The Minister of Finance Mr Trevor A. Manuel, MP will present the National Budget to Parliament on Wednesday 20 February 2008. Journalists will be given early access to the documents in a media lock-up under police surveillance in order to allow for a careful study and to assist with timely and thorough coverage of the Budget.
Lock-ups have been arranged both in Cape Town at Parliament and in Pretoria at the offices of the National Treasury. To ensure and maintain the integrity of the lock-up arrangements, it is of utmost importance that no information contained in any of the documents prior to the lifting of the embargo on 20 February 2008 is leaked, as this would seriously jeopardise future arrangements for all media.
Cape Town: 100 Plein Street Building for PGA journalists and the Imbizo Media Centre for non PGA members.
All journalists attending the lock-ups, which include a media briefing, are required to confirm their details by no later than 8 February 2008. Journalists are also expected to personally sign for the documents as proof that they accept and will comply with the conditions and lock-up rules.
As no communication of any nature either by telephone, e-mail or any other means is allowed during the lock-up, we recommend that journalists from the PGA who will not be working on the budget work from elsewhere, until 14h00 on the day.
Cellphones are to be switched off throughout the duration of the lock-up.
Nobody will be allowed to leave the lock-up before the Minister begins his speech at around 14h00.
National Treasury officials will be available in case of any emergencies, and journalists should request any assistance from them.
Refreshments will be served at 09h30 and 12h30. The lock-up will end at 14h00, or when the Minister begins to speak in Parliament.
We expect the proceedings in the National Assembly to commence at 14h00. Although every effort will be made to ensure that the Minister delivers his speech at 14h00, the embargo will end only once the Minister begins to speak in Parliament.
If you are attending the Cape Town lock-up, please confirm your details with Sinombulelo Mlisa on (012) 315 5170 or at Sinombulelo.mlisa@treasury.gov.za.
If you are attending the Pretoria lock-up, please confirm your details with either Boitumelo Kwele on (012) 315 5275 or at Boitumelo.kwele@treasury.gov.za.
315 5518 or at sinazo.kali@treasury.gov.za.
All documentation will be available on our website, www.treasury.gov.za from 14h00.