Parliament wants to install a special system to monitor MPs attendance, at a cost of R3,5-million to the taxpayer.
This is according to Parliament’s draft budget for next year. It has asked the Treasury for a R797-million budget for 2003, although it is unlikely it will get the full amount. Last year it received R469-million.
Parliament’s budget request for 2003 also includes R2-million for a statue of former president Nelson Mandela, and R9,5-million for the installation of an asset tracking system.
Maintenance of buildings at the parliamentary complex is estimated at R15-million, while the relocation of some parliamentary offices to the South African Revenue Service has a R5-million price-tag.
It is understood National Assembly speaker Dr Frene Ginwala wants the members’ attendance monitoring system because the current system is not reliable.
MPs are expected to fill in an attendance form when they attend sittings of the House, and place it in a special box at the entrance to the House.
However, many arrive for the sittings, fill out the forms, only to leave the House soon after. The new system would entail MPs swiping a card to clock in and out when entering and leaving the House.
The ANC, in an attempt to counter the problem of absenteeism, in August unveiled a plan to fine its MPs up to R2 000 a month should they stay away from work without permission.
ANC MPs were asked to sign consent forms authorising fines to be deducted from their salary cheques. The money would be paid into the party’s caucus fund, he said.
An ANC MP who was absent from Parliament without permission would be fined R500 a time. However, the amount would be capped at R2 000 a month.
On Friday, he said: ”We’re at the tail-end. We expect it to be up and running when MPs return in 2003.” – Sapa