9 October 2007
The Minister of Finance, Mr Trevor A Manuel, Member of Parliament will
present the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) to Parliament on 30
October 2007. Only journalists (and not analysts) will be given access to the
documents in a media lock-up under police surveillance.
Lock-ups have been arranged both in Cape Town and Pretoria. Please note that
no information contained in any of the documents prior to the lifting of the
embargo on 30 October 2007 is leaked, as this would jeopardise future
arrangements. A breach in the embargo is considered very serious and is dealt
with in the same manner.
Lock-up arrangements
Cape Town: 100 Plein Street Building for Press Gallery Association (PGA)
members and Imbizo media centre for non-members
Time: 08h00
Pretoria: National Treasury Offices, 40 Church Square
Time: 08h00
(This will be an electronic lock-up as no printed documents will be
available.)
Journalists are required to confirm their details with Lindani Mbunyuza on
012 315 5645 or lindani.mbunyuza@treasury.gov.za
by no later than 19 October 2007.
Please note
As no communication of any nature either by telephone, e-mail or any other
means is allowed during the lock-up, we recommend that journalists who will not
be working on the budget story, work from elsewhere.
Journalists should also note the following:
* All office doors are to remain open at all times.
* Stories can be transmitted to editors ONLY from 13h00 (with full observation
of the embargo).
* Cellphones are to be switched off and placed in an envelope.
* No electronic mail can be sent for the duration of the lock-up.
* Nobody will be allowed to leave the lock-up before 14h00.
* National Treasury officials will be available in case of any emergencies.
Refreshments will be served at 09h30 and 12h30. The lock-up will end when
Finance Minister Trevor Manuel starts his address in the National Assembly. All
documentation will be available on our website http://www.treasury.gov.za when the Minister
starts his address in the National Assembly or from 14h00.
Issued by: National Treasury
9 October 2007
