Science and technology minister Naledi Pandor is the latest minister to splurge on two luxury vehicles.
Pandor's purchase follows that of communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda, who bought two luxury BMWs at a combined cost of R2.2 million and extra features worth R148 000.
In a response to questions posed in Parliament by the Democratic Alliance, the Department of Science and Technology revealed it had spent R1.4 million on two Mercedes-Benz ML350s.
The cars were fitted with extras which totalled R154 591. These included metallic paint, command navigation, media interface, DVD player, technical off-road package, heated front seats, Xenon active lights, sunroof, run flat tyres and private glass.
In its response to the DA's questions, the department justified its purchase, saying the previous two cars had gearbox faults and had registered141 000km and 106 000km, respectively.
The ministerial handbook, which sets out guidelines for the purchase of official vehicles for political office bearers, says the price of the vehicles must not be greater than 70% of the official's annual salary.
Not the only one
Responses to questions posed to police minister Nathi Mthethwa, in Parliament, revealed he had also recently spent millions on acquiring new cars. The Department of Police revealed it had purchased two new ministerial vehicles for the combined value of R1.3 million.
The minister bought a 2008 BMW X5 3.0D, at a cost of R685 091, which included extras worth R80 000. Mthethwa also received a 2009 BMW X5 Si 3.0, at a cost of R677 270, including extras worth R122 050. The extras included reverse cameras, navigation system, sport suspension, sunroof and electric seat adjustment.
Mthethwa inherited a BMW X5, 2003 model, and an Audi A8 2006 model from previous minister Charles Nqakula. The department said both vehicles were “mechanically unsound” and had to be replaced. In its reply, it also noted the cars were purchased in terms of the ministerial handbook.
Minister of basic education Angie Motshekga also recently splashed out on a new Range Rover Sport TDV8, at a cost of R809 592. She also purchased a BMW 730D, at a cost of R894 500. The department said one of the vehicles was bought to replace the existing vehicle, which will reach its end of life this month.
Tightening belts
Collins Chabane, minister responsible for performance, monitoring and evaluation, while defending ministers' purchases, said spending has to be re-evaluated to match the current government concerns.
Chabane added Cabinet had recognised the “sensitivity of this matter” and government expenditure in the context of the economic meltdown would be re-assessed.
A task team, comprising minister of finance Pravin Gordhan, Chabane and Richard Baloyi, minister of public service and administration, was established for this purpose. The team will advise Cabinet on how matters of this nature can be handled.
Chabane, however, stood by the ministers, saying all purchases were within lawful guidelines set out for them in the ministerial handbook. He added that vehicle purchases are left to the ministers' discretion.
“The political office bearers have not broken any rules and are not at fault for following the rules. The official vehicles, which belong to the state, have been acquired for them by their departments in strict compliance with the regulations as contained in the ministerial handbook,” he noted.
Related stories:
DOC hits back over BMWs
Minister Big Spender
Share