NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION 1463

Mr SJF Marais (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy

(a) On how many occasions since 1 March 2010 did his office hire a vehicle to transport (i) him and (ii) his Deputy Minister and (b) in each case, (i) what was the cost of hiring the vehicle, (ii) for what reason was the vehicle hired, (iii) for how many days, (iv) what (aa) make and (bb) model of vehicle was hired and (v) what total distance was travelled? NW1630E

REPLY

The Ministerial Handbook Chapter 5 on Official vehicles states that "Members at a national level may be provided with one vehicle for use in Cape Town and one vehicle for use in Pretoria". It further provides for "Use of Incidental Vehicles for official purposes away from respected seats of office". Members are allowed to make use of incidental or rented vehicles when on official duty. The rented vehicles should be vehicles befitting for Ministerial use and in these instances the vehicles hired have been various makes and models.

In such cases the Handbook allows the cost of incidental / rented vehicles for official use to be borne by the relevant department.

These hired cars are used on official duty for direct interaction with communities and stakeholders outside Gauteng and Cape Town as a critical part of the Public Participation programmes of Ministers. These enable Ministers to fulfill their duties and meet their ever demanding schedules. The department has hired 56 times for both Minister and Deputy Minister during the time under review.

Issued by Parliament, October 11 2011

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