While communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda's spokesman says the issue over the minister's Cape Town accommodation costs is now over, Cope MP Juli Kilian says it is not and the party will prepare more questions.
A written reply to Kilian's parliamentary questions, concerning Nyanda's accommodation in luxury Cape Town hotels and that of his staff and bodyguards, reveals the costs totalled R515 118.92 from April 2009 until March 2010. This is despite the minister being entitled to an official house.
“The minister only received the keys to his house from the Department of Public Works this year and since then he has been staying in his official residence,” says Department of Communications (DOC) spokesman Tiyani Rikhotso.
Rikhotso says it is up to the Department of Public Works to determine when the ministers can move into their official accommodation and that media reports, that Nyanda had insisted on cosmetic changes, were “nonsense”.
Kilian, however, dismisses this and says in less than a year in Cabinet, Nyanda has demonstrated no sense of public accountability and an insatiable taste for luxury.
“He earned himself the questionable title of caviar and silk minister during times of economic hardship when political leaders have to tighten their belts - he sets a despicable example for the public service and the DOC,” she says.
Nyanda's reply to Killian states he did not answer her question about the breakdown of costs incurred to accommodate him, his staff and bodyguards as the DOC recently changed travel agents and is still in the process of reconciling its books. This information, the reply says, will only be available at a later stage.
“The response is disingenuous - travel agents will have details to reveal who else stayed there and will know the per-day rate of suites occupied. The DOC does not want to reveal the details. Cope will probe further and again submit questions to that effect,” Kilian says.
Kilian also pointed to the fact that the DOC is supposed to be cutting costs.
“How can he expect his department to cut costs if he rakes in all the comforts of high office - a car package of more than R3 million, renovations to an already comfortable state residence and then luxurious hotel accommodation. While, at the same time, profiting from the awarding of irregular tenders to his private company,” she says.
Nyanda has repeatedly come under fire for government tenders awarded to General Nyanda Security Risk Advisory Services, which is 50%-owned by Nyanda.
Share