Question NW1913 to the Minister of Social Development
28 October 2016 - NW1913
Wilson, Ms ER to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1) (a) How many nights did (i) she and (ii) the Deputy Minister stay at the Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga Rocks from 1 January 2015, (b) what was the purpose of each stay in each case and (c) what was the total cost in each case; (2) whether accommodation for any other members of (a) her and/or (b) the Deputy Minister’s delegations were booked in the hotel for the specified period; if not, why not; if so, what (i) were the reasons, (ii) was the total number of nights and (iii) was the total amount paid in each case; (3) whether any travel agents were used to make bookings for (a) accommodation in the specified hotel and/or (b) the travel arrangements in each case; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) which travel agent(s) was/were used in each case and (ii) what are the relevant details? NW2224E
Reply:
(1)(a)(i) With the exception of the 12 June 2016 for which I have already provided a response to the Honourable Member, the only other time I stayed at this hotel was in March 2015 during the Social Work Indaba for four nights at a cheaper Government rate.
(1)(a)(ii) The Deputy Minister did not stay at this hotel
(1)(b) The purpose of the stay was for the official business of the Department of Social Development.
(1)(c) R16 403 .99 for four nights at a cheaper Government rate.
(2) No official of the Department stayed at the Oyster Box as per National Treasury instruction.
(3) Yes, the bookings were made through the service providers appointed to render official travel and accommodation services for the Department of Social Development, namely Wings Naledi and Duma Travel.