QUESTION NO: 528
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10 OF 20 MARCH 2008
MR AJ LEON (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:
What is the total cost to date to the Government for:
(a) accommodation,
(b) living expenses
(c) transport,
(d) and other associated costs relating to the residence in Pretoria of Jean-Bertrand Aristide,
former president of Haiti.
REPLY:
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The South African Government provides accommodation and services to former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide equivalent to those provided to a South African Cabinet Minister.
2. The South African Government generally owns the accommodation and assets provided for utilisation with regard to the residence in Pretoria of former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide and the costs related thereto, like those of Cabinet Ministers, are integrated into the operations of Government.
QUESTION 530
Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister for Public Enterprises:
Whether his department and any other role players have conducted feasibility studies in respect of the provision of additional water to Eskom and Sasol in light of (a) the intended building of the (i) Medupi and (ii) Bravo power stations by Eskom and (b) Sasol's expansion plans to produce fuel; if not, why not; if so, (i) what studies and (ii) when will the additional water be provided in each case? NW1175E
Reply:
Yes, a feasibility study was carried out by Eskom in respect of the provision of additional water to Eskom and Sasol in light of the intended building of the Medupi and Bravo power stations.
Bravo Power Station’s water requirements have been catered for in the Vaal Pipeline Project (VRESAP) being undertaken by Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) through the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) and scheduled to deliver water by December 2008.
QUESTION NO 540
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 20 MARCH 2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10)
Mrs D van der Walt (DA) to ask the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry:
(1) Whether microcystin levels are routinely tested in South Africa’s water; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether there is any acceptable level of microcystin in water; if not, what measures are being taken to mitigate against microcystin; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) what are the principal causes of microcystin in water;
(3) whether the levels of microcystin in the water of the Hartebeespoort Dam have at any time since 1 January 2005 required waterskiing to be ceased on the dam; if not, how was this conclusion reached; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1186E
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REPLY:
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Yes. Freshwater resources are routinely tested for microcystin at a number of eutrophic sites in South Africa. These include monitoring done by the Department and water boards and municipalities that purify drinking water. In addition, 80 sites are monitored by my Department for the broader cyanobacteria genera (microcystin is produced by the cyanobacterium Mycrocystis) as part of the National Eutrophication Monitoring Programme.
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Yes, there are acceptable levels of microcystin in water that would still render it fit for specific uses. The major drinking water industries do test for microcystins and do take the necessary precautions to provide safe (fit for use) drinking water to users. Where contact water recreation activities are concerned, the World Health Organisation (WHO) [1999] established three hazard levels against which water users can assess the danger posed by cyanobacteria and the recommended actions that should be taken. At unacceptable levels of cyanobacteria, the use of water has to be prohibited and warnings have to be erected at the sites.
(2)(a) There are ways to mitigate against cyanobacteria. These include preventing the blooms through affecting proactive source directed controls.
(2)(b) The cyanobacteria blooms propagate on excessive nutrients in the water and the blooms further proliferate during the warmer months. The microcystin toxins are released once they start degrading.
(3) No. Such a step has not been necessary at any time since 1 January 2005 as the levels of microcystin have not required such actions.
QUESTION NO 541
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 20 MARCH 2008
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10)
Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry:
(1) (a) What are the effects on (i) human, (ii) animal and (iii) water sources exposed to cyanobacteria toxins, (b) how many cases of poisoning of (i) human and (ii) animals have been recorded as a result of these entities coming into contact with cyanobacteria toxins and (c) where did it occur in each case since 1 January 2005 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;
(2) whether her department has conducted any studies to determine the prevalence of cyanobacteria in South Africa’s water sources; if not, why not; if so, (a) what water sources have a dangerous level of cyanobacteria and (b) what are the levels in each case;
(3) whether any steps have been taken to prevent human contact with water contaminated by cyanobacteria; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1187E
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REPLY:
(1)(a)(i) Human Effect
Cyanobacteria produce toxins that can be harmful to human health. Humans can be exposed to cyanotoxins by drinking untreated water that has cyanobacterial toxins in it; skin contact by engaging in recreational activities in waters with cyanotoxins and by inhalation of water droplets/aerosols. Drinking infected water can cause gastroenteritis, kidney and liver damage, as well as nerve damage with symptoms including numb lips, tingling fingers and toes or dizziness. Illness from skin contact includes rash or skin irritation (“swimmers itch”) and skin blisters on the lips. Inhalation cause runny eyes and nose, allergic reactions or sore throat.
