Question NW2512 to the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
17 September 2018 - NW2512
Mackenzie, Mr C to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
(1) Whether the SA Post Office (SAPO) has put a formal communications policy in place; if so, (2) are SAPO employees instructed not to engage with the media; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) have any SAPO employees been (a) threatened with dismissal and/or (b) dismissed for engaging with the media since the communications policy was introduced; if so, what are the details of the (i) name of the employee, (ii) nature of disciplinary action taken and (iii) date on which disciplinary action was taken? NW2799E
Reply:
I have been informed by SAPO as follows:
(1) The Post Office has a Communications Policy that standardizes the processes for its internal organizational communications as well as its public corporate communications, including media relations. In addition, the Post Office has a dedicated Communications Business Unit. The policy has been updated to include guidelines and requirements for posts on social media, and the updated version is currently in the approval process.
(2) Structurally, the Communications Business Unit is the custodian of the media affairs function of the Post Office and in terms of the communications policy, individual employees’ media engagements are mandated to be channeled via this Business Unit.
In terms of the policy, only senior management, the Communication section and employees delegated by the Communication section may communicate with the media.
(3)(a) No SAPO employees have been threatened with dismissal for engaging with the media since the communication policy was introduced
(b) No SAPO employees were dismissed for engaging with the media since the policy was introduced.
(i)(ii)(iii) Not applicable
Approved/ not approved
Dr Siyabonga Cwele, MP
Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
Date: