Budget Vote: discussion

Correctional Services

08 June 2004
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Meeting Summary

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Meeting report

CORRECTIONAL SERVICES AD HOC COMMITTEE
8 June 2004
BUDGET VOTE: DISCUSSION

Chairperson:

Mr L Modisenyane (ANC)

Documents handed out:
None

SUMMARY
Members addressed budget related questions to representatives from Treasury, who were non-responsive. It was decided to try and set up a meeting ahead of the Budget vote debate in which Treasury and the Department would field the Committee's questions. In particular they wished to get clarity on the reasons why the requested R2,8 billion for four additional prisons had been denied

MINUTES
The Chairperson said the Department had planned to erect four new prisons. They had requested an additional R2,8 billion for this purpose but had been refused by Treasury because the requested funds had been mistakenly listed as optional funding when the funds should have been listed as core funding. Treasury said the Department 'may' receive an additional R500 million. Much of the Committee discussion revolved around this issue. Representatives from Treasury were present but they were non - responsive.

Discussion
Ms S Seaton (IFP) wanted to know what had been done to ensure upgrading of existing, overcrowded prisons.

Mr J Selfe (DA) felt Treasury had been reluctant to grant the Department additional funds because the department had not done its job in the previous year.

The Chairperson said it was unfair that the Department should be punished by Treasury for making a mistake with the budget request.

Ms Seaton said it would be impossible to sympathise with the Department until they began interacting properly with the Committee.

Mr D Bloem (ANC) wanted to know what criteria the Treasury used when it prioritised certain department projects over others.

Mr E Mthethwa (ANC) was distressed that the Treasury representatives would not field Committee questions. He felt it was essential that the Committee have an opportunity to address questions to the Department and Treasury ahead of the Budget vote.

The Chairperson said that since they were not prepared to answer these questions, he requested that they provide written responses to the Committee's questions and he asked the Treasury officials to leave.

Mr Selfe said there had been disparity between what the Department and the Treasury had said on budget related matters. He said there was a need for a meeting with representatives from both parties.

The rest of the Committee agreed. However the Chair did note that there was insufficient time before the Budget vote debate in the House to get clarity on the reasons why the R2,8 billion was denied

The meeting was adjourned.

 

 

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