Wasteful spending hits R318m

2009-10-16 14:46

Cape Town - Government's wasteful spending now stands at R318m, due largely to the SABC's complete lack of internal control and financial chaos, as well as the cost of more luxury vehicles for ministers and their deputies, the DA said on Friday.

The education department continued to be one of the biggest spenders, splashing out up to R267 000 on a budget vote party, DA Chief Whip Ian Davidson said.

This follows the R1.2m spent by both the minister of basic education and the minister of higher education on new luxury vehicles.

"This lavish spending by the ANC-led government shows no sign of abating, as President Jacob Zuma publicly calls for financial austerity but repeatedly fails to act on those that don't listen to him," Davidson said.

"All bark and no bite results in public officials who fear no consequences."

Spent on luxuries

The latest increase was a result of money spent purely on luxuries and wasted as if financial imprudence had no consequences.

Among other things, a reply to a DA parliamentary question revealed that the water and environmental affairs department had bought a R900 000 BMW for Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi.

Through another parliamentary question, the DA uncovered the fact that the police department had splurged out R235 000 on luxury hotel accommodation for Minister Nathi Mthethwa.

Economic Development MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu had used his own car for government business, and claimed a total of R383 618.07 for four months travel expenses.

A BMW 7 Series was bought for Minister in the Presidency Trevor Manuel at a cost of R1.2m and included R100 000 in "unnecessary accessories".

Another reply to a parliamentary question revealed that Deputy Police Minister Fikile Mbalula had spent R1.6m on two new ministerial vehicles, including R83 879 on extras.

Davidson said, as part of its oversight role as the official opposition, the DA introduced the Wasteful Expenditure Monitor as a means of measuring the extent of the ANC government's fruitless and wasteful expenditure of public funds, and to "demonstrate how often the needs of the ANC elite are put before the needs of ordinary South Africans".

- SAPA