Whether the department was approached by a certain political organisation (name furnished) to contribute to its centenary celebrations

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO:       2330  (NW2706E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 26-2011 OF 26 AUGUST 2011

MR MM SWATHE (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:

1. Whether (a) her department and (b) any entity reporting to her was approached by a certain political organisation (name furnished) to contribute to its centenary celebrations; if so, in each case, (i) which entities and (ii) what was the (aa) nature and (bb) value of the contribution that was requested;
2. whether (a) her department and (b) any of the specified entities reporting to her agreed to the request; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, in each case, (i) who approved the request, (ii) what was the justification for the agreement to the request and (iii) from which budget will the contribution be paid;
3. whether (a) her department and (b) any of the specified entities reporting to her made financial contributions to the said organisation; if so, in each case, (i) what amount will be contributed (ii) from which budget was it agreed to pay the contribution, (iii) who made the decision to provide the specified funds to the said political organisation and (iv) how is this (aaa) decision and (bbb) amount justified;
4. whether (a) her department and (b) any of the entities reporting to her rely on any (statutory) and (ii) policy provisions in (aa) agreeing and (bb) making such contribution; if not in each case, what is the position in this regard; if so, in each case, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

1. No, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation was not approached by a certain political organisation (name furnished) for a contribution to its centenary celebrations.  There is no entity outside the Department that reports to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation;.
2. No, as no certain political organisation (name furnished) did make such a request to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation;
3. No, as there was no request for any financial contributions made by a certain political organisation (name furnished) to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation;
4. Yes the Department of International Relations has to adhere at all times to the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999 as amended by Act 29 of 1999.

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