News reports over the past two days have indicated that the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has purchased 2010 Soccer World Cup tickets to the tune of R65 000.
The DPSA hereby puts it on record that the department has not and will not use public funds for the purchase of these items. It is important to note that the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) regulations that inform how we spend the funds allocated to us does not provide for such expenses and that the purchase of these tickets would not assist us in responding to our mandate.
The tickets in question have been purchased by Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) which is one of the portfolio agencies which report to the Minister for Public Service and Administration. It is however crucial to note that GEMS does not receive any funding from Parliament is not regulated by the PFMA and is managed as a private entity.
It is in this regard that the DPSA hereby dismisses reports on the use of public funds to purchase these tickets. As the department, we reiterate the fact that we have not and would not make purchase of such items as the PFMA does not make provision for items that do not assist us in achieving our mandate.
For more information, contact:
Dumisani Nkwamba
Cell: 082 885 9448
Tel: 012 336 1704
Issued by: Department of Public Service and Administration
4 June 2010
