Public funds are for service delivery, not ANC celebrations
Today Minister of Public Enterprises, Malusi Gigaba, revealed in response to a parliamentary question that Transnet was approached by the ANC, requesting funding for its centenary celebrations. While Transnet did decline the request, it is deeply problematic that the ANC is soliciting money from state-owned entities.
A copy of this reply follows below.
Public funds cannot and should not be used to fund party-political events. This money is entrusted to government by citizens to provide service delivery; that is what it must be used for.
This follows yesterday's admission by Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu that, while her Department was not approached for funding, she would gladly have offered it if it was.
I have submitted parliamentary questions to all government departments to find out whether they were approached for funding, and if so, whether they provided funding.
This ANC request for state funding flies in the face of ANC chairperson Baleka Mbete's commitment that the ANC would not use state funds to finance the party's centenary celebrations. State resources must be used to deliver services to the South African people, not to serve the needs of a political party. That the ANC has sought to abuse public funds in this way is unjustifiable.
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 2335
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 26 August 2009
2335. Mr M W Rabotapi (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:
(1) Whether (a) his department and (b) any entity reporting to him was approached by a certain political organisation (name furnished) to contribute to its centenary 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) his department and (b) any entity reporting to him has a policy that provide for such funding; if so,
(3) Whether (a) his department and (b) any specified entity reporting to him has (i) agreed to the request or (ii) made financial contributions to the said political organisation in the absence of such an approach for funding; if not, why not, in each case; if so, in each case, (aa) who approved the request, (bb) on what grounds was the decision made, (cc) from which budget was it (aaa) agreed to pay the contribution or (bbb) paid, (dd) what amount was paid, (ee) who made the decision to provide the specified funds to the said political organisation and (ff) how is this (aaa) decision and (bbb) amount justified? NW2711E
REPLY
(1-4) With the exception of Transnet, neither the Department of Public Enterprises nor the other State Owned Companies reporting to the Department were approached by the political party referred to.
Transnet declined the request because its Donations and Sponsorship Policy does not allow funding to political parties.
Statement issued by Lindiwe Mazibuko MP, DA National Spokesperson, October 6 2011
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