Questions & Replies: Question & Replies No 1 to 25
2009-03-23
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[PMG note: Replies are inserted as soon as they are provided by the Minister]
QUESTION NO: 01
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 01 OF 08 JUNE 2009
DR MARION G.R. ORIANI-AMBROSINI (IFP) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:
(1) (a) Which country or government representatives and heads of government were invited to attend the Presidential Inauguration of 9 May 2009 and
(b) What are the official positions of those that attended?
REPLY:
(1) Invitations were extended to the following countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Negara Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, People's Republic of China, Colombia, Comoros, Republic of Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Côte d' Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Timor Leste, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Republic of Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic , Laos People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saharawi, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tongo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
The invitation list in respect of the Heads of State or Government, Heads of Diplomatic Missions & International Organisations as well as the attendance list in respect of Heads of State or Government, Heads of Delegation and Foreign Eminent Persons are attached.
QUESTION NO: 2
DATE PUBLISHED: 06 FEBRUARY 2009
DATE SUBMITTED: 13 MARCH 2009
Ms S Rajbally (MF) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) Whether a function was held for soccer legends; if so, how was
these legends selected;
(2) Whether the SA Football Association (SAFA) or the Department of Sport and Recreation was involved in the selection process; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) Whether the criteria for the selection of soccer legends takes into consideration ethnic groups and race; if so, what is the statistics of soccer legends selected according to race?
NW2E
REPLY:
The President attended a meeting with well known soccer players (or soccer legends) on 17 January 2009. The meeting was organised by the South African Soccer Legends a national association of former professional soccer players.
The persons attending the function were invited by the South African Soccer Legends and the South African Football Association and the Department of Sport and Recreation were not involved in the selection process.
QUESTION NO. 2
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 1 of 2009
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 8 June 2009
Mr N J JvR Koornhof (COPE) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether she has been informed of the proposed floating liquid natural gas (LNG) facility to be constructed by a certain company (name furnished) in the Mossel Bay area; if so,
(2) whether her department has a policy on offshore LNG facilities to allow for best practices in respect of the protection of the environment and the safety and health of those affected; if so what is the policy, if not;
(3) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
NW2E
MR N J JvR KOORNHOF (COPE) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENTHANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS2. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
(1) I have been informed by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism that PetroSA submitted an application for an environmental authorization in terms of section 24(1) of the National Environmental Management Act, Act 103 of 1998 for the Proposed Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Facility, Mosselbaai, during September 2008. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has progressed to the Scoping Phase and a Scoping Report was submitted to the Department for consideration recently.
(2) There is no specific policy on offshore LNG facilities in place but the EIA process will investigate all potential impacts of the proposed activity on the environment and the safety and health of those affected. These scientific studies together with the views expressed by interested and affected parties will inform the department's decision on whether the activity should be allowed or not and if allowed, the conditions to which such authorisation will be subjected. It is common practice to, where a national policy is not in place, benchmark applications against international best practice guidelines and this approach will also be followed in this instance.
(3) As the appeal authority for applications on environmental authorisations and in order to not compromise my objectivity in this role, I do not participate in EIA processes prior to the appeal phase. I will accordingly not make any statements regarding this specific matter.
QUESTION NO 3
DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: FRIDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2009
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 06 FEBRUARY 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 1 – 2009)
Ms P de Lille (ID) asked the Minister of Transport:
(1) Whether an audit and/or investigation has been or is being conducted by KPMG at the SA Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa); if so, what are the reasons for such an audit and/or investigation;
(2) whether the report of this audit and/or investigation will be made public; if not, why not; if so, when?
NW3E
REPLY:
The Minister of Transport:
(1) I have been duly informed of allegations by certain staff members of possible irregularities by Executives at the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA). Following these allegations, the Board of SAMSA engaged KPMG to conduct an investigation into these allegations.
I would like to state it categorically, that I am very concerned about any allegations of irregularity in process or policy. SAMSA is playing a pivotal role in the South African Maritime Industry and any irregularity will be met by decisive action.
The final report from KPMG has not yet been received, but I would like to provide the commitment as Shareholder to act as soon as possible on any negative findings if contained in such final report.
(2) Depending on the nature of action to be taken as a result of the report, the making public thereof will be considered after receipt of the report.
QUESTION NO. 3 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 1 of 2009 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 8 June 2009 Mr N J JvR Koornhof (COPE) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: (1) Whether her department has completed a report on the recent death of approximately 45 false killer whales that beached at Kommetjie, if not, (a) why not and (b) when will it be completed; if so; (a) what are the findings of the report; (2) whether the report will be released; if not, why not, if so, when; (3) whether any of the findings link the SA Navy's practise activities with the beaching; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3E MR N J JvR KOORNHOF (COPE) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT HANSARD PAPERS OFFICE PRESS 3. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS: (1) The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, together with the University of Pretoria, is in the process of drafting a report. Various samples were collected from each whale and once analyzed, the report can be completed. Preliminary results indicate that the animals were healthy with no obvious cause for the stranding. (2) Yes. The report will be released once all biological analyses have been completed. (3) The SA Navy confirmed that live ammunition was fired within the False Bay area as part of their regular exercises. Such exercises are only undertaken if the SA Navy has confirmed that no sensitive marine species are within the immediate surroundings. Naval authorities have also denied that the SA navy has mid-frequency sonar of the type that would likely affect cetaceans.QUESTION 4
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 6 February 2009
Internal question paper no: 1
Mr I E Jenner (ID) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) What (a) are the shortages in each province of (i) social workers and (ii) child and youth care workers, (b) is the department doing to decrease this number, (c) is the knock-on effect of the shortages in each case, (d) were the shortages in January 2008 and (e) criteria are used in allocating social workers and child and youth care workers;
(2) whether there are specific shortages of (a) social workers and (b) child and youth care workers in violence-prone areas, if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, in which areas? NW5E
REPLY:
This reply was consolidated with inputs from DSD Provinces (Human Resources).
(1) (a) (i)
Provinces | Shortages of social workers |
1. Limpopo | 1351 |
2. Western Cape | 327 |
3. KwaZulu Natal | 2063 |
4. Gauteng | 206 |
5.Northern Cape | 150 |
6. Free State | 314 |
7.Mpumalanga | 500 |
8. Eastern Cape | 599 |
9. North West | 786 |
Total | 6296 |
(1) (a) (ii)
Provinces | Shortages of child and youth care workers |
1. Limpopo | 46 |
2. Western Cape | 231 |
3. KwaZulu Natal | 1655 |
4. Gauteng | 44 |
5.Northern Cape | 11 |
6. Free State | 87 |
7.Mpumalanga | 8 |
8. Eastern Cape | 42 |
9. North West | 33 |
Total | 2157 |
(1) (b)
In 2007 the Department of Social Development initiated a scholarship programme which awards students enrolled in the Social Work Profession. In 2008/09 R105 million was allocated for the scholarship programme which catered for 3340 students enrolled for social work. An amount of R215 million has been allocated for 2009/10 which will fund existing and new students. The estimated number of students envisaged to benefit from the new allocation is 4799.
(1) (c)
The scarcity of social workers and child and youth care workers:
· Results in backlog in rendering Social Welfare Services.
(1) (d)
Provinces | Shortage of Social Workers in January 2009 | Shortage of Child and Youth Care Workers in January 2009 |
1. Limpopo | 1351 | 44 |
2. Western Cape | 541 | None |
3. KwaZulu Natal | 2209 | 1655 |
4. Gauteng | 739 | None |
5.Northern Cape | 179 | None |
6. Free State | 314 | 87 |
7.Mpumalanga | 371 | 86 |
8. Eastern Cape | 599 | 42 |
9. North West | 786 | 33 |
(1) (e)
1. Limpopo: | The areas with high caseloads are prioritised. Priority is also given to remote rural areas that are underserviced. |
2. Western Cape: | The allocation is based on the demographic factors of the areas taking into consideration the characteristics of the population. |
3. KwaZulu Natal: | The province is guided by the norm as stipulated by Integrated Service Delivery Model (ISDM) (page 38) in terms of allocation of social workers and child and youth care workers |
4. Gauteng: | Allocation is guided by the size and demographic factors of each community. |
5.Northern Cape: | The province is guided by the norm as stipulated by Integrated Service Delivery Model (ISDM) (page 38) in terms of allocation of social workers and child and youth care workers |
6. Free State: | The province is guided by the norm as stipulated by Integrated Service Delivery Model (ISDM) (page 38) in terms of allocation of social workers and child and youth care workers |
7.Mpumalanga: | The allocation is guided by population and poverty index within the province |
8. Eastern Cape: | Priorities is given to remote rural areas |
9. North West: | Allocation is guided by demarcation of municipalities, population and poverty level |
(2) (a)
1. Limpopo: | Yes. The most prevalent areas are in the hotspot areas such as Musina |
2. Western Cape: | Yes. The most prevalent areas for shortage of social workers is in remote rural areas. |
3. KwaZulu Natal: | Yes. Shortages exists throughout the province |
4. Gauteng: | Yes. All areas have a potential to become violence - prone |
5.Northern Cape: | Yes. All areas have a potential to become violence - prone |
6. Free State: | Yes. All areas have a potential to become violence - prone |
7.Mpumalanga: | Yes. All areas have a potential to become violence - prone |
8. Eastern Cape: | Yes. Alfred Nzo (Mt Frere and Mt Ayliff) has been identified as a violence – prone areas |
9. North West: | No. No areas have been identified. |
QUESTION 5
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 6 February 2009
Internal question paper no: 1
Mr I E Jenner (ID) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) (a) How many children's homes are registered with his department and (b) where they are located in each province
(2) whether his department is (a) considering to or (b) has been approached by any children's homes to subsidise or pay in full the electricity and water fees of such homes; if not why not; if so what are the relevant details;
(3) Whether his department is considering engaging with the relevant role-players regarding this issue; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW6E
REPLY:
(1) (a)&(b) The following table illustrates the number of Children's Homes in each province per area/district/region.
