19. Dr G W Koornhof (ANC) to ask the President of the Republic:

What (a) opportunities have been created for South Africa as a result of his recent visits to Brazil, Russia, India and China and (b) contribution can South Africa make to the developing agenda in assisting to design a new world order? NO3904E

REPLY:

(a) Brazil:

Many opportunities were created during our State Visit to Brazil last year.

The State visit served to strengthen the existing sound relations between the two countries. The reciprocal visit by His Excellency President Lula da Silva in July this year further cemented our relations.

The two countries have ongoing cooperation in the areas of, amongst others, social development, trade and industry, health, education, science and technology, governance and energy, to mention just a few.

The two countries also have in place a Memorandum of Understanding on Trade Cooperation in an effort to lower tariff and non-tariff barriers.

This will enable us to further reach our goals of opening the Brazilian market for better access for our products and services.

This speaks to our strategic priority of creating better quality lives and decent work through improved export opportunities.

The State Visit also allowed the two countries to take relations forward at the level of the India-Brazil-South Africa forum which enables us to advance South-South cooperation.

During the two visits we also undertook to make available to Brazil, any assistance relating to expertise gained during the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, as they will be hosting the tournament in the year 2014.

Russia:

The visit to the Russian Federation put a strong emphasis on bilateral cooperation as well as economic and trade issues.

We discussed and agreed to develop concrete joint ventures, particularly in the energy, mining and agriculture sectors.

Amongst key issues addressed were access for South African meat products to the Russian market, Russian anti-dumping penalties on South African steel exports and other trade matters.

Some of the agreements signed included an agreement on visa exemption for diplomatic, official and service passports to promote people-to-people cooperation and cooperation amongst the space agencies of the two countries.

There was also the signing of a contract between Eskom and Tenex to supply nuclear fuel to South Africa, which contributes to the imperative of a reliable and stable energy supply. The visit also focused on international development issues such as meeting the Millennium Development Goals, the reform of the global financial architecture, and South Africa's wish to join the Brazil-Russia-India-China (BRIC) formation. 

China:

During our State Visit to China, the two countries co-signed the Declaration on the Establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The Vice-President of China, Mr Xi Jinping, was hosted by our Deputy President the Honourable Kgalema Motlanthe this week, an indication of the strong ties between the two countries.

This week's visit served to concretize and put into action many of the agreements reached during the August state visit, using the South Africa-China binational commission as a mechanism.

During our visit to China we agreed to focus on working towards more balanced trade.

The two countries also undertook to provide mutual technical support in the areas of the green economy, skills development and industrial financing.

Sixteen private sector contracts were also signed between local and Chinese companies.

The private sector of both countries was encouraged to explore cooperation opportunities in infrastructure construction projects such as roads, railways, ports, power generation, airports and housing.

China has also committed itself to support the North-South infrastructure development corridor, within the NEPAD context, which South Africa is championing.

The visit was also used to coordinate and align the positions of South Africa and China on international issues, particularly with regard to the G20, Climate Change, reform of the United Nations system and the Brazil-Russia-India and China forum.

India:

The 16th of November marked the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Indian community in the country, which was the beginning of the strong ties between India and South Africa.
 
The state visit to India succeeded in further strengthening the strong bilateral relationship that both countries share, at cultural, economic, political and social levels.
 
The two countries agreed to work towards increasing bilateral trade to at least 12 billion US dollars per annum by 2012.

The business forum of the two countries met in Johannesburg recently following the state visit, taking forward the agreements reached at the level of trade relations.

The two countries will also cooperate on education and skills development, which bodes well for South Africa's human resource development needs.

(b) South Africa is working closely within the African Union and the IBSA Forum to promote a new world order, and to ensure that the voice of the developing world is heard and carries weight with regards to development issues.

The world we live in today has changed significantly since the end of the Cold War. The countries of the South such as Brazil, India and China are rising and are challenging the global economic landscape.

We want to take advantage of these new developments, while also working to enhance existing relations the developed North, the EU, United States and other regions.

We also use international forums to promote the reform of international financial institutions to ensure the participation of Africa and the developing world in decision making.

