Ministers splash on posh hotel again, still

Ministers splurge at hotel

Two government ministers have splashed out on accommodation in an exclusive hotel, flying in the face of calls by President Jacob Zuma that officials tighten their belts in the economic crisis.

Minister of defence Lindiwe Sisulu and KwaZulu-Natal MEC for economic development and tourism Mike Mabuyakhulu stayed at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Umhlanga Rocks, north of Durban — a favourite of England’s Prince Harry and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan.

The Beverly Hills boasts the province’s first butler service for VIP guests. Its cheapest rooms are more than R3000 a night, while suites cost more than R5000.

Their extravagance comes as the government moves to cut wasteful spending and address concerns that officials are “living large”.

According to the national Treasury, the government’s revenue shortfall is projected at R60-billion this year.

A ministerial task team was established this month to develop guidelines to slash big spending. It has already submitted a draft report to cabinet.

Minister of defence Lindiwe Sisulu (right)

Sisulu’s spokesman Ndivhuwo Mabaya confirmed that she had stayed at the hotel on August 7 after being called to an urgent meeting with President Jacob Zuma.

“Accommodation had to be arranged at short notice. The Beverly Hills was the most suitable accommodation and by far the most cost effective as it charges us government rates, which makes it the cheapest in relation to the security requirements of any minister.”

Bheko Madlala, Mabuyakhulu’s spokesman, said the MEC had hosted a two-day conference at Sibaya Casino and Entertainment World outside Umhlanga on August 6 and 7. There are two hotels on the premises.

“On the first day , the MEC hosted a dinner which went well into midnight. Because of its proximity to the conference centre, the Beverly Hills was the only available accommodation on the day.”

Priya Naidoo from Southern Sun, which owns the Beverly Hills, would not disclose the group’s “specific” government rates.

But Gerhard Patzer, the Hilton’s general manager, said his and most hotels in Durban offered discounts to government officials.

MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu

Themba Godi, the chairman of the standing committee on public accounts, said it was unacceptable that ministers appeared to have ignored cheaper hotels where government had standing arrangements.

“Ministers should lead by example. President Zuma has made announcements that culture and attitudes should change,” he said.

More than R200 000 was spent on parliamentary committees meetings and workshops at luxury hotels in Cape Town rather than at parliament

MPs also stayed overnight at these hotels;

The North West education department spent about R90 000 to pamper 43 directors and chief directors at a day spa outside Pretoria;

The Department of Police bought two new luxury BMWs for ministerial use, equipped with extras like reverse cameras and a navigation system, for R1.3-million.

Kuben Naidoo, the national Treasury’s budget head, who is working with the ministerial task team, said the Treasury would issue extensive cost-containment guidelines, including cellphone expenditure, car hire and hotels. Spending on travel in some departments was “over the top”, he said.