ANNUAL REPORT

[JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2003]

 

  1. COMMITTEE: PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WATER AFFAIRS AND FORESTRY

    1. Chairperson:

(a) Ms B P Sonjica : January – March 2003

(b) Mr J F Van Wyk : 19 March 2003 – 31 December 2003

Chairperson’s overview

Notwithstanding political differences, the Portfolio Committee functioned fairly well as a collective. There was a high level of commitment, discipline and participation from Members of all parties. Everything was done in a transparent, effective and co-operative way.

The change in chairperson, because of the deployment of the previous chairperson as Deputy Minister, did not negatively impact on the functioning of the committee and all went fairly smooth.

Good working relationships exist and was strengthened with the Department, SALGA, SAAWU and other prominent stakeholders, both in government and in civil society. Through its oversight work, the committee to a large extent, succeeded to highlight the major challenges in the water and forestry sector, and contributes to more effective service delivery and implementation.

Although there was a lot of improvement with the support from the Committee Section, there is room for improvement in areas such as the processing of reports and procedural advice.

Challenges faced by the committee in 2003

The committee did not deal with any legislation, except regulations, and therefore mostly focussed on oversight work.

Due to a limited budget and a very full and drastically shortened Parliamentary Programme, the committee could not do proper justice to its oversight function.

The major challenges of the committee are to, through its oversight work, ensure policy implementation in key areas of delivery, like access to basic water supply and sanitation services, free basic water implementation and the sustainable management and development of the country’s water resources and forestry.

 

A word of appreciation goes to:

(a) All Members of the Committee who despite other commitments participated in all Committee activities.

(b) The Ministry and Department for their cooperation and readiness to appear before the Committee.

  1. The members of the public, organisations and individuals through their structures, who appeared before the Committee and made valuable input and contribution.
  2. Committee Section, Parliamentary Research Unit, Parliamentary Monitoring Group and Contact Trust for their support.

 

    1. Objectives

      1. To deal with legislation and other papers referred to the Portfolio Committee;
      2. To do oversight over the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and all other entities that fall within its portfolio;
      3. To monitor, investigate, enquire into and make recommendations concerning the activities of any institution in respect of which oversight was assigned to it;
      4. Perform any other tasks or duties assigned to the Committee.

 

    1. List of entities overseen by Committee:
        1. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry - DWAF is the line department in the National Executive over which the Portfolio Committee has oversight responsibility.
        2. Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority – TCTA was established in 1986 to undertake certain tasks emanating from the treaty on the Lesotho Highlands Water Project on behalf of the South African government. The project aims to augment water supply to the Vaal system and to generate hydroelectric power in Lesotho. The Authority was directed by the Department to fund all costs incurred in the water delivery component of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, and to undertake financial risk management on behalf of South Africa.
        3. Water Research Commission – The Water Research Commission’s terms of reference are to promote co-ordination, communication and co-operation in the field of water research, to establish water research needs and priorities from a national perspective, to fund research on a priority basis, and to promote the effective transfer, dissemination and application of research findings. The Commission plays an important role in developing high-level human resources in the sector. No grants are made to the Commission as its work is funded by a levy on water users.
        4.  

        5. Water boards – The water boards were established as water service providers that report to the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry. These boards manage water services within their supply areas, and supply potable water at cost-effective prices.
        6.  

        7. Komati River basin Water Authority – The Komati River Basin Development Project is a joint development between South Africa and Swaziland in terms of the treaty on the development and utilisation of the water resources of the Komati River basin, ratified in 1992. The purpose of the project is to promote rural development and alleviate poverty in the lower Komati Valley by increasing the productivity of the land through irrigated agriculture. In terms of the treaty, the Komati River Basin Water Authority was established as a special purpose vehicle charged with managing and financing the project. The main focus of the project was the construction of the Driekoppies Dam in South Africa and the Maguga Dam in Swaziland. Both have been completed.
        8. National Forest Recreation and Access Trust – The object of the National Forest Recreation and Access Trust is to promote access to and the use of forests for recreation, education, culture, or spiritual fulfilment. In terms of section 41(2) of the National Forests Act (84 of 1998), the Minister is the sole trustee of the trust. The only source of revenue for the Trust is interest earnings.

