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The Minister of Public Works, Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde, and government spin doctor, Jimmy Manyi, have issued contradictory statements regarding the multimillion rand renovations planned for President Zuma’s official residences.

In a statement released yesterday, the Minister of Public Works stated that she had ordered the cancellation of refurbishments to the Presidential residence in March because the proposed costs were “too high”.

The ink on the Minister’s statement barely had time to dry before Mr Manyi released Cabinet’s contradictory response.

Mr Manyi stated that government did not view the cost of the renovations as “an extravagance”. Rather, he argued that the R400 million price tag was “within our means”. He went on to say that the renovations were needed to ensure that the President could attend to his demanding work schedule, and host foreign dignitaries, in “relative comfort”.

“Relative comfort” according to the Presidency means spending hundreds of millions of rands from the public purse on luxury facilities like a sauna and steam room.

So who should the South African people believe? The Minister who says these renovations are too expensive and has brought them to a halt? Or the government spokesman who says they are justified and work will start soon on the President’s homes?

I will be submitting questions to the Minister of Public Works to ask that she clarify once and for all whether or not these renovations will be taking place, and to explain the contradictory responses issued by government on this matter.

It is not the DA’s questioning of this expenditure that “undermine(s) the dignity” of this administration, as Mr Manyi has asserted. Rather, it is government’s poor judgment in choosing to spend hundreds of millions of rands on supporting the President’s indulgent lifestyle, while millions of South Africans still live in poverty.