PROVINCES | CHILDREN'S HOMES |
Eastern Cape Districts · Amathole · Alfred Nzo · Ukhahlamba · Chris Hani · OR Tambo · Nelson Mandela · Cacadu | 29 12 1 1 2 6 7 0 |
Free State · Xhariep · Moteo · Lejweleputswa · Thabo Mofutsanyane · Northern Free State | 32 2 9 7 8 6 |
Gauteng · Ekurhuleni · Johannesburg · North Rand Region · Sedibeng · West Rand | 70 9 32 15 8 6 |
KwaZulu-Natal · Durban · Pietermaritzburg · Ulundi | 47 29 12 6 |
Limpopo · Bella Bella · Gyani · Fauna Park · Sterkloop · Waterberg · Bungeni Village · Thoyandou · Nzhdele · Thabazimbi | 10 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 |
Mpumalanga · Gert Sibande · Nkangala · Ehlanzeni | 5 2 2 1 |
Northern Cape · Kamieskroon · Pofadder · Barkley West · Kimberley | 6 1 1 1 3 |
North West · Klerksdorp · Mmabatho · Potchefstroom | 3 1 1 1 |
Western Cape · Athlone · Bellville · Caledon · Cape Town · Eersterivier · George · Khayelitsha · Outdshoorn · Vredeburg · Worcester · Wynberg | 36 6 3 1 5 2 3 2 1 1 4 8 |
TOTAL | 238 |
(2) Yes, NGOs do approach the provincial Departments of Social Development to apply for funding. Registration certificates in terms of the Child Care Act 74 of 1983 and the Non Profit Organisation (NPO) Act (1997) are pre-requisites to apply for funding from the Department of Social Development.
The NGO voluntarily register as a legal entity in terms of the NPO Act (1997).
The Directorate: NPO monitors the
· Compliance requirements in terms of the said Act and
· Good governance.
The provincial office is responsible for the following:
· Register a NGO as a child and youth care centre in terms of the current Child Care Act 74 of 1983.
· Monitor the compliance requirements in terms of the Child Care Act 74 of 1983 and municipality by-laws.
The following procedures are followed when applying for funding:
· The NGO completes a business plan to request funding from the Department of Social Development (DSD).
· The NGO submits the business plan and supporting documents to the regional office of DSD.
· The official from DSD conducts an on-site visit which is followed by an assessment of the business plan.
· A panel consisting of DSD officials deliberates and makes a recommendation to the Head of Social Development in the province.
· The responsible official from DSD will communicate the outcome of the decision made by the Head of Social Development through a letter of approval for funding to the NGO.
· The NGO thereafter, signs a Service Level Agreement with DSD.
· The regional/district with the provincial Department of Social Development must monitor the Service Level Agreement.
The overall running cost of a Children's Home, (including water and electricity rates) is included in the subsidy which is provided on per capita basis. The costing model for the subsidies for children already includes all the running costs of the Children's Homes. The recommended subsidy per child per month is R1 800.00
The following table illustrates the subsidy per child per month in the nine (9) provinces. There is however, disparity pertaining to subsidies paid by provinces.
PROVINCES | UNIT COSTS PER CHILD PER MONTH (2006/2007) | UNIT COSTS PER CHILD PER MONTH (2007/2008) | UNIT COSTS PER CHILD PER MONTH (2008/2009) CURRENT YEAR |
Eastern Cape | R 1,000 | R 1,500 | R 1,700 |
Free State | R1,600 | R 1,850 | R 1,865 |
Gauteng | R 1,300 | R 1,600 | R 1,600 |
KwaZulu-Natal | R 1,500 | R 1,620 | R 1,765 |
Limpopo | R 1,000 | R 1,380 | R 1,400 |
Mpumalanga | R 1,270 | R 1,290 | R 2,180 |
Northern Cape | R 1,500 | R 1,500 | R 2,003 |
North West | R 900,00 | R 1,200 | R 1,500 |
Western Cape | R 1,100 | R 1,500 | R 1,521 |
(3) Yes, this matter will be included in the discussions regarding the development of implementation plans with provincial departments and Local Government to look and confirm their contribution towards children's services for the implementation of the Children's Act 38 of 2005 as amended.
QUESTION 6
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 6 February 2009
Internal question paper no: 1
Mr I E Jenner (ID) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(1) How many substance-abuse rehabilitation centers are fully or partly run by the State;
(2) whether his department is considering increasing the number of such State rehabilitation centers;
(3) which (a) provinces and (b) municipalities does the Minister consider to have the largest demand for substance-abuse rehabilitation centers that are fully or partly run by the State? NW7E
REPLY:
(1) There are no rehabilitation centres which are partly run by the State.
There are five (5) substance abuse rehabilitation centers in provinces that are fully run by the State: (Note that this list excludes private registered treatment centres)
PROVINCE | NAME OF REHABILITATION CENTRE |
Gauteng | Dr FF Riberro Centre, Cullinan |
Mpumalanga | Swartfontein Treatment Centre, Witrivier |
Western Cape | De Nova Treatment Centre, Kraaifontein |
KwaZulu Natal | Madadeni Rehabilitation Centre, Madadeni |
Newlands Park Centre, Durban |
(2) Yes, chapter 6 of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Bill (the Bill) (2008) stipulates that the State must establish at least one public treatment centre in each Province.
Although the Bill has not yet been promulgated, the intention is to establish public treatment centres in the following provinces where there are no such facilities:
· Northern Cape
· Eastern Cape
· Free State
· Limpopo
· North West
The establishment of these public treatment centres will be subjected to the availability of funding.
Due to the dire need for public treatment centres in the Western Cape Province, a decision was taken to establish three additional public treatment centers respectively in Cape Town, Oudtshoorn and the West Coast.
(3) The Department does not have inclusive statistical information to indicate the demand for substance abuse rehabilitation centres in (a) provinces and (b) municipalities. The Department relies on statistics from the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SACENDU) that monitor trends in alcohol and other drugs use and associated consequences from specialist treatment programmes. The latest update on alcohol and drug abuse trends for the period January to June 2008 can be viewed at http://www.sahealthinfo.org/admodule/sacendunov2008.pdf
There is a general need for treatment services in all provinces and municipalities, due to the overall problem of substance abuse in the country. The alcohol problem, for example, is prevalent in all provinces thus probably accounts for the largest treatment demand.
According to data from SACENDU the demand for substance abuse treatment is the highest in the Western Cape, Gauteng, and KwaZulu Natal urban areas. The demand is high in these areas for both public and private treatment centres.
However, it is not an indication that substance abuse is not prevalent in other provinces as the issue of demand is dependent on a number of factors such as population density, availability and affordability of particular drugs in different areas.
QUESTION No. 6
Mr R.B. Bhoola (MF) to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
1. Whether the SA National Defence Force sold or intends selling any portion of the property it owns on Bluff Hills in Durban for commercial development if so (a) who is or was the purchaser, (b) was the sale advertised, (c) who negotiated the sale and (d) what was the purchase price?
REPLY
1. No
QUESTION NO. 6
DATE: 09 SEPTEMBER 2009
Rev K R J Meshoe (ACDP) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether the Government has called for the lifting of sanctions against President Robert Mugabe and his government; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
NO1307E
Reply:
As Honourable Members are aware, the three main political parties in Zimbabwe – ZANU PF and the two parts of the MDC signed a Global Political Agreement on 15 September last year as a way to resolve the political impasse that had beset that country for too long. This agreement led to the establishment of an inclusive government in Zimbabwe which is considerably broader than being just President Mugabe's government to which the Honourable Meshoe refers in his Question.
Article 4 of the Agreement contains agreements "that all forms of measures and sanctions against Zimbabwe be lifted in order to facilitate a sustainable solution to the challenges that are currently facing Zimbabwe" and that the parties "commit them selves to working together in re-engaging the international community with a view to bringing to an end the country's international isolation."
The Agreement also provides for the support of SADC and the AU "in mobilizing the international community to support the new Government's economic recovery plans and programmes together with the lifting of sanctions taken against Zimbabwe and some of its leaders." That is why the 29th Summit of Heads of State and Government which ended yesterday again called on the international community to remove all forms of sanctions against Zimbabwe.
The answer to your Question Honourable Meshoe is therefore – yes. Our Government together with SADC and the African Union supports the implementation of the Global Political Agreement which includes the lifting of sanctions. It is our belief and that of SADC that the continued imposition of sanctions against Zimbabwe as well as its isolation weakens it ability to establish that country on a path of economic recovery and political stability.
To cite just two instances, we are pleased that the British Government will be injecting $100 million into education, health, water and sanitation in Zimbabwe and that the International Monetary Fund has sanctioned a $510million loan for Zimbabwe.
South Africa is committed to assisting the Zimbabwean government to implement all provisions of the Global Political Agreement including all outstanding matters in respect of which difficulties remain.
QUESTION NO: 7
7. Mr E J Lucas (IFP) to ask the Minister of Minerals and Energy:
Whether the Government is purchasing oil directly from oil producers and not from retailers in order to effect savings; if not, why not?
Reply:
No, the Government does not purchase oil from producers as there would be no appreciable savings (financially) made if this were to be done. All the International Oil Companies operating in South Africa are oil producers as they are all involved in the extraction of oil from oil fields that they have rights to in crude oil bearing countries. These multinationals also source and purchase oil for their subsidiaries all over the world for their local refining operations.
In addition to the reply, the explanation below of what an oil producer and retailers would also be helpful. An oil producer is a company which extracts oil from crude oil fields and sells this oil to crude oil refiners (in the RSA's case licensed manufacturers). Refiners / licensed manufacturers process the crude oil to produce refined petroleum products such as petrol, diesel, illuminating paraffin and jet fuel. All licensed manufacturers have wholesaling divisions who sells the products in bulk (more than 1,500 litres). Retailers sell refined petroleum products directly to consumers in quantities of less than 1,500 litres at a time, for example petrol and diesel are sold by retailers to motorists at service stations and illuminating paraffin is sold by retailers directly to households using illuminating paraffin for cooking and heating purposes. The prices of these fuels are set in such a way as to ensure the lowest possible fuel prices to fuel consumers on an import parity basis.
QUESTION NO. 7
DATE PUBLISHED: 08 June 2009
DATE SUBMITTED: 24 July 2009
7. The Leader of the Opposition to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether, in light of the ruling of the Pietermaritzburg High Court on 12 September 2008 (details furnished), he will appoint an independent commission of inquiry, headed by a retired judge, to investigate any abuse of power and/or corruption and/or any other irregularities during the arms deal; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW8E
REPLY:
The President requires some time to consider work that has already been done and that which is currently underway at a government level and also by Parliament. In light of these processes that are underway we would not like to pre-empt the outcome. It will only be possible to determine whether an inquiry is warranted or not after all facts before him are carefully and objectively studied. This will happen as soon as Parliament and the National Prosecuting Authority conclude their work on the matter. The President will at that point make public his decision which will be shared with all interested parties.
