Question no. 975
Mr G R Morgan (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether, with reference to the report of the Auditor-General to Parliament on the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism’s handling of confiscated abalone (details furnished), efforts are being made by her department to implement measures to ensure that the reported cases of confiscated abalone are followed up timeously; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) Whether efforts are being made to ensure that coordination between her department and other relevant government departments regarding the handling of confiscated abalone is formalised; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) Whether efforts are being made to ensure that norms and standards are developed for the handling of confiscated abalone; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) Whether efforts are being made to ensure that the tender contracts for the processing of confiscated abalone are renewed or awarded timeously; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?
The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs answers:
(1) Yes. A database has been developed that monitors inter alia the origins of the confiscated abalone; the SAPS case number where applicable; the exhibit register (SAP 13); the bin number in which confiscated abalone samples are stored; the date of confiscation; seal number; and the weight of the confiscated abalone.
The Auditor-General’s Report to Parliament, which covers the period from December 2000 to July 2007, highlighted certain gaps in the department’s historical records. The department had already take steps prior to the publication of the report to implement measures to ensure that the reported cases of confiscated abalone are followed up timeously.
(2) Coordination already exists in the form of a formal memorandum of understanding between Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) and South African Revenue Services (SARS) for coordination on handling of confiscated abalone at ports of entry. Coordination also exists with South African Police Services (SAPS) since the law requires that confiscated and abandoned abalone be registered in the SAPS 13 exhibit register before disposal by DEAT. In addition, discussions are taking place with SAPS to formalise the working relationship between the two departments.
(3) Norms and standards for handling of confiscated abalone have been developed and will be incorporated into a departmental policy that will be finalised by November 2009. The contents of this policy will be communicated to the relevant stakeholders, including SAPS and SARS.
(4) Yes. The current tender contracts for the processing of confiscated abalone expire in October 2010, and steps are already underway to ensure the timeous awarding of new contracts so as to ensure that there is no disruption in the processing, marketing and selling of confiscated abalone.
Issued by: Department of Water and Environmental Affairs
28 August 2009
