R1.4bn upgrades to ministers' homes

The Public Works Department is currently upgrading the official residences of the president, deputy president and Cabinet ministers in Cape Town and Pretoria at a total cost of approximately R1.4 billion - report

Die Burger reported on Friday that this comes amid the growing scandal over the upgrade to President Jacob Zuma's private residence in Nkandla, at an estimated cost of R248m.

According to submissions by the public works department:

 - R404m is being spent on 17 ministerial residences on the Fernwood estate at an average cost of R23.7m each

- A R192m project is under way at Mahlamba Ndlopfu, the president’s official residence in Pretoria

- R13.7m has been allocated for maintenance of and repairs to Oliver Tambo House, the official residence of the deputy president.

- A R105m project is under way to build a new luxury VIP residence in Pretoria

These estates form part of the department's 'prestige portfolio'. Building work has already started at the four state properties occupied by the president, deputy president, ministers and their deputies.

- Sowetan