes. The Green Drop Report is currently being finalised and the aim is to make it public before the end of November 2009.

(2) Delays of a few months were caused by the sheer magnitude and complexity of the project, the first of its kind being undertaken in South Africa. For example the entire Cape Town Drinking Water Supply is being operated as one integrated Water Supply System and could be evaluated as such for the Blue Drop certificate process whilst Twenty Three (23) individual Waste Water Service Systems had to be assessed individually and verified for the Green Drop certification process.

(3) Yes. Once the Green Drop Report is finalised as a Regulatory Assessment, My Department will develop and modify a national plan to address shortcomings as identified. As the execution of such a plan is not the sole responsibility of My Department, it will be necessary to coordinate the finalisation of such a plan with those of Municipalities and other relevant role-players such as the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, National Treasury and SALGA.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

ORAL REPLY

WRITTEN QUESTION NO 1311

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 21 - 2009

1311. Dr. A Lotriet (DA) to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture;


Which transfers constitute the under spending in excess of R43 million by her department, (b) what is the amount under spent on each of the transfer and (c) why was it rot transferred in each case?"

REPLY:

It is assumed that the question relates to the under spending in the 2008 / 9 financial year and is accordingly answered as follows:

The transfers relating to the under spending are:

(i) Capital Grants for constructing and maintaining heritage infrastructure which in the majority of projects are administered by the Department of Public Works.

(ii) Project related funding to Non Profit Organisations, Groups and individuals in terms of the e Cultural Promotions Act (Act 35 of 1983), including Investing in Culture Cultural Development and 2010 World Cup projects.

(b) The amounts not transferred are:

(i) Capital Grants for constructingand maintaining heritage infrastructure: R41, 138 million.

(ii) Projected related funding in terms of the Cultural Promotions Act (Act of 1983): R2, 747 million.

The reason why these funds were not transferred:

(i) In the case of the Capital Grants the bulk of the funds not transferred (R38, 630 million) related to the delays in the tender process for the construction of storage s)ace at the SA Museum in Cape Town. The remaining amount (R2, 508 million) related to various Capital projects which completion was behind schedule.

(ii) The saving on the Cultural promotions projects payments are based on the conclusion of Memorandums of Agreements with the beneficiaries. In most eases payments an made in two tranches, initially as an advance and then upon completion of the Project. The non transfer of the R2, 747 million related to second tranche payments of Projects that had' not been completed at 31 March 2 009. From a final appropriation of R194, 482 million for these types of Projects, a total of R191, 735 million was transferred (98, 5%).



QUESTION NO 1310

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009

QUESTION NO 1309

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 17 - 2009)

Date reply submitted : 16 November 2009

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

(1) How many persons (a) have been (i) charged with and (ii) convicted of (aa) possession of and (bb) distributing child pornography in each province in each of the past five years up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) are (i) male and (ii) female;

(2) how many of these cases are related to internet pornography;

(3) whether any of those who were convicted, have also previously been convicted of being a pædophile; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how many?

NW1657E

REPLY:

The detailed information requested can only be obtained by submitting an ad hoc request to the Information and Systems Management component of the South African Police Service to obtain the Crime Administration System (CAS) numbers of the individual crimes under discussion. This entails a lengthy process, as priority is always given to information requests from operational divisions which need information to plan their day-to-day activities. Once the above information is received from the Information Systems Management component, correspondence will have to be directed to all police stations involved country-wide in an effort to determine the status of each such case, thereby placing and extra burden on limited human and financial resources. Members will in such a case have to be withdrawn from other duties to be specially allocated to peruse dockets and registers.

Even if returns are received from the provinces after such an exercise, the information cannot be verified without physical inspection at all the affected stations.

