Answers by Deputy President to questions for oral reply
Question no. 5
Dr S M van Dyk (DA) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether the government would add (a) crime, (b) the Eskom crisis and (c) land reform as additional obstacles to the six that have already been identified by the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (AsgiSA), as factors opposing economic growth; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Honourable van Dyk, I wish to reassure you that government remains committed to the fight against crime, the rapid expansion of Eskom's generation capacity as well as the acceleration of the land reform programme.
The fight against crime is receiving intense and sustained attention. Apart from the fact that we have increased our real spending to fight crime and that we are increasing the number of police officers, we are also seeking ways to improve the effectiveness of our crime fighting efforts. We have made it quite clear that fighting crime is a top priority of this government. The Minister of Police and the Commissioner have addressed this, and will continue to update Parliament regarding our strategy and its outcomes.
Similarly land reform is a key element of rural development and we have clearly indicated our commitment to addressing rural development as a top priority of this government. As Honourable Members are aware as an indication of the importance we give to this area, we have established a Ministry and Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.
Eskom's needs were anticipated in AsgiSA's infrastructure programme. The investment programmes are in place. But we still have a responsibility as government to ensure that the investment programmes are undertaken with sufficient speed and in such a way that they do not undermine our commitment to sustainable development.
These three issues were clearly identified as priorities in the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) issued by this government in July this year. Electricity falls under strategic priority two, land reform and rural development are addressed in strategic priority three, and crime prevention is the focus of strategic priority six.
We pursue these commitments and proceed from the understanding that they help the country address specific challenges but also because, individually and collectively, combating crime, improved reliability of electricity supply and improved land reform and rural development programmes are central to accelerated and inclusive growth efforts.
I thank you.
Question no. 6
Rev K R J Meshoe (ACDP) to ask the Deputy President:
Whether the government has called for the lifting of sanctions against President Robert Mugabe and his government; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
As Honourable members are aware, the three main political parties in Zimbabwe – ZANU PF and the two parts of the MDC signed a Global Political Agreement on 15 September last year as a way to resolve the political impasse that had beset that country for too long. This agreement led to the establishment of an inclusive government in Zimbabwe which is considerably broader than being just President Mugabe's government to which the Honourable Meshoe refers in his question.
Article 4 of the Agreement contains agreements "that all forms of measures and sanctions against Zimbabwe be lifted in order to facilitate a sustainable solution to the challenges that are currently facing Zimbabwe" and that the parties "commit themselves to working together in re-engaging the international community with a view to bringing to an end the country's international isolation."
The Agreement also provides for the support of SADC and the AU "in mobilising the international community to support the new Government’s economic recovery plans and programmes together with the lifting of sanctions taken against Zimbabwe and some of its leaders." That is why the 29th Summit of Heads of State and government which ended yesterday again called on the international community to remove all forms of sanctions against Zimbabwe.
The answer to your Question Honourable Meshoe is therefore – yes. Our government together with SADC and the African Union supports the implementation of the Global Political Agreement which includes the lifting of sanctions. It is our belief and that of SADC that the continued imposition of sanctions against Zimbabwe as well as its isolation weakens it ability to establish that country on a path of economic recovery and political stability.
To cite just two instances, we are pleased that the British Government will be injecting $100 million into education, health, water and sanitation in Zimbabwe and that the International Monetary Fund has sanctioned a $510million loan for Zimbabwe.
South Africa is committed to assisting the Zimbabwean government to implement all provisions of the Global Political Agreement including all outstanding matters in respect of which difficulties remain.
I thank you.
Question no. 7
Mr MB Goqwana (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
(a) What progress has the Government made in achieving the target of halving the rate of new HIV and AIDS infections by 2011 as stated in the HIV and AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Strategic Plan for South Africa 2007 to 2011
(b) What are the outcomes of the recently held summit of the SA National Aids Council (SANAC) Women's Sector?
Reply:
a) Honourable member, we are generally encouraged by the commitment prevailing within the various sectors within the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) in implementing the HIV and AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections National Strategic Plan.
With regards to the prevention of new HIV infections, Government and all SANAC sectors are rolling out targeted prevention programmes to ensure that those who are HIV negative remain so.
