Parliament notes continued media interest in strengthening capacity of the Parliamentary Protection Services (PPS) and the 2016/2017 budget of Parliament.
These reports do not raise anything new. Parliament has also addressed media inquiries on these issues before and has nothing new to add. Parliament has provided overall details about strengthening the capacity of the PPS. Specific details about operational matters are, however, dealt with through internal processes, including discussions with the trade union.
Any complaints about Parliamentary staff matters should be raised in the appropriate structures of Parliament, in the appropriate way
With respect to the Parliamentary budget for the next financial year, this is done according to the Financial Management of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act. It has gone through rigorous processes of planning and budgeting and has been considered by the relevant structures of Parliament. Further engagements will be held with the Minister of Finance, who has overall responsibility for South Africa’s budget. Parliament’s budget for next year will become a public document when Minister Nhlanhla Nene tables it in the National Assembly.
Parliament wishes to note that reports of specific proposed increases and decreases in budget allocations to offices in the administration are incorrect. Parliament has introduced a new way of planning and budgeting that appropriately aligns responsibility and accountability and that is results orientated. It may be understandable that such measures are not clearly understood by all concerned. The budget allocation to Parliament as a whole has also not increased.
The fifth democratic Parliament is committed to continued efficient and effective financial management. Consistent improvement in this over the years culminated in a clean audit opinion from the Auditor General for 2014/2015. The clean audit means Parliament’s financial statements are free from material misstatements and there are no material findings on reporting on performance objectives or non-compliance with legislation.