The cyanobacteria blooms can also cause unpleasant odours which can be disturbing for recreational activities.
(1)(a)(ii) Animals Effect
Studies have shown that cyanotoxins causes mortality of livestock, wildlife and aquatic animals. Animals drinking infected water can develop hepatotoxic, neurotoxic, carcinogenic, cytotoxic and respiratory failure illnesses and cyanobacterial toxins can promote tumour growth. The effects are usually fast with large numbers of animal fatalities.
(1)(a)(iii) Water sources
Cyanobacteria toxins can be associated with other non-lethal compounds that cause taste and odours in drinking water. However, the decaying cyanobacteria blooms cause noxious smells at recreational areas as is often found at Roodeplaat and Hartbeespoort Dams. There is also incidence of fish, crocodile and mammal mortality.
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(1)(b)(i) To date there is no confirmed incidence of human death due to cyanobacteria toxins in South Africa. However, no epidemiological studies have been done in South Africa, to determine long-term effects of exposure to cyanobacteria toxins, because of the difficulty to connect cause and effect, as well as the similarity of the symptoms to other water related diseases.
(1)(b)(ii) Since 1944 to the present day there have been numerous cases reported on livestock, other wildlife, fish and bird fatalities. Since 2005 cyanobacterial events and/or animal fatalities have been reported to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) from the following sites:
(1)(c) Crocodile West/Marico Water Management Area (WMA) that has the highest incidence of severe eutrophication
- Hartbeespoort Dam (annually)
- Roodeplaat Dam (annually)
- Klipvoor Dam (annually)
- Rietvlei Dam (annually)
- Bospoort Dam (occasionally)
- Bon Accord (occasionally)
Olifants River WMA
- Loskop Dam (2005 and 2007)
- The latest addition to these events is a number of large mammals in the vicinity of four small reservoirs in the Kruger National Park (2007).
Middle Vaal
Erfenis Dam (occasionally)
Allemanskraal Dam (occasionally)
- Koppies Dam (occasionally)
Lower Vaal WMA
- Spitskop Dam (occasionally)
- Krugersdrift Dam (occasionally)
Mvoti to Umzimkulu WMA
- EJ Smith Dam (2006)
- Shongweni Dam (annually)
Mzimvubu to Keiskamma WMA
Laing Dam (occasionally)
Bridledrift Dam (occasionally)
Nahoon Dam (occasionally)
Katriver Dam (occasionally)
Lower Orange WMA
- The Orange River (occasionally)
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(2) Yes, since the 1990s the prevalence of cyanobacteria in South Africa has been investigated by the Directorate Resource Quality Service of DWAF. In addition to a number of surveys by DWAF (Quibell 1995; Van Ginkel and Conradie 2001; Van Ginkel 2004 and Van Ginkel 2008) and the regular National Eutrophication Monitoring Programme assessments (Van Ginkel 2004, 2005, 2006), the Water Research Commission (WRC) has also funded a number of research projects (Harding and Paxton 2001; Downing and Van Ginkel 2004, Downing 2007, etc) that included different aspects of the prevalence of cyanobacteria in South Africa. Another project on the occurrence of animal deaths in the Kruger National Park has recently been approved to be funded by the WRC.
(2)(a) Of the regularly monitored dams in South Africa 11% have shown significant to severe algal and cyanobacterial blooms. However, 58% show significant to serious potential to develop cyanobacterial blooms because of the nutrient enrichment.
(2)(b) The severity of the impacted dams is shown in the following list of dams:
Crocodile West/Marico WMA
- Hartbeespoort Dam (serious)
- Roodeplaat Dam (serious)
- Klipvoor Dam (serious)
- Rietvlei Dam (serious)
- Boskop Dam (serious)
Olifants River WMA
- Loskop Dam (significant)
- Small reservoirs in the Kruger National Park (to be determined).
