(b) Letter dated 23 January 2003 from the Minister of Sport and Recreation to the Speaker, tabled in terms of section 65(2)(a) of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No 1 of 1999), explaining the delay in the tabling of the Annual Report of the South African Sports Commission:

Dear Madam

In your "Special Report on the delays in the tabling of annual reports for the financial year 2001-2002" the SASC was cited for tabling their annual report late. As such, it is required of me as the Executive Authority to provide an explanation for the late submission of such reports by entities under my jurisdiction.

I have requested the CEO of the SASC to provide me with an explanation for the late submission of their report. I received a letter from Dr. M J Phaahla, CEO of the SASC, on the matter, which I am attaching herewith for your information.

Dr Phaahla, as you will note in his correspondence, indicate that the main reason why the report was tabled late was due to the inability of the printers that they commissioned to deliver on time. You will also note that Dr Phaahla, on behalf of the chairperson of the SASC, Mr Gideon Sam, and the members of the SASC Board, apologise for the unfortunate delay and express their assurance that in future they will avoid this kind of unforeseen embarrassment.

Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Kind regards

B M N Balfour, MP

MINISTER