Question NW1560 to the Minister of Finance
28 June 2021 - NW1560
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Finance
(1) Whether, with reference to the letter dated 8 October 2020, to which no response was received to date, he has received the specified letter; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the reasons for not responding to the letter; (2) whether, given the recent confirmation of the additional landing and on-board entertainment costs, he will confirm, with reference to the letter of 8 October 2020, that he was consulted by Minister N Mapisa-Nqakula in terms of the Defence Act, Act 42 of 2002; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, on what date; (3) whether he has approved the amount to be invoiced to a certain organisation (name furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) what action steps (a) have been and (b) will be taken by the National Treasury to remedy the apparent transgressions and obvious omissions by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans?
Reply:
1. After liaising with my officials, I confirm that the letter referred to was received and not responded due to the transition from manual processing of documentation to electronic.
2. The National Treasury was not consulted with prior to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans undertaking the visit to Zimbabwe with the ANC delegation using the SAAF Falcon 900.
3. Furthermore, the National Treasury was not part of the determination of the costs to be paid by the ANC but did receive proof that R105 545 was paid to the Department of Defence for this purpose.
4. The National Treasury has and will always engage departments and entities to ensure that they comply with the provisions of legislation that require consultation and concurrence of the National Treasury. As you may be aware, this matter has been handled and finalised by the President in terms of remedial actions.