National Assembly Question2430
Dr H C van Schalkwyk (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy:
What amount was (a) claimed by and (b) paid to (i) her and (ii) her deputy
minister for subsistence and travel in each month in the 2010-11 financial
year? NW2828E
Reply
Ministers and Deputy Minister's travel and Subsistence are covered by
public service rules and regulations. They are allowed to make subsistence
and travel claims when fulfilling official duty away from their ordinary
places of residence which are in Pretoria and Cape Town.
According to the South African Revenue Service, subsistence allowance is
any allowance given to an employee or a holder of any office for expenses
incurred or to be incurred in respect of personal subsistence and
incidental costs. Therefore subsistence is paid to Ministers and Deputy
Ministers to cover their personal subsistence and incidental costs while
travelling.
Ministers and Deputy Ministers make subsistence and travel claims for
expenses incurred while on official trips, which include, amongst others,
international trips and those journeys away from their ordinary places of
residence. These trips are undertaken to fulfil their ministerial duties,
which include direct interaction with communities as a critical part of
public participation programmes.
Departments ensure that mechanisms are in place to ensure these expenses
are met within the requirements of rules and regulations.
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