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The Democratic Alliance (DA) has today updated the Wasteful Expenditure Monitor, and the increased total now stands at R318 million, due largely to the SABC's complete lack of internal control and financial chaos, as well as the cost of more luxury vehicles for ministers and their deputies. The Department of Education continues to be one of the biggest spenders, splashing out between R100-R267 000 on a budget vote party. This follows the R1,2 million spent by both the minister of basic education and the minister of higher education on new luxury vehicles. This lavish spending by the ANC-led government shows no sign of abating, as President Jacob Zuma publicly calls for financial austerity but repeatedly fails to act on those that don't listen to him. All bark and no bite results in public officials who fear no consequences. This increase of R115 million, a result of money spent purely on luxuries and wasted as if financial imprudence has no consequences, is a direct result of the following incidences of overspending in government:
Amount Details Department Responsible
R900,000 A reply to a Democratic Alliance parliamentary question has revealed that the Department of Water and Environmental affairs has purchased a R900,000 BMW for deputy minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi. Department of Water and Environmental Affairs Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi
R235 000 Through a parliamentary question, the DA uncovered the fact that the Department of Police had splurged out R235 000 on a luxury hotel. Minister of Police - Nathi Mtethwa
R383 618 Economic Development MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu has used his own car for government business, and has claimed a total of R383 618.07 for four months travel expenses. In the response by Economic Development MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu to a parliamentary question, he states that between May 11 and the end of August, he was paid a total of R383 618.07 for using his car on official business (travel claims). In May he was paid R93 778.18, in June R110 165.82, in July R95 771.93 while in August, he was paid R83 902.14.
R1.2 million A BMW 7 Series was bought for former Finance Minister, Trevor Manuel, at a cost of R1.2-million and included R100,000 in unnecessary accessories. Minister in the Presidency, Trevor Manuel
R33 330 Department of Science and Technology - Budget vote party Department of Science and Technology
R111.46 million A report by the Auditor General has revealed fruitless, wasteful and irregular expenditure of R111.46 million - which was paid for the acquisition of international programme content -"double payments, overpayments, material paid for but not received, programme titles acquired more than once from the same supplier during the same license period." No corrective action taken by the former GCEO, despite his knowledge thereof. SABC
R1.6 million A reply to a Democratic Alliance parliamentary question reveals that Deputy Police Minister Fikile Mbalula has spent R1.6-million on two new ministerial vehicles, including R83 879 on extras like ceramic surround controls, an off road package, media interface and a multi-contour seat package. Deputy Police Minister Fikile Mbalula
R267 044 The Minister of Basic Education responded to a DA parliamentary question and admitted to spending R267 000 on two budget vote parties Department of Education

As part of its oversight role as the official opposition, the DA introduced the Wasteful Expenditure Monitor as a means of measuring the extent of the ANC government's fruitless and wasteful expenditure of public funds, and to demonstrate how often the needs of the ANC elite are put before the needs of ordinary South Africans.

The DA once again calls on government departments and members of the executive to do the right thing and, following the example of the DA provincial government in the Western Cape, implement measures to monitor and cut back on unnecessary government spending. We will continue to monitor the situation and make the necessary additions to the Wasteful Expenditure Monitor as and when they occur.