Question 1308

Mr SJF Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry:

Whether he plans to remove import tariffs; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what possible effect will it have on the economy? NW1656E

Response:

There is no plan for a wholesale removal of tariffs. Tariffs are set on a case by case basis depending on the circumstances of each sector, sub-sector or product. Based on evidence, in some cases tariffs will be maintained, in some reduced, and in others increased. These will be informed by the objectives of industrialisation, competitiveness, and job creation within the space allowed by World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.

THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION FOR WRTTEN REPLY

Question 1307

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

(1) To what extent are tariffs and import duties used as (a) a source of State revenue and (b) barriers to trade;

(2) What (a) amount of State revenue was received from (i) tariffs and (ii) import duties in each of the past five financial years and (b) is the expected state revenue from this source for the next five financial years?NW1655E

Response:

(1) Import tariffs are an industrial policy instrument. the dtl takes a strategic approach to import tariffs focusing on the outcomes of promoting domestic manufacturing; International competitiveness and job creation. the dti has embarked on a review of tariffs on selected upstream products with the aim of reducing the downstream cost of production to encourage value addition and job creation within WTO parameters.

(2) The question makes a distinction between "tariffs" and "Import duties" but it may be more correct to make use of the terminology Total Customs Value and Total Customs Duty. Total Customs Duty includes duties In Schedule 1 Part 1 (Ordinary customs duties) and Schedule 2 (Trade remedy duties I.e. dumping duties) of the Customs and Excise Act. The figures for Total Customs Value and Total Customs Duty for the last 5 years are as follows:

1 April 2009-30 August 2009

1 April 2008-31 March 2009

1 April 2001-31 March 2008

1 April 2006-30 March 2007

1 April 2005-31 March 2006

Total Custom Value

265783812 108

896 936 200 965

122 778 508 181

601 897 611 829

442 564092 873

Total Customs Duty

6789656214

23773818288

25149931289

24 397 996 824

15997217836

Please note that this information is for the last 4 financial years and up to August 2009.



(b) It is difficult to forecast customs revenue over 5 years, as this depends on several factors, including Import flows, which are affected by the domestic and global economic environment and by currency movements. Also, the 5 year forecast will be influenced by, inter alia, the following factors:

The phase down in terms of the SA/EU and EFTA Free Trade agreements.

The review of tariffs on upstream chemicals, machinery (white goods) and capital equipment which will culminate in a loss of customs duties of R268 701 636.

The review of tariffs on aluminium which will culminate in a probable loss of R39 374 168 per annum.

The Increase in duty on clothing will culminate in a possible increase in customs duties of R17 215 506 522 per annum, provided the values of imported goods are not manipulated In an attempt to circumvent the import duty.

The amount of applications initiated or terminated in terms of Trade Remedy applications.

QUESTION NO 1306

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009( INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 17 ‑ 2009 )

Date reply submitted : 16 November 2009

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

(1) (a) How many 10111 call centres are there countrywide and (b )where are they located;

(2) how many staff members are (a) employed at each of these call centres and (b) required at each of these call centres for optimal‑level functioning;

(3) what was the (a) budget allocation and (b) total expenditure for each of these call centres (i) in each of the past three financial years and (ii) during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;

(4) what is the total number of calls in each specified category received by each of these call centres in each month (a) in each of the past three financial years and (b) during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;

(5) what is the (a) average and (b) longest recorded time (i) to answer a call at each centre, (ii) to dispatch a unit to each case by each call centre and (iii) for the dispatched unit to respond to the call?

NW1653E

REPLY:

I would like to inform the Honourable Member that the information required has been obtained and is available. I would like to table the answer, with the permission of the Honourable Member, due to the fact that the answer is extremely lengthy and very statistical of nature.



