Question NW2917 to the Minister of Police
20 October 2015 - NW2917
Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Police
Whether, in view of the waste of resources on security upgrades at the private residence of the President, Mr Jacob G Zuma, at Nkandla, the Government has taken a decision to formulate new regulations on how to achieve optimal security benefits for the head of state and other leaders at a cost approved by Parliament and scrutinised upon its completion by given committees or an ad hoc committee, so that no waste of the type that took place at Nkandla could ever be repeated in the country; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Government did not take a specific decision to formulate new regulations on how to achieve optimal security benefits for the Head of State and other leaders at a cost approved by Parliament and scrutinised upon its completion by given committees or an ad hoc committee. The guiding framework comprises the following:
1. On the 20 August 2003, Cabinet took a decision which is known as the policy on Security Measures at Private Residences of the President, Deputy President and former Presidents and Deputy Presidents. This decision deals with the process according to which the South African Police Service and the Department of Public Works would investigate, fund and maintain security measures at the private residences of the President, Deputy President, former Presidents and former Deputy Presidents.
In terms of the policy, the main consideration shall be the safety of the President, Deputy President, former Presidents or Deputy Presidents.
2. The Department of Public Works follows the procurement and expenditure processes as prescribed by regulations and instructions issued by National Treasury in terms of the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999. Any deviation from these processes may result in criminal and disciplinary charges and officials who fail to comply with these procedures and incur wasteful expenditure, place themselves at risk of prosecution or dismissal.
It is submitted, with respect, that policies cannot be changed to address human
behaviour.