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Ref: 02/1/5/2
MINISTER
QUESTION NO. 636 FOR WRITTEN REPLY: NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
A draft reply to Mr D A Worth (DA-FS) to the above-mentioned question is
enclosed for your consideration.
Ms Nosipho Ngcaba
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
DATE:
DRAFT REPLY APPROVED/AMENDED
MRS B E E MOLEWA, MP
MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS
DATE:
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
(For written reply)
QUESTION NO. 636
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 39 CW781E
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 25 November 2011
Mr D A Worth (DA-FS) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental
Affairs:
(1) Whether she has been informed that a certain person (name and details
furnished) also co-owns a safari and hunting company (name furnished);
if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the
relevant details;
(2) whether the said personâs being entrusted with the issuance of
hunting permits while holding business interest in a hunting company
constitutes a conflict of interest; if not, how was this conclusion
reached; if so, what action will her department take to address this
matter;
(3) whether she has been informed that the said person in his capacity as
a Deputy Director enjoys the authority to issue (a) hunting and (b)
export permits for big game such as lion and rhino; if not, what is
the position in this regard; if so, (i) how many (aa) hunting and (bb)
exports permits have been issued by the said person since appointment
up to the latest specified date for which information is available for
(aaa) lion and (bbb) rhino and (ii) to which (aa) companies and (bb)
persons?
Mr D A Worth (DA-FS)
SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT
HANSARD
PAPERS OFFICE
PRESS
636. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:
(1) No. The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has been informed
that the person no longer owns a business. DEA considers this matter
to be of a provincial nature at the moment and as such should be dealt
with internally within the Free State Department Economic Development,
Tourism and Environmental Affairs. It is suggested that the question
be referred to the MEC responsible for environment in the Free State
province.
(2) No. The information at our disposal is that the said person is not
responsible for the issuance of hunting permits. It must be noted that
Government officials are allowed to receive remuneration generated
through private businesses as long as such is done within the
prescripts of the applicable rules including the necessary
declarations and approvals by their respective department. Furthermore
such should not be in conflict with their current job description.
However, such issues of conduct of officials are dealt with by the MEC
responsible for environment at provincial level.
(3) No. According to information received by the Department of
Environmental Affairs, the said person is not authorised to issue
permits relating to (a) hunting and (b) export of big game species.
The Free State Department Economic Development, Tourism and
Environmental Affairs has a Permit Evaluation Committee which
collectively assesses all permit applications and make recommendations
thereon. Such question should be referred to the MEC responsible for
environment in the province.
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