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Cape Town - Government spending on car rentals increased to R10.8m for the period January 1 2012 to March 31 2013, according to a statement by the Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday.
"The continued splurging by members of President Jacob Zuma’s Cabinet on luxuries is indicative of a government that is not committed to cutting unnecessary costs," said the DA's shadow minister of transport Ian Ollis.
Replies to DA parliamentary questions revealed that R1.3m was spent by the Public Enterprises, Correctional Services and Social Development Ministries on car hire.
According to the DA, in one instance Public Enterprises Minister Malusi rented a vehicle for just 1 kilometre and paid R2 381.79 for the trip.
"Although the minister argues that the rental was later cancelled, it remains unacceptable that R2 381.79 was paid for a car that was not used."
Public Enterprises Deputy Minister Magwanishe also spent R6 435.00 on a rental which was later cancelled.
"If these trips were cancelled, the funds should have been retrieved."
Ollis said Gigaba racked up a bill of R283 166.41, while Magwanishe spent R200 017.73.
He added that Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini spent R642 904.97 and her deputy, Bongi Ntuli, R142 822.79.
Dlamini’s highest expense was on the hire of an Audi Q7 for R80 419.16.
Minister of Correctional Services S'bu Ndebele and his deputy Ngoako Ramatlhodi spent a total of R126 702.61.
Ollis said that the DA is still waiting for confirmation from the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) Themba Godi after it called last year for a probe into the high expenditure on rental cars.
"We have also asked for more detail on Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's so-called belt-tightening measures - announced in October - and specifically how this is going to be enforced."
Gordhan announced in his mini budget tabled in parliament that government intended to slash perks for all officials, including Zuma.
"Although most government spending is effectively managed, there are many opportunities to cut or minimise costs and stop abuse," he told MPs at the time.
- Fin24
"The continued splurging by members of President Jacob Zuma’s Cabinet on luxuries is indicative of a government that is not committed to cutting unnecessary costs," said the DA's shadow minister of transport Ian Ollis.
Replies to DA parliamentary questions revealed that R1.3m was spent by the Public Enterprises, Correctional Services and Social Development Ministries on car hire.
According to the DA, in one instance Public Enterprises Minister Malusi rented a vehicle for just 1 kilometre and paid R2 381.79 for the trip.
"Although the minister argues that the rental was later cancelled, it remains unacceptable that R2 381.79 was paid for a car that was not used."
Public Enterprises Deputy Minister Magwanishe also spent R6 435.00 on a rental which was later cancelled.
"If these trips were cancelled, the funds should have been retrieved."
Ollis said Gigaba racked up a bill of R283 166.41, while Magwanishe spent R200 017.73.
He added that Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini spent R642 904.97 and her deputy, Bongi Ntuli, R142 822.79.
Dlamini’s highest expense was on the hire of an Audi Q7 for R80 419.16.
Minister of Correctional Services S'bu Ndebele and his deputy Ngoako Ramatlhodi spent a total of R126 702.61.
Ollis said that the DA is still waiting for confirmation from the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) Themba Godi after it called last year for a probe into the high expenditure on rental cars.
"We have also asked for more detail on Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's so-called belt-tightening measures - announced in October - and specifically how this is going to be enforced."
Gordhan announced in his mini budget tabled in parliament that government intended to slash perks for all officials, including Zuma.
"Although most government spending is effectively managed, there are many opportunities to cut or minimise costs and stop abuse," he told MPs at the time.
- Fin24