Lower Vaal WMA
- Spitskop Dam (serious)
- Krugersdrift Dam (serious)
Mvoti to Umzimkulu WMA
- EJ Smith Dam (serious)
- Shongweni Dam (serious)
Mzimvubu to Keiskamma WMA
Laing Dam (serious)
Bridledrift Dam (serious)
Nahoon Dam (significant)
Berg WMA
Theewaterskloof Dam (significant)
Voëlvlei Dam (significant)
(3) Yes, through the National Eutrophication Monitoring Programme (NEMP), the trophic status of the dams is established and presence of the incidence of toxic cyanobacterial blooms are detected. Measures are taken to warn potential users of the dam or water resource. The Directorate Resource Quality Services reports regularly on the cyanobacterial toxin content of the Roodeplaat and Hartbeespoort Dams to the water treatment works and relevant managements, respectively. This enable the early warning for management purposes e.g. implementing treatment options within the water treatment works to ensure safe drinking water and issue warnings to recreational users.
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In a number of WMAs steps have been taken during cyanobacterial bloom conditions to warn impacted stakeholders, e.g.:
The Lower Orange River Remediation Forum (Northern Cape) has a warning system in place in the event of cyanobacterial blooms.
The Hartbeespoort Remediation Forum has a whole communication system in place to warn users.
Swimming event venues have been moved (Roodeplaat Dam).
Rowing South Africa events have been cancelled or postponed (Roodeplaat Dam).
Dams have been closed for recreational or potable purposes (Bospoort, Hartbeespoort, Nahoon and Roodeplaat Dams).
Additionally, many treatment works are upgraded to include dissolved air flotation systems within the treatment works to prevent cyanobacteria entering the treatment works from breaking and releasing the cyanobacterial toxins in the water. This is to ensure safe drinking water, e.g. water treatment work improvements in the Eastern Cape that will be completed by September 2008.
The WRC has also funded research to develop a generic incident management framework for toxic cyanobacterial blooms, with especially the smaller water treatment works in mind. This project was completed in 2006 and the document is available from the WRC.
DWAF Regional Offices also do ad hoc investigations, where no regular sampling is done, to determine the extent of cyanobacteria and toxin development when cyanobacterial blooms do occur.
QUESTION 545
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 20 MARCH 2008: INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10-2008
“545. Mr J P I Blanché (DA) to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture:
Whether the Government has donated any funds towards a library in Timbuktu; if so, what (a) is the monetary value of the donation, (b) is the reason for the donation and (c) donation or expenditure is budgeted towards local (i) museums and (ii) libraries
NW1192E
REPLY
Yes
Through the Department of Arts and Culture an amount of R1 million has been donated to this initiative. It should be noted that a separate trust fund was set-up to fund raise from private and other donors towards the realization of this project.
There is a bi-national agreement between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Mali in terms of which South Africa is committed to:
Assisting with the conservation of the Timbuktu Manuscripts at the Ahmed Baba Institute;
Fund-raising for, and assisting with, the construction of a new library and archive for the Ahmed Baba Institute;
Assisting with research and raising public awareness in the uniquely important heritage value of the Timbuktu manuscripts
Furthermore the SA-Mali Project: Timbuktu Manuscripts has been accepted as the first NEPAD Cultural Project and overall Government policy requires departments to assist and support NEPAD projects.
No. The amounts transferred to the Timbuktu Manuscripts Trust were savings that had accrued in the Department. For the current financial year 2008/2009, the community libraries will receive R338 million and the National Library will receive R65,3 million. The national museums, otherwise known as declared cultural institutions, will receive R409,9 million.
QUESTION NO. 546
(Internal Question Paper No 10 – 2008)
Mr J P I Blanché (DA) to ask the Minister for Provincial and Local Government:
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Whether his department is keeping tabs on the councillors and officials around the country who received bursaries to do a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) to ensure that the funds are not turned into fruitless expenditure; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
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whether any statistics are kept about these funds allocated to local governments; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
ANSWER
(1) No. The Department of Provincial and Local Government does not keep “tabs” on, or monitor, the receipt of bursaries by councillors and officials around the country, including bursaries for the Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA). These statistics are kept by the LGSETA. In terms of current legislation, each municipality is responsible for putting in place policies through which they manage their human resource issues, including the award of bursaries.
Fruitless expenditure is dealt with in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003, which is administered by the National Treasury.
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