Whether the department was approached by a certain political organisation to contribute to its birthday celebrations

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO:  3023   (NW3507E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 31-2011 OF 14/10/2011

MR EJ Marais (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 66th birthday 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 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 political organisation without being approached for such financial contributions; if so, in each case, (i) what amount will be contributed, (ii) from which budget, (iii) who made the decision to provide the specified funds to the said political organisation and (iv) how is the (aaa) decision and (bbb) amount justified;
4. whether (a) her department and (b) any of the entities reporting to her rely on any (i) 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 66th birthday 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, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation did not make any financial contributions to the certain political organisation (name furnished).
4. Yes, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation 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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