Government ’living large’ while citizens feel the pain

Government ‘wasted R79m since July’

The government has wasted R79 million since the DA set up a wasteful expenditure monitor in mid-July.

See here http://www.da.org.za/campaigns.htm?action=view-page&category=7034&sub-page=7036

DA MP Lindiwe Mazibuko said a further R3 million had been wasted in recent weeks.

"The DA has identified an additional four examples of the ANC government’s culture of unnecessary spending," Mazibuko said today.

"We will today update our Wasteful Expenditure Monitor by R3 million, bringing the total amount wasted by the new ANC administration to approximately R79 million."

Mazibuko said in one case the North West education department had spent around R90,000 on "pampering" 43 directors and chief directors at a day spa outside Pretoria.

"They chose the spa’s exotic full day package which cost R2099 per person," she said.

The DA had counted R242,242 in wasteful expenditure by Parliamentary committees, which held meetings and workshops at luxury hotels, rather than in Parliament.

The participating MPs were lodged at luxury hotels.

The department of science and technology had spent R1.4 million on two Mercedes Benz ML350s for Minister Naledi Pandor at a cost of R1.4 million.

The department of police spent R1.3 million on two new BMWs.

Mazibuko however, welcomed an announcement by the Cabinet earlier this week that the minister of finance had tabled a draft report with proposals aimed at reducing wasteful spending.

"The objectives of the proposals include addressing public concerns that government is ’living large’ while citizens are feeling the pain caused by the economic downturn," government spokesman Themba Maseko said.