Are any private security companies employed by (a) her Department or (b) the South African National Parks (SANParks) for anti-poaching purposes; if not, why not; if so, (i) which companies are employed and (ii) where are the specified companies employed?
(a) No private security company is employed by the Department of Environmental Affairs for anti-poaching purposes.
(b) (i) and (ii) Within SANParks, no private company is employed for anti-poaching purposes. The internal capability that was established over the past few years, complemented by the support from the government security agencies, is sufficient to provide the specialist nature of operations in the mission area. It ...
(1)Whether, with reference to her department’s draft regulations for the domestic trade in rhinoceros horn, or a part, product or derivative of rhinoceros horn, published in Notice 74 in Government Gazette 40601 on 8 February 2017, the proposed regulations apply to privately owned rhino horn stocks only; if so, what are the relevant details; if not,
(2) whether the specified regulations apply to Government-owned stock; if so, what are the relevant details?
1. It is applicable to both privately owned rhino horn stocks as well as government owned stocks.
2. Yes, the proposed regulations also apply to government-owned stock. The same requirements that apply to private rhino horn owners who intend to sell their rhino horns, will also apply to organs of state who have rhino horn and intend to sell the horn, e.g.:
(1) With reference to her department’s draft regulations for the domestic trade in rhinoceros horn, or a part, product or derivative of rhinoceros horn, published in Notice 74 in Government Gazette 40601 on 8 February 2017, (a) how many times a year can a person export the two rhinoceros horns limitation contained in regulation 3(3) and (b) what steps will be taken to ensure that fraud, forgery and corruption will not be included in this process;
(2) will full criminal investigations and analyses be conducted in (a) South Africa and (b) internationally on any person applying for a permit to trade in rhinoceros horns; if not, why not; if so, (i) will the specified persons be excluded from trading in rhinoceros horns if they are found guilty and (ii) what are the further relevant details in this regard;
(3) whether the legal ramifications for non-compliance with Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species resolutions contained in the specified regulations will be amended to include harsher penalties for perpetrators; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details, (b) will specialised courts with magistrates who specialise in environmental and conservation laws be established and (c) will enforcement bodies dealing with corruption, fraud and forgery be made available?
(1)
(a) The draft regulations propose that a person may export only two rhino horns for personal purposes. The intention was that two horns would be the total allowed as a once-off export provided an import permit is obtained and the importing country has legislation in place to ensure compliance with the Convention. This aspect will however be finalised after the closing date for ...
What is the (a) make, (b) model, (c) price and (d) date on which each vehicle was purchased for use by (i) her and (ii) her deputy (aa) in the (aaa) 2014-15 and (bbb) 2015-16 financial years and (bb) since 01 April 2016?
Kindly note that the vehicles of the Minister and Deputy Minister were purchased in 2014 and therefore the response to this question is still the same as that we gave to question no 259 in July 2014 which reads as follows:
The New Executive was announced in May 2014 and is setting up departments according the proclamation by the President dated the 3 July ...
With reference to the site inspection at Portion 100, Bokfontein 448JQ, by her department, (a) what corrective measures will the owner of Microlife Organic Products implement and (b) by what date will the owner of the specified site comply with the implementation of the specified measures?
The Environmental Management Inspectors from the Department of Environmental Affairs did not undertake an inspection at this site. We have been informed however, that Inspectors from the North West Department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development (NW READ), which is the department responsible for issuing the Environmental Authorisation in respect of the facility, did carry out such an inspection.
A. The matter was ...
(1) With reference to her department’s draft regulations for the domestic trade in rhinoceros horn, or a part, product or derivative of rhinoceros horn, published in Notice 74 in Government Gazette 40601 on 8 February 2017, how (a) do the references to non-commercial purposes tie in with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species resolution regarding rhinoceros, (b) will she ascertain that any person importing rhinoceros horn will not sell the horn commercially, (c) will she ensure that the freight agents are authorised to import and export rhinoceros horn and (d) will the freight agents attain authorisation;
(2) whether persons residing in South Africa but who are not South African citizens will be able to own (a) live or (b) dead rhinoceros; if so, what are the relevant details in each case;
(3) (a) who may export rhinoceros horn, (b) how will the Environmental Management Inspectorate and any other authorised officials verify the authenticity of permits and (c) what training will they receive in this regard?
- (a)In terms of Article III 3. (c) of the text of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) a Management Authority of the State of import can grant an import permit if it is satisfied that the specimen is not to be used for primarily commercial purposes. The permit issued then reflects that it’s for personal ...
(a) Why was the press conference scheduled to announce her department’s highly anticipated rhinoceros management programme postponed and (b) by what date will the specified press conference take place?
(a) The media conference was postponed because the date that it was scheduled for clashed with the press briefings of other Government programmes such as the Budget and others, all of which was happening on the same day hence only two journalists had confirmed attendance and this was not going to help. The other reason was that the other Ministers within the Security ...
(1) Will she institute disciplinary action against the Board Members of the South African Weather Service (SAWS) found to have been involved in a certain tender (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
(2) whether she will be investigating a case of alleged fraud surrounding a radar project that the suspended Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the SAWS brought to the SAWS’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) prior to the CFO’s suspension; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
1. A complaint was received by the Presidential Hotline on 20 November 2016 relating to Performance Management at theSouth African Weather Service (SAWS) specifically relating to the 2014/15 performance assessment period. The allegations included the following:
a) Unlawful powers of the Executive Committee to change moderated performance scores;
b) Unilateral correction of scores
c) Implementation of performance-based salary increases.
The allegations were referred ...
Is her Department aware that the traditional medicine market adjacent to the Faraday Taxi Rank in Johannesburg is selling animal remains that require specific permits to trade and sell; if not, (a) why not and (b) on what date will her Department conduct an investigation into this matter; if so, why has her Department allowed this illegal activity to be conducted?
The Department is aware that the muti traders operating next to Faraday Taxi Rank are selling various anaimal remains and that there have been reports that some of these activities are illegal.
- Not applicable.
(b) These types of markets are typically monitored and investigated by officials from the provincial conservation departments, both in terms of the requirements set out in provincial and national legislation. ...
(1) Whether the SA National Parks has any plans in place to (a) sell or (b) relocate rhino that fall outside of the Kruger National Park’s proposed intensive protection zone to a custodianship programme; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case;
(2) whether the specified custodianship programmes will be linked to community empowerment projects where suitable rhino sanctuaries can be identified and incentivised; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
(1) Yes.
(a) The South African National Parks does have plans in place, and processes are also underway to finalise the sale of rhino that will be sourced from outside the Kruger National Park’s proposed intensive protection zone. The rhinos will be sold to buyers who meet the requirements drawn in terms of the Rhino Integrated Management Approach. The approach calls for animals ...