(1) What are the total legal costs that the Government has incurred to date for a certain person (name furnished);
(2) whether he will make a statement on the matter?
QUESTION NO. 7
DATE: 09 SEPTEMBER 2009
Mr. M B Goqwana (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
(a) What progress has the Government made in achieving the target of halving the rate of new HIV/Aids infections by 2011 as stated in the HIV/Aids and STI Strategic Plan for South Africa 2007-2011 and
(b) What are the outcomes of the recently held summit of the SA National Aids Council (Sanac) Women's Sector? NO1304E
REPLY:
a)Honourable member, we are generally encouraged by the commitment prevailing within the various sectors within the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) in implementing the HIV & AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan.
With regards to the prevention of new HIV infections, Government and all SANAC sectors are rolling out targeted prevention programmes to ensure that those who are HIV negative remain so.
Examples of these are: social mobilization; information, communication and education programmes; risk reduction campaigns, the provision of male and female condoms, the treatment of sexually transmitted infections and the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission programmes.
In addition SANAC has initiated a consultation process around medical male circumcision. This consultation is particularly important, for a number of reasons including cultural practices. SANAC is also discussing how to make female condoms more readily available.
The recently released Human Sciences Research Council report on the Third National HIV survey that was conducted last year found that our HIV prevalence rate has leveled off at 10.9% for people aged two years and older. Prevalence has also declined among children aged 2-14, from 5.6% in 2002 to 2.5% in 2008. In addition the survey found that new infections or incidence has declined among teenagers aged 15-19. These results support our view that the concerted efforts of Government and other SANAC sectors are achieving results.
SANAC is currently undertaking a Mid-Term Review of the National Strategic Plan in order to assess the progress and to consider what improvements can be made in order to ensure that our targets for 2011 are met. The results of this review are expected in the first quarter of next year and will be made available to Members of this House.
b) The recently conducted SANAC Women's Sector Prevention Summit held two weeks ago explored various HIV prevention strategies for women and girls
The summit provided a platform for women to actively engage with current research initiatives in the area of prevention. Issues of access to existing and new HIV prevention technologies by South African women were also discussed.
Going forward, the summit resolved, among other things, that:
(i) The sector would look at interventions on adolescent health, and how they can champion this programme in collaboration with other stakeholders;
(ii) There needs to be further discussion on the issue of the decriminalization of sex work; and
(iii) Working together with the Men's Sector and other key role players, the Women's Sector will become involved in the efforts to address the problems experienced by young girls as a result of practices such as "Ukuthwala" in the Lusikisiki area in the Eastern Cape Province.
QUESTION NO: 07PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 19 OF 06 OCTOBER 2009
Mr KS Mudu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
1. Whether she purchased a new vehicle on her appointment to office; if so (a) why, (b) what make and model is the vehicle, (c) what did the vehicle cost; and (d) (i) what accessories were included in excess of the vehicle's price and (ii) what was he cost of such accessories, if not,
2. whether she inherited an existing vehicle, if so (a) what was he make and model and (b) how old is the vehicle.
In respect of part 1 of the question the following:
Yes, a new vehicle was purchased
(a) The previous Minister OF Foreign Affairs left with her vehicle when she was assigned to her new Portfolio as Minister of Home Affairs.
(b) BMW 750i
(c) R 1 190 087.39
(d) (i) Covert Lighting System
Window Tinting
Innovations Model Package
(e) (ii) R103 337,39
In respect of part 2 of the question the following:
(a) No.
QUESTION NO. 8
DATE PUBLISHED: 08 June 2009
DATE SUBMITTED: 24 July 2009
8. The Leader of the Opposition to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) Whether he will release the (a) findings and (b) recommendations made in the oral testimony to the Presidency by the retired generals that were commissioned to investigate the role of the military in post-election violence in Zimbabwe in 2008; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) Whether he will send these retired generals back to Zimbabwe to probe reports of continued intimidation and harassment; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW9E
REPLY:
(1) I am informed that the retired generals who were tasked to investigate the nature and causes of the post-election violence in Zimbabwe last year only made an oral presentation to former President Mbeki and that there is no documentation or report that details their findings and/or recommendations. The Presidency therefore does not have any report at its disposal to release.
(2) Together with the rest of the SADC member states, South Africa will continue to monitor the situation in Zimbabwe. We have noted that since the establishment of the coalition government in Zimbabwe the nature and extent of violence has subsided. We are confident that the current coalition government will make greater efforts to make certain that there is wide-spread respect and promotion for the rule of law and human rights, including political rights and freedom of association. I am certain that within SADC and other continental structures, intervention measures will be undertaken should there be any indication that the provisions of democracy are compromised.
QUESTION NO 9
DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: FRIDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2009
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 06 FEBRUARY 2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 1 – 2009)
Dr C P Mulder (FF Plus) asked the Minister of Transport:
(a) How many (i) potholes his department repaired on roads under his administration in the (aa) 2006-07, (bb) 2007-08 and (cc) 2008-09 financial years, (ii)(aa) motor vehicle accidents were caused directly by these pot holes in the (aaa) 2006-07, (bbb) 2007-08 and (ccc) 2008-09 financial years and (iii) people were (aa) injured and (bb) killed in these accidents and (b) what was his department's budget for road repair work in these respective financial years?
NW10E
REPLY:
The Minister of Transport:
With regard to the 16,170 kilometre of National Roads under the jurisdiction of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL), the answers are as follow:-
(a) (i) Number of potholes repaired:-
(aa) 2006-07 = 31,469
(bb) 2007-08 = 23,030
(cc) 2008-09 = 10,233
Note: It is a standard contractual requirement of SANRAL that all potholes must be repaired within 48 hours of being reported.
(ii) (aa)
SANRAL does not have access to the information on the number of motor vehicle accidents that were caused directly by these pot holes in the (aaa) 2006-07, (bbb) 2007-08 and (ccc) 2008-09 financial years, as the incidents are recorded and the records held by the South African Police Services.
(iii)
Again, the records with information on the number of people that were (aa) injured and (bb) killed in these accidents are kept by the South African Police Services.
(b) The total budget allocation from National Treasury to SANRAL for all maintenance and construction work were:-
2006-07 = R 2,327 million
2007-08 = R 3,522 million
2008-09 = R 4,172 million
QUESTION NO. 9
DATE PUBLISHED: 08 June 2009
DATE SUBMITTED: 24 July 2009
9. The Leader of the Opposition to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) Whether he will release the report of the Donen Commission of Inquiry which probed the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme in Iraq; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) Whether he will appoint an independent commission of inquiry into the matter to (a) hear any testimony, (b) hold any hearings and (c) subpoena all persons implicated in the oil-for-food scandal; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW10E
REPLY:
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development has referred the Donen Commission report to the State Law Advisors for their advice. Once the President has received the Minister's report, he will consider what further action (if any) needs to be taken and whether to make the report public.
Question 9: Mr. B. Skosana (IFP) to ask the Deputy President:
1. With reference to the Government's call for the transformation of the Bretton Woods Institutions, what specific institutions were referred to?
2. What specific transformation is required of these institutions?
3. What is envisaged to be the financial and economic impact of such transformation on the poor developing nations of the world?
4. Whether the government is required to reciprocate the transformation of these institutions by simultaneously transforming its current economic system; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
N02119E
Reply
1. Honourable Skosana,
The call for transformation refers directly to the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund which were established as specialized agencies of the United Nations in 1944.
2. The reforms that South Africa is calling for relates mainly to the following areas:
· Review of the Quota shares:
This call is aimed at realigning the quota shares held by countries to reflect current global realities. The realignment would result in countries with higher GDP's having more shares, thus changing their relative weight in the institutions.
· Improving the governance systems to enhance the voice of developing countries.
The aim in this regard is to increase representation of developing countries in the Boards, and increase diversity at management and staff levels.
3.The transformation we are calling for is likely to improve the financial and economic conditions of developing countries. Already, some reforms were agreed to at the Leaders Summit in Pittsburgh in September 2009 regarding the quota shifts of 5% at the IMF and 3% at the World Bank. A quota shift to developing countries gives us as a group more voting power and additional resources to draw from, as each country's voting power and access to financing is determined by its quota share.
We have also secured agreement on increased representation in decision-making bodies such as the IMF's International Monetary and Financial Committee and the World Bank's Development Committee. This gives developing countries an opportunity to exercise greater influence on global economic, financial and development governance.
4. No member country of the World Bank or the IMF, including South Africa, is required to change its economic policies and systems as a result of transformation at these institutions. The planned reforms will impact on South Africa's quota shares, which are expected to be realigned accordingly as under-represented countries get more shares. South Africa will, however, have an increased voice as reforms are implemented.
I thank you.
Question 9:
Mr. B. Skosana (IFP) to ask the Deputy President:
1. With reference to the Government's call for the transformation of the Bretton Woods Institutions, what specific institutions were referred to?
2. What specific transformation is required of these institutions?
3. What is envisaged to be the financial and economic impact of such transformation on the poor developing nations of the world?
4. Whether the government is required to reciprocate the transformation of these institutions by simultaneously transforming its current economic system; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
N02119E
Reply
1. Honourable Skosana,
The call for transformation refers directly to the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund which were established as specialized agencies of the United Nations in 1944.
2. The reforms that South Africa is calling for relates mainly to the following areas:
· Review of the Quota shares:
This call is aimed at realigning the quota shares held by countries to reflect current global realities. The realignment would result in countries with higher GDP's having more shares, thus changing their relative weight in the institutions.
· Improving the governance systems to enhance the voice of developing countries.
The aim in this regard is to increase representation of developing countries in the Boards, and increase diversity at management and staff levels.
3. The transformation we are calling for is likely to improve the financial and economic conditions of developing countries. Already, some reforms were agreed to at the Leaders Summit in Pittsburgh in September 2009 regarding the quota shifts of 5% at the IMF and 3% at the World Bank. A quota shift to developing countries gives us as a group more voting power and additional resources to draw from, as each country's voting power and access to financing is determined by its quota share.
We have also secured agreement on increased representation in decision-making bodies such as the IMF's International Monetary and Financial Committee and the World Bank's Development Committee. This gives developing countries an opportunity to exercise greater influence on global economic, financial and development governance.