QUESTION NO 1305

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 17 - 2009)

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

(1) Whether all chapters of the Domestic Violence Act, Act 116 of 1998, have been implemented; if not, (a) which chapters have not yet been implemented, (b) what aspects do these chapters pertain to, (c) what are the reasons for these chapters not being implemented and (d) when will they be implemented; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) (a) what amount has been budgeted for the implementation of the said act and (b) what was the actual expenditure in the past three financial years up to the latest specified date for which information is available;

(3) whether any SA Police Service members have received training regarding the said act; if not, why not; if so, how many (a) in each province and (b) of those who received training are still on active duty? NW1652E

REPLY:

(1) (1) All chapters of the Domestic Violence Act, Act 116 of 1998, have been implemented.

(2 (a) The South African Police Service does not have a separate budget for the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act.

(b) The costs incurred as a result of the performance of the police functions imposed by the Domestic Violence Act, are covered from the operational budget of the South African Police Service and cannot be distinguished from the expenditure incurred during the performance of other operational functions.

(3) Since January 2000 all new recruits are trained during their basic training to comply with their obligations in terms of the Domestic Violence Act. Since September 1999 in-service training of all functional members at every police station have been undertaken by the field training officers and commanders at the stations. This training takes place on a continuous basis and is now specifically focused on members who experience difficulties with the implementation of the Act. Since this is on-the- job-training, specific numbers cannot be provided. Currently a five day workshop is being conducted in all provinces specifically aimed at sensitising members about the plight of victims of domestic violence and assisting them through practical exercises to implement the legislation more effectively. More than five thousand members have already undergone this programme. Apart from this, all detectives from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit who investigate cases involving domestic violence receive specialised training on the investigation of such cases.

QUESTION NO 1304

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 17 - 2009)

Date reply submitted : 16 November 2009

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

(1) (a) How many SA Police Service members have been trained in the Family Violence, Child Abuse and Sexual Offences (FCS) units and (b) at which police stations are they situated in each province;

(2) whether any SAPS members working in the FCS units have undergone (a) psychometric testing and (b) detective courses; if not, (i) why not and (ii) when will they be (aa) tested and (bb) sent on courses; if so, (aa) how many in each case, (bb) when did the (aaa) test and (bbb) course take place in each province, (cc) how many have passed in each case in each province, (dd) how many still have to go in each case in each province and (ee) when will such (aaa) testing and (bbb) course be done by those who have not yet gone? NW1651E

REPLY:

(1) (a) A total number of 1063 SA Police Service members in the Family Violence, Child Abuse and Sexual Offences (FCS) units are trained in the Family Violence, Child Abuse and Sexual Offences (FCS) courses.

