[pic]
Private Bag X893, Pretoria, 0001, Tel (012) 312 5555, Fax (012) 323 5618
Private Bag X9192, Cape Town, 8000, Tel (021) 465 5513, Fax: (021) 465 7956
Memorandum from the Parliamentary Office
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 608
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 18/11/2011
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 38 OF 2011)
Mr D A Worth (DA-FS) to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training:
1. Whether he has been informed of the complaints from the staff and
students at a certain campus (name and details furnished) regarding (a)
the risks from mine dust and radioactive residue material and (b) various
illnesses they are suffering from as a result of being on this site; if
not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant
details;
2. whether he will launch an investigation into the matter; if not, why
not; if so, what are the relevant details;
3. whether he has been informed that the said site is within 500m of mine
dumps and tailing dams; if not, what is the position in this regard; if
so, what are the relevant details;
4. whether he will conduct an investigation into the health and safety of
this site; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
5. whether he has any plans to relocate the staff and students on the said
campus to another campus; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant
details?
CW759E
REPLY:
1. No. I have not been informed of the complaints from the staff and
students at the Central Johannesburg College (CJC).
a) Information about the reported risks from the mine dust and radioactive
residue material has not been shared with the Ministry yet. CJC
Management and Council have recently received, as part of its
consultative process that involves gathering technical reports and other
related research, a specialist report from Prof. Annergarn from the
University of Johannesburg on the history, nature and extent of mining
pollution as well as further research they are undertaking under the
commission of the Mine Health and Safety Council. The specific report
covers at least six âmega dumpsâ of the gold reef area south of
Johannesburg, from Roodepoort through to Ergo in Ekurhuleni. It has been
discussed with and circulated to members of the CJC Executive Committee
of Council;
b) The College is not aware of medical reports confirming information about
âvarious illnesses they are suffering from as a result of being on this
siteâ. The staff wellness unit of CJC has been asking both staff and the
union involved for such submission to no avail. Management has begun to
engage external and independent medical specialists to undertake medical
evaluation of staff and students and will thereafter advise Council on
the findings.
2. No, I will not launch an investigation to the matter because the MEC for
Education in Gauteng has already advised the Council of CJC to undertake
an independent investigation into staff concerns. Any other investigation
will be a duplication of effort.
3. No, however the MEC of Education in Gauteng knows hence her advice to
CJC Council to investigate.
4. No. As indicated above the CJC Council has already commissioned to
investigation to this effect.
5. We cannot prompt the outcomes of the investigation
Compiler/contact persons: Kenny Pole
Ext: 5014
DIRECTOR â GENERAL
STATUS:
DATE:
QUESTION 608 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED
Dr B NZIMANDE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
STATUS:
DATE: