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The Democratic Alliance will submit written parliamentary questions to the Minister of Public Works, Thulas Nxesi, as well as the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Des van Rooyen, regarding his continued five-month stay at an upmarket five star boutique hotel in Pretoria to the tune of R500 000 of what is likely taxpayer rands.

Specifically the DA would like answers to the following:

• Why Mr Van Rooyen isn’t staying in a ministerial residence;
• What refurbishments are allegedly being carried out to Minister Van Rooyen’s ministerial residence;
• At what does the current bill for his stay stand;
• What perks is Minister van Rooyen taking advantage of; and
• When does Minister van Rooyen plan to move out?

This comes after the Mail & Guardian today reported that Minister Van Rooyen’s long-term stay at a five-star boutique hotel in Pretoria, has so far run up a bill of at least half a million rand, calculated as a daily tariff of R4000 for one of the family apartments he occupies.

The government has, first at SONA, and then during Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s budget speech, expressed its commitment to belt-tightening measures. But, when it comes to execution, they clearly prefer to talk the talk, not walk the walk.

South Africa currently experiences soaring food prices, electricity hikes and poor service delivery in many areas and increasing unemployment. The leaders of this country are not in touch with the issues of the average South African and therefore unable to lead by example. Instead, they prefer to hide in their publicly-funded lap of luxury, while South Africans are left without.

The DA questions why Mr Van Rooyen is allowed to languish in luxury, whilst South Africa burns due to the lack of service delivery in ANC-governed districts in local government. We will continue to hold the Executive accountable for negligent and fruitless spending of state funds that should be used to assist the poor.

Issued by DA