The Speaker

Letter from the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry dated 17 January 2005 to the Speaker of the National Assembly, in terms of section 65(2)(a) of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No 1 of 1999), explaining the delay in the tabling of the Annual Reports of the Water Boards for 2003-2004:

Dear Madam Speaker,

EXPLANATION FOR APPARENT DELAY IN TABLING OF THE ANNUAL REPORTS OF FOURTEEN WATER BOARDS

In terms of the Water Services Act (108 of 1997) all Water Boards which have their financial years ending on the 30th of June, must table their reports with Provincial Premiers and in Parliament by 30^th December of the same year.

All of theWater Boards have indeed provided me, and the Provincial Premiers, with their Annual Reports for 2003-2004, and these have been forwarded to Parliament, for tabling at the first opportunity.

These are Albany Coast, Amatola, Bloem, Botshelo, Bushbuckridge, Ikangala, Lepelle Northern, Magalies, Mhlatuze, Namakwa, Overberg, Pelladrift, Sedibeng, Rand and Umgeni Water Boards.

Due to the rising of Parliament in mid-December, the first Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports (ATC) listing, will only appear in January 2005. This may create an erroneous impression that the Annual Reports of the Water Boards were provided to Parliament after the end of the year. I therefore write this explanation to ensure that Parliament is fully informed of the process we have followed.

Please accept my assurance and the assurance of my Department that they will at all times adhere to guidelines and prescriptions for providing information to Parliament.

Sincerely yours

BP Sonjica, MP