Funding Political Parties

QUESTION 3021 / NW3505E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 14 October 2011
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 31 of 2011

Mr T D Lee (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:



(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 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 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 this (aa) decision and (bb) 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?

NW3505E



REPLY:



THE DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS:



(1)(a) No. The Department of Home Affairs was not approached by the said political organisation to contribute to its 66th birthday celebrations.

(2)(a) Not applicable.



(3)(a) No.



(4)(a) Yes. The Department follows Treasury Regulations which provides guidelines in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No 1 of 1999) to Government Departments for the granting of and consideration of donations.



THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING WORKS (GPW):



The GPW has advised, as follows:



(1)(b) No. The GPW was not approached by the said political organisation to contribute to its 66th birthday celebrations.



(2)(b) Not applicable.



(3)(b) No.



(4)(b) Yes. The GPW is a Government component, and this institution operates on regular business principles, i.e. it defrays, all, its operational expenditure, only, from the revenue generated by rendering printing services. In this regard, the GPW, only, funds projects which are, directly, related to its operational activities. The 66th birthday celebrations of the said political organisation do not form part of the above-mentioned business principles.



THE FILM AND PUBLICATION BOARD (FPB):



The FPB has advised, as follows:



(1)(b) No. The FPB was not approached by the said political organisation to contribute to its 66th birthday celebrations.



(2)(b) Not applicable.



(3)(b) No.



(4)(b) Yes. The FPB follows Treasury Regulations, which provides guidelines, in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No 1 of 1999), and does not make financial contributions, or sponsorships to political parties.



THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION (IEC):



The IEC has advised, as follows:



(1)(b) No. The IEC was not approached by the said political organisation to contribute to its 66th birthday celebrations.



(2)(b) Not applicable.



(3)(b) No.



(4)(b) Yes. The IEC is a Chapter 9 institution, and in compliance with its statutory obligations, regarding impartiality has not, and will not make any financial contributions to political parties.

http://www.pmg.org.za/node/26575