13. Mr J B Sibanyoni (ANC) to ask the President of the Republic:
With reference to the resolution of the African Union on 12 October 2013 to request the International Criminal Court to suspend cases against serving heads of state and more particularly against the leaders of Kenya and Sudan, what is the Government’s position with regard to the accusation that delaying trials until leaders are no longer holding office may (a) not offer victims of acts of alleged violence redress against such leaders and (b) result in an increase in the temptation to extend the terms of office of sitting presidents in order to avoid possible prosecution?
Reply:
Honourable Member, The position of African leaders on the International Criminal Court is based on Africa’s quest for an equitable world order, where regions of the world would be treated equally. It is also based on the need to cement hard-won peace and stability in areas which have been ravaged by conflict.
It is not at all designed to create an impression that certain leaders may be above the law.
The African Union is committed to equality before the law and to fighting impunity, hence the process of expanding the mandate of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights, which would help us promote finding African solutions to African problems.
The recommendation that sitting Heads of State should not stand trial in a manner that would disrupt governance in their countries will not necessarily result in Heads of State extending their terms of office.
The African Union has its own instruments for promoting the adherence to democratic principles, such as the Charter on Good Democracy, Elections and Governance and the peer review mechanisms.
What we are guarding against is the situation where countries that had moved to a semblance of stability suddenly regress due to a vacuum that would be created when leaders are taken away to stand trial. Africa prides itself on the progress made thus far in promoting peace and democracy. The measures suggested are merely designed to promote stability and ensure that peace takes root in areas that have been wracked by conflict. It is not at all designed to promote undemocratic tendencies or a culture of impunity for Heads of State.
14. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether, prior to the landing of the Jet Airways Airbus A330-200 at the Air Force Base Waterkloof on 30 April 2013, he had any involvement in, knowledge of or communication related to the landing of the aircraft?
Reply:
Honourable Member, No, I had no prior knowledge, involvement or communication relating to the landing of a private plane at Air Force Base (AFB) Waterkloof.
The President is neither directly nor indirectly involved in the authorisation of civilian aircraft landing at airbases like AFB Waterkloof.
I thank you.
15. Mr B A Radebe (ANC) to ask the President of the Republic:
With reference to the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) which is being launched to unite the economies of Eastern and Southern Africa with the expected establishment of free trade by 2015, how does he, as Champion of the AU-NEPAD Presidential Infrastructure Championship Initiative, plan to promote intra-Africa trade and strengthen the TFTA?
Reply:
Honourable Member, The African Union has taken a strong position about promoting intra-Africa trade. One of the best mechanisms of achieving this is through regional integration and infrastructure development.
To promote regional integration, work is ongoing to create a Tripartite Free Trade Area among the Regional Economic Communities of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the East African Community, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The ultimate goal is to establish a single Customs Union.
The three Regional Economic Communities comprise 26 countries, a combined population of close to 600 million people, and a combined GDP of just under one trillion US dollars.
Discussions have taken place on how tariffs will be phased down and also on the exchange of tariff liberalization offers.
The Free Trade area will also enable us to deal with the “soft” infrastructure issues impeding trade and the efficient and effective movement of goods, services and people, such as the setting up of one-stop border posts.
A general obstacle in intra-African trade is the inadequate infrastructure in the continent.
It is for this reason that we have a continental infrastructure programme within the AU ambit, to develop effective modes of transport—including quality roads, railways, air transport, and ports as well as energy, water and communications to name a few.
The work being done through my role as the Champion of the North-South Corridor and as Chair of the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Initiative, will have a direct impact on the ease of doing business between countries and regions.
The improvement of physical infrastructure across the continent will contribute directly to the attainment of the core objectives of the Trilateral Free trade Area, which are to facilitate intra-regional trade, diminish non-trade barriers and boost the economic growth of member states.
The North-South Corridor which is currently conceived as being from Durban to Dar-es-Salaam, offers 157 projects which in various stages of the project life cycle. These are 59 road projects, 38 rail projects and 6 bridge projects. The ultimate goal is to expand the corridor to run from Cape to Cairo.
We continue to encourage companies involved in infrastructure development to invest in Africa in these projects.
Returns on foreign investment in African infrastructure remain very high.
In March this year, we invited African Heads of State and Government who are part of the NEPAD Infrastructure Head of State and Government Committee to interact with the leaders of BRICS. This African retreat enabled the BRICS countries to further appreciate the opportunities beyond South Africa.
It is encouraging as well that African governments are also increasingly investing in infrastructure.
As of early this year, African Governments and private sources combined were investing about 72 billion US dollars a year in new infrastructure across the continent. Our own country is to spend four trillion rand over 15 years in boosting social and economic infrastructure.I thank you.
16. Ms J L Fubbs (ANC) to ask the President of the Republic:
In view of the recent visit of President Francois Hollande and the significant importance it has for both countries in taking economic relations to a higher level where such economic discussions took place particularly against the background of the two key instruments, the New Growth Path and the Industrial Action Policy Plan, which now fall under the umbrella of the National Development Plan, (a) what were the economic outcomes of thebilateral discussions and (b) how do South Africa and France benefit from these discussions?
Reply:
There were a number of positive economic outcomes that emanated from the successful State Visit by the President of the Republic of France to South Africa on the 14th and 15th of October.
The visit will contribute immensely to boosting trade between the two countries and has tangible economic benefits for South Africa.
Our two countries resolved to revive the Joint Economic Committee through which we will manage all economic activities and trade matters in line with the National Development Plan (NDP).
