IT seems unlikely that the state will be able to claim back more than R100000 from former Arts, Culture, Science and Technology deputy minister Winnie Madikizela-Mandela for unauthorised expenses relating to overseas travel, because too much time has lapsed. That’s according to chief parliamentary law adviser Anton Meyer, who explained the issue to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts on Monday. Meyer, quoting a Stellenbosch law professor, said that the Prescription Act of 1969 provides in essence that a debt is cancelled after a prescribed time of five years. The Act is meant to protect a debtor from stale claims that the creditor has not enforced diligently. During the 1996-1997 financial year, Madikizela-Mandela incurred expenses to the tune of R112960 relating to air travel and subistence expenses when she was still employed by the state in 1994.
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