Date: 01/09/2004
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Answers to questions in National Assembly
DEPUTY PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA'S ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, 1 September 2004
QUESTION NUMBER: 5
Ms P de Lille (ID) to ask the Deputy President:
(1) What will be the role of SANAC in ensuring that the Government's stated target of providing over one million South Africans with antiretrovirals by 2008 is achieved?
(2) Whether SANAC will play any role in ensuring that all requirements of the rollout are met, particularly in relation to nutritional support and the oversight role of ensuring that persons adhere to their medication and are provided with transport to clinics where necessary;
(3) Whether, given the fact that a rollout of only 53 000 antiretrovirals is planned for this year and that 200 000 antiretrovirals need to be rolled out per year in order to reach this target, the Government is on track to achieve the 2008 target; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY:
(1) It must be understood that SANAC was established to advise government on HIV and AIDS related matters and to ensure that all sectors of civil society are involved in the fight against the disease. SANAC's role is therefore to co-ordinate sectoral responses and monitors the country's broader response to HIV and AIDS including the antiretroviral programme and advise government.
(2) As per its mandate, SANAC cannot play any role in the implementation of programmes. It is the responsibility of the Department of Health to implement the treatment programme and ensure that all the necessary requirements of the programme are met. SANAC will continue to promote the involvement of civil society in supporting the implementation programme.
(3) The target number of patients on antiretroviral is 53 000 specifically for this financial year 2004/05. The comprehensive HIV and AIDS Care, Management and Treatment Plan is being implemented in all nine Provinces according to the principle of equity. This is done by placing greater resources, both human and financial at the disposal of historically underserved districts, as well as ensuring quality of the highest available standards. There is at least one service point per district and all 53 districts are covered.
What we have done so far, therefore, is to lay down the foundations that would assist us to achieve our 2008 target. This process will be closely monitored on a regular basis allowing for annual incremental adjustments to be effected frequently with the aim of reaching that target. However I must emphasise that success depends on a number of factors including the environment we operate in. We, for example, need to continue the campaign to de-stigmatise the disease and change attitudes, so that the infected feel free to come forward for treatment, and to mobilise social support networks even more so that the infected receive support from families and communities.
With our current projections which show the possibility of sizable annual increases in rollout, and with everything going as planned we should be able to reach the 2008 target. I must add, however, that in the process of chasing the 2008 target, we will be guided by our commitment to the delivery of quality service.
QUESTION NUMBER: 6
Rev. K R J Meshoe (ACDP) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether the Government is putting any pressure on the Sudanese government to allow monitors from the international community into the Darfur region so as to ensure the return of peace and stability to the region and to ensure that refugees wishing to return to Darfur are given assistance and protection; if not, why not; of so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY:
Yes, the South African government is putting pressure on the Sudanese government through the African Union.
As I stated a fortnight ago in reply to a similar question in this House, a fundamental objective of South Africa's foreign policy is to deal collectively with problems occurring in other African countries in regional and continental bodies established specifically for this purpose. South Africa's position on the Darfur crisis is therefore guided by the African Union. It is in the African Union context that South Africa operates, and in this instance, puts pressure on the Sudanese Government to allow the deployment of a broader peacekeeping force of about 3 000 troops to assist with the disarmament of the Janjaweed militia, and ensure the return of peace and stability to the region.
South Africa supports the initiative by the current Chairperson of the African Union, President Obasanjo of Nigeria in convening peace talks in Abuja Nigeria between the Government of Sudan and the two rebel movements.
QUESTION NUMBER: 7
Mr F Bhengu (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
What measures have been put in place by the Government to co-ordinate the implementation and monitoring of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP)?
REPLY:
The Expanded Public Works Programme forms part of government's objectives of alleviating poverty and intervening in the second economy where the poorest of the poor make a living. Our intention is to build one economy in which the overwhelming majority of South Africans take part, and from which they are able to benefit directly. The four underlying objectives are to eliminate conditions of extreme poverty, create conditions for sustainable livelihoods, ensure mobility from the second economy to the first and reduce dependence on social grants.
The EPWP has several elements: to create job opportunities in labour intensive construction, conservation and sanitation projects, and in the delivery of social services; provide access to information about education, training and employment opportunities; and to make micro-credit more accessible for poor households and very small businesses. The programme provides job opportunities that are coupled with training, to improve the skills and enable the beneficiaries to find employment within the construction sector and other industries in future. It therefore equips people to be able to help themselves, while improving much-needed infrastructure in their communities.
The Department of Public Works as the responsible department has put in place a special unit that is dedicated to the coordination and monitoring EPWP. An EPWP Directors General Steering Committee that has oversight of the implementation of the Programme meets monthly.
In addition, each of the elements of the programme (infrastructure, environment/conservation, social and economic) has a sector coordinating committee, led by a sector-coordinating department. Furthermore, each province has an EPWP provincial steering committee that coordinates activities in the provinces.
The Department of Public Works reports to the Presidency on a regular basis so that the Presidency can pursue issues that need further attention where necessary. The first report is due shortly. We will also be considering the development of longer-term evaluation strategies.