(b) The above members were placed in the following stations:-

GAUTENG

Alberton

Atteridgeville

Alexander

Bedford View

Benoni

Boipatong

Boksburg

Boksburg North

Booysens

Brakpan

Bramley

Brixton

Bronkhorspruit

Brooklyn

Carletonville

Cleveland

Dawnpark

Douglasdale

Dube

Duduza

Dunnottar

Edenvale

Eersterust

Eldorado park

Elsburg

Erasmia

Fochville

Garsfontein

Germiston

Hercules

Hillbrow

Ivory park

Johannesburg Central

Katlehong

Kempton Park

Krugersdorp

Kwa Thema

Langlaagte

Laudium

Lenasia

Linden

Mabopane

Mamelodi

Mamelodi East

Meadowlands

Meyerton

Midrand

Moroka

Nigel

Norkenpark

Norwood

Park view

Pretoria Central

Primrose

Protea Glen

Rabie Ridge

Rietgat

Roodepoort

Rosebank

Sandton

Silverton

Sinoville

Sophiatown

Soshanguve

Springs

Temba

Tembisa

Tokoza

Tsakane

Vanderbijlpark

Vereeniging

Vosloorus

Wedela

Westonaria

Wierdabrug

Zonkizizwe

EASTERN CAPE

Cradock

Port Elizabeth

Mthata

Bluewater

Butter worth

Cala

Dimbaza

Cathcart

Cofimvaba

East London

Elliot

Elliotdale

Flagstaff

Graff-Reinet

Grahamstown

Hlababomvu

Humewood

Jamestown

Joubertina

Kamesh

Kareedouw

Kentani

Kenton-On- Sea

Lusikisiki

King Williams Town

Komga

Kwazakhele

Maluti

Motherwell

Mount Ayliff

Mount Fletcher

Mount Frere

Mount Road

Nemato

New Brighton

Ngagelizwe

Ngqeleni

Port St Johns

Provincial Commissioner's Office

Queenstown

Qumbu

Riebeeck East

Sterkspruit

Steve Vukile Tshwete

Swartkops

Tabase

Thornhill

Uitenhage

Whittlesea

Willowvale

FREE STATE

Welkom

Edenville

Maokeng

Reitz

Bethlehem

Heilbron

Namahadi

Sasolburg

Bothaville

Hennenman

Odendaalsrus

Selosesha

Botshabelo

Hoopstad

Parkweg

Steynsrus

Bultfontein

Koppies

Parys

Thabong

Clocolan

Luckhoff

Phuthaditjaba

Tumahole

Virginia

Vrede

Warden

KWAZULU-NATAL

New castle

Cato manor

Durban Central

Ezakheni

Bergville

Colenso

Ekuvukeni

Glencoe

Besters

DannHauser

Elandslaagte

Groenvlei

Brighton Beach

Donny Brook

Ematsheni

Hlabisa

Bulwer

Dundee

Empangeni

Inanda

Isipingo

Ixopo

Jozini

Kingsley

Kokstad

Kwa mashu

Kwadukuza

Kwamsane

Kwandengezi

Ladysmith

Madadeni

Mapumulo

Margate

Mayville ( Natal)