  1. SUPPORT:

2.1 Control Committee Secretary: Ms N C Manjezi

Period: May 2003 to date

2.2 Committee Secretary: Ms S Cassiem

Period: April 2002 to date

Committee Assistant: Ms O Siebrietz

Period: January 2002 to date

Committee Assistant: Ms N Tshoma

Period: 1995 to date

    1. Secretary to Chairperson:

Ms M Mecuur: Jan – March 2003

Ms S Mninzi: April – Aug 2003

Ms B Venter: Aug 2003 to date

2.5 Researcher (Research Unit): Mr T Liebenberg

    1. Legal Support (from Parliament): The committee did not have any legislation and therefore did not need legal support, but the committee make use of the State law advisers if the need arises.
    2. Substitutes while staff on long leaves and internship programmes:

Committee Assistant: Ms S Mninzi

Stand-in from 15 August to 15 December 2003

Committee Assistant: Ms N Sobekwa

Stand-in from June to 31December 2003

 

  1. COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEE

MEMBER

DATE APPOINTED

(In current Parliament)

DATE DISCHARGED

African National Congress

Mr J D Arendse *

July 1999

 

Rev A D Goosen *

July 1999

 

Chief C J Hlaneki *

July 1999

 

Mr Z J Kati *

July 1999

 

Ms T E Leshivha

July 1999

 

Mr D D Mabuza

24 March 2003

 

Mr D Mabuyakhulu

25 June 2003

 

Mr D S Maimane

July 1999

 

Mr P M Mathebe

July 1999

 

Mr M M Masala

July 1999

 

Mr N E Magubane *

July 1999

 

Ms P K Mothoagae *

July 1999

 

Kgoshi L C Mothiba *

13 May 2003

 

Ms R A Ndzanga

July 1999

 

Ms M L Komape-Ngwenya

July 1999

 

Mr M J Phala

July 1999

 

Mr S Phohlela

July 1999

 

Mr E M Sigwela *

July 1999

 

Ms B P Sonjica

July 1999

March 2003

Mr J F Van Wyk

July 1999

 

Democratic Alliance

Mr G B D McIntosh

July 1999

26 March

Mr A H Nel

28 March 2003

 

Mr J W Le Roux *

July 1999

 

Inkatha Freedom Party

Inkosi B P Biyela *

 

 

Prof H Ngubane *

July 1999

 

Mr M S M Sibiya

July 1999

 

New National Party

Mr S Simmons

July 1999

 

Mr A S Van der Merwe *

July 1999

 

United Democratic Movement

 

 

 

African Christian Democratic Party

 

 

 

United Christian Democratic Party

Mr P H K Ditshetelo *

July 1999

 

Pan Africanist Congress of Azania

Bishop M S Mogoba *

July 1999

 

Federal Alliance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. DELIBERATIONS AND COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES (for further information refer to Minutes)

4.1 Meetings

22/01/2003 – Discussion of committee programme

29/01/2003 – Discussion and adoption of Annual Report 2002

3 – 7/02/03 – Study Tour to Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal

19/02/2003 – Presentation by Eastern Cape Independent Sawmillers Association

26/02/2003 – Discussion on Upcoming Events and Programme Changes

05/03/2003 – Briefing by Ukuvuka

11/03/2003 – Hearings on DWAF Budget by Civil Society

12/03/2003 – Discussion of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Study tour report

18/03/2003 – National Water Week programme in Cape Town

19/03/2003 – Election of Chairperson and Briefing by the National Sanitation Task Team

26/03/2003 – Briefing on Indigenous forest management and Forest Assets restructuring

