The government is spending almost R400-million renovating President Jacob Zuma's official residences and office in Cape Town and homes for the cabinet.
Replying to a written question in parliament yesterday, Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde said new additions included steam rooms, fireplaces and chandeliers.
Asked for a total cost breakdown of the R168-million renovation of Mahlambandlopfu, Zuma's official residence in Pretoria, Mahlangu-Nkabinde said the money had been spent on the restoration and installation of new security and recreation facilities. The refurbishments included the:
His office in Cape Town - Tuynhys - has been upgraded at a cost of R24.4-million, with furnishings to the value of R778,000 included in the package.
Mahlangu-Nkabinde also revealed that the Bryntirion cabinet complex in Pretoria, where ministers and their deputies live when in the capital, was due to undergo renovations projected to cost more than R192-million.
She said the money would be spent on installing a new fence at a cost of R42-million. A further R15-million would be used to build a generator room, whereas an additional R22-million had been set aside for electrical reticulation.
"It must be noted that the above estimated costs have been checked and verified by our department," said Mahlangu-Nkabinde.
"It is the market that determines the construction cost."
DA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip, who asked the parliamentary question, said the costs were exorbitant.
He said the money could have been used to build more than 7,000 RDP houses.
Zuma's spokesman, Mac Maharaj, could not be reached for comment.
Observers are likely to criticise the expensive renovations as an initiative that went against government's austerity measures aimed at curbing spending on unnecessary items.
In August, it emerged that the government had spent R183-million on renovating 34 homes of ministers and other senior government leaders in Cape Town.
This included the revamping of a custom-built home for deputy speaker Nomandia Mfeketo at a cost of R8-million.
- Timeslive
Replying to a written question in parliament yesterday, Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde said new additions included steam rooms, fireplaces and chandeliers.Asked for a total cost breakdown of the R168-million renovation of Mahlambandlopfu, Zuma's official residence in Pretoria, Mahlangu-Nkabinde said the money had been spent on the restoration and installation of new security and recreation facilities. The refurbishments included the:
- Construction of a sauna and changing facilities;
- Revamping of a swimming pool;
- Upgrading of security measures, including an escape route;
- Provision of wooden doors and windows;
- Restoration of a fireplace and chandeliers;
- Erection of a new electronic security surveillance system;
- Installation of lights along the pathways and driveways; and
- Installation of a fire-detection system.
- The government has also forked out a further R13.5-million to renovate Genadendal, Zuma's Cape Town state house.
His office in Cape Town - Tuynhys - has been upgraded at a cost of R24.4-million, with furnishings to the value of R778,000 included in the package.
Mahlangu-Nkabinde also revealed that the Bryntirion cabinet complex in Pretoria, where ministers and their deputies live when in the capital, was due to undergo renovations projected to cost more than R192-million.
She said the money would be spent on installing a new fence at a cost of R42-million. A further R15-million would be used to build a generator room, whereas an additional R22-million had been set aside for electrical reticulation.
"It must be noted that the above estimated costs have been checked and verified by our department," said Mahlangu-Nkabinde.
"It is the market that determines the construction cost."
DA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip, who asked the parliamentary question, said the costs were exorbitant.
He said the money could have been used to build more than 7,000 RDP houses.
Zuma's spokesman, Mac Maharaj, could not be reached for comment.
Observers are likely to criticise the expensive renovations as an initiative that went against government's austerity measures aimed at curbing spending on unnecessary items.
In August, it emerged that the government had spent R183-million on renovating 34 homes of ministers and other senior government leaders in Cape Town.
This included the revamping of a custom-built home for deputy speaker Nomandia Mfeketo at a cost of R8-million.
- Timeslive
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