Cape Town – Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala has shifted the blame for irregular expenditure on state-owned properties, saying that unscrupulous service providers, rather than public officials, are responsible.
According to Times Live, Zikalala announced an inquiry into “hugely inflated prices” following revelations that his department had spent R93 million on luxury upgrades at ministerial homes.
The spending included R400 000 on pest control in just three months.
“We are decrying exorbitant amounts of money that are being charged by some service providers for maintenance projects in state properties.
“We are determined to get to the bottom of these charges and fully understand how they were arrived at. We are launching an investigation into the procurement practices and this must extend to the service providers that rendered these services.
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“The recent episodes of these transactions puts a stain on the public