The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

It has now been more than two months since spokesperson for the National Police Commissioner, Nonkululeko Mbatha stated that the "full cost of the [National Police Day Celebration] event will be released tomorrow". We still do not know the costs of the controversial SAPS bash in Bloemfontein - that diverted 50,000 officers, one in every three in the country - away from active duty for three days.

Yesterday, the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa failed to answer two of the Democratic Alliance's (DA) very detailed questions regarding Police Day and completely dodged the questions. We are still in the dark as to how much was spent.

His replies to the two very detailed questions (see parliamentary replies below) were:

"The budget for the 2010 National Police Day is covered in the overall budget of the department on a yearly basis."

And;

"This is National day which is observed every year."

These answers are at the very least problematic, as everyone knows that money was taken out of the Police budget to fund the cop party. What we want to know, however, is how much this event cost and from which particular budget funds were siphoned from. It is completely disingenuous of the Minister to give such a non-answer and creates the impression that the Minister has something to hide. Not only is he dodging the issue, but is also remaining completely unaccountable to South Africans for the enormous amounts of public money spent on this fruitless event.

Furthermore, the Minister's ‘answers' are an insult to Parliamentary procedure. Of the batch of Police replies received yesterday, the Minister failed to adequately answer 9 of the DA's questions, including the questions on Police Day.

The DA has written a formal letter to the Speaker of Parliament to have these questions placed back on the question paper for proper answers. The public has a right to know how much money was wasted by the SAPS Department.


36/1/4/1/201000017
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 157

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 11 FEBRUARY 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 1- 2010)

Date reply submitted : 24 March 2010

157. Ms D Kohler-Barnard (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

(1) (a) What (i) was the total amount budgeted for the 2010 National Police Day event held in Bloemfontein by the SA Police Service, (ii) was the total amount spent on this event and (iii) were the amounts utilised in each province and (b) from what section of the budget will the amount be sourced;

(2) what specific amounts were (a) budgeted and (b) spent on (i) bus transport, (ii) train transport, (iii) any other transport, (iv) accommodation, (v) venue hire, (vi) entertainment, (vii) food and beverages, (viii) overtime pay for officers covering shifts for those attending the event, (ix) overtime pay for officers covering shifts during the period of leave given to attendees after the event and (x) any other costs incurred as a result of holding this event?

NW166E

REPLY:

The budget for the 2010 National Police Day is covered in the overall budget of the department on a yearly basis


36/1/4/1/201000018
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO 158

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 11 FEBRUARY 2010
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 1- 2010)

Date reply submitted : 24 March 2010

158. Ms D Kohler-Barnard (DA) to ask the Minister of Police:

(1) (a) Why was it compulsory for SA Police Service members to attend the 2010 National Police Day event held in Bloemfontein, (b) what would have been the disciplinary ramifications for those who failed to attend, (c) what selection process took place to determine which SAPS members would attend and which not and (d) how many SAPS members (i) were asked to attend the event in each province, (ii) did not return to duty the following Monday morning and (iii) handed in sick leave certificates showing that they were unable to attend the event;

(2) whether the SAPS members who attended the event were considered to be on duty; if not, why not; if so,

(3) whether any action will be taken against those SAPS members who were consuming excessive amounts of alcohol at the event; if not, why not; if so, what action;

(4) (a) how many SAPS members (i) are currently deployed at each police station countrywide and (ii) from each station were asked to attend the event, (b) what was the effect on crime levels in each province in relation to the removal of the SAPS members for the three-day period, including the subsequent leave time taken and (c) who was responsible for the provision of food for SAPS members during the three-day period of travelling and at the event;

(5) whether any animals were slaughtered for this event; if so, (a) how many, (b) at what cost and (c) where?

NW167E

REPLY:
This is National day which is observed every year.