Zuma talks tough on credit card cutback

Cape Town - The process of taking back government credit cards from all political office bearers and government officials has started, President Jacob Zuma told MPs on Wednesday.

"Ministers have already been informed formally of this decision, and other spheres of government are being formally notified as well," he said, responding to a question in the National Assembly.

Tabling the mini budget, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan announced a clampdown on government spending, including the use of credit cards.


"No new credit cards to be issued, and existing ones to be cancelled immediately," he said at the time.

Zuma said the credit cards were "being withdrawn completely".

Amendments to Treasury regulations on credit cards would be published for public comment on Wednesday.

On credit card abuse, he said those guilty of this would be dealt with.

"In instances where there has been credit card abuse in the past, the transgressors will be dealt with according to the appropriate regulations and structures."

The processes to be followed in such cases were outlined in executive and parliamentary ethics codes, the Public Service Act, the Public Finance Management Act, and Treasury regulations.

On whether the presidency was included in the cost-cutting measures, he assured the House these were "across the board", and included the presidency.

SOURCE : NEWS 24