Pretoria – The Department of Social Development says it is not linked to an Audi TT and other luxury vehicles displaying the department’s branding and National Coat of Arms.
The photographs showing the luxury vehicles displaying the department’s branding and National Coat of Arms are currently circulating on social media.
“The department would like to put it on record that these vehicles are not the property of the department nor do the vehicles have any links to the department,” the department said.
The department explained that it procures its official vehicles for use by staff on official business in line with the Public Finance Management Act, Treasury regulations for departments, constitutional institutions, public entities, Parliament and provincial legislatures, as well as the 2013/14 Treasury Instruction on Cost Containment Measures, with which the procurement of luxury vehicles does not comply.
The department also warned that the use of the department’s brand and the National Coat of Arms without permission is a criminal offence.
The department has since instituted an inquiry into the reported use of its brand and National Coat of Arms with the view to taking further action on the matter. – SAnews.gov.za
