The Acting Head and Accounting Officer of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr Jacob Mgidi would like to clarify the matter relating to the remuneration received by Mr Sikhumbuzo Eric Kholwane, MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, for the financial year ended March 2015.

This follows unfortunate, baseless, irrational and impulsive claims by the Democratic Alliance’s Member of the Provincial Legislature, Mr Bosman Grobler, that MEC Kholwane earned R2, 086, 000.00 as at the end of March 2015 (2014-2015 financial-year).

According to our records and audited financial statements for Vote 6: Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the indicated amount of R1, 773, 192.19 was paid out to two (2) MECs as indicated below:
AMOUNT
PERIOD
PAID TO
R289, 139.14
April – May 2014
Mrs YN Phosa
(Former MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism)
R1, 484, 053.05
June 2014 – March 2015
Mr SE Kholwane
(MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism
Grand Total:
R1, 773, 192.19
April 2014 – March 2015
Two MECs before and after the two (2) Portfolios were merged
The balance of R312, 807.81 (R2, 086, 000.00 – R1, 773, 192.19) was accounted for under Vote 3: Department of Finance for the salary earned by former MEC for Finance, Mr MB Masuku for the period April to May 2014.

To this end, MEC Kholwane earned a total of R1, 484, 053.05 over a period of 10 months, as the MEC of the merged Portfolios of Finance (Provincial Treasury) and Economic Development, Environment and Tourism.

 

See a statement with tables on the attachments.

Issued by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism