As part of efforts aimed at ensuring accountability, transparency and co-existence of political parties in the legislature, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu has undertaken to answer timeously all parliamentary questions that are asked by political parties.
Today, the office of the premier has received enquiries from the media houses following written answers handed over to the leader of the Democratic Alliance Sizwe Mchunu. This is in relation to the use of aircrafts in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
KwaZulu-Natal is home to 10.6 million people is mainly rural and there are higher levels of poverty compared to most of the provinces. The provincial government has the responsibility to ensure that programmes aimed at driving socio-economic development reaches all the people in more than 60 municipalities in the corners of the province.
Over the past years premiers have used private aircraft to travel to far-flung areas to execute their duties. This does not constitute abuse of government funds as insinuated by the DA as every cent spent by the office of the premier is accounted for during normal auditing processes that are undertaken by the Auditor-General and the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa).
To date, the Office of the Premier has not received any indication of the abuse of public funds by the Auditor-General or the Portfolio Committee on Public Accounts.
In addition, the Annual Performance Plan and the Finance Expenditure Reports of the Office of the Premier was presented before the Portfolio Committee on the Office of the Premier last week Friday, 15 November 2013 in the legislature. Leaders of political parties had the opportunity to interrogate the reports and they all expressed satisfaction with the management of finances in the office of the Premier.
It is important to note that the leader of the Democratic Alliance Sizwe Mchunu was absent from the sitting without an apology.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier and members of his Executive Council are committed to ensure prudent fiscal management. There is a firm undertaking to ensure good governance and this has been demonstrated by cooperating with Auditor General, the Public Service Commission and chapter nine institutions such as the Human Rights Commission and the Public Protector. At all times, premier and his cabinet will always cooperate with these institutions if there are complaints of mismanagement and maladministration.
Enquiries
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
Cell: 082 3754742
