SACP, Cosatu deny rift over cars
2009-09-08 20:06
Johannesburg - There is no rift between the SA Communist Party and the Congress of SA Trade Unions over the issue of ministerial cars, the organisations said on Tuesday.
"The SACP and Cosatu wish to dismiss reports of a supposed rift between our two organisations stemming from Cosatu's views on the issue of the procurement of ministerial vehicles," said the organisations in a joint statement.
The organisations refuted media reports which it said suggested Cosatu's view that vehicles over R1m should be returned, meant it had "turned" on SACP general secretary and Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande.
The organisations said their "fraternal bonds" had withstood time and many testing issues.
"The strength of our relationship allows for open engagement and the holding of different views from time to time."
Trade in cars
On Monday, the union federation urged ministers who bought cars worth a million rand or more to trade them in for more modest vehicles.
It said while it was true that those who purchased top of the range BMWs had acted within the government rules, they had also displayed great insensitivity to the plight of South Africa's poor.
"Spending so much money on vehicles is a slap in the face of the unemployed and people living in shanty towns. It gives politics a bad name."
Cabinet members who have purchased luxury BMWs include Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and Nzimande.
In reaction to Cosatu's call, the SACP defended Nzimande's choice of car and said he would never betray his political ideals for luxury.
"We reject the notion that the general secretary would himself indulge on extravagance and betray the ideals for which he stands," the organisation said at the time.
Spending review
The government recently ordered a spending review which it acknowledged was prompted by public outrage over the cost of ministerial cars.
According to government rules, ministers are entitled to a state-purchased car of a value equivalent to 70% of their annual salary. This equates to roughly R929 000.
On Tuesday, Cosatu and the SACP said while they accepted that the purchase of the vehicles was handled by officials in the department of higher education and training, "Nzimande in his capacity as minister should have taken a more hands-on approach to ensure a more cost effective procurement".
The organisations said they accepted that any vehicle purchased for Nzimande had to take into account his VIP protection security requirements.
"Cde Blade has already expressed regret for any offence caused by this matter and Cosatu accepts this apology."
Communications dept slams Cosatu
The organisations said they would await a response from Cabinet regarding the vehicles.
Also on Tuesday, the communications ministry said it rejected Cosatu's statement that sought to "vilify" politicians who purchased vehicles for official duties.
The ministry said no rules were broken when it purchased Nyanda's vehicle.
"We therefore find it opportunistic for Cosatu to turn a blind eye on all these facts and rather embark on a tirade in a bid to cast aspersions over the minister of communications' conscience."
The ministry said it was absurd for Cosatu to suggest the minister should return his vehicle.
"These vehicles are not personal possessions of the minister, but have been secured only to aid him in meeting his obligations to the Republic."
The ministry said the claim that the ministerial handbook was a product of apartheid was "reckless".
"For the record, the current Ministerial Handbook was reviewed and approved by Cabinet on 7 February 2007, thirteen years into freedom and democracy."
- SAPA