Question No 796
Mr M Mnqasela, Democratic Alliance (DA), to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:
Whether, in light of the current recession and the consequent shortfall in state revenue, his 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:
I would like to inform the Honourable Member that in light of the current recession and in response to the current shortfall in state revenue and strain on departmental appropriations, the accounting officer of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has introduced a 30 percent cut in the operational budgets of each branch within the department. The savings realised through this efficiency cut was allocated to fund departmental priorities within the baseline such as court security, the implementation of approved legislation (Child Justice Act and Sexual Offences Act); the internship programme; funding of the operational cost of the Master's office and training initiatives.
In addition, a circular was issued to all officials in the department in April 2009, informing them of the following cost cutting measures put in place to curtail any possible over expenditure:
a) Procurement of furniture and equipment
This would only be purchased for newly appointed officials or in cases where equipment cannot be fixed.
b) Strategic sessions and workshops
All strategic sessions and workshops must take place in departmental venues.
c) Catering
Meetings must be arranged in such a manner as to avoid catering altogether. In exceptional cases, less expensive kinds of catering like finger lunches shall be the norm.
d) Travelling
All foreign travel must be approved by the accounting officer and Minister. Domestic flights shall be on economy class for all staff. Only officials directly involved with the issues under discussion shall travel. Officials travelling to the same area shall as far as possible, share a vehicle. Furthermore, where possible, meetings shall be arranged at a time when it would be possible to leave in the morning of the meeting and return in the afternoon, thereby reducing the cost for accommodation.
e) Stationary, printing and subscriptions
Due discretion shall be required in the purchase of stationary, paper and other goods to minimise holding of excess inventory. The use of colour printers shall be avoided as far as possible. Magazine subscriptions shall not be renewed (excluding law journals which are required for the performance of judicial functions).
f) Advertising
Posts on level 6 and above are limited to two national publications and all other posts will be advertised internally and in the public service vacancy circular.
g) Communication
Officials were instructed to restrict all calls made with cellphones and landline telephones to as short as possible. Managers were requested to monitor private calls and officials were required to use e-mail instated of paper documents. The use of 3G cards shall be monitored and minimised.
h) Outsourcing of services, consultants and temporary appointments
Only outsourced services already in place for services such as security, transcriptions are allowed. New services must be authorized by the Accounting Officer.
Issued by: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
13 August 2009
