Issued by: Deputy President: Republic of South Africa
7 June 2000
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR ORAL REPLY
QUESTION NO:44
DATE; 7 JUNE 2000
MR K M ANDREW TO ASK THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT:
Whether the government a) and or b) measures increases and decreases in the overall level of poverty in South Africa; if not why not of yes what (i) what specific measurable indicator or combination of indicators is used and (ii) what aware the overall figures for each of the latest specified three years for which figures are available?
REPLY
Government has been monitoring poverty through the October Household survey conducted by Statistics South Africa. The figures for 1997, 1998 and 1999 are available from Statistics South Africa. In order to evaluate the increase and decreases in the overall level of poverty, Statistics South Africa has formulated two development indices - one on household infrastructure development, and the other on human development. They have also developed a household expenditure poverty measurement with the assistance of the World Bank. Gini coefficients have been calculated to measure inequality. Statistics South Africa will release a publication containing each of these different measurements in the near future. Poverty questions will also be added to the new Labour Force Survey on an annual basis.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR ORAL REPLY
QUESTION NO:26
DATE; 7 JUNE 2000
MR. M C J VAN SCHALKWYK (NNP) TO ASK THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT:
Whether any steps have been or are to be taken to ensure that there is compliance with the constitutional requirements as contained in section 199 (1) of the Constitution that there may be only one police force in South Africa, with specific reference to recent reports of tension between the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service and the National Director of Public Prosecutions regarding their respective areas of responsibility and powers; if not, why not; if so, what steps?
REPLY
I would like to assure the Honourable member and this House, that there are no tensions between the National Commissioner of the South African Police and the National Director of Public Prosecutions. Both have assured me of the very good working relationship between their two offices. Cabinet is in the process of finalising the Directorate of Special Operations Bill, which will provide the legal basis for the Scorpions Unit. This Bill will be introduced early in the second half of this year. As with all legislation, the constitutionality of the Bill, in particular its compliance with section 199(1) of the Constitution will be considered by the State Law Advisors.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR ORAL REPLY
QUESTION NO:33
DATE; 7 JUNE 2000
MRS L R MBUYAZI (IFP) TO ASK THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT
Whether, subsequent to the Beijing platform, a consultative forum has been established at national level to enable women to disseminate information on the Beijing platform, to further discuss and monitor the principles developed at the platform and to prepare mandates for the Beijing Conference to be held in the United States in 2000; if not; why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY
The South African Cabinet adopted the Beijing Platform in 1995 and following a Conference on national commitments by different government departments, targets for the implementation of the Platform were set. Government, through the Joint Monitoring Committee on the Quality of Life and Status of Women in Parliament, the Office of the Status of Women in the Presidency and the Commission on Gender Equality, has attempted to establish a nationally accessible machinery to promote consultation and debate on the principles of the Platform. South African women and NGO's through the bodies referred to, have the opportunity to present their views. The Conference to which the Honourable Member refers relates to the Beijing +5 process whose purpose is to determine the extent to which countries have progressed in implementing programmes in terms of the twelve critical areas contained in the Platform. Government therefore has the responsibility of compiling this report. This has been co-ordinated by the office on the Status of Women.