This forum will also provide a platform for consultation on regional and global economic issues of mutual concern.
We were able to take economic cooperation to a higher level through the hosting of the South Africa-France Business Forum at the Sandton Convention Centre.
Within the National Development Plan framework, which is supported by key economic instruments such as the New Growth Path and the Industrial Policy Action Plan, the business community in both countries were encouraged to further expand cooperation in areas such as infrastructure development, agriculture, mining and beneficiation, manufacturing, the green economy and tourism.
Agreements signed included the following:
- A R51 billion contract was signed by the Passenger Rail Authority of South Africa and Gibela Consortium to build commuter passenger trains. This is in line with the Industrial Policy Action Plan aimed at boosting job creation, skills development and local content.
- A convention for funding grant of 700,000 Euro was concluded between the South African National Energy Development Institute and the French Development Agency to promote energy efficiency.
- A ceremonial letter was signed between ESKOM and AFD of France for a loan of 100 million Euro to fund a solar power plant.
- A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between the Industrial Development Cooperation and AFD. This is a non-lending agreement to govern activities such as research, seminars, partnership and exchange of best practice and information. The agreement will cover sectors such as private sector support and the environment.
It is envisaged that bilateral discussions would further build on past achievements and will also assist in devising strategies to address the trade imbalance between the two countries which is currently in France’s favour.
These discussions also enabled the two countries to advance their reciprocal trade and investment interests.
Through such engagements, we intend to encourage France as a major trade, investment and technology partner for South Africa, to make a greater contribution to the creation of local jobs through the localisation of production.
Increased levels of investments and more value-added exports to the huge French market will translate in the creation of quality jobs in key sectors of the South African economy.
I thank you.
17. Mrs D A Schäfer (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
Will he undertake to assist the Special Investigating Unit in establishing Special Tribunals as provided for in the Special Investigating Unit and Special Tribunals Act, Act 74 of 1996?
Reply:
Honourable Member, the Tribunal already exists.
The Special Investigation Units and Special Tribunals Act No. 74 of 1996 empowers the President to establish Special Tribunals.
The Special Tribunal was established by Proclamation Number R24 of 1997. The proclamation was made in terms of Section 2(1)(b) of the Special Investigation Units and Special Tribunals Act No. 74 of 1996.
Section 4(a), (b) and (c) of the Act provides that functions of the Special Investigating Units are inter alia to:
- Investigate all allegations regarding the matter concerned;
- Collect evidence regarding acts or omission which are relevant to its investigation and, if applicable, to institute proceedings in a Special Tribunal against the parties concerned and
- To present evidence in proceedings brought before a Special Tribunal.
The Special Tribunal functioned under various Tribunal Presidents between 1997 and 2000. As a result of certain adverse findings of our courts, difficulties arose as to the ability of the SIU to actually institute civil proceedings in the Special Tribunal.
The result was that the Special Tribunal did not function between 2001 and now.
The Act was amended by the Judicial Matters Amendment Act, No. 11 of 2012, which came into effect on 2 October 2012.
This amendment addressed the issues relating to the ability of the SIU to institute civil proceedings and it will conduct civil litigation flowing from its investigations.
Special Tribunals will be effective forums do deal with matters emanating from investigations by the SIU, as it will be able to hear such matters sooner than the ordinary courts where heavy court rolls often result in delays.
I thank you.
18. Mr M G P Lekota (Cope) to ask the President of the Republic:
In view of the alleged abuse of credit cards issued to executive members and government officials, has any executive member of the Government (a) issued instructions to all state-issued card holders to exercise discipline and restraint in using such cards to cover expenses, (b) set in place a monitoring mechanism to track expenditure, (c) submitted reports to Cabinet to scrutinise the quantum, (d) withdrawn any cards as a precautionary measure and (e) disciplined any person who violated the terms and conditions of such credit card; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Honourable Member, Cabinet has decided on several cost cutting measures in order to provide value for money, minimise costs, stop abuse and more importantly ensure that government spending is effectively managed.
The measures were announced by the Minister of Finance in this House in the Medium Term Budget Statement presentation.
These measures build on earlier measures and also on the progress made in the past four years in cutting expenditure and redirecting budgets to our core business which is service delivery.
As the Honourable Member is now aware following the Budget Statement, the measures are comprehensive and go beyond the credit cards.
These measures, among others, include the following;
- Standardising the cost limits for official cars
- Stopping compensation for use of personal cars
- Limiting Ministers to travel Business Class instead of First Class
- Limiting business class travel for government officials
- No new credit cards to be issued and existing ones to be cancelled immediately
- Better contract management
- Developing guidelines to limit non-essential costs in advertising.
Credit cards are to be withdrawn from all political office bearers and officials within government.
Ministers have already been informed formally of this decision and other spheres of government are being formally notified as well.
The question of tracking expenditure and scrutinising quantums will no longer arise as the cards are being withdrawn completely.
The Amendments to the Treasury Regulation on the issue of the credit cards were published for public comment today, on the 6th of November.
In instances where there has been credit card abuse in the past, the transgressors will be dealt with according to the appropriate regulations and structures.
The Executive and Parliamentary Ethics Codes, Public Service Act, the Public Finance Management Act and Treasury regulations outline various processes to be followed in such cases.
We will continue to do everything possible to ensure that money goes to the provision of services.
I thank you.
Enquiries:
Mac Maharaj
Cell: 079 879 3203
E-mail: macmaharaj@icloud.com
