The secret Presidential Manual should not be secret

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe's defence of the use of public funds to pay for part of his holiday in the Seychelles, between 23 December 2012 and 04 January 2013, is that the expenditure was in line with guidelines set out in a "Presidential Manual". 

The manual is presumably similar to the Handbook for Members of the Executive and Presiding Officers (Ministerial Handbook) and provides guidelines for the benefits and privileges to which President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Motlanthe, and their families, are entitled.

The Presidential Manual reportedly includes guidelines for the use of military aircraft and chartered aircraft following the recommendation, made by former Public Protector, Advocate Lawrence Mushwana, that the document be updated as a result of his investigation into then Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ncguka's use of military aircraft for a private visit to the United Arab Emirates in 2005.

However, the Presidential Manual is reportedly a secret document that cannot be made public.

Deputy President Motlanthe is effectively telling us that:  "I have abided by the rules, but the rules are secret, and you cannot see them".

This is bizarre.

How is Parliament supposed to hold the president and deputy-president to account if the rules, which regulate their benefits and privileges, are not disclosed?

The Presidential Manual should be a public document available on the website operated by the Presidency.

It is imperative that the manual be made public so that we can properly understand the guidelines that apply to the use of state resources:

·         for Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe's holiday in the Seychelles between 23 December 2012 and 04 January 2013; and

·         even more importantly, for President Jacob Zuma's compound at Nkandla.

I have therefore submitted an application, in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (No. 2 of 2000), to the Presidency for access to the secret Presidential Manual.  

We cannot have a situation where secret rules regulate the benefits and privileges of the most powerful office bearers in South Africa.

Statement issued by David Maynier MP, DA Shadow Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, February 11 2013

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