2017-w3384 - 14 November 2017

Ross Kriel Purdon to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

What is the total number of tons of ash that were produced by (a) Eskom and (b) Sasol (i) in the (aa) 2014-15, (bb) 2015-16 and (cc) 2016-17 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2017?

Reply from the Minister of Environmental Affairs on 14 Nov 2017

As reported by third parties, which we as Environmental Affairs are not required to keep record of, and therefore cannot verify these figures:

a) Eskom

(i) (aa) 2014-15: 34 410 Kilo Tons.

(bb) 2015-16: 32 586 Kilo Tons.

(cc) 2016-17: 32 612 Kilo Tons.

(ii) 01/04/17 – to date: 16 999 Kilo Tons.

b) Sasol

(i) (aa, bb and cc) and (ii)

The Sasolburg Operations (SO) and Secunda ...

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2017-w3512 - 13 November 2017

Ross Kriel Purdon to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

(a) Why has the biotrade permit number IEP 005 of Schibuna Aloe not been renewed yet despite all documentation being submitted at least five months ago and (b) by what date will the renewal of the specified permits be finalised so that the business can continue to export aloe juice and pay its 213 aloe tappers; (2) what (a) measures has the department put in place to ensure that existing biotrade permits are not reassigned to businesses or individuals that do not comply with all the necessary standards and (b) steps will she take to ensure that the unnecessarily long delays in renewal of permits are resolved more efficiently in the future?

Reply from the Minister of Environmental Affairs on 13 Nov 2017

(a) Schibuna Aloe’s application was subjected to internal processes which involves the evaluation by the Bioprospecting Advisory Committee (BAC) comprised of internal and external stakeholders and ensuing consultations with the applicant. Upon receipt of the recommendations by the BAC, key fundamental gaps on fair and equitable sharing of benefits with communities were identified which needed further engagement with the applicant.

(b) The issuing of ...

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2017-w2978 - 13 November 2017

Thomas Zwelakhe Hadebe to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

(1)With regard to the sale of rhino horns by a certain person (name furnished) during the online auction sale held from 21-24 August 2017, what is the total number of (a) permits that were issued by her department, (b) rhino horns or part thereof that were sold; (2) were any rhino horns or part thereof sold to the international community members; if not, what measures will be implemented to ensure that rhino horns or part thereof never leave the borders of the country; if so, (a) why, (b) what are the names of the buyers and/or bidders?

Reply from the Minister of Environmental Affairs on 13 Nov 2017

(1)

(a) 1 permit to sell 264 rhinoceros horns and 7 permits to buy rhinoceros horns

(b) No horns or parts thereof

(2)

(a) As indicated above, no horns or parts thereof were sold during the auction. The following measures are in place to prevent and detect illegal activities:

  • Environmental Management Inspectors (EMIs) monitor compliance to the buying permits as well as the possession ...
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2017-w3379 - 13 November 2017

Gordon Mackay to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

(a) On which date did Eskom approach her department to conduct environmental impact assessments for Duynefontein as the preferred site to establish another nuclear power station as part of the Government’s new nuclear build programme, (b) what are the details of the grounds on which her department approved the specified site as the preferred site for a new nuclear power station and (c) why did her department approve the specified site as the preferred site for a new nuclear power station when the Government’s new nuclear build programme determinations and intergovernmental agreements relating to the programme have been declared unconstitutional and invalid by a court of law?

Reply from the Minister of Environmental Affairs on 13 Nov 2017

Eskom lodged an application for environmental authorisation on 1 May 2007, for the proposed construction and operation of a Nuclear Power Station in South Africa. The independent consultant appointed by Eskom as an Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) identified five sites as alternatives for the proposed development during the Scoping Phase of the Environmental Impact Assessment, namely Brazil and Schulpfontein (Northern Cape); Duynefontein (Western Cape); ...

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2017-w3000 - 13 November 2017

Annelie Lotriet to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

What is the (a) total amount that was paid out in bonuses to employees in her Department and (b) detailed breakdown of the bonus that was paid out to each employee in each salary level in the 2016/17 financial year; and (2) what is the (a) total estimated amount that will be paid out in bonuses to employees in her Department and (b) detailed breakdown of the bonus that will be paid out to each employee in each salary level in the 2017/18 financial year?

