DA submits letter to Director-General of Presidency over austerity measures

Anchen Dreyer, Shadow Minister of Public Service and Administration
26 July 2009

Below is a copy of the letter referred to in the statement today by DA Leader Helen Zille, and which has been submitted to Mr Vusi Mavimbela, the Director-General in the President's Office.
 

 
26 July 2009
 
Mr Vusi Mavimbela
Director-General in the President's Office
Fax (012) 300 5755

Dear Mr Mavimbela,
 
In light of the increasingly dire consequences for South Africa of the global economic crisis, including the fact that we are in the midst of the first recession South Africa has experienced in two decades and that thousands of jobs are being lost every week, the DA believes that it would be appropriate for the Cabinet to adopt some austerity measures.
 
These measures would help to reduce the cost of government, but more importantly they would set an example of prudence and show that the government is sympathetic to the situation facing the country and understands the implications for itself.
 
South Africa's economic crisis has highlighted the need to deal with the problem - which the government itself has frequently admitted exists - of corruption and improper influence in government business. When the economy is under pressure, it is more important than ever that the government operate openly and accountably. We believe that it would be appropriate for the government not just to promise to act, but to be seen to be acting.
 
The DA therefore proposes some amendments to the Handbook for Members of the Executive & Presiding Officers which would give effect to these considerations. We outline these proposals below, and we submit them to you for further consideration.
 
We look forward to hearing from you on your response.
 
Regards,
 
Anchen Dreyer, MP
Democratic Alliance proposed amendments to the Handbook for Members of the Executive & Presiding Officers
 
1.     Government vehicles
 
a. Mileage
 
Section 1.2.3 of the Handbook for Members of the Executive and Presiding Officers provides that:
 
Departments may purchase official vehicle/s directly from manufacturers and/or
their dealerships only when the currently provided official vehicle for that office has reached 120 000 km or 5 years, whichever comes first. The total purchase price per vehicle must include VAT, accessories and a comprehensive motor
maintenance contract/plan of up to 120 000 km or 5 years.
 
The DA proposes that the "120 000 km or 5 years" be substituted with "150 000 km or six years".
 
b. Value
 
Section 1.2.4 of the Handbook provides that:
 
The total purchase price of the vehicle chosen by the Member may not exceed in respect of a:
a.       Minister/Premier: 70% of the inclusive annual remuneration package of a Minister as may be amended from time to time on recommendation of the Commission for the Remuneration of Political Members (Grade F, Notch 3);
b.       Deputy Minister / MEC: 70% of the inclusive annual remuneration package of a Deputy Minister as may be amended from time to time on recommendation of the Commission for the Remuneration of Political Members (Grade E1, Notch 3);
c.       Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces: 70% of the all inclusive annual remuneration package of a Minister as may be amended from time to time on recommendation of the Commission for the Remuneration of Political Members (Grade F, Notch 3);
d.       Permanent Deputy Presiding Officers of Parliament: 70% of the all-inclusive annual remuneration package of a Deputy Minister as may be amended from time to time on recommendation of the Commission for the Remuneration of Political Members (Grade E1, Notch 3).
 
The DA proposes that wherever it occurs, the figure of 70% be replaced with a figure of 50%.
 
2. Gifts
 
The current Ministerial Handbook provides that:
 
4.2.    When a Member, in the course of the Member's duties, has received or has been offered a gift with a value of more than R1000, the Member must request permission from the President or the Premier, as the case may be, to retain or accept the gift. If the permission is granted, the Member may retain or accept the gift, but must disclose particulars thereof in terms of paragraph 6.3 of this Code. Where such permission has not been requested or granted the Member must either -        
a. return the gift or decline the offer; or
b. donate the gift to the State.
 
The DA proposes changing this to:
 
4.2     Members of the Executive may only receive token gifts of gratitude to the value of no more than R1000 for work done during their tenure.  Where a gift exceeding this value has been received the Member must either -
a. return the gift or decline the offer; or
b. donate the gift to the State.
This restriction remains one year after the Member's employment within the Executive. 

3. Residences

Section 3.7.1. of Chapter 4 states that:

The costs of employing a domestic worker responsible for the cleaning of the
official and private residences each shall be borne by the Department of Public Works. Such cost will include remuneration of a domestic worker as well as the cost for all cleaning materials, equipment, chemicals and toiletries.

The DA proposes the removal of the words "and private".

4. Train Transport

Section 1.1 stipulates that:

Members may travel by train for official purposes at the cost of the relevant Department, including travelling on the Blue Train.

The DA proposes replacing "including travelling on the Blue Train" with "excluding travel on the Blue Train". 

5. Entertainment / receptions

Section 3.7 of this chapter stipulates that:

All expenses relating to functions or receptions must be borne by the Member and the Department concerned. Members may cover the expenses utilising his or her personal credit card and claim form his or her Department, or where applicable use the corporate credit card of his or her Department, or utilise direct procurement by the Department.

The DA proposes adding the phrase No Member may accept a Government or Ministry credit card".