We believe that the management structures for the implementation and the monitoring and evaluation of the EPWP are well designed, strong, and are already functioning effectively. We will report on the effectiveness of implementation to this house and other forums such as Izimbizo from time to time.
Last Saturday I had a privilege of being part of the launch of the EPWP in KwaZulu-Natal and yesterday I attended a similar function in Gauteng. I was touched and encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment that was displayed by the participants in the programmes. They recounted how drastically their lives had changed as a result of the income they receive from the programme. They told us that they were now able to buy food for their families as well as pay for school fees for their children and grandchildren, and were also able to save some of the money. They also strongly urged the government to accelerate and intensify this programme because of the positive impact it has on the poor and unemployed.
QUESTION NUMBER: 8
Mrs S M Camerer (DA) to ask the Deputy President:
(1) Whether the Government is concerned about the levels of corruption in South Africa; if not, why not, if so, what are the primary concerns of the Government;
(2) Whether the current provisions aimed at protecting whistle-blowers have been found to be adequate; if so, what factors were taken into consideration in reaching this conclusion; if not,
(3) Whether the Government intends taking any action to provide improved protection to whistle-blowers who expose corruption in the public and private sectors; if not, why not; of so, what action?
REPLY:
Yes, the Government is concerned about corruption in South Africa. For that reason it has taken various initiatives to curb this scourge.
Our primary concern is that corruption has the potential to constrain our further development and to impact negatively on good governance. Anti-corruption work has thus been a priority action area in Cabinet Committees particularly the Governance and Administration Committee.
Our concern about corruption has led us in the past ten years to put in place a framework to ensure good governance. That measure has been recognised internationally. The Centre for Public Integrity recently conducted research on 25 countries all over the world and found our integrity framework to be strong, which puts us in the same league as Australia and the USA. We have also signed the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which was adopted by the UN's National Assembly and sets the global standard for fighting corruption. The Convention has been tabled in Parliament for approval.
We now have an Anti-corruption Hotline, which is open to anyone who wants to report corruption in the Public Service in a confidential and anonymous manner.
Apart from that, in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act all persons in positions of authority, whether public or private, have a duty to report corruption.
We have endeavoured to provide protection to whistle blowers through the Witness Protection system and the Protected Disclosures Act.
We recognise, however, that the Protected Disclosures Act needs to be strengthened. For this reason, the SA Law Reform Commission was asked to provide research and make further proposals. Government is awaiting the Commission's final report to assess the required improvements to the system of protecting whistle blowers.
Issued by: The Presidency
1 September 2004
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Answers to questions in National Assembly
DEPUTY PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA'S ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, 1 September 2004
QUESTION NUMBER: 5
Ms P de Lille (ID) to ask the Deputy President:
(1) What will be the role of SANAC in ensuring that the Government's stated target of providing over one million South Africans with antiretrovirals by 2008 is achieved?
(2) Whether SANAC will play any role in ensuring that all requirements of the rollout are met, particularly in relation to nutritional support and the oversight role of ensuring that persons adhere to their medication and are provided with transport to clinics where necessary;
(3) Whether, given the fact that a rollout of only 53 000 antiretrovirals is planned for this year and that 200 000 antiretrovirals need to be rolled out per year in order to reach this target, the Government is on track to achieve the 2008 target; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY:
(1) It must be understood that SANAC was established to advise government on HIV and AIDS related matters and to ensure that all sectors of civil society are involved in the fight against the disease. SANAC's role is therefore to co-ordinate sectoral responses and monitors the country's broader response to HIV and AIDS including the antiretroviral programme and advise government.
(2) As per its mandate, SANAC cannot play any role in the implementation of programmes. It is the responsibility of the Department of Health to implement the treatment programme and ensure that all the necessary requirements of the programme are met. SANAC will continue to promote the involvement of civil society in supporting the implementation programme.
(3) The target number of patients on antiretroviral is 53 000 specifically for this financial year 2004/05. The comprehensive HIV and AIDS Care, Management and Treatment Plan is being implemented in all nine Provinces according to the principle of equity. This is done by placing greater resources, both human and financial at the disposal of historically underserved districts, as well as ensuring quality of the highest available standards. There is at least one service point per district and all 53 districts are covered.
What we have done so far, therefore, is to lay down the foundations that would assist us to achieve our 2008 target. This process will be closely monitored on a regular basis allowing for annual incremental adjustments to be effected frequently with the aim of reaching that target. However I must emphasise that success depends on a number of factors including the environment we operate in. We, for example, need to continue the campaign to de-stigmatise the disease and change attitudes, so that the infected feel free to come forward for treatment, and to mobilise social support networks even more so that the infected receive support from families and communities.
With our current projections which show the possibility of sizable annual increases in rollout, and with everything going as planned we should be able to reach the 2008 target. I must add, however, that in the process of chasing the 2008 target, we will be guided by our commitment to the delivery of quality service.