Mkhuze

Mountain Rise

Mtubatuba

Mtunzini

Muden

Ndwedwe

Nondweni

Nongoma

Nqutu

Osizweni

Phoenix

Pietermaritzburg

Pine Town

Plessislaer

Port Shepstone

Richard Bay

St Faiths

Ubombo

Ulundi

Umhlali

Umlazi

Umzinto

Utrecht

Nhlanhleni

LIMPOPO

Apel

Lebowakgomo

Belabela

Bolobedu

Burgersfort

Dennilton

Giyani

Groblersdal

Hoedspruit

Lulekani

Makhado

Matlala

Mecklenburg

Modimolle

Modjadjiskloof

Mokopane

Motetema

Namakgale

Nebo

Northam

Polokwane

Provincial Commissioner Office

Senwabarwana

Seshego

Thohoyandou

Tshaulu

Tzaneen

MPUMALANGA

Acornhoek

Amsterdam

Kwamhlanga

Nelspruit

Balfour TVL

Barberton

Calcutta

Ekulindeni

Elukwatini

Ermelo

Evander

Kabokweni

Kanyamazane

Komatipoort

Leslie

Lothair

Lows Creek

Malelane

Mayflower

Middelburg

Mmametlake

Nelspruit

Ogies

Piet Retief

Sakhile

Schoemansdal

Secunda

Siyabuswa

Standerton

Tonga

Tweefontein

Volksrust

Vosman

Witbank

NORTH WEST

Rustenburg

Potchefstroom

Brits

Coligny

Delaryeville

Groot Marico

Hartbeesfontein

Ikageng

Ipelegeng

Itsoseng

Klerksdorp

Klipgat

Lichtenburg

Madikwe

Mafikeng

Mmabatho

Morokweng

Mothutlong

Ottosdal

Provincial Commissioner Office

Pudimoe

Ventersdorp

Vryburg

Wolmaranstad

Zeerust

NORTHERN CAPE

Kimberley

De Aar

Barkly West

Belmont

Britstown

Campbell

Danielskuil

Deben

Delportshoop

Dingleton

Douglas

Fraserburg

Galeshewe

Griekwastad

Groblershoop

Hartswater

Hopetown

Jankempdorp

Kakamas

Kanoneiland

Kathu

Keimos

Kenhardt

Komaggas

Kuruman

Lime Acres

Marydale

Mothibistad

Namabeep

Olifantshoek

Onseepkans

Pabalello

Pampierstad

Pella

Plooysburg

Pofadder

Port Nolloth

Postmansburg

Provincial Commissioner Office

Richmond©

Roodepan

Rosedale

Springbok

Steinkopf

Sutherland

Upington

Victoria West

Warrenton

WESTERN CAPE

Goodwood

Gugulethu

Mitchells Plain

Khayelitsha

Delft

Kuils Rivier

Kraaifontein

Nyanga

Steenberg

Malmesbury

Vredendal

Stellenbosch

Cape Town

Elsies River

Caledon

George

Oudtshoorn

Mossel Bay

Paarl

Worcester

Beaufort West

(2) (a) A total number of 2868 SAPS members have undergone psychometric testing related to FCS functions.

(b) A total of 1170 SAPS Members who are part of the FCS units have undergone the detective courses. Questions (i), (ii), (aa) and (bb) have been addressed in (a) and (b) above.

(aa) 2868 members underwent psychometric testing during the 2008/9 financial year.

(bb) The detective courses were attended by 1170 SAPS Members during 2005/6,2006/7,2007/8,2008/9 and 2009/10 financial years.

(aaa) 2868 members underwent psychometric testing during the 2008/9 financial year. Below is the breakdown in terms of the Provinces :

Province

Number of members tested psychologically in 2008

Number of members tested psychologically in 2009

Total

Western Cape Province

199 members

31 members

230

Limpopo Province

70 members

146 members

216

Eastern Cape

104 members

135 members

239

Gauteng

713 members

281 members

994

Kwa Zulu Natal

352 members

209 members

561

Northern Cape

37 members

15 members

52

Free State

101 members

146 members

247

Mpumalanga

102 members

73 members

175

North West

No members tested

154 members

154

(bbb) The detective courses were attended by 1170 SAPS Members during

2005/6,2006/7,2007/8,2008/9 and 2009/10 financial years. Below is the

Provincial breakdown:

Province

Number of members trained in Detective Courses between

2005-2010 financial years

Number of members trained in the FCS courses between

2005-2010 financial years

Western Cape Province

152 members

7 members

Limpopo Province

75 members

91 members

Eastern Cape

137 members

154 members

Gauteng

200 members

280 members

Kwa Zulu Natal

100 members

159 members

Northern Cape

60 members

146 members

Free State

231 members

63 members

Mpumalanga

90 members

96 members

North West

125 members

61 members

National Head Office

0

6 members

Total

1170 members

1063 members

(cc) The figures in paragraphs (aaa) and (bbb) above represent members who

successfully passed the psychometric test, the FCS courses and the

Detective courses.

(dd) The SAPS envisage to train a total number of 515 FCS members on the Detective Learning Programme by the end of 2010/11 financial year. Members who have moved out of the FCS units during the previous years but remained within the SAPS will be transferred back into the FCS units in order to utilize the acquired skills and competencies.

QUESTIONS 1302

18 SEPTEMBER 2009

1302. Dr H C van Schalkwyk (DA) to ask the Minister for Public Service and Administration:

(1) (a) How many complaints have been recorded at the National Anti-Corruption Hotline (NACH) since its inception?

(b) How many of these complaints have been investigated in respect of each financial year up to the latest specified date for which information is available?

(c) How many (i) officials and (ii) other persons have been (aa) arrested and (bb) convicted since the inception of the NACH in each of the financial years up to the latest specified date for which information is available?

(d) How many complaints were received per classification in each of the financial year up to the specified date?

(2) What is the (i) total budget and (ii) breakdown of the budget to the NACH and what is the (i) total expenditure and (ii) breakdown of expenditure for the NACH in each of the financial years up to the latest specified date for which information is available?

(3) What are the five most reported irregular acts the NACH has recorded?