4. No member country of the World Bank or the IMF, including South Africa, is required to change its economic policies and systems as a result of transformation at these institutions. The planned reforms will impact on South Africa's quota shares, which are expected to be realigned accordingly as under-represented countries get more shares. South Africa will, however, have an increased voice as reforms are implemented.
I thank you.
Question 10:
Mrs P de Lille (ID) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether you attended a certain a meeting (details furnished) that was called by the President to which the chief executive officer of a certain company (details furnished) was invited; if so, (a) what were the reasons for the meeting and (b) what was outcome of the meeting? NO2118E
Reply
The Honourable Member should be aware that information regarding whether the Deputy President held a meeting with a person and if he did, what was discussed at the meeting is not usually provided in answers to Parliamentary Questions. This is done in order to ensure the confidentiality of the meetings that the Deputy President has.
However, notwithstanding this, I would like to inform this House that I have already instructed my legal representatives to demand a retraction from the Financial Mail as the allegations contained in their article are devoid of any truth. I was unaware of the ITWeb article that contains similar allegations until this Question was tabled, and have now instructed my legal representatives to follow the same course of action in this regard.
I thank you.
QUESTION 10
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 6 February 2009
Internal question paper no: 1
Dr C P Mulder (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
(a) With reference to his reply to question 442 on 21 July 2006* and oral question 177 on 6 June 2007*, what poverty grading or poverty measure is the Government using as the official criterion to determine poverty, (b) what was the total cost associated with the process of determining the poverty measure and (c) what impact did this have on his department's work with regard to social grants? NW11E
REPLY:
(a) It must be noted that the Government is still in the process of constructing an official poverty line for the country. This process is being spearheaded by Statistics South Africa and thus far, this task has not been finalised. In the process Statistics South Africa intends to basically pilot poverty lines in the country.
Therefore, there is no official criterion yet to determine poverty. However, the National Department of Social Development continues to use means-tests as a way of determining those that are in poverty and ascertaining who should be eligible to access social grants. As mentioned by the Minister of Finance, in this year's Budget Speech, the process at arriving at an official poverty measure is reaching the finalisation stage. Nevertheless, Statistics South Africa points out that the official poverty line was proposed for the country in order to assist in measuring the extent of household poverty and monitoring progress in poverty reduction. This is not to say that the country has not relied upon any poverty measures post-1994. The National Treasury and Statistics South Africa published a discussion document in 2007, for public comment in the process of arriving at an official poverty line. They highlighted some of these measures, for example: the "indigence" line of R 2 400 per household per month (in 2006 prices); the "indigence" line of R 800 per household per month (in 2006); Statistics South Africa's lower bound of R 322 per capita (52.6%) and upper bound of R 593bper capita (70.4%).
(b) The total cost of the above exercise has not been established by the National Department of Social Development. However, it must be stated that the above undertaking is part and parcel of the on-going work and innovative strategies sought after by Statistics South Africa in order to arrive at various tools that will allow for easy forecast that is critical for policy making, especially in the human development domain.
(c) There has not been any impact in so far as the work of the National Department of Social Development is concerned, that is, in the area of poverty eradication. It continues to fight poverty through its stated mandate that is underpinned by the Constitutional aspirations of South Africa, the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), and the Growth Employment and Redistribution Strategy (GEAR). Once the poverty measure has been crafted, it will be incorporated into the foregoing.
QUESTION NO 10
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 8 JUNE 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 1 - 2009)
Date reply submitted: 20 July 2009
Mr D A Schäfer (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:
(1) How many children were murdered (a) in each province in the (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09 financial years and (b) by people (i) younger than 18 years old, (ii) 18-21 years old and (iii) 22 years and older;
(2) whether any weapons were used in murdering the children during such financial years; if not, what was the cause of death in each case; if so, what kind of weapon was used in each case?
NW11E
REPLY:
(1)(a)(i) Children under the age of 18 years murdered per province:
PROVINCE | 2007/2008 |
KWAZULU-NATAL | 370 |
EASTERN CAPE | 350 |
WESTERN CAPE | 277 |
GAUTENG | 153 |
NORTH WEST | 65 |
FREE STATE | 60 |
LIMPOPO | 50 |
MPUMALANGA | 47 |
NORTHERN CAPE | 38 |
(1)(a)(ii)
The crime statistics for 2008/2009 have not been released yet.
(1)(b)(i), (ii), (iii) and (2)
To obtain the required information, a time-consuming and labour-intensive scrutiny of the Crime Administration System (CAS) will have to be performed. An ad hoc request will therefore first have to be submitted to the Information and Systems Management component of the South African Police Service to obtain the relevant case numbers. Once that has been done, the applicable dockets will have to be scrutinised at police station level in search of the requested details. This work would substantially and unreasonably divert the resources of the department away from urgent operational work. The SAPS is therefore not readily able to supply the requested statistics.
Reply to question 10 approved by Minister
QUESTION NO: 11
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 1 OF 06 FEBRUARY 2009
Dr P W A Mulder (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs:
(1) Whether the Government is still paying for the cost of subsistence and other costs in relation to the residence of a certain person (details furnished) as presidential guest; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) until what date will the Government bear the costs and (b) what do these costs for him, his family and retinue amount up to the present;
(2) whether she and /or her department have entered into any official dialogue with the government of Haïti to establish whether circumstances are favourable for his return according to the terms she stated in her reply to Question 478 of 19 May 2006; if not, why not; if so, whether any progress has been made;
(3) whether the Government has set a deadline until which the said person will be housed as a presidential guest; if so, what is that date; if not, why not?
REPLY:
1. Yes.
1a. The South African Government continuous to provide accommodation and services to former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide equivalent to those provided to a South African Cabinet Minister until conditions in Haiti permit the return of the former president and his family.
1b The monthly costs related to his accommodation, transport, office support staff and security are similar to the cost associated to a South African Cabinet Minister.
2. The South African Government continues to maintain diplomatic relations with Haiti and regularly monitors conditions in the country.
3. A final date for the return of the former president has not yet been determined. The South African Government continues to support Haiti's endeavours towards nation building, reconciliation, peace justice and stability in consultation with CARICOM and the AU as well as other stakeholders.
Question 11:
Mr Fransman (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether the government has any plans to collaborate with civil society to instil patriotism, nation-building and a sense of respect for the unsung heroes who contributed in liberating South Africa; if not, why not; what plans?
N02110E
Reply
Honourable Member, one of the ways in which Government is endeavouring to instil patriotism, nation-building and a sense of respect for the unsung heroes and heroines who contributed in liberating South Africa is through the National Legacy Projects of the Department of Arts and Culture. These projects specifically support the development of new commemorative structures in the form of museums and monuments such as the Freedom Park Museum that consists of a memorial, interactive museum and a garden of remembrance.
The garden of remembrance coherently narrates the trajectory of our humanity, survival and strife for freedom and dignity. It reminds us of our struggle for land and resources. It reminds us of how these struggles have shaped our economic, political, socio-cultural and historical landscape as a nation.
The Freedom Park memorial facilitates a communal process of commemorating the pain and celebrating the victories of the past. The Wall of Names that accommodates 120 000 names, currently has 75 000 names of fallen heroes and heroines inscribed on it. The Eternal Flame, comprises a circular wall within which is nestled a flame surrounded by water. This flame symbolizes eternity, and therefore the monument pays tribute to the eternal remembrance of the heroes, both male and female who perished without their names being recorded. By preserving the memory of the fallen victims of previous wars, slavery, colonialism, racism and by honouring the heroes and heroines of the apartheid struggle we are essentially strengthening our unity as a nation. We are acknowledging our heritage, and this Park is a reflection of the sacrificial achievements of our nation thus ensuring that our children never forget those who gave their lives so that we could have our rights, freedom and social and cultural diversity.
Civil society - comprising ordinary South Africans, political organisations, civil society groups and community organisations - played a role in the Memorial in particular in identifying the names of the fallen heroes and heroines.
However, more can be done particularly at a local level - provincial and municipal - in commemorating our unsung heroes and heroines. It is important however that we use this process to build unity and to commemorate a shared history of which we are all a part .
I thank you.
QUESTION NO: 12
DATE PUBLISHED: 06 FEBRUARY 2009
DATE SUBMITTED: 13 MARCH 2009
Dr P W A Mulder (FF Plus) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) What is the total amount the Government has spent in Zimbabwe and here at home in respect of the mediation process between the MDC and ZANU-PF from January 2008 until the latest specified date for which information is available;
(2) whether the SADC and the African Union have made any financial contributions to the hosting of the negotiation process; if not, why not; if so, what were their respective contributions;
(3) From which budget were the funds for this process recouped?
REPLY:
(1) Exact costs for the mediation are not available as yet. These costs however relate to domestic and international air travel, ground transport and accommodation.
(2) SADC and African Union member States paid for their own costs relating to their participation in the mediation.
(3) Funds, within Government, for the Zimbabwe mediation process have come from the budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
QUESTION NO 12
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 8 JUNE 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 1 - 2009)
Date reply submitted: 20 July 2009
Ms Kohler-Barnard (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:
Whether there is approximately R100 million of funds unaccounted for by the Directorate of Special Operations (DSO); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW12E
REPLY:
The total liability that the police will inherit from the DSO amounts to
approximately R242 million.
QUESTION NO: 12
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 19 OF 06 OCTOBER 2009
Mr K S Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
(1) Whether diplomatic staff or any other staff of her department are rewarded for having completed 10 years of service; if not, why not; if so, what (a) benefits are received in each case, (b) is the cost of each of the benefits and (c) categories of staff are entitled to receiving benefits;
REPLY:
1. Diplomatic and head office based staff are governed by the Public Service Act 1994 as amended.
No provision exists to reward employees appointed in terms of the aforesaid act for ten years of service.
However, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation annually grants Locally Recruited Personnel (LRP) who have completed ten years and more uninterrupted service in recognition of long and loyal service, visits to South Africa at Government expense. The Departmental Foreign Service Code, Part IIIC, Chapter 15, as quoted below, makes provision for the long service tour to South Africa:
Quote:
Extract from Foreign Service Code:
LONG SERVICE VISITS TO THE RSA (10 YEARS)
The granting of visits to South Africa at Government expense, to LRP who have
completed 10 years and more uninterrupted service in recognition of long and
loyal service is currently being phased-in. The phase-in period begins with the
completed years changing from 15 to 10 years with effect from the tour that will take
place in 2008. The phase-in period commencement date thereof for the groups who
will be eligible for a long service visit to South Africa at Government expense will
commence with a tour for those lrp who have already served more than fourteen
years.
