DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT RESPONSE - MINISTRY TRAVEL SPREE

The front-page headline in The Star today (20 September 2011), "Ministry 'travel spree,'" is not only false, but sensational and mischievous (see report).

The article is based on a parliamentary response by Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele, submitted to Parliament on 14 September 2011, in which the Minister clearly states that: "Neither the Minister of Transport nor the Deputy Minister of Transport or any specified officials in the Department of Transport have been issued with a government or official credit card.."

The use of the Diners Lodge Card has been authorised in terms of the relevant Treasury Regulations, and is used by the Department of Transport, and not the Ministry. The card is used to procure:

• International Flights;
• Domestic Flights;
• International Accommodation (on occasion, usually procured via Department of International Relations and Co-operation. The Department provides an amount of money to DIRCO who uses it to procure the accommodation and this is replenished as the need arises); and
• Conferences, venues and facilities.

Transport Director-General George Mahlalela says: "As the Department of Transport, we take our mandate seriously. South Africa has various local and international obligations, including meetings and conferences, and the Department is responsible for these costs. All public funds spent by the Department of Transport, including spending on travel and accommodation, are in line with approved government budgetary processes. These budgets have been presented to Parliament and approved accordingly."

Statement issued by Sam Monareng, Department of Transport, September 20 2011

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