REPLY :

(1) (a) A total of 6606 cases of alleged corruption were lodged on the NACH as at 27 September 2009 and referred to Departments for investigation.

(b) Table 1 below illustrates the number of cases of alleged corruption investigated in respect of each financial year up to 27 September 2009.

Table 1: Breakdown of cases of alleged corruption lodged with the NACH as at 27 September 2009

FINANCIAL YEAR

2004/

2005

2005/

2006

2006/

2007

2007/

2008

2008

/2009

2009/

2010

TOTAL

Referred to Departments

597

1 033

1 127

1 467

1 849

533

6 606

Feedback received

428

417

523

580

282

9

2 239

Cases closed

126

216

203

276

165

3

989

(c) Fourteen (14) officials have been arrested since the inception of the NACH.

Three (3) cases resulted in prosecution with officials being sentenced to prison terms in two of the cases. In a further six (6) cases prosecution is pending. Prosecution was declined in five (5) cases. As a result of the successful investigation of cases, 201 officials were found guilty of misconduct. Of these cases 29 officials were suspended, 112 officials were given final written warnings and 60 officials were dismissed. The successful investigation of cases resulted in the recovery of R100 million from perpetrators.

(d)

Table 2: Categories of corruption reported to the NACH

Nature of cases

Description of allegation

2004/2006

2007/

2008

2008/

2009

2009/

2010

Total

Abuse of government resources

  • Officials using Government-owned vehicles without permission or for private purposes and driving GG vehicles recklessly and at high speed.
  • 233

    271

    261

    111

    876

    Procurement irregularities

    • Officials awarding government tenders without following policies and procedures.
    • Tenders awarded to friends and family members.

    234

    151

    188

    70

    643

    Alleged RDP related corruption

    • Certain municipal officials and Councilors are allegedly selling or renting RDP houses out to members of the public for personal benefit.
    • RDP houses used as taverns and occupied by illegal immigrants.
    • Housing officials are paid bribes to ignore the use of inferior materials in the construction of RDP houses.

    129

    27

    46

    20

    222

    Appointment irregularities

    • Appointments of persons without following policies and correct procedures.

    122

    108

    102

    35

    376

    Social grant fraud

    • Submission of false information by members of the public in order to qualify for a pension, child or disability grant.

    193

    143

    84

    25

    445

    Identity document fraud

    • Officials from the Department of Home Affairs were fraudulently selling South African identity documents, passports, death, birth and marriage certificates to foreign nationals in return for money.

    175

    80

    141

    37

    433

    Unethical behaviour

    • Officials coming to work late or being absent from work without permission.
    • Unprofessional conduct or behaviour of officials e.g. Violation of the Code Conduct for the Public Service.

    300

    70

    110

    16

    496

    Criminal conduct

    • Assault of inmates by prison warders or by prison gangs at the instigation of certain prison warders.
    • Members of the public reporting suspected terrorists or bomb-threats.
    • Criminal acts by members of the public as well as 419 scams (e-mail based fraud).
    • Police being reported for stealing fire arms for private use.
    • Officials stealing government computers.
    • Nurses stealing medicines at hospitals.

    358

    135

    154

    21

    668

    Mismanagement of Government funds

    • Senior managers giving unlawful instructions to junior officials.
    • Financial statements that are not audited.
    • Signing of blank cheques by school principals.

    392

    270

    108

    33

    803

    Fraud and Bribery

    • Officials claiming overtime without rendering any activities or claiming subsistence allowance on trips not undertaken or unauthorized trips.
    • Officials receiving kickbacks from members of the public in order to obtain Government tenders.
    • Traffic officials receiving bribes from motorists.
    • Officials demanding bribes in order to issue illegal driver's licenses and roadworthy certificates.

    512

    269

    536

    73

    1390

    Other

    • Departments or officials for poor service

    165

    33

    45

    11

    254

    Total

    6606

    (2) Table 3 below illustrates the breakdown of the budget to the NACH and the total expenditure in each of the financial years.

