The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

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.

The reply reveals he spent R832 700 on a new BMW 7 series, and R759 529 on a new Mercedes ML500.

The BMW 7 series comes with an "innovations package", which includes:
• Ceramic surround controls,
• Ambient interior lighting,
• Adaptive headlights,
• High beam assist,
• Lane departure warning,
• Lane change warning, and
• Rear view camera
The Mercedes-Benz has been fitted with an "off road package" including:
• Media interface,
• Privacy glass,
• Multi-contour seat package, and
• Exterior spare wheel carrier.
This is yet another act of gross self-indulgence from a member of the ANC's cabinet. All of the gesturing and rhetoric is clearly just window dressing - at the end of the day many ANC members appear to be interested in one thing and one thing alone: how to advance their wealth and lifestyles.

Meanwhile, another DA parliamentary question has revealed that deputy minister of water and environmental affairs Rejoice Mabudafhasi had spent close to R900 000 on yet another new ministerial BMW. This kind of expenditure is ridiculous. So far we have ascertained that a total of over R40.5-million has been spent, however, with 4 ministers and 12 deputy ministers still to respond to Democratic Alliance parliamentary questions, and with details of the expenditure of most of the country's MECs still outstanding, it is likely that the final figure will be a great deal higher than that. Indeed, if every minister, deputy minister, premier and MEC were to spend the full amount allowed by the government handbook, the total cost could spiral as high as R240-million.

Only in the DA's Western Cape administration, where no MECs have purchased any new vehicles, and the Premier is using cars from the existing government garage stock, is there a genuine commitment to austerity, and are funds genuinely being shifted away from luxuries, and towards delivering services and building infrastructure.

It is also quite absurd for the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, to claim that Mbalula's previous vehicle - a 2006 model Mercedes Benz E350 - needed to be replaced because its high mileage constitutes a "security risk".

If the ANC thinks that a three year old car is a security risk, its members have clearly entirely lost touch with reality.