We also work towards more equitable trade relations in the world, hence the call for the Doha round to be concluded in a manner that enhances development and which does not perpetuate global inequalities.

I thank you.

20. Mr V B Ndlovu (IFP) to ask the President of the Republic:

(1) With reference to the 384 applications for presidential pardon in terms of section 84(2) of the Constitution that was submitted with the assistance of a certain political party (details furnished), when will he make available his decision regarding the remaining 154 applications;

(2) whether, with reference to the 149 applications that were recommended for presidential pardon by the Presidential Reference Group (details furnished), he will make the political affiliations of each of these applicants available; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details

NO4019E

REPLY:

(1) I will consider the remaining 154 applications for pardon at the time that I consider the other applications made in terms of the Special Dispensation Process.

This will be done once effect is given to the decision of the Constitutional Court in the matter of Ryan Albutt and Others versus the President and Others.

(2) The applicants will be informed of my decision in due course.

(3) The party political affiliations have been categorised as follows:

POLITICAL PARTY NO. OF APPLICANTS

African National Congress - 53
AWB - 13
Azanian People's Organisation - 2
Bophuthatswana Defence Force - 2
Civic Association - 1
Former South African Police - 5
Freedom Front Plus - 3
Inkatha Freedom Party - 21
Pan Africanist Congress - 34
Simunye in Christ Organisation - 1
United Democratic Movement - 11
No affiliation - 3

A more detailed list is available, but may be too lengthy to respond to in this oral reply.
I thank you.

21. Mr P J Groenewald (FF Plus) to ask the President of the Republic:

With reference to his statement on 31 October 2010 that he has changed his Cabinet in order to ensure improved service delivery and strengthen existing Ministries, in what way will these changes to his Cabinet bring about improved service delivery?

NO4015E

REPLY:

The composition of Cabinet and the appointment of Deputy Ministers is the prerogative of the President.
 
The President is under no obligation to explain the reasons for his actions in this regard.
 
However, I did indicate on the 31st of October when we announced changes to the national executive, that having spent 17 months in government, we have had time to study the functioning of the current administration.
 
We have been able to ascertain what works and what needs to be changed or strengthened.
 
We were guided by the mission of our government, which is to improve the quality of life of all South Africans, especially the poor, working with all our people.
 
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the former members of Cabinet for their contribution to government and to the nation during their term of office.
 
I thank you.

22. Mr L P Khoarai (ANC) to ask the President of the Republic:

What policy has he put in place in terms of the Constitutional provision of co-operative government to ensure that the three spheres of government execute their independent mandates in a coordinated and cohesive manner?

NO3910E

REPLY:

All spheres of government must observe and adhere to the principles of cooperative government, as depicted in Chapter 3 of the Constitution.

It is an inter-governmental obligation across national, provincial and local government.

Provinces and local government have to exercise their authority within a framework and direction set and supervised by national government.

As early as 1998, the Presidential Review Commission had reported on the challenges of coordination within and between the different spheres, which created incapacity with regards to implementing programmes and services.

An extensive period of consultation was undertaken to inform the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act, promulgated in 2005.
Last year, government began working on a White Paper on Cooperative Governance, currently in its draft Green Paper stage. It is due for submission for comments by February 2011.

The purpose of this policy paper is to strengthen key elements of the system. These include some reforms in the exercise of powers and functions across government, in order to clarify and simplify the executive obligations of each sphere.

Closely related to this, is a process of reviewing the intergovernmental planning system.

A third and critical element is the strengthening of the supervision and intervention capacities of national and provincial government.

This is in order to provide for timely interventions when municipalities are in distress. In this way, appropriate action may be taken before a situation escalates and impacts negatively on communities.

Finally, our outcomes approach to governance is fundamentally cooperative in its conception and practice across government.
 
Each of the 12 Delivery Agreements that have been signed depends on the cooperation of a range of partners in the three spheres - Ministers, MECs and Mayors.
I am honoured to join the National Council of Provinces this Friday when it meets at Charles Mopeli Stadium in Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality in the Free State province.
 
