1. (a) No. And no to all subsequent sections to the question.
(b) Yes. The DDG: Tax Policy and Financial Regulations was requested by the Minister to brief the study group on certain items that were before the parliamentary committees.
(i) Yes
(ii) Yes
(aa) To discuss legislation before the parliamentary committees
(bb) (aaa) LC August and T Plaatjie
(bbb) Ministerial Parliamentary Liaison Officers
(cc) Upon request, usually during Parliamentary sessions.
(dd) Finance and Appropriation study groups
2. The Code of Conduct for Public Service (Chapter 2 of the Public Service Regulations, 2001, as amended) stipulates:
(a) An employee may not does not abuse her or his position in the public service to promote or prejudice the interest of any political party or interest group (regulation C.2.7)
(b) An employee must refrain from party political activities in the workplace (regulation C.3.7).
However, officials of a department may and should communicate with, and consult, relevant role players on policy and legislative proposals. Relevant role players include the study group of any political party for a Parliamentary committee. Furthermore, if a Minister is invited to a study group meeting in their capacity as the Minister, i.e. as a member of the executive, they may nominate an official to represent or attend on their behalf.
On the direction of the Minister, officials have also met Members of Parliament of various political parties to provide clarity on Legislative and policy matters.