Question NW4072 to the Minister of Sport Arts and Culture
12 December 2023 - NW4072
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport Arts and Culture
(1). Whether the company car policy of Freedom Park has been changed; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) by whom, (b) on what date, (c) for what reason and (d) what are the (i) new terms and (ii) cost implications of the new policy; (2). whether the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Freedom Park has been allocated a Mercedes Benz which is the property of Freedom Park; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the reason that the CEO was not allocated a Toyota Corolla to drive like her predecessors; (3). whether the CEO has a designated driver; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the cost implication; (4). whether the position of driver for the CEO is in the organogram of Freedom Park; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1). Freedom Park’s policies are reviewed every three years unless there is legislative change or Treasury directive that warrants amendment. To my knowledge, the Fleet Management Policy has not been changed substantively in the last 5 years. The current policy was approved on 30 August 2018, reviewed without changes on 29 July 2021, and is due for the next review in July 2024.
(a). Not applicable
(b). Not applicable
(c). Not applicable
(d)(i). not applicable, (ii) not applicable
(2). No, the CEO has not been allocated a Mercedes-Benz which is the property of Freedom Park. The car referred to forms part of the fleet of vehicles belonging to Freedom Park and is not for the sole use by the CEO.
(3). The CEO does not have a designated driver. The driver is an employee of Freedom Park who executes duties as required by the organisation.
(4). There are two drivers’ positions reporting to the Infrastructure Manager and serving the entire organisation. The move in 2018 by the CEO to remove the position from the CEO’s office to Park Operations was intended to decentralise the services, so that drivers can service the whole organisation, which is the case at present.