Question NW866 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

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24 August 2020 - NW866

Profile picture: Abrahams, Ms ALA

Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)Whether her department will offer any form of Covid-19 financial and/or other relief to small businesses; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether the Covid-19 financial and/or other relief will only be allocated to qualifying small businesses according to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, Act 53 of 2003, as amended; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what statutory grounds and/or provisions does she or her department rely to allocate Covid-19 financial or other relief only to small businesses according to the specified Act and (b) what form of Covid-19 financial or other relief, if any, will be made available to other small businesses?

Reply:

(1) The Department will not offer any form of COVID-19 relief to small businesses, as its Departmental mandate is on Defence of the RSA, and the function does not include funds or resource allocation to businesses.

(2) (a) The Department provides small business the opportunity to supply the Department with goods and services as required. BBBE companies are also assisted in respect of compliance to National Treasury Regulations and other legislative prescripts. (b) No Covid-19 financial and/or other relief will be made available to small businesses in line with the answer provided in paragraph (1) above.

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