Free flights and new beds for government officials and their families – all paid for by you

The government has splurged millions of rands on pampering MPs, with taxpayers footing the bill.

The frivolous spending occurred while thousands of people lost their jobs during the pandemic and has continued even now as South Africans have faced challenging economic times with high living costs, inflation, unemployment, and interest rate hikes.

This spending includes nearly R1.8 million on new beds in 2019, R1.6 million on transport for MPs and their children and sprucing up their houses to the tune of R51 million – among other things, the Sunday Times reported.

The interest in the government’s spending on its MPs came into focus following reports of plans to scrap the R5,000 ceiling on the portion of ministers’ utility bills, allowing ministers and deputies unlimited free electricity and water.

It was after this that the Sunday Times submitted an enquiry with the department of public works and infrastructure (DPWI) about the current scope of the perks and luxuries afforded to MPs, which Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) CEO Wayne Duvenage simply described as complete “madness”.

According to the DPWI’s disclosures, other benefits afforded to MPs, include free flights for spouses and children and very low rent and utility bills.

An ordinary MP earns more than R1 million a year, while a minister earns just over R2.4 million, with deputies pocketing a little over R2 million.

“These funds could be put to much better use in dealing with pit latrines, bucket toilets, and bridges over rivers to get kids to school. Think of all the problems we have, and we have to waste money like this. It’s unacceptable,” said Duvenage.

Duvenage added that it was time for the government and civil society to hold a national dialogue on the kind of benefits dished out to public representatives, given the state of the economy, poverty levels and rising social inequality, the Sunday Times said.

However, after suggestions of scrapping the R5,000 ceiling on the portion of ministers’ utility bills was met with public outrage, president Cyril Ramaphosa made a U-turn on perks and luxuries for South Africa’s millionaire ministers, announcing that he is withdrawing the 2022 amendments to the ministerial handbook, and sending the guide for review.

Through his spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, the president said that the message from South Africans over the perks was loud and clear.

“President Ramaphosa has ordered the withdrawal process of the presidential minute on the Executive Memebers’ guide – commonly known as the ministerial handbook – of 2022. The withdrawal will give effect to the 2019 version of the guide, pending a review,” Magwenya said.

The handbook is currently under review.

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