We will be celebrating cooperative governance in practice, urging all spheres of government to work together to speed up the delivery of services.
 
I thank you.

23. Rev K R J Meshoe (ACDP) to ask the President of the Republic:

(1) Whether South Africa will use its position on the United Nations Security Council to advance human rights and free political activity in countries such as Myanmar and Zimbabwe; if so,

(2) whether it will include supporting sanctions against countries that fail to respect human rights and do not allow free political activity; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

NO3911E

REPLY:

South Africa's foreign policy is informed by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the country's value system, especially our commitment to democracy, human rights, justice and the well-being of all.

Our primary objective on the United Nations Security Council will be to contribute to the promotion of these values.

We also remain firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights across the globe.

Membership of the United Nations enables us to contribute to promoting these goals, as well as the protection of multilateralism and the respect for international law.

South Africa, like the rest of the international community, is concerned about the human rights situation in Myanmar.

We are consistent in our support for the consideration and discussion of human rights matters in relevant UN bodies including the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly, including the Myanmar issue.
 
We have also supported the work of the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy in Myanmar and the efforts of the Association of the South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), aimed at assisting Myanmar to resolve its challenges.
 
The issue of Zimbabwe is currently not an agenda item on the UN Security Council.
Honourable Members would be aware that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union are attending to the Zimbabwean matter, and South Africa is part of that process.

I thank you.

24. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:

How does he reconcile his statement in which he expressed satisfaction that the Government was tackling corruption with the 2010 State of the Public Service Report in which it is reported that the Government is unable to account for at least two thirds of the cases reported to its National Anti-Corruption Hotline?

NO3988E

REPLY:

Honourable Member;

There is no contradiction Honourable member because we have scored several achievements with regards to the investigation of cases of alleged corruption reported on the National Anti-Corruption Hotline.

According to reports provided to the Public Service Commission, since the establishment of the Hotline and as a result of the successful investigation of cases, two hundred and thirty five officials were found guilty of misconduct.
 
Of these cases, thirty five officials were suspended, one hundred and twenty were given final written warnings and eighty officials were dismissed. In addition, a total of one hundred million rand was recovered from perpetrators.
 
Against this backdrop, it is clear that the Hotline has had positive spin-offs, not only in terms of monetary value but also in terms of disciplinary action taken against perpetrators.
 
The Commission is currently following up with departments on all outstanding cases that were reported to the Hotline to ensure that departments fulfil their obligations in investigating these cases.
We appreciate the fact that an independent body such as the Public Service Commission draws our attention to such matters, so that we can improve our efforts.
 
Let me indicate as well that there are also a number of critical initiatives that government has embarked upon to intensify the fight against corruption.
 
We have established the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Anti-Corruption to ensure the alignment of corruption fighting initiatives within government.
 
There are also many agencies that are focusing on various aspects to attack corruption holistically.
 
We have the Multi-Agency Working Group established by the Minister of Finance to investigate high risk irregularities in the government procurement system.
 
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development is working with other Ministers in the criminal justice sector to strengthen the effectiveness of the criminal justice system.
 
We have also instructed the Special Investigation Unit to probe alleged maladministration and corruption in several government departments, municipalities and agencies.
 
These are the Department of Health in the Gauteng Province, national department of Human Settlements, Department of Arts and Culture, Department of Education in the Eastern Cape Province, national Department of Public Works, the South African Social Security Agency and the South African Police Service.
 
Last week we added the Ekurhuleni and Tshwane municipalities and the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
 
While not pre-judging the investigations, the proclamations we issued are a clear indication of the resolve of government to combat corruption, mismanagement and maladministration at all levels of Government and the public service.
 
Honourable Speaker, let me also take this opportunity to point out that we should avoid making blanket statements about corruption, which only serves to stereotype people.
 
For example an erroneous impression is created that all local government leaders and officials are corrupt. The majority of mayors, councillors and officials in local government work very diligently and in an honest manner.

Corruption should therefore not be used as an instrument of fighting certain ideological or sectarian battles. It should unite all of us to ensure clean governance in both government and the private sector.

I thank you.

Issued by The Presidency, November 18 2010

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