Question NW1363 to the Minister of Social Development
19 May 2023 - NW1363
Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)What (a) is the full breakdown of the total amount that was spent on the venue, catering and gifts for guests attending the Free State Regional Office of the SA Social Security Agency International Women’s Day event on 28 March 2023, (b) number of persons (i) were invited to the event and (ii) attended, (c) was the purpose of the event and (d) are the reasons that a government venue was not used for the event; (2)Whether there is a National Treasury instruction that allows for such events and buying of gifts for employees; (3)Whether she will furnish Ms B S Masango with a copy of the (a) National Treasury instruction; and if not, what legal instrument allows for the events and buying of gifts; if so, (b) concept document that established the Women’s Forum; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
1. (a)The breakdown of the amount spent at the conference is as follows:
1. The amount for venue hire – R 185 483.50
2. Sound and PA system –R 43 412.50
3. Catering and refreshment – R 227 843.75
Total amount of the event including the service fee of R 31 971.78 from the travel agent amounts to R 488 711.53.
SASSA Free State did not procure gifts from the budget of the institution.
(b) (i) There were 250 officials who were invited to the event;(ii) and 214 officials attended the event.
(c) Please refer to the attached concept document.
(d) The biggest venues in a form of boardrooms in government departments that SASSA Free State normally uses are from Premier’s Department, Department of Health and National Department of Public Works. All these three government departments venues cannot accommodate 250 officials with round tables set up. For this reason, a private venue was procured.
2. SASSA Free State relied on paragraph (a) 4.15 and 4.30 of the National Treasury Instruction Note No.2 of 2016 / 2017. In that it allows for catering of officials on forums and hiring of venues.
The gifts were not procured by SASSA Free State.
3. (a) A copy of National Instruction Note No.2 of 2016/2017 is hereby provided.
(b) A concept document is attached.