Questions & Replies: Question & Replies No 1301 to 1325
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 | | 233 | 271 | 261 | 111 | 876 |
Procurement irregularities |
| 234 | 151 | 188 | 70 | 643 |
Alleged RDP related corruption |
| 129 | 27 | 46 | 20 | 222 |
Appointment irregularities |
| 122 | 108 | 102 | 35 | 376 |
Social grant fraud |
| 193 | 143 | 84 | 25 | 445 |
Identity document fraud |
| 175 | 80 | 141 | 37 | 433 |
Unethical behaviour |
| 300 | 70 | 110 | 16 | 496 |
Criminal conduct |
| 358 | 135 | 154 | 21 | 668 |
Mismanagement of Government funds |
| 392 | 270 | 108 | 33 | 803 |
Fraud and Bribery |
| 512 | 269 | 536 | 73 | 1390 |
Other |
| 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.