DA: Statement by Kenneth Mubu, Democratic Alliance Shadow Minister of International Relations and Coopertion, on Minister Agnes Nyamande-Pitso (20/09/2009)

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Published: 20 Sep 2009

DA: Statement by Kenneth Mubu, Democratic Alliance Shadow Minister of International Relations and Coopertion, on Minister Agnes Nyamande-Pitso (20/09/2009)

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is appalled by revelations this week that the consul-general to the United Arab Emirates, Agnes Nyamande-Pitso has spent the greater part of the past three years of her diplomatic posting at a series of Dubai's most prestigious, luxurious and expensive hotels and villas. What is quite astonishing is that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation was reported to have said that no concerns were raised about her living arrangements. They site lack of availability of suitable accommodation as a reason for this prolonged stay in the lap of luxury and further claim that the expenses incurred were authorised and within the norms.

This is a wholly inadequate excuse. Once again we have a clear example of the ANC's elite showing absolute disdain for those South Africans living in dire poverty with no hope of relief in sight. The DA will on Monday morning submit parliamentary questions to the minister of International Relations and Cooperation to ascertain exactly how much is spent on accommodation costs for both Ms Nyamande-Pitso and the rest of South Africa's foreign embassies and consulates. We can only hope that when Nyamande-Pitso's term in the UAE ends in December this year, the department will be able to find suitable accommodation for her here in South Africa.