QUESTION NUMBER: 6
Rev. K R J Meshoe (ACDP) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether the Government is putting any pressure on the Sudanese government to allow monitors from the international community into the Darfur region so as to ensure the return of peace and stability to the region and to ensure that refugees wishing to return to Darfur are given assistance and protection; if not, why not; of so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY:
Yes, the South African government is putting pressure on the Sudanese government through the African Union.
As I stated a fortnight ago in reply to a similar question in this House, a fundamental objective of South Africa's foreign policy is to deal collectively with problems occurring in other African countries in regional and continental bodies established specifically for this purpose. South Africa's position on the Darfur crisis is therefore guided by the African Union. It is in the African Union context that South Africa operates, and in this instance, puts pressure on the Sudanese Government to allow the deployment of a broader peacekeeping force of about 3 000 troops to assist with the disarmament of the Janjaweed militia, and ensure the return of peace and stability to the region.
South Africa supports the initiative by the current Chairperson of the African Union, President Obasanjo of Nigeria in convening peace talks in Abuja Nigeria between the Government of Sudan and the two rebel movements.
QUESTION NUMBER: 7
Mr F Bhengu (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
What measures have been put in place by the Government to co-ordinate the implementation and monitoring of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP)?
REPLY:
The Expanded Public Works Programme forms part of government's objectives of alleviating poverty and intervening in the second economy where the poorest of the poor make a living. Our intention is to build one economy in which the overwhelming majority of South Africans take part, and from which they are able to benefit directly. The four underlying objectives are to eliminate conditions of extreme poverty, create conditions for sustainable livelihoods, ensure mobility from the second economy to the first and reduce dependence on social grants.
The EPWP has several elements: to create job opportunities in labour intensive construction, conservation and sanitation projects, and in the delivery of social services; provide access to information about education, training and employment opportunities; and to make micro-credit more accessible for poor households and very small businesses. The programme provides job opportunities that are coupled with training, to improve the skills and enable the beneficiaries to find employment within the construction sector and other industries in future. It therefore equips people to be able to help themselves, while improving much-needed infrastructure in their communities.
The Department of Public Works as the responsible department has put in place a special unit that is dedicated to the coordination and monitoring EPWP. An EPWP Directors General Steering Committee that has oversight of the implementation of the Programme meets monthly.
In addition, each of the elements of the programme (infrastructure, environment/conservation, social and economic) has a sector coordinating committee, led by a sector-coordinating department. Furthermore, each province has an EPWP provincial steering committee that coordinates activities in the provinces.
The Department of Public Works reports to the Presidency on a regular basis so that the Presidency can pursue issues that need further attention where necessary. The first report is due shortly. We will also be considering the development of longer-term evaluation strategies.
We believe that the management structures for the implementation and the monitoring and evaluation of the EPWP are well designed, strong, and are already functioning effectively. We will report on the effectiveness of implementation to this house and other forums such as Izimbizo from time to time.
Last Saturday I had a privilege of being part of the launch of the EPWP in KwaZulu-Natal and yesterday I attended a similar function in Gauteng. I was touched and encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment that was displayed by the participants in the programmes. They recounted how drastically their lives had changed as a result of the income they receive from the programme. They told us that they were now able to buy food for their families as well as pay for school fees for their children and grandchildren, and were also able to save some of the money. They also strongly urged the government to accelerate and intensify this programme because of the positive impact it has on the poor and unemployed.
QUESTION NUMBER: 8
Mrs S M Camerer (DA) to ask the Deputy President:
(1) Whether the Government is concerned about the levels of corruption in South Africa; if not, why not, if so, what are the primary concerns of the Government;
(2) Whether the current provisions aimed at protecting whistle-blowers have been found to be adequate; if so, what factors were taken into consideration in reaching this conclusion; if not,
(3) Whether the Government intends taking any action to provide improved protection to whistle-blowers who expose corruption in the public and private sectors; if not, why not; of so, what action?
REPLY:
Yes, the Government is concerned about corruption in South Africa. For that reason it has taken various initiatives to curb this scourge.
Our primary concern is that corruption has the potential to constrain our further development and to impact negatively on good governance. Anti-corruption work has thus been a priority action area in Cabinet Committees particularly the Governance and Administration Committee.
Our concern about corruption has led us in the past ten years to put in place a framework to ensure good governance. That measure has been recognised internationally. The Centre for Public Integrity recently conducted research on 25 countries all over the world and found our integrity framework to be strong, which puts us in the same league as Australia and the USA. We have also signed the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which was adopted by the UN's National Assembly and sets the global standard for fighting corruption. The Convention has been tabled in Parliament for approval.
We now have an Anti-corruption Hotline, which is open to anyone who wants to report corruption in the Public Service in a confidential and anonymous manner.
Apart from that, in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act all persons in positions of authority, whether public or private, have a duty to report corruption.
We have endeavoured to provide protection to whistle blowers through the Witness Protection system and the Protected Disclosures Act.
We recognise, however, that the Protected Disclosures Act needs to be strengthened. For this reason, the SA Law Reform Commission was asked to provide research and make further proposals. Government is awaiting the Commission's final report to assess the required improvements to the system of protecting whistle blowers.
Issued by: The Presidency
1 September 2004
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