Unquote
a. Not applicable to diplomatic and head office based staff.
LRP are granted a 14 day tour at Government expense as well as ten days special leave and travel time to attend the tour.
b. The approved budget for the 2009 LRP tour amounts to R4,950,000 (four million, nine hundred and fifty thousand Rand). The average cost per delegate amounts to approximately R30,200 per person.
c. All LRP (Level 1 – 7) employed in South African missions abroad, are granted equal benefits.
(2) whether employees are rewarded any benefits for years of service; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the year categories that entitle an employee to benefits, (b) are the relevant benefits per category, (c) are the costs associated with these benefits per category and (d) categories of staff are entitled to receiving benefits for years of service? NW1018E
REPLY
2. Employees are rewarded benefits for years of service.
a. The long service award system applies to all employees who have rendered 20 and 30 years continued service in the Public Service.
b. The benefits are as follows:
20 YEARS | 30 YEARS |
Discount 10 days annual leave if credit is available | Discount 15 days annual leave if credit is available |
20 years certificate | 30 years certificate |
Cash award annually (April) revised by DPSA (Currently R3994,00) |
c. Costs as indicated under b.
d. A Long Service reward system is applicable to employees appointed in terms of the Public Service Act, 1994, as amended, thus all Diplomatic and Head Office bound employees.
QUESTION NO: 13
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 19 OF 06 OCTOBER 2009
Mr K S Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
Whether consular and embassy staff abroad will be treated to a trip to South Africa; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a)(i) which staff members will go on this trip and (ii) at which diplomatic missions are they posted, (b) what (i) does the trip include, (ii) are the dates of the trip, (iii) is the total cost of the trip and (iv) is the purpose of this trip? NW1019E |
DICO RESPONSE:
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation grants a once off visit to South Africa to Locally Recruited Personnel (LRP) who have completed ten years and more uninterrupted service in recognition of long and loyal service.
(a)(i) All LRP who have completed 10 years or more service on 31 March 2009 were accommodated in the 2009 LRP Long Service Tour.
(ii) During 2009, LRP from the following missions, attended/will attend the tour:
AFRICA: Abidjan, Accra, Addis Ababa, Cairo, Harare, Lagos, Libreville, Lilongwe, Luanda, Mbabane, Port Louis, Rabat & Tunis (13)
AMERICAS: Brasilia, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, New York (CG), New York (UN), Ottawa, Toronto, Sao Paulo & Washington (9)
ASIA & MIDDLE EAST: Amman, Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Islamabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Seoul, Tel Aviv & Tokyo (10)
EUROPE: Berne, Geneva, Madrid, Moscow, Paris, Prague, Rome, Vienna & Warsaw (9)
Total Missions: 41
(b)(i) The trip includes visits to various places of interest, including historical sites in and around Johannesburg, Pretoria, Pilanesberg, Cape Town and Durban.
(ii) The 2009 LRP Long Service Tour is scheduled as follows:
Group 1: 9 – 22 August 2009; and
Group 2: 20 September – 3 October 2009;
(iii) The approved budget for the 2009 LRP tour amounts to R4,950,000 (four million, nine hundred and fifty thousand Rand).
(iv) The granting of a long service tour, at Government expense to LRP who
have completed 10 years and more uninterrupted service is in recognition of long and loyal service and to create an understanding and awareness of South Africa, in order to enable LRP to act as "Ambassadors" for South Africa.
QUESTION NO 13
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 8 JUNE 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 1 - 2009)
Date reply submitted: 20 July 2009
Ms D A Schäfer (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:
Whether any progress has been made with regard to case number 128/01/2007 reported at the Sebenza police station; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW14E
REPLY:
The case is still under investigation.
QUESTION NO 14
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 6 FEBRUARY 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 1/2009)
Date reply submitted: 12 March 2009
Mr P J Groenwald (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Safety and Security:
NW15E
REPLY:
(1) Approximately R 2,3 million.
(2) No.
QUESTION NO: 15
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 19 OF 06 OCTOBER 2009
Mr K S Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
(1) Whether her Director-General signed a performance contract with her; if not, why not; if so, when;
DICO RESPONSE:
Yes, the Director-General has signed with the Minister on 28 August 2009.
(2) (a) whether all senior managers in her department signed performance contracts with the Director-General; if not, (a) which senior managers did not sign, (b) for what reason and (c) when will it be done; if so on which date did each manager sign a performance contract? NW1075E
Yes, all Senior Managers that report directly to the Director General have signed performance agreements with him.
QUESTION NO: 15
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 19 OF 06 OCTOBER 2009
Mr K S Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
(1) Whether her Director-General signed a performance contract with her; if not, why not; if so, when;
DICO RESPONSE:
Yes, the Director-General has signed with the Minister on 28 August 2009.
(2) (a) whether all senior managers in her department signed performance contracts with the Director-General; if not, (a) which senior managers did not sign, (b) for what reason and (c) when will it be done; if so on which date did each manager sign a performance contract? NW1075E
Yes, all Senior Managers that report directly to the Director General have signed performance agreements with him.
QUESTION NO. 16
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 1 of 2009
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 6 February 2009
Mr P J Groenewald (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism:
(1) (a) At what price was the Highveld Nature Reserve between Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp purchased, (b) in what year was it purchased, (c) what amount has been spent on the nature reserve up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (d) on what was the money spent,
(2) whether any personnel were appointed for the reserve; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how many, (b) to what posts were they appointed; and (c) what remuneration is attached to each post;
(3) whether any game is kept in the reserve; if not, why not; if so, (a) what type of game and (b) how many of each type of game;
(4) whether he will make a statement on the matter?
NW17E
MR PJ GOENEWALD (FF PLUS) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENTHANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS16. THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM ANSWERS:
The Highveld Nature Reserve is a provincial nature reserve which is managed by the North West province. Any enquiries regarding the establishment and management of the nature reserve should therefore be directed to the North West Province.
QUESTION NO: 17 ASKED ON 6 FEBRUARY 2009
MR J SELFE (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
(1) Whether the Government has accepted the recommendations of the Jali Commission; if not, why not; if so,
(2) whether all the recommendations relating to reduction of sentence in respect of inmates who testified before the commission have been implemented; if not, why not; if so, when? NW18E
REPLY
(1) The Government has accepted the entire Report of the Jali Commission but some of the recommendations are not implementable by the Department of Correctional Services. The table below provides examples of such recommendations. All other recommendations have either been implemented or have been integrated into the Departmental Strategic Plan for implementation.
RECOMMENDATION | REASON FOR NOT BEING IMPLEMENTABLE | |
(i) | Encouraging managerial employees to belong to an association or union which is different from the union which junior staff members join. | The Constitution of Republic of SA entrenches the right to freedom of association and prescribing to officials to join a particular organization may be an infringement to this right. The Department's influence in this regard could invite unnecessary constitutional litigation. |
(ii) | Creation of staff association or union for Managerial employees which junior staff may not join. | The creation of a professional association for SMS members in the Public Service is being investigated by the DPSA. Any action that the Department as an employer may therefore envisage with regard to this matter will have to be informed by the final decision taken by the DPSA with regard to the broader Public Service. |
(iii) | Amendment of Section 276A of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 to enable victims of crime to be part of the proceedings of the process of the release of offenders. | This measure is already part of the Criminal Procedure Act (Section 299A). On the other hand, the aforesaid legislation is not under the control of DCS. Therefore proposed amendment would have not been directly under DCS control. The intention of this recommendation is addressed in DCS policy that enables victims of crime to participate in the parole process of offenders. |
RECOMMENDATION | REASON FOR NOT BEING IMPLEMENTABLE | |
(iv) | Creation of a "Prison Ombudsman" similar to the Independent Complaints Directorate in SAPS to investigate corruption in DCS. | The Department had established a Departmental Investigation Unit with SAPS prior to receiving this recommendation and in addition had concluded a memorandum of understanding with the SAPS, SIU and DSO to secure the intervention of these agencies in dealing with corruption cases that cannot be dealt with by the Departmental Investigation Unit. These agencies are competent enough to deal with corruption matters and at this stage there is no need for the Department to create the agency recommended by the Commission. |
(v) | Outsourcing of the function of enforcing discipline to officials. Such recommendation was also specifically made with regard to disciplinary enquiries relating to officials implicated in the Commission's findings. | The enforcement of discipline is an integral responsibility of line function management and as such it is deemed to be inappropriate to outsource this function. In addition, the Department is bound by the Bargaining Council agreement to deal with disciplinary cases internally, with the exception of cases relating to senior management. |
(2) There is no such recommendation in the final report of the Jali Commission. Granting of special remission of sentence to offenders is regulated by Section 80 of the Correctional Services Act, 1998. The Act places emphasis on the granting of such remission in circumstances where the offender acted highly meritoriously.
Authority for the granting of special remission to deserving cases is entrusted to the Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards which should consider applications in this regard on a case by case basis. No blanket or automatic special remission may be given as there should always be evidence to the effect that the offender acted highly meritoriously and there should be an investigation conducted by the Head of the Correctional Centre to collate evidence in this regard. This implies that the Department cannot grant automatic approval without following the requisite due processes in this regard.
Any offender who feels that his or her testimony before the Jali Commission of enquiry falls within the requirements of the Act is free to approach the relevant Head of the Correctional Centre who will have to collate the necessary evidence to support the offender's application for submission to the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board for consideration.
QUESTION NO: 18PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 1 of 06 FEBRUARY 2009
MR TONY LEON (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:
(1) Whether the Government supported a declaration by the United Nations General Assembly on Human Rights Day, calling for the decriminalisation of homosexuality; if not, why not;
(2) Whether her department has considered the ramifications to the Government's reputation in not supporting this declaration; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether capacity constraints in South Africa's Embassy to the United Nations had any bearing on the Government's decision not to support the declaration; if so, (a) what is the nature of the capacity problem, (b) to what extent has it constrained South Africa's participation in the passing of other declarations and (c) what plans are in place to address the problem?
REPLY 1
South Africa is not opposed to the spirit of this Declaration, but did not append our signature to it because we believe its contents still needs to be further debated/elaborated on, in order to align concepts such as "Sexual Orientation" and "gender identity" in International Human Rights Law. This would ensure that its contents are embraced / accepted by the majority of the UN member states
REPLY 2
The ramifications to the government's reputation are always a priority when we conduct our Foreign Policy.
REPLY 3
No.
QUESTION NO: 19
DATE PUBLISHED: 06 FEBRUARY 2009
DATE SUBMITTED: 13 MARCH 2009
Mr A J Botha (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
(1) Whether, with regard to the announcement by the Government in December 2008 of aid to Zimbabwe (details furnished), the Government has granted such aid; if so, (a) why was the aid granted in absence of a functioning Government of National Unity in Zimbabwe, (b) which government official was responsible for mandating such aid, (c) what (i) did this aid consist of and (ii) was the value of this aid in Rand and (d) to which authorities or bodies in Zimbabwe was this aid given;
(2) whether any agreements have been reached or decisions taken regarding to whom the aid will be distributed; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) how is the Government monitoring compliance with these agreements or decisions?
REPLY:
(1) (a) Realising the delay in the formation of a government of national unity after the signing of the Global Political Agreement and the grave humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe, SADC working with the relevant authorities in Zimbabwe initiated the establishment of the Zimbabwe Humanitarian and Development Assistance Framework (ZHDAF), a non-partisan and all-inclusive coordinating mechanism. As part of the ZHDAF, an All Stakeholders Working Committee, which is charged with identification of beneficiaries and monitoring the distribution of SADC agricultural assistance, was formed. Participating stakeholders include SADC, Zimbabwe Ministry of Agriculture, United Nations specialised agencies (FAO, WFP, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO), religious organisations, EU, farmer's unions and South Africa.
In addition, the SADC Missions in Harare act as monitors of the programme. SADC took the decision to proceed with the provision of agricultural assistance to the people of Zimbabwe, in order to ameliorate the dire food situation in Zimbabwe.
(b) Cabinet mandated the distribution of the aid against this background.
(c) (i) The aid consisted of the following agricultural inputs all sourced from South
Africa:
- Maize: 1954 metric tons
- Small grains: 2404 metric tons
- Fertiliser: 12,000 metric tonnes – Compound D and Ammonium Nitrate
- Fuel: 10 million litres of diesel
(c) (ii) The total amount for seed, fertilizers and fuel amounted to R240 million.
(d) The aid was delivered to the main depots in Harare and then distributed to the district depots. The process was closely monitored by the All Stakeholders Committee.
(2) (a) The R300 million set aside for agricultural assistance was only utilised after a non-partisan structure was established, comprising the following institutions and non-governmental organisations: the Zimbabwean Ministry of Agriculture, United Nations specialised agencies, religious formations, donors, farmers' unions and SADC Secretariat.
(b) South Africa in her capacity as the chair of SADC and the main contributor to the ZHDAF works closely with the All Stakeholders Working Committee, a Committee that is charged with monitoring the distribution of SADC agricultural assistance to Zimbabwe and ensures that deserving beneficiaries from the three identified categories (small scale farmers, communal area farmers and old resettlement area farmers) benefit from the programme, regardless of their political affiliations. South Africa has, since the programme started, dispatched teams to Zimbabwe to participate in the monitoring processes. In addition, SADC seconded a Project Manager to the programme.
QUESTION NO 19
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 11 AUGUST 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 8 - 2009)
Date reply submitted: 14 August 2009
Ms M A Molebatsi (ANC) to ask the Minister of Police:
(a) What are his plans to boost the morale of the police and (b) how will it encourage more youth to join the SA Police Service?
NO847E
REPLY:
(a) This Ministry acknowledges that the morale of SAPS members is not at the desired level. It is a reality that low morale will impact negatively on service delivery, whilst improved morale will ensure that the SAPS successfully engage in the fight against crime.
In this regard, this Ministry has acknowledged the need to prioritise the upliftment of morale within the ranks of the Service. Together with the newly appointed National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Government in the quest for service delivery improvement is directing energy and effort to attend to the challenges experienced in this regard.
Within the Department of Police there are processes aimed at enhancing employee morale, amongst others the following:
$ Broad Band Salary Structure for SAPS Act Members which was implemented during 2006 and have placed members on higher salaries generally experienced in the Public Service;
$ Incentives for excellent performance are awarded to 20% of top performers per annum;
$ Monetary & Non-Monetary Awards that are awarded by the Minister of Police or the National Commissioner for meritorious service rendered by members, such as Medal for Bravery / Commendation Medal / Certificate of Commendation, as well as a cash award;
$ Qualifying members /employees are awarded medals for Loyal Service /Long Service Certificates in the case of Public Service Act employees;
$ Pay Progression that is payable to members on a three year cycle which is in addition to the annual cost of living increase;
$ Employees are afforded upward mobility by means of promotions on an annual basis and vacant posts that are periodically advertised for the appointment / promotion of deserving members, and
$ Scarce Skills allowances that is payable to members deployed in specific scarce skills environments such as Special Task Force, Forensic Analysts, etc.
The Performance Management System that is implemented at all levels in the SAPS enables the identification of performance and development needs to the benefit of both the Service and the individual members. The Service is also offering skills development opportunities to all its employees.
It is my commitment as the Minister of Police to work towards improved working conditions of members of the Service to ensure the retention of our valuable resources in the fight against crime to the benefit of our communities.
Having mentioned the above, the Department is continuously revising the existing processes to ensure that emerging challenges are addressed.
(b) The Minister and the National Commissioner of Police have resolved to make the Department an employer of choice. In this regard a concerted marketing drive aimed at targeted recruitment is embarked upon.
The Department is reviewing its recruitment strategy to focus more on the marketing of careers within the Service. The crux of the Recruitment Strategy is a targeted effort aimed at recruiting the best from our communities. In this process the benefits of becoming a member of the SAPS are made visible, including the benefits thereof to the youth of our country.
Career Centres, both static and mobile, have been established within the South African Police Service, which are accessible to the communities through which they can familiarise themselves with the career paths and benefits within the Department.
The Department is currently in the process to review the benefits applicable at entry level to make it attractive to well-qualified young people of our country for a career in the SAPS.
Amongst others, the Department is making a concerted effort to recruit young people from all communities including race groups into the SAPS which has since became a challenge taking into consideration the need to capacitate the Service in a manner that is reflective of our country's demographics.
Recognising the challenge that a large number of applicants are not in possession of a drivers license, an allowance in the enlistment requirements was made to accommodate 10% of applicants without drivers licenses. This effort is aimed at ensuring that the poor and the marginalised are accommodated within the ranks of the South African Police Service. To ensure full compliance with the requirement of a drivers license by all, the Service embarked upon K53 Driver Training to capacitate those who are taken on board without such a license within a two-year period from date of recruitment.
QUESTION NO 20
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 6 FEBRUARY 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 1/2009)
Date reply submitted: 12 March 2009
Ms D Kohler‑Barnard (DA) to ask the Minister of Safety and Security:
Whether a certain person (name furnished) will continue to receive SA Police Service protection; if so, (a) for how long and (b) what is the cost of such protection per month?
NW21E
REPLY:
Yes, protection will continue (a) as long as the situation analysis (threat assessment) dictates that protection should be continued and (b) the total monthly cost of all close protection, static protection, overtime, vehicle costs and telephone costs is R998 815,89.
Question 20
20. Ms A M Dreyer (DA) to ask the Minister for the Public Service and Administration:
(1) (a) How many public servants have been trained on the Massified Induction Programme (MIP) between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009 and (b) what was the target set for participation in this programme in the 2008-09 financial year;
(2) Whether the percentage of civil servants that underwent training in this programme met the target; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) Whether his department has put any measures in place to ensure a better intake into this programme; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW21E
Responses:
(1)
a. How many public servants have been trained on the Massified Induction Programme (MIP) between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009?
Palama, the Public Administration Leadership and Management Academy, is one of the two Departments that report to the Minister for Public Service and Administration. MIP is one of the fifty training courses or programmes provided or co-ordinated by Palama. It aims to introduce public servants to the Constitution, their place in meeting our development challenges, and the Batho Pele ethos. MIP uses modern interactional course materials, and is taught by 900 specially prepared trainers countrywide.
A total of 22 533 public servants were inducted through the two-day MIP in the 2008/09 financial year. Of these, 13 625 were general staff from salary levels 1-5, and 8 908 were junior or middle managers from salary levels 6-12.
(An opportunity for induction of members of the SMS is provided by Project Khaedu, an action-learning programme. Its core-skills component was attended by 1304 SMS in 2008/09.)
b. What was the target set for participation in this programme in the 2008-09 financial year?
From its initial reading of PERSAL, Palama understood that there were approximately 68 000 new public servants annually, excluding nurses and teachers who would be inducted by their own departments. Palama's plan was to reach approximately half, i.e. 34 000, in the 2008-09 financial year, since this was the start-up year in which project managers had to be hired and task teams set up and activated in Provincial Premiers' Offices and in large Departments. However, a closer study of PERSAL records at National Treasury indicated that many within the initially targeted number were short-term and once-off employees. The actual number of new entrant public servants going into fixed appointments on probation, and thus the actual target available for induction, was 30 054 for the 2008/09 year.
(2)
Whether the percentage of civil servants that underwent training in this programme met the target; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details
In the twelve months to the end of March 2009 Palama had inducted 22 533 people, translating into 75% achievement of the actual available target audience of 30 054. It is felt that this was a creditable achievement in the start-up year, where planning and implementation were carried out simultaneously, and problems had to be encountered and tackled such as lack of budgets for the training and institutional capacity constraints in some of the provincial and national departments.
(3)
Whether his department has put any measures in place to ensure a better intake into this programme; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
MIP Palama has undertaken the following initiatives to ensure that there is better intake into MIP:
QUESTION 21
WRITTEN REPLY
DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY, 06 FEBRUARY 2009
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO.: 1-2009
ADV H C SCHMIDT (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE
1. (a) What is his department's response to the recent media announcement by two companies (name furnished) that the delivery of the A400M Airbus military transport aircraft will be delayed approximately three years and (b) how will it affect his department and the SA Air Force (SAAF);
2. whether the SAAF has any contingency plans in place (a) as a result of the late delivery of the A400M and (b) in the event of the cancellation of the contract; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
3. what is the total amount spent on the project thus far?
-------ooo0ooo------- NW23E
REPLY
1. (a) & (b) The DoD has not officially been notified by Airbus Military of a three-year delay in the delivery of the A400M Airbus Military transport aircraft.
2. (a) The SAAF has been investigating various options that would allow the SAAF to bridge any capability gap.