31/03/2003 – Public Hearings on DWAF Budget

01/04/2003 – Joint briefings by the Ukhahlamba and Alfred Nzo District Management Councils

02/04/2003 – Briefing by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry on their Budget

09/04/2003 – Briefing on DWAF’s Strategic Plan 2003/4 – 2005/6

16/04/2003 – Discussion with National Sanitation Task Team

14/05/2003 – Adoption of Study Tour report and Budget hearings report

19/05/2003 – Joint meeting with Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs on the Inter Governmental

Fiscal Review

28/05/2003 – Presentation by the Water Research Commission

04/06/2003 – Public hearings on Division of Revenue and Free Basic Water

11/06/2003 – Briefing by Umgeni Water Board

18/06/2003 – Briefing on the National Water Resource Strategy

24/06/2003 – Discussion of Committee programme and possible study tours

3-8/08/2003 - Gauteng and North West Provincial Study tour

10-15/08/03 – Northern Cape and Free State Provincial Study tour

20/08/2003 – Meeting on SADC Protocol on Forestry, Arbor Week and the National Veld and Forest Act regulations

25/08/2003 – Visit to Biolitix at Spier Estate

27/08/2003 – TCTA briefing on their Annual Report and Berg Water Project at Franschoek

03/09/2003 – Review of Fire Protection Association Regulations and briefing on forest fires.

10/09/2003 – Discussion of DWAF Annual report

17/09/2003 – Adoption of reports and Fire Regulations

12/11/2003 – Briefing and discussion on the DWAF Annual Report

14/11/2003 – Presentation by Rand Water Board

18/11/2003 - Discussion of Study tour reports

19/11/2003 – Briefing by DWAF on Strategic Framework for Water Services.

26/11/2003 – Adoption of outstanding minutes, programme for 2004 and study tour

reports and discussion of the Portfolio Committee 2003 Annual report.

    1. LEGISLATION DEALT WITH: NONE
    2. Bill No.

      Name

      Public Hearing

      No of Submissions

      Amendments

      No of hrs spent

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

    3. REPORTS TABLED
    4. Name

      Objective/s

      Decision by Committee

      2002 Committee Annual report

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      To record the committees activities for the year 2002

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Report adopted in the committee on 29/01/03

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal Study tour report

      To monitor the implementation of and get progress reports on the delivery of water supply services, forestry restructuring and sanitation and water management structures in line with the provisions set out in the Water Services Act and National Forestry Act as part of the oversight role of the Committee.

      Report adopted in the committee on 14/05/03 and currently with editing office

      Report on Budget hearings

       

      To promote comment /participation by both civil society and relevant public entities on the 2003/2004 Budget of DWAF.

      Report adopted in the committee on 14/05/03 and ATC 4/6/03

       

       

       

      Free Basic Water Report

       

       

       

       

       

       

      During the Committee’s hearings on Budget Vote 34, various challenges in relation to the free basic water policy were highlighted. The Committee therefore decided to have a special hearing on the implementation of the free basic water policy.

       

      Report adopted in the committee on 17/09/03 and currently with editing office

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

      National Veld and Fires: Fire Protection Association Regulations

      National Veld and Forest Fire Act

      Committee adopted report on 17/09/03

      SADC protocol on Forestry

      Constitutional Sectional ratify

      Protocol adopted by the committee on 20/08/03

      Gauteng, North West, Northern Cape and Free State study tours report

      To monitor the implementation of and get progress reports on the delivery of water supply services, forestry restructuring and sanitation and water management structures in line with the provisions set out in the Water Services Act, National Water Act and National Forestry Act as part of the oversight role of the Committee.

