NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION 1939
Mr G R Krumbock to ask the Minister of Energy:
a) How many (i) international flights and (ii) domestic flights were
undertaken by (aa) him and (bb) his deputy minister using (aaa)
military aircraft, (bbb) chartered aircraft or (ccc) commercial
aircraft during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified
date for which information is available, (b) what class did he and
his deputy minister travel in each case and (c) what amount did his
department spend with regard to each specified flight? NW2177E
REPLY
Ministers and Deputy Ministers may use business class / first class travel
for official purposes at the expense of their Departments. Official trips
include, amongst others, those travelled from Pretoria to Cape Town for
Parliamentary Sittings and appearances, as well as international trips,
which require Ministers to execute official duties.
All flights are used for official duty and this is an enabling factor for
Public Participation Programmes of Ministers who have to meet demanding
schedules.
Members may use the South African Airforce aircraft for official purposes,
when available and under certain circumstances and for reasons including if
the facilities of other airlines are not cost-effective and / or readily
available in the specific instance.
Members may also use chartered aircraft for official purposes and for
reasons including if the facilities of other airlines are not cost-
effective and / or readily available in a specific instance.
The Ministry (and its support staff) is responsible for determining the
cost-effectiveness of all trips carried out by Ministers and Deputy
Ministerâs and ensure that the intended journeys meet the requirements of
relevant guidelines.