Question no: 746
Ms J D Killian Congress of the People (COPE) asked the Minister of Communications:
(1) What is the anticipated savings that will derive from the interim South African Broadcasting Corporation Board's cost cutting measures regarding (a) a ban on business class air travel, (b) television subscriptions and (c) other entertainment perks for directors;
(2) (a) how many overseas travels have been undertaken in the course of the current financial year and (b) how does it compare on a month-on-month basis to the 2008/09 financial year;
(3) (a) how many (i) conferences, (ii) functions and (iii) other forms of entertainment have been cancelled as a cost-cutting exercise and (b) what will the rand value of these savings amount to?
Reply:
I have been advised by the SABC as follow:
1. The estimated cost of the savings to be achieved cannot be determined as the board has only been in office for less than two months. The savings will be calculated against budget but may not be an accurate reflection because with reduction in members from 12 to six for the term of the interim board, the comparison may not be accurate. Presently costs are only in respect of one member who travels weekly between Johannesburg and Cape Town.
2. During the current financial year the interim board has not taken any trips overseas.
3. The calculation of the rand value of savings will be done against budget as the invitations are received and declined. To date no invitations have been received or declined.
Issued by: Department of Communications
21 August 2009
