'Pule spends recklessly'

Communications minister Dina Pule has been accused of reckless spending by the Democratic Alliance (DA).

Pule was instated as minister of communications in October as part of a Cabinet reshuffle by president Jacob Zuma. She replaced then minister Roy Padayachie, who became minister of public service and administration (PSA).

Pule was deputy minister for performance, monitoring and evaluation (PME) in the presidency. She was previously deputy minister of communications during Siphiwe Nyanda's term as minister.

In response to a parliamentary question yesterday, PME minister Collins Chabane said he and Pule, as his then deputy, spent almost R550 000 on car hire since March 2010.

He added that between 22 March 2010 and 31 July 2011, he spent over R159 000 on car hire.

“This equates to R3 600 for each of the 44 days cars were hired for the minister,” says DA deputy spokesperson on PSA Geordin Hill-Lewis.

The minister also said Pule spent almost R400 000 on car hire over 156 days, which equals a car hire spend of almost R2 500 per day.

He adds that while the release of the promised amendments to the handbook is delayed, such expenditure continues unabated.

“The spending habits of Cabinet members show a deep disregard for the needs of the millions of South Africans who live in poverty.”

The DA's deputy spokesperson calls on Padayachie to ensure the long-awaited amendments are presented and implemented as a matter of urgency, “so that Cabinet's excess can finally be curbed”.

PME spokesperson Harold Maloka explains that when a minister is out of Gauteng or out of Cape Town, they have to hire cars and the cars they hire will be of similar standard to the ones they normally have.

“The majority of the time they are out of these provinces. So it's not reckless spending in any way. When they are out of the province there is no other way but to hire a car.”

He adds that when Pule went to the department as deputy minister, it was the first time there was such a position in the presidency and so there wasn't a car for her.

Pule was appointed in November 2010 and a car was only obtained for her in June, so she had to use hired cars in the meantime.

“The minister had his own car but when car hire will reflect in Gauteng is when his car was taken for service. Cars were hired while his car was at service so that he could continue to carry out his duties.”

DA communications shadow minister Natasha Michael said, in October, that the change from Padayachie to Pule came out of nowhere.

“I'm completely shocked. I think Roy Padayachie was doing an excellent job. He knew the field inside and out.”

Her concern regarded the fact that Pule served as deputy minister of communications while Nyanda was minister. “I sincerely hope she doesn't follow in his way of doing things.”

Nyanda's term of office from May 2009 until November 2010 was marred by controversy at the start. This included the buying of two BMW cars valued at more than R1 million each, and his stay at luxury hotels costing more than R500 000, during a period of economic austerity.

Pearl Seopela, chief director of communications at the Department of Communications, said Pule would provide comment on the car hire matter this morning, but this did not materialise.