    Table 3: Total budget and breakdown of the budget per financial year (excluding personnel expenditure)

    FINANCIAL YEAR

    2004/

    2005

    2005/

    2006

    2006/

    2007

    2007/

    2008

    2008

    /2009

    Total budget

    R1 980 000

    R2 100 000

    R2 485 000

    R2 144 000

    R2 100 000

    Total expenditure

    R1 980 000

    R2 100 000

    R2 485 000

    R2 144 000

    R2 100 000

    (3) Based on the overview provided on Table 2 above, the top five categories of alleged corruption reported through the NACH since its inception on 1 September 2004 are listed in Table 4.

    Table 4: Top five (5) corruption cases

    Nature of cases

    Number of alleged corruption reported

    Fraud and Bribery

    1390

    Abuse of Government resources

    976

    Mismanagement of Government funds

    803

    Criminal conduct

    668

    Procurement irregularities

    643

    The most common type of allegations received since the inception of the Hotline on 1 September 2004 was fraud and bribery, with a total of 1390 cases.

    Of all the cases that were reported to the NACH, 976 cases of alleged abuse of Government-owned vehicles by public service employees were reported through the NACH. These include cases where officials drive Government–owned vehicles recklessly and at high speed, theft of petrol from Government-owned vehicles as well as cases of abuse of petrol cards. Thirty five percent (35%) of callers in this category alleged that Government-owned vehicles are being used as taxis for personal benefit.

    A total of 803 cases of alleged corruption concern matters of alleged mismanagement of Government funds by public officials. Sixteen percent (16%) of these cases relate to the mismanagement of school funds by teachers and school principals whilst 10% involves senior managers giving unlawful instructions to junior officials to authorize expenditure. Other allegations include irregular and fruitless expenditure (23%) and non compliance with the operational policies of a department or public entity (34%).

    A total of 647 cases of alleged criminal conduct were reported, and include:

    • Assault of inmates by prison warders or by prison gangs at the instigation of certain prison warders.
    • Members of the public reporting suspected terrorists or bomb-threats.
    • Criminal acts by members of the public as well as 419 scams (e-mail based fraud).
    • Police being reported for stealing fire arms for private use.
    • Certain teachers stealing government furniture at schools.
    • Officials stealing government computers.
    • Nurses stealing medicines at hospitals.

    A total of 643 casesinvolved procurement irregularities. These cases involve collusion between a person issuing a tender and an associate which is often a family member or friends seeking to win the tender.

    QUESTION 1303

    FOR WRITTEN REPLY

    Date of publication on internal question paper: September 2009

    Internal question paper no:

    Mrs D Robinson (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:

    What (a) amount was allocated to the implementation of the Children's Act, Act 38 of 2005, and (b)(i) was the projected funding and (ii) should optimal funding for the said Act be?

    NW1650E

    REPLY:

    (a) The Children's Act 38 of 2005 as amended is not fully promulgated; therefore, the budgets that are currently allocated are for the current services to children. These include services in terms of the Child Care Act 74 of 1983 and new sections of the Children's Act 38 of 2005 that were promulgated on 1 July 2007.

    The following diagram depicts the amounts that have been allocated for the current implementation of the Child Care Act and the promulgated sections of the Children's Act

    Province

    Allocated amount: 2009/2010

    Western Cape

    R339 075 000

    Mpumalanga

    R122 553 263

    Eastern Cape

    R171 214 000

    Free State

    R279 412 000

    Gauteng

    R244 756 000

    Kwa Zulu Natal

    R340 064 000

    Limpopo

    R337 888 000

    Northern Cape

    R62 088 000

    Northwest

    R96 534 000

    Total

    R1 993 584 363

    (Source: Provincial coordinators for services to children)

    (b)(i)The projected funding by Provincial Departments for the first year of implementation, if the Act is further promulgated is as follows:

