Question NW2140 to the Minister of Finance
11 July 2018 - NW2140
Shivambu, Mr F to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Did a certain person (name furnished) ever sign any internal memoranda of the National Treasury; if so, (a) in what capacity did the specified person sign, (b) what was the subject of each memorandum signed and (c) who delegated the powers to sign internal documents; (2) whether the specified person was requested in writing to stop representing the National Treasury and claiming to be the Chief Director at National Treasury when the person was in fact a consultant; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) by whom and (b) what are the further relevant details?
Reply:
1. (a) to (c) Yes, as with persons employed or contracted in the National Treasury, the person has signed various internal memoranda of the National Treasury, all related to her area of work, but such signing was always to make recommendations for the consideration of her manager and ultimately to the Director-General or the Minister, for approval. In order to ensure transparency and accountability, it has been practice in the National Treasury for many years that decisions to be taken in terms of law are supported by written memoranda submitted to the Director-General and, where applicable, also to the Minister. These memoranda are signed by the relevant officials, advisors or contractors asked to comment or make recommendations to the decision-maker. The decision-making within the department vests with the Director-General, and in some instances, the Minister, but in some cases, they have delegated decision-making authority to an official reporting directly to the Director-General.
It will not be cost-effective to examine all memoranda signed by the named person. The named person has provided excellent service, particularly to support the Twin Peaks financial sector regulatory reform related to market conduct and the fair treatment of financial sector customers. If there is any evidence of wrong-doing, the Honorable Member is welcome to submit it to me so that the National Treasury can investigate it.
2. (a) and (b): The person was contracted to act against a chief director position, until such time as a new chief director was appointed. This was in line with the general practice in the National Treasury when some consultants acted against vacant positions. This practice was terminated following a direction by Mr M Gigaba when he was Minister of Finance, which the department then began to implement around October 2017.