3. The total amount spent thus far is R2 889 430 637.00
QUESTION NO.: 22
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 06 February 2009
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister for Public Enterprises:
In light of the recent media announcement by two companies (names furnished) regarding the delay of approximately three years in delivering the A400M Airbus military transport aircraft, what will the impact be on Denel and the SA Defence-Related Industry (SADRI) in terms of (a) the intended production of parts for the aircraft and (b) the foreseen financial ramifications? NW24E
REPLY
The media announcements referred to by the Honourable member dealt with the delay in the final delivery of the A400M Airbus to the collective primary customer [Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d'Armement (OCCAR)] of European Aeropnautical Defence Systems (EADS) and Airbus Military. OCCAR is the joint armaments procurement organisation of the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium and Spain). Currently Airbus Military is in discussion with the original OCCAR contract signatories about this delay and, until that process is completed, they will not yet commit to a firm delivery schedule for any customer orders.
Although the final delivery dates for certified aircraft will be delayed significantly, development and production work will continue, albeit at a reduced rate. The South African companies that are involved in the A400M programme are Denel Saab Aerostructures (large structures such as Top Shells, Wing to Fuselage Fairings, Ribs, Spars and Swords for wings and Empennage), Aerosud (smaller structural assemblies and interior liners), as well as Saab Grintek (on-board health and usage monitoring systems)
(a) As a Tier 1 supplier to the programme design, development, qualification and manufacturing work is ongoing in Denel Saab Aerostructures (DSA) for all contracted work packages. To ensure compliance to specifications and aerospace standards there is also a significant amount of testing and certification work to complete to release the first prototype to the Flight Test Program. Delays in workload will probably only be experienced when production orders have to be placed for the following batches of serial production aircraft, which should be towards the end of 2009. With the limited insight into the technical delays being experienced by Airbus, it is anticipated that delays of between one and two years in the serial production schedule would be experienced by all suppliers to the programme.
(b) In terms of financial impact of such possible delays, these have already been included in the new budget cycle for DSA, with a reduction in company revenue of R167 million. This delay in expected revenue will be recovered in future years as production orders would have to be ramped up to mitigate the initial backlog in deliveries. As the company has yet to commence with industrialisation for serial production, there is no significant impact on resource capacity. However, as with all suppliers to the A400M programme, DSA will face a serious challenge to retain engineering and artisan skills who have participated in first-article manufacture, as these skills would be essential to lead the series production process.
DSA anticipated a potential delay in the programme in mid to late 2008. Management action was taken immediately to mitigate the impact of this slip on DSA A400M milestones as well as the associated supply chain. Procurement of non-essential material was reduced in consultation with referred to companies and, where possible, resources were rescheduled to save costs.
DSA is continuously in touch with the management of the referred to companies as their prime contractor, in order to re-evaluate the situation proactively, to ensure that the required supply chain is maintained and that effective resource planning can be conducted to ensure effective reactivation of the programme to its full potential.
QUESTION 23
WRITTEN REPLY
DATE OF PUBLICATION: FRIDAY, 06 FEBRUARY 2009
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO.: 1-2009
ADV H C SCHMIDT (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE
1. Whether his department concluded a contract with a private charter company and/or any other company to charter an aeroplane and/or aeroplanes for the execution of peacekeeping and/or peace-enforcement deployments; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the details of (i) the contract and/or contracts and (ii) the company the contract or contracts were entered into, (b) is the cost of the individual contract or contracts and (c) are the respective periods for which the contract or contracts were concluded;
2. whether his department will extend the period of the above contract or contracts after expiry of the duration of each contract; if so, what are the relevant details;
3. whether the department will devise an alternative and more cost-effective arrangement to fulfill this function; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
-------ooo0ooo------- NW25E
REPLY
1. (a) (i) Yes. The Department of Defence has a contract with four companies.
(ii) Messrs Adajet Aviation (Pty) Ltd, Messrs Executive Turbine & Lodestar Investments, Avient (Pty) Ltd and Fair Aviation & Sithatha Unnothoto.
(b) These contracts are not fixed cost based contracts. The cost thereof depends on usage.
2. No. The Department is not planning to extend the contracts beyond the current contract period.
3. This is a cost effective way of contracting. It is based on a comparative open bid system. The South African Air Force does not have sufficient cargo and passengers transport system to support external missions.
QUESTION NO: 23PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 19 OF 06 OCTOBER 2009
MR S MOKGALAPA (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:
What is the government's foreign policy position with regard to (a) Tibet as an autonomous state and (b) His Holiness the Dalai Lama?
REPLY:
(a) Tibet is not a State in terms of international law.
(b) We have no foreign policy position on individuals. We acknowledge His Holiness the Dalai Lama as an important spiritual leader of the Tibetan people.
QUESTION NO: 24
DATE PUBLISHED: 06 FEBRUARY 2009
DATE SUBMITTED: 04 FEBRUARY 2009
Mrs J A Semple (DA) to ask the Deputy President:
(1) Whether the Presidency has placed any newspaper or radio advertisements n the Moral Regeneration Movement; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a)(i) which newspapers and (ii) with which radio stations and (b) what was the (i) total cost and (ii) purpose of placing the advertisements;
(2) whether any feedback has been received from the public as a result of these advertisements; if so, (a) what feedback and (b) what steps has her office taken as a result of this feedback?
NW26E
REPLY:
The Office of the Deputy President has not placed any advertisement on Moral Regeneration Movement. The Moral Regeneration Movement is a Section 21 Company with its Chairperson, Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, Board of Directors and a Secretariat based in Braamfontein. Government provides material support to the organization via the Department of Arts and Culture.
The Deputy President is the Patron of the movement and she plays a championship role over the broader moral regeneration initiative.
The Honourable Member is welcome to request specific details from the Department of Arts Culture or the Board of the moral regeneration organisation. Notwithstanding, as champion on MRM in general and patron of the moral regeneration company in general, I am happy to share the following details available in my office:
- The SABC has sponsored the broadcast of radio adverts developed and produced the Section 21 Company. Besides sponsoring the radio adverts, the SABC is a social partner to the MRM.
- The purpose of the adverts is to raise public awareness and to build public values such as caring for and respecting others and public property.
- The MRM continues to receive positive feedback from the public and other stakeholders.
I will be failing in my duty if I do not encourage the Honourable Member and others Members of this House to rise up and support all moral regeneration efforts from government, civil society and the private. We must start at home by teaching our children not to litter. We must encourage our friends and neighbours to value human life and public property. We must ourselves work together with the police both in good times and when we suspect that crime is being committed.
Our experience as government and that of the MRM is that: Together, We Can Do More!
QUESTION NO: 24PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 19 OF 06 OCTOBER 2009
MR S MOKGALAPA (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:
Whether there are any conditions regarding human rights placed on trade relations with the People's Republic of China; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY:
South Africa does not place any human rights conditions in its trade relations with any country except in instances where there are international decisions requiring South Africa to do so. No such decisions have been imposed on China and as such, South Africa is trading with China like any other country in the world.
QUESTION 24
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 08/06/09
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 01-2009)
Mr GG Boinamo (DA) to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Education:
1. Whether is department's initiative of merging institutions of higher learning has produced the desired outcomes; if so, what is the breakdown of the (a) success of each of these tertiary institutions mergers and (b) impact it has had on (i) transformation and (ii) restructuring of higher education; if not, what is the breakdown of all institutions of higher learning that have emerged and failed to produce desired outcomes,
2. Whether his department has taken any steps to rectify this situation, if not, why not; if so, what steps? NW25E
REPLY:
The Department of Education has been supporting, monitoring and evaluating the progress of mergers and incorporations to ensure the goals and objectives of the restructuring process are realised. A recent priority has been to provide technical and financial assistance to develop and rehabilitate the physical infrastructure of institutions. In this regard, I allocated for the triennium 2007/08 to 2009/10, R3 856 million, for infrastructure development and efficiency gains to higher education institutions. These funds are being used to build or renovate student residences, lecture theaters, libraries and laboratories, as well as improve enrolments and graduation rates in scarce and critical skills.
While the outcomes of mergers are generally long term, the mergers have necessitated different approaches in the context of individual institutional requirements and adjustments have had to be made in light of the continuous monitoring and evaluation of the process. As an example, the former MEDUNSA will be retained as a separate campus of the University of Limpopo in Ga-Rankuwa and not re-locate to Polokwane as initially proposed. Currently, the Department is providing technical support and advice to the Universityof Limpopo in the physical development of the respective campuses.
Although progress toward the merger goals has not always been even during the past five years, by August 2009 all the institutions had achieved the desired levels of integration as depicted in the indicative table below. Other areas of successful integration include ICT, finance, student administration and facilities.
