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.
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.
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.
- Sunday Times
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.
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.
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.
- Sunday Times
1 comment:
ngungunhana said at Aug 23 2009 1:43AM
Bashes: R18 030 369
R43 000 — Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Economic Development held a party to celebrate their budget vote speeches.
R33 300 — Department of Science and Technology budget vote party.
R10.6-million — The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Zweli Mkhize’s inauguration party.
R7-million — Money spent on the opening of the Free State legislature.
R104 407 — Department of Public Service and Administration budget vote party.
R41 558 — Department of State Security budget vote party.
R65 639 — The Department of Health held two parties to celebrate its budget vote speech in the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.
R52 365 — Department of Home Affairs budget vote speech party.
R90 000 — North West Education Department pampered their officials at a day spa.
Vehicles: R18 665 177
R2.4-million — Department of Communications: two new BMW 750is with extras.
R1.7-million — Department of Education: BMW 730D and Range Rover Sport TDV8.
R11-million — Free State Provincial Cabinet: 10 Mercedes-Benz S500s and one Mercedes-Benz S600 for Premier Ace Magashule.
R796 003 — Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Mercedes-Benz S350 plus extras.
R1 362 361 — Department of Police: BMW X5 3.0D and BMW X5 Si.3.0.
R1 406 813 — Department of Science and Technology: two Mercedes-Benz S250s.
Advertising: R6 200 000
R700 000 — Two full colour advertisements in the Sunday Times (R490 000) and the City Press (R209 000) to promote the minister of correctional services’ budget vote speech.
R5.5-million — A new tourism website for the Durban City Council.
Accommodation: R20 442 000
R200 000 — the National Commissioner of Correctional Services and the Gauteng Commissioner have been renting property (R30 000 and R35 000 per month respectively) despite both having access to official residences.
Over R20-million — The South African government has been hosting the ousted Haitian leader Jean-Bertrand Aristide at a cost of R5-million a year since 2004. He enjoys the same privileges as a Cabinet minister (car allowance, security and accommodation).
R242 000 — Parliament spent at least R120 000 hiring hotel venues for committee meetings, despite the availability of parliamentary meeting rooms. Approximately the same amount was spent on accommodation.
Post a Comment