      Committee adopted report on 26/11/03 and currently with editing office

    5. SUMMARY OF NUMBER OF APPEARANCES BEFORE COMMITTEE:
        1. Minister: NONE
        2. Government Officials: 34
        3. CEOs of Statutory Bodies and Public Entities: 4 - Rand Water, Umgeni Water, WRC and TCTA
        4. Any other: Civil Society Organisations: 2 – SALGA, SAAWU

       

    6. CONFERENCES AND OTHER OFFICIAL BUSINESS ATTENDED BY THE CHAIRPERSON AND OTHER

MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE: NONE

Subject Matter

Date

Number and names of attendants

Venue

No of days spent

 

 

 

 

 

5. OTHER MATTERS DEALT WITH:

    1. PUBLIC HEARINGS
    2. Subject

      Date

      Public Hearings Held

      Total Submissions

      No. of hours spent

      Hearings on DWAF Budget

      2003/2004

      11/03,31/03, 02/04 2003

      Yes

      15

      17 hrs

      Hearings on Free Basic Water

      04/06/2003

      Yes

      5

      3 hrs

    3. INTERNATIONAL PROTOCOLS AND AGREEMENTS

Subject

Date

Referral Date

Decision by the

Committee

No. of hours spend

SADC Protocol on Forestry

20/08/03

20/06/03

Protocol adopted by the committee on 20/08/04 and referred to National Assembly for ratification

 

 

 

 

 

6. VISITS

6.1 NATIONAL VISITS:

Period

Places visited and purpose/objectives of such visit

e.g. Fact finding investigations

Number and names of Members attended

Number of Staff

Date Report Tabled

Costs

3 – 7 Feb 03

Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal

13 members

Ms B P Sonjica

Mr J F Van Wyk

Chief C J Hlaneki

Mr M J Phala

Mr J D Arendse

Mrs R A Ndzanga

Ms M L Ngwenya

Ms T E Leshiva

Mr Z J Kati

Mr M M Masala

Mr E M Sigwela

Mr S Simmons

Mr M S M Sibiya

2

With editing office

R70 000,00

3 – 8 Aug 03

Gauteng and North West Province

7 Members

Mr J F Van Wyk

Mr D S Maimane

Mr M M Masala

Ms R A Ndzanga

Mr M J Phala

Mr M S M Sibiya

MrPHK Ditshetelo

2

With editing office

 

10 – 15 Aug 03

Free State and Northern Cape Province

7 Members

Chief C J Hlaneki

Mr D S Maimane

Mr P M Mathebe

Mr E M Sigwela

Mr J F Van Wyk

Prof H Ngubane

Mr A H Nel

1

With editing office

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.2 INTERNATIONAL VISITS: NONE

Period

Countries visited and purpose/objectives of such visit

e.g. Fact finding investigations

Number and names of Members

Number of Staff

Date Report Tabled

Costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. SPONSORSHIP: NONE

Donor

Purpose

POs Approval Date

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        1. RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

The Portfolio Committee wants to make the following recommendations:

    1. The Portfolio Committee needs to be better resourced to do its oversight work in a proper and effective way;
    2. There is a need for more portfolio-related training for members, especially in certain technical aspects of the portfolio;
    3. The interaction between the Minister and the Portfolio Committee needs to improve;
    4. Notwithstanding notable improvement in the delivery of sanitation, factors still contributing to a slower pace of delivery needs to be removed as a matter of urgency if the eradication of the backlog needs to be realised within the timeframes set out by the Department;

In conclusion, it is the opinion of the Portfolio Committee that, notwithstanding the fact that there are still a lot of challenges, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and other role-players in the water and forestry sector are on track to ensure the availability and supply of water on a national level, to ensure equitable and efficient provision of water services at local level, and also to promote sustainable forestry management.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. FORMAL ADOPTION OF ANNUAL REPORT BY THE COMMITTEE:

The Committee adopted annual Report of the Portfolio Committee of Water Affairs and Forestry having been put to the Committee, on 29 January 2004.

……………………………………………………………………… …………………………

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON DATE

Mr J F Van Wyk

………………………………………………………………………. …………………………

COMMITTEE SECRETARY DATE

Mrs S Cassiem

 

…………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………

CONTROL COMMITTEE SECRETARY DATE

MS N C MANJEZI