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Today in a parliamentary reply to the Democratic Alliance, Minister of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Collins Chabane, revealed that he and his deputy spent almost R550 000 on car hire since March 2010.

In his reply, Minister Chabane stated:

• Between 22 March 2010 and 31 July 2011, he spent over R159 000 on car hire. This equates to R3600 for each of the 44 days cars were hired for the Minister;
• Deputy Minister Dina Pule spent almost R400 000 on car hire over 156 days, which equals a care hire spend of almost R2500 per day.

Reckless spending by cabinet ministers continues to be condoned by government on the grounds that it complies with the provisions of the ministerial handbook. This handbook allows ministers to live a life of luxury at the expense of ordinary South Africans.

The Ministry of Public Service and Administration continues to delay the release of the promised amendments to the handbook, which means that such expenditure continues unabated.

In the Western Cape, the DA-run provincial government implemented a “no frills” ministerial handbook in May of this year, which places strict controls on spending by ministers on expenses such as cars and hotel stays.

It is time that national government does the same.

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

Minister of Public Service and Administration, Roy Padayachie, must ensure that the long awaited amendments to the ministerial handbook are presented and implemented as a matter of urgency, so that cabinet’s excess can finally be curbed.