Examples of these are: social mobilisation; information, communication and education programmes; risk reduction campaigns, the provision of male and female condoms, the treatment of sexually transmitted infections and the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission programmes.
In addition SANAC has initiated a consultation process around medical male circumcision. This consultation is particularly important, for a number of reasons including cultural practices. SANAC is also discussing how to make female condoms more readily available. The recently released Human Sciences Research Council report on the Third National HIV survey that was conducted last year found that our HIV prevalence rate has levelled off at 10,9% for people aged two years and older. Prevalence has also declined among children aged 2 to 14, from 5,6% in 2002 to 2,5% in 2008.
In addition the survey found that new infections or incidence has declined among teenagers aged 15 to 19. These results support our view that the concerted efforts of Government and other SANAC sectors are achieving results. SANAC is currently undertaking a Mid-Term Review of the National Strategic Plan in order to assess the progress and to consider what improvements can be made in order to ensure that our targets for 2011 are met. The results of this review are expected in the first quarter of next year and will be made available to members of this House.
b) The recently conducted SANAC Women's Sector Prevention Summit held two weeks ago explored various HIV prevention strategies for women and girls. The summit provided a platform for women to actively engage with current research initiatives in the area of prevention. Issues of access to existing and new HIV prevention technologies by South African women were also discussed.
Going forward, the summit resolved, among other things, that:
(i) The sector would look at interventions on adolescent health, and how they can champion this programme in collaboration with other stakeholders;
(ii) There needs to be further discussion on the issue of the decriminalisation of sex work; and
(iii) Working together with the Men's Sector and other key role players, the Women’s Sector will become involved in the efforts to address the problems experienced by young girls as a result of practices such as "Ukuthwala" in the Lusikisiki area in the Eastern Cape province.
Question no. 8
Ms GR Magau (ANC) to ask the Deputy President:
What approach will the government use in the next five years in pursuit of strengthening and advancing (a) the founding principles of the African Union and (b) the objectives of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) in building a unified and developed African continent?
Reply:
a) Honourable members, a strong African Union is essential for Africa’s unity and development. South Africa will continue to advocate for a gradual process of continental integration using the Regional Economic Communities as the building blocks towards the establishment of the African Union (AU) government. This entails the harmonisation of the programmes and policies of the Regional Economic Communities and we are pleased that progress is being made with regard to integration within and among the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the East African Community.
We are committed to supporting the strengthening of the African Union and its structures. Amongst others, this is evident form South Africa's engagement in ensuring the establishment of the African Union organs namely; the African Investment Bank, the African Central Bank and the African Monetary Bank as well as the African Court of Justice and Human Rights. In this regard, it must be mentioned that Ministers of Justice and Attorney's General of the African Union (AU) have finalised the Merger Instrument for the African Court of Justice and the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights. South Africa has nominated and was able to get the endorsement of Justice Bernard Ngoepe to serve in the Human Rights section of the court.
South Africa will continue to work with the African Union Commission towards transforming the Pan African Parliament from an Advisory body to a Legislative one. In order to advance the founding principles of the African Union, South Africa will continue to support the activities of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council with a view to ensuring that all the peoples of Africa participate in and take ownership of African Union activities and processes.
b) South Africa will continue to support the implementation of Nepad as a blue print for Africa's socio economic development. Nepad is part of the African Union's programmes to intensify the struggle against poverty and underdevelopment on the continent. In this regard South Africa will continue to support the integration of Nepad into AU structures and processes.
We are committed to meeting our own obligations that derive from the African Peer Review Mechanism and we will continue to encourage other African Union member states to accede to the African Peer Review Mechanism and implement the outcome of the country reviews. South Africa will continue to support the implementation of Nepad programmes and projects at regional level through the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan as well as at a national level.
We are pleased that at the 11th Summit of Heads of State and Government participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) held in Sirte, Libya at the end of June this year, Cape Verde acceded to the APRM as the 29th member.
South Africa will continue to support the call for the international community to comply with their commitments made at various international forums aimed at assisting African countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) within the framework of Nepad.
Enquiries:
Steyn Speed
Cell: 082 572 7304
Issued by: The Presidency
9 September 2009
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za)
