“Travel isn’t special”

Special dispensation for

the travel industry from

government is out of the

question and commercial

agreements are therefore

not subject to amendment,

said Phale Naake, the dept.

of labour deputy director:

fleet and travel management

service.

“The Public Finance

Management Act regulates

the income and expenditure

of government, and Treasury

regulates the activities of

government employees.

There cannot

be amendments to

commercial agreements

within the travel industry,

as government cannot be

seen as treating the travel

industry differently from

other industries,” he said.

There are industry

agreements with

government that mandate

payment within 30 days.

But, he admits that some

government departments

are not adhering to this

schedule.

Travel lodge cards could

be used as payment,

but there is limited

understanding on how these

work, Phale said. “More

provinces are exploring

the use of lodge cards,

and government plans to

embark on an education

and awareness campaign

among employees. Treasury

plans to help government

departments driving the use

of lodge cards, he said.