QUESTION NO. 25 FOR WRITTEN REPLY DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTIONS PAPER: 06/02/2009 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 1 -2009) NW27E Adv PS Swart (DA) to ask the Minister for Intelligence: (1) Whether the current head of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and his predecessors were vetted, if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) Whether all staff of the Department of Intelligence and Security (DIS) were vetted upon integration with the NIS; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? REPLY: (1) Yes, the current head of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and all his predecessors were vetted as required by legislation. (2) In 1995, the NIA was established as a result of amalgamation of members of the former Intelligence Services i.e. the National Intelligence Service (NIS); Department of Intelligence and Security (DIS), Pan African Secret Service (PASS), Venda National Intelligence Service (VNIS), Bophuthatswana Intelligence Service (BIS) and the Transkei Intelligence Service (TIS). It is important to point out that a process of amalgamation took place and not integration. Integration takes place when one entity joins and forms part of an existing organisation. In this case all former Intelligence Services ceased to exist when the Intelligence Services Act, 1994 (Act 38 of 1994) which was ultimately repealed by the Intelligence Services Act, 2002 (Act 65 of 2002) as amended established the National Intelligence Agency. As a result of the amalgamation process, all members appointed in terms of the Intelligence Services Act, 1994 (Act 38 of 1994) which was ultimately repealed by the Intelligence Services Act, 2002 (Act 65 of 2002) had to undergo a security screening process regardless of the Service they came from. Section 14 of the Intelligence Services Act, (Act 65 of 2002) provides that no person may be appointed as a member of the NIA unless information with respect to the person has been gathered in the prescribed manner in a security screening investigation by the Intelligence Service. [2] I therefore confirm that all members of the NIA who were amalgamated in 1995 had, as per legislation, undergone the security clearance screening process. QUESTION 11 DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 08/06/09 (INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 01-2009) 1. Whether any teachers / facilitator has been charged and/or convicted of any crimes against any learner (a) in 2006, (b) in 2007, (c) in 2008 and (d) during the period 1 January 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, (i) how many in each case, (ii) what are their names and (iii) at which schools did they work; 2. whether any of the teachers/ facilitators are still employed or have been re-employed since being convicted; if so, (a) what are their names (b) which schools do they currently teach at and (c) what were they convicted of ? NW12E REPLY: Questions 1 and 2: The following information has been received from the South African Council for Educators (SACE). It was unfortunately not possible to obtain such detailed information from all the provinces, but we managed to get a response from Free State, Eastern Cape, North West, Western Cape province on such short notice. We are unable to provide names of these educators owing to the legal implications that might have, as decisions on some of these cases are challenged through judicial processes. I can however supply updated information for 4 Provinces. The relevant information pertaining to the remaining provinces will be provided when received from such provinces or you may obtain the information from them directly. SACE : Offices in 4 Provinces QUESTION NO. 8 DATE: 09 SEPTEMBER 2009 Ms G R Magau (ANC) to ask the Deputy President: What approach will the Government use in the next five years in pursuit of strengthening and advancing (a) the founding principles of the African Union and (b) the objectives of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) in building a unified and developed African continent? NO1305E Reply: a) Honourable Members, a strong African Union is essential for Africa's unity and development. SA will continue to advocate for a gradual process of continental integration using the Regional Economic Communities as the building blocks towards the establishment of the African Union Government. This entails the harmonisation of the programmes and policies of the Regional Economic Communities and we are pleased that progress is being made with regard to integration within and among the Southern African Development Community, COMESA and the East African Community. We are committed to supporting the strengthening of the African Union and its structures. Amongst others, this is evident form South Africa's engagement in ensuring the establishment of the African Union organs namely; the African Investment Bank, the African Central Bank and the African Monetary Bank as well as the African Court of Justice and Human Rights. In this regard, it must be mentioned that Ministers of Justice and Attorney's General of the AU have finalised the Merger Instrument for the African Court of Justice and the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights. South Africa has nominated and was able to get the endorsement of Justice Bernard Ngoepe to serve in the Human Rights section of the court. SA will continue to work with the African Union Commission towards transforming the Pan African Parliament from an Advisory body to a Legislative one. In order to advance the founding principles of the African Union, SA will continue to support the activities of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council with a view to ensuring that all the peoples of Africa participate in and take ownership of African Union activities and processes. b) SA will continue to support the implementation of NEPAD as a blue print for Africa's socio economic development. NEPAD is part of the African Union's programmes to intensify the struggle against poverty and underdevelopment on the continent. In this regard SA will continue to support the integration of NEPAD into AU structures and processes. We are committed to meeting our own obligations that derive from the African Peer Review Mechanism and we will continue to encourage other African Union member states to accede to the African Peer Review Mechanism and implement the outcome of the country reviews. SA will continue to support the implementation of NEPAD programmes and projects at regional level through the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan as well as at a national level. We are pleased that at the 11th Summit of Heads of State and Government participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism held in Sirte, Libya at the end of June this year, Cape Verde acceded to the APRM as the 29th member. SA will continue to support the call for the international community to comply with their commitments made at various international forums aimed at assisting African countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals within the framework of NEPAD. QUESTION NO. 5 DATE: 09 SEPTEMBER 2009 Dr S M van Dyk (DA) to ask the Deputy President: Whether the Government would add (a) crime, (b) the Eskom crisis and (c) land reform as additional obstacles to the six that have already been identified by the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (Asgisa), as factors opposing economic growth; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NO1303E Reply: Honourable van Dyk, I wish to reassure you that government remains committed to the fight against crime, the rapid expansion of Eskom's generation capacity as well as the acceleration of the land reform programme. The fight against crime is receiving intense and sustained attention. Apart from the fact that we have increased our real spending to fight crime and that we are increasing the number of police officers, we are also seeking ways to improve the effectiveness of our crime fighting efforts. We have made it quite clear that fighting crime is a top priority of this government. The Minister of Police and the Commissioner have addressed this, and will continue to update Parliament regarding our strategy and its outcomes. Similarly land reform is a key element of rural development and we have clearly indicated our commitment to addressing rural development as a top priority of this government. As Honourable Members are aware as an indication of the importance we give to this area, we have established a Ministry and Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. Eskom's needs were anticipated in AsgiSA's infrastructure programme. The investment programmes are in place. But we still have a responsibility as government to ensure that the investment programmes are undertaken with sufficient speed and in such a way that they do not undermine our commitment to sustainable development. These three issues were clearly identified as priorities in the Medium Term Strategic Framework issued by this Government in July this year. Electricity falls under strategic priority 2, land reform and rural development are addressed in strategic priority 3, and crime prevention is the focus of strategic priority 6. We pursue these commitments and proceed from the understanding that they help the country address specific challenges but also because, individually and collectively, combating crime, improved reliability of electricity supply and improved land reform and rural development programmes are central to accelerated and inclusive growth efforts. QUESTION NO: 12 PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 19 OF 06 OCTOBER 2009 Mr K S Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation: (1) Whether diplomatic staff or any other staff of her department are rewarded for having completed 10 years of service; if not, why not; if so, what (a) benefits are received in each case, (b) is the cost of each of the benefits and (c) categories of staff are entitled to receiving benefits; REPLY: 1. Diplomatic and head office based staff are governed by the Public Service Act 1994 as amended. No provision exists to reward employees appointed in terms of the aforesaid act for ten years of service. However, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation annually grants Locally Recruited Personnel (LRP) who have completed ten years and more uninterrupted service in recognition of long and loyal service, visits to South Africa at Government expense. The Departmental Foreign Service Code, Part IIIC, Chapter 15, as quoted below, makes provision for the long service tour to South Africa: Quote: Extract from Foreign Service Code: LONG SERVICE VISITS TO THE RSA (10 YEARS) The granting of visits to South Africa at Government expense, to LRP who have completed 10 years and more uninterrupted service in recognition of long and loyal service is currently being phased-in. The phase-in period begins with the completed years changing from 15 to 10 years with effect from the tour that will take place in 2008. The phase-in period commencement date thereof for the groups who will be eligible for a long service visit to South Africa at Government expense will commence with a tour for those lrp who have already served more than fourteen years. Unquote a. Not applicable to diplomatic and head office based staff. LRP are granted a 14 day tour at Government expense as well as ten days special leave and travel time to attend the tour. b. The approved budget for the 2009 LRP tour amounts to R4,950,000 (four million, nine hundred and fifty thousand Rand). The average cost per delegate amounts to approximately R30,200 per person. c. All LRP (Level 1 – 7) employed in South African missions abroad, are granted equal benefits. (2) whether employees are rewarded any benefits for years of service; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the year categories that entitle an employee to benefits, (b) are the relevant benefits per category, (c) are the costs associated with these benefits per category and (d) categories of staff are entitled to receiving benefits for years of service? NW1018E REPLY 2. Employees are rewarded benefits for years of service. a. The long service award system applies to all employees who have rendered 20 and 30 years continued service in the Public Service. b. The benefits are as follows: 20 YEARS 30 YEARS Discount 10 days annual leave if credit is available Discount 15 days annual leave if credit is available 20 years certificate 30 years certificate Cash award annually (April) revised by DPSA (Currently R3994,00)
c. Costs as indicated under b.
d. A Long Service reward system is applicable to employees appointed in terms of the Public Service Act, 1994, as amended, thus all Diplomatic and Head Office bound employees.
Question 12
The Leader of the Official Opposition (DA) to ask the Deputy
President:
Whether, in light of his statement (details furnished) that it does not make economic or ethical sense for the Government to be spendthrift with its financial management in the face of the recession, members of the Cabinet who have spent exorbitant amounts of money on purchasing vehicles will be requested to return these vehicles; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NO2112E
Reply
I stand by my statement that at a time of economic crisis, when finances are under pressure, we all need to be careful about our expenses. Major commitments of Government have to be considered very carefully in the light of current economic conditions and the condition of the poor and the unemployed.
To my knowledge, the vehicles purchased by members of Cabinet were all undertaken within the regulations set by the Ministerial Handbook which sets out the benefits and privileges applicable to members of Cabinet, Provincial Executive Councils and Presiding Officers of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures. While some may hold the view that certain of the purchases were inappropriate in current circumstances, these purchases were in fact planned and budgeted for. The purchases were not unethical in that they were not illegal or underhand. For these reasons, we do not intend to request the return of the vehicles. In any event as the Honourable Leader of the Opposition is aware, a used car has far less resale value than a new car, so returning the cars and buying cheaper ones would result in significant losses. While it may sound good it is not particularly practical.
On 29 July this year, Cabinet agreed that a task team be constituted to prepare recommendations on developing measures for fiscal prudence with specific reference to curbing wasteful expenditure, establishing cost cutting measures and reviewing procurement practices. Furthermore, that consideration is given to the possible adjustment of the existing guidelines for purchasing official vehicles for Political Office Bearers as reflected in the Ministerial Handbook. This task team will report back to Cabinet in due course.
I thank you.
QUESTION NO: 25
QUESTION PAPER NO 12: 28 AUGUST 2009
DATE SUBMITTED:
MR J SELFE (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
(1) Whether all medical workers employed by her department are registered with the Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA); if not, why not; if so, how many;
(2) whether any of these medical workers had their registration with the HPCSA revoked as a result of non-payment of the registration fee; if so, (a) how many medical workers in each category had their registration revoked and (b) what steps has her department taken to re-register these workers;
(3) Whether it is the responsibility of her department or the individual medical worker to pay registration fees; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1223E
REPLY
(1) All Medical Workers employed in the Department of Correctional Services are registered with the Health Profession Council of SA (HPCSA). The different health streams are indicated hereunder.
TOTAL | Total Registered with Health Professions Council | Total Not Registered with Health Professions Council | Reasons Not Registered with Health Professions Council | |
MEDICAL PRACTITIONER | 14 | 14 | 0 | None |
PHARMACIST | 34 | 34 | 0 | None |
PSYCHOLOGISTS | 37 | 37 | 0 | None |
NURSES | 887 | 887 | 0 | None |
(2) None of these Medical Workers had their registration with HPCSA revoked as a result of non-payment of the registration fee.
(3) It is the responsibility of each individual Medical Worker to pay for the registration fee to the Health Profession Council of SA.