Media reports stating that the Presidency will increase its staff complement are grossly incorrect and misleading.

It would appear that the media is confusing the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) with the Presidency, which is the Office of the President.

The DPME is not a component of the Presidency. It is a standalone independent department with its own Executive Authority, Minister Jeff Radebe, its own administration, accounting officer and Budget Vote.

The Executive Authority of the Presidency is President Jacob Zuma and the office supports the President and the Deputy President. The Presidency will not be increasing its staff complement at all. It will abide by the cost-cutting measures in full as announced by the President and the Minister of Finance.

It is common for some journalists to confuse DPME with the Presidency because Minister Radebe is Minister in the Presidency. Minister Radebe runs a full independent Ministry like all other Ministers. He has two departments reporting to him, namely the DPME and Statistics SA.

Enquiries: Bongani Majola on 082 339 1993 or bonganim@presidency.gov.za

Source: The Presidency Republic of South Africa