Representatives in our ten largest embassies have incurred fines in the past five years
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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO: 2099
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 19 OF 06 AUGUST 2010
Mr S Mokgalapa (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
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Whether any representatives in our ten largest embassies have incurred any fines in the past five years; if so, in each case , what was the (a) reason and (b) value of the fine
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Whether all the fines have been paid; if not, why not, in each case; if so, who was responsible for settling the fine in each case?
Reply:
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Yes, 3 Missions have incurred traffic offence fines
Washington, D.C: (a) parking fines; (b) $5, 070.
New York: UN Service Vehicles; (a) (67) Parking Tickets; (b) $7,325.00
Geneva: (a) speeding ticket; (b) CHF120.
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No, there are outstanding traffic fines for Washington and New York.
Washington, D.C.
Most have been paid by the Mission; the outstanding fines are the subject of an investigation by the State Department. Fines that are outstanding were not issued to registration plates rather than the individuals to whom the vehicles were registered to. In this regard inquiries were made with the State Department and a response is still awaited. The likelihood is that these officials may either be back at Head Office, at other Missions or have since left the Department.
New York:
The 67 parking tickets, referred to in part 1above, were paid by the Mission. All requests by the Mission to the New York City Transport Department for a diplomatic parking were denied. When deliveries are made, diplomatic parking space is not always available.
Geneva:
The Department of Health paid the fine of a speeding ticket for a rented vehicle during an official visit to attend the World Health Assembly. The Mission’s financial records for the past 5 years reflect only this one payment.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This section should include additional information especially in the case of ORAL REPLIES, where Members of Parliament has the option to ask 3 / 4 supplementary questions related to the question. This part will not be submitted as part of the reply handed in to Parliament. I.E. not for publication. The discussion section should not exceed 3 pages.
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