Question NW278 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training
03 March 2017 - NW278
Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
(1)Whether, with reference to his reply to question 1983 on 11 October 2016, the R22,5 million budget allocation for upgrades and maintenance to the Mapulaneng campus of the Ehlanzeni technical and vocational education and training colleges in Mpumalanga was spent in each of the specified financial years; if not, in each case, why not; if so, (i) how was the budget spent in each case and (ii) what amount of the specified budgets was returned to the National Treasury; (2) whether (a) his department and/or (b) the SA Police Service have launched any investigations into the spending of the specified budgets; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
1. (i) The budget referred to in the response to parliamentary question 1983 on 11 October 2016 was the budget, which the College provided through their reserves. The College is responsible for its financial planning through the College Council. They are also responsible for setting up operational budgets and managing these to best fit their operational needs. The figures provided in the response to question 1983 were the indicative budgets planned for the period 2013 to 2017. In each year, the actual allocation would be made on the basis of the operational pressures and funding available at that time. This could be subject to change during the course of the year. In this case, the indicative 2013 - 2017 budget of R22.5 million was reduced to R9.745 million. Of this, the actual spend was R1.649 million as summarised in the Table below.
|
Allocation |
2013/14 |
2014/15 |
2015/16 |
2016/17 |
||||
|
Budget R’000 |
Spend R’000 |
Budget R’000 |
Spend R’000 |
Budget R’000 |
Spend R’000 |
Budget R’000 |
Spend R’000 |
|
|
Renovations |
3 000 |
917 |
3 315 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Maintenance |
215 |
185.5 |
915 |
219.3 |
1 500 |
181.3 |
800 |
145.9 |
|
Total |
3 215 |
1 102 |
4 230 |
219.3 |
1 500 |
181.3 |
800 |
145.9 |
The expenditure at Mapulaneng Campus, as reflected in the above Table is detailed as follows:
2013: Renovations to main hall, kitchen, two residences and administration building
2014: Maintenance to classroom blocks
2015: Replacement of main reception glass doors, tools for students on site practical training (as part of refurbishment) and repairs to paving at main entrance
2016: Electrical and general maintenance
(ii) As these were not voted government funds but College Reserves, no funds were transferred to National Treasury as they were retained in the College. The College Council has the responsibility of deploying their funds to best fit their operational needs and consequently, the College is not required to return any of their unused funds for a given year to National Treasury. The said funding is accounted for and carried forward into the new financial year and budget-planning framework of the College.
(2) (a) No.
(b) No.
COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:
EXT:
DIRECTOR – GENERAL
STATUS:
DATE:
QUESTION 278 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED
Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
STATUS:
DATE: