DIRECTOR-GENERAL: NATIONAL TREASURY
DEPUTY MINISTER OF FINANCE
MINISTER OF FINANCE
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NUMBER 1003 [NW1124E]
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18 MARCH 2011
REPLY RECOMMENDED BY:
MR ANDREW DONALDSON â HEAD PUBLIC FINANCE
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NUMBER 1003 [NW1124E]
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 18 MARCH 2011
Mr N J J v R Koornhof (Cope) to ask the Minister of Finance:
When the National Treasury has any stringent processes in place to ensure
that (a) unauthorised spending and (b) fiscal dumping do not occur at the
end of each financial year; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant
details?
NW1124E
REPLY
Yes, the National Treasury (NT) has procedures in place aimed at preventing
(a) unauthorised expenditure and (b) âfiscal dumpingâ at the end of the
financial year. In keeping with requirements of the Public Finance
Management Act (PFMA), departments are obliged to seek National Treasury
approval if new transfers to other entities are proposed or if transfer
payments provided for in the Appropriation Act are increased. Control is
also exercised through regular consultation with departmental Chief
Financial Officers and monthly monitoring of detailed expenditure reports.
However, the primary responsibility for ensuring that unauthorised or
wasteful spending does not occur rests with the Accounting Officers. The
NT will continue to endeavour to discourage fiscal dumping.