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In an obtuse and disingenuous response to a Democratic Alliance (DA) parliamentary question, the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, has revealed that ahead of the 2010 World Cup, the SAPS spent R315 000 on 10 billboards which comprised of a giant photo of the Minister of Police with a caption reading "Come FIFA 2010 World Cup, we are ready".

In explaining the decision to spend such a large amount on self-promotion, the Minister stated, "This message had to show that the leadership of the country was making this assurance". The Minister says the investment was justified by the fact that the tournament went well. A copy of the reply follows below.

What the Minister does not answer, is the following part of the question: What was the purpose of displaying his photograph on each of these billboards?

If the purpose was a message, why was a large portion of the billboard filled by Mthethwa's beaming smile? The photograph of the Minister takes up almost a quarter of the entire billboard. However flimsy the justification for the message - public money should be spent on doing a job, not assuring them that you are doing it - one is left with the distinct impression that the purpose was for self promotion.

Here is a picture of the billboard:

This kind of behaviour is sadly common amongst the executive. Minister Nthethwa's cabinet colleague, Minister of Transport Sbu Ndebele, paid R1.5 million for a 24 page glossy self promotional colour pamphlet that appeared in numerous newspapers earlier this year - and which contained 27 photos of himself.

This is not an isolated incident and is in the broader context of a Police Department - and particularly its leadership - which has a history of wasteful expenditure. The new administration has spent at least R7.5 million on wasteful and self-indulgent items, including luxury vehicles, luxury hotel stays and luxury homes. We will be adding the billboard expenditure to the wasteful expenditure monitor. The below table details some of these items.

Breakdown of the Department's luxury spending:

• BMW X5 3.0D - Bought by Minister Nathi Mthethwa - Cost: R 685 091.00 - The price includes extras, such as reverse cameras; navigation system; sport suspension; sunroof; and electric seat adjustment.
• BMW X5 3.0D - Bought by Minister Nathi Mthethwa - Cost: R 677 270.00 - The price includes extras, such as reverse cameras; navigation system; sport suspension; sunroof; and electric seat adjustment
• BMW 740i - Bought by Deputy Minister Fikile Mbalula - Cost: R 832 700.00 - The price includes extras, to the value of R35 800.00, including a rear view camera, ceramic surround for controls, ambient interior lighting, adaptive headlights, high beam assist, lane departure warning and lane change warning.
• Mercedes-Benz ML500 - Bought by Deputy Minister Fikile Mbalula - Cost: R 759 529.00 - The price includes extras, to the value of R48 079.00 and which included an off road package, media interface, privacy glass, multi-contour seat package and ext. spare wheel carrier
• 66 days at the Table Bay Hotel - Departmental officials benefiting: Minister Nathi Mthethwa and eight officials - Cost: R 234 875.67 - The hotel offers five star accommodation. The Minister stayed in the Presidential Suite for one night and four body guards in luxury rooms for four nights.
• Intermitted residence at the Durban Hilton Hotel - Departmental officials benefiting: Minister Nathi Mthethwa and various officials - Cost: R 570 000.00 - The hotel offers five star accommodation.
• A new ‘official residence' - Departmental officials benefiting: National police commissioner Bheki Cele - Cost: R 3 374 092.00 - According to reports, several less luxurious official residences were available in Silverton.
• Billboards with giant photos of the Minister - Departmental official involved: Minister Nathi Mthethwa - Cost: R 315 000.00 - 10 billboards across South Africa which display photos of the Minister's face and the words, "Come Fifa 2010 World Cup. We are ready"

Total expenditure: R 7 448 557.67

In future, if the SAPS have R300 000 to spare, it would be better spent towards, for example, making 10111 call centres work more efficiently or perhaps paying for equipment for police stations and bullet proof vests, instead of billboards with pictures of the Minister.