Question 699
Mr I O Davidson Democratic Alliance (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
Whether, in light of the current recession and the consequent shortfall in state revenue, her department has introduced any austerity measures to reduce its expenditure with regard to (a) official vehicles, (b) travel, (c) travel by departmental officials,
(d) Accommodation and household help or (e) any other aspects of government business; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply
The South African government has decided to appoint a ministerial task team to develop a proposal on how the whole of government could respond to the economic meltdown by, among other things, identifying areas in which expenditure could be reduced with a view to diverted resources to the provision of essential services.
The task team, which is led by the Minister of Finance, will make specific recommendations on how government could implement austerity measures in all the three spheres of government in a structured and coordinated manner. All government departments will be required to comply with these measures as soon as they are approved by Cabinet. These measures will be made available as soon as possible. The department will be in a better position to respond to your questions as soon as this matter is finalised by Cabinet.
Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
7 August 2009