    Province

    Projected amount: 2009/2010

    Western Cape

    R386 481 000

    Mpumalanga

    R369 899 996

    Eastern Cape

    R194 045 000

    Free State

    R302 849 000

    Gauteng

    R1 230 937 000

    Kwa Zulu Natal

    R487 159 000

    Limpopo

    R369,350,000

    Northern Cape

    R147 230 000

    Northwest

    R205 500 000

    Total

    R3 693 450 996

    (Source: Provincial coordinators for services to children)

    (b)(ii) The optimal funding that includes full implementation with comprehensive costs for goods and services, activities and personnel requirements is as follows:

    Province

    Optimal funding: 2009/2010

    Western Cape

    R1 081 300 000

    Mpumalanga

    R644 700 000

    Eastern Cape

    R1 822 300 000

    Free State

    R836 200 000

    Gauteng

    R2 726 400 000

    Kwa Zulu Natal

    R1 621 000 000

    Limpopo

    R1 236 100 000

    Northern Cape

    R303 800 000

    Northwest

    R469 900 000

    Total

    R10 741 600 000

    (Source: Cornerstone Economic Research (2006) The Cost of the Children's Bill.)

    (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 17 - 2009)

    Date reply submitted : 16 November 2009

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

    How many (a) persons have been (i) charged with and (ii) convicted of raping a child under the age of 18 in each province in each of the past five years up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) victims are (i) male and (ii) female?

    NW1658E

    REPLY :

    The detailed information requested can only be obtained by submitting an ad hoc request to the Information and Systems Management component of the South African Police Service to obtain the Crime Administration System (CAS) numbers of the individual crimes under discussion. This entails a lengthy process, as priority is always given to information requests from operational divisions which need information to plan their day-to-day activities. Once the above information is received from the Information Systems Management component, correspondence will have to be directed to all police stations involved country-wide in an effort to determine the status of each such case, thereby placing and extra burden on limited human and financial resources. Members will in such a case have to be withdrawn from other duties to be specially allocated to peruse dockets and registers.

    Even if returns are received from the provinces after such an exercise, the information cannot be verified without physical inspection at all the affected stations.

    QUESTION NO: 1301

    QUESTION PAPER NO 17: 18 SEPTEMBER 2009

    DATE SUBMITTED:

    MR J SELFE (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

    Whether her department is experiencing a shortage of (a) psychologists and (b) social workers; if so, (i) how many in each case, (ii) what effect has this shortage had on the rehabilitation of offenders and (iii) what steps has she taken to fill these vacancies? NW1648E

    REPLY

    (a) Yes, the Department of Correctional Services does experience a shortage of scarce skills in terms of Psychologists and Social Workers.

    OCCUPATIONAL CLASS

    FINANCED

    ACTUAL

    VACANT

    VACANCY RATE %

    (i)

    Psychologist

    124

    37

    87

    71%

    Social Worker

    778

    518

    260

    34%

    (ii) The shortage of the scarce/critical skills personnel impacts directly on the Department's ability to provide a comprehensive rehabilitation programme to offenders. This leads to a situation where the Department utilizes a Psychologist or Social Worker to attend to a higher workload which compromises service delivery.

    (iii) The vacant posts for Psychologists and Social Workers are advertised on a regular basis in the external media to attract suitable candidates. The Department went further and included the scarce/critical skills in the Recruitment and Retention Strategy which allows for head hunting and counter offers. The entry level position for Psychologist has also been upgraded to salary level 10 in order to attract and retain these specialists.

    Within the broad public service the new Occupational Specific Dispensations for Social Workers (with effect from 1 April 2008) and Psychologists (with effect from 1 July 2009), are implemented to also provide for a standardized approach in terms of recognition of experience, salary and career pathing. It is foreseen that the new Occupational Specific Dispensations will impact positively on these occupations and that the Department will also be able to attract successful candidates and fill the vacant positions.