Details of the methods used by South African foreign missions to carry post, documentation and other communications between missions as well as from foreign missions to South Africa and vice versa
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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO: 684 (NW831E) AS PUBLISHED IN IQP NO: 7-2015 OF 13 MARCH 2015
MR R A LEES (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:
(1) (a) What are the details of the (i) methods used by South African foreign missions to carry (aa) post, (bb) documentation and (cc) other communications between missions as well as from foreign missions to South Africa and vice versa, (ii) frequency of movement and (iii) time taken to move documentation from each mission to South Africa;
(2) have the methods of carrying these communications changed over the past five years; if not, why not; if so, what (a) methods were previously used and (b) are the details of why the methods were changed;
(3) whether these methods of carrying communications also apply to documents of the Department of Home Affairs that are dealt with by foreign missions; if not, why not; if so, is she aware of the details of the (a) methods used and (b) time taken to move documents of the Department of Home Affairs?
REPLY:
(1) (a) (i) Courier Services is a method used by South African Foreign Missions to carry,
(aa) post is Air Freight.
(bb) The method used by South African foreign missions to carry documents with Classification is Diplomatic Bag accompanied by two (2) officials, however, non-classified documents are sent through air freight.
(cc) The methods used by South African foreign mission to carry other communications is through email, fax, telephone (mobile and land line) and domestic courier services.
(1) (a) (ii) The frequency of movement for both post and documentation is monthly.
(1) (a) (iii) Time it takes to move documentation from each mission to South Africa is seven (7) working days.
(2) The method of carrying this communication has not changed over the past five (5) years as there has not been any circumstances that required change except that different courier service provider are appointed from time to time as per the Departmental procurement process.
(3) Yes, these methods of carrying communications also apply to documents of the Department of Home Affairs that are dealt with by foreign missions.
(3) (a) Yes, she is aware of methods used.
(3) (b) Yes, she is also aware of the time it takes to move documents of the Department of Home Affairs.
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