Reply from the Minister of Environmental Affairs on 13 Nov 2017

(1) (a) Due to the financial constraints and agreed to budget cuts the Department opted to pay incentives to performing staff, instead of generalised bonuses, as outlined in Part VIII, Section F1 of the Public Service Regulations which reads as follows:

“If the Departmental budget and the medium-term expenditure framework provide adequate funds, a head of department may establish a financial incentive scheme for ...

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2017-w3173 - 13 November 2017

Xalisa, Mr Z R to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

(1)What are the details including the ranks of service providers and/or contractors from which (a) her department and (b) the entities reporting to her procured services in the past five years; (2) what (a) service was provided by each service provider and/or contractor and (b) amount was each service provider and/or contractor paid; (3) (a) how many of these service providers are black-owned entities, (b) what contract was each of the black-owned service providers awarded and (c) how much was each black-owned service provider paid?

Reply from the Minister of Environmental Affairs on 13 Nov 2017

(1)– (3) The Department’s database does not rank the service providers. However, the information relative to the bids awarded by the Department and its entities is published in the media from which they are advertised such as:

  • Government Tender Bulletin
  • E-tender portal (National Treasury)
  • Departmental Website

The Member is also referred to the Annual Reports of both the Department and its entities of over ...

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2017-w3200 - 10 November 2017

Xalisa, Mr Z R to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

(a) What number of tenders have been awarded by the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency since 1 April 2014, (b) what were the specified tenders for, (c) what was the total monetary value of each tender, (d) what are the names of the companies that each tender was awarded to and (e) what is the nature of the relationship between each specified company and a certain person (name and details furnished)?

Reply from the Minister of Environmental Affairs on 10 Nov 2017

This is a provincial competency that would require the question to be reffered, for response, to the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism as the Management Authority in charge of the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency.

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2017-w3385 - 09 November 2017

Ross Kriel Purdon to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

(1)Whether any cell phones and/or other communication devices were confiscated by rangers from alleged poachers in each national park since 01 January 2017; if so, (a) what number of communication devices were confiscated in each specified park and (b) what are the details of the processes followed after confiscation; (2) whether the specified devices were handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS); if so, have the devices been used as evidence in investigations?

Reply from the Minister of Environmental Affairs on 9 Nov 2017

(1) Yes, ninety three (93) cellular phones were confiscated during arrests, by Rangers, of suspected poachers in the Kruger National Park.

(2) Yes, all cellular phones recovered from South African National Parks (SANParks) anti-poaching operations/ arrests are handed over to the SAPS for further investigation. The intention is for all cellular phone evidence to be used in investigation processes. The SAPS is in a ...

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2017-w3313 - 09 November 2017

Xalisa, Mr Z R to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

(1)Whether the (a) Chief Executive Officer and (b) Chief Financial Officer of entities reporting to her are employed on a permanent basis; if not; and (2) whether the specified officers are employed on a fixed term contract; if so, (a) what are the names of each of the officers and (b) when (i) was each officer employed and (ii) will each officer’s contract end?

Reply from the Minister of Environmental Affairs on 9 Nov 2017

1. South African National Parks (SANParks)

1. (a) No

     (b) No

2. (a) Chief Executive Officer: Mr Fundisile Mketeni

          Chief Financial Officer: Vacant.

    (b) (i) Chief Executive Officer: 1 December 2014

              Chief Financial Officer: Vacant

         (ii) Chief Executive Officer: 30 November 2019 ...

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2017-w3292 - 09 November 2017

Xalisa, Mr Z R to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

Whether, with reference to the advertised position of senior manager in Protected Area Expansion which was advertised by the Eastern Cape Tourism Agency in August 2017 and in respect of which interviews were held in September 2017, a suitable candidate was appointed; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the details of scores on the original score sheet of the interview panel, (b) what was the recommendation of the panel regarding who should be appointed and (c) was the recommended candidate appointed?

Reply from the Minister of Environmental Affairs on 9 Nov 2017

This is a provincial competency that would require the question to be reffered for respond by the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism as the Management Authority in charge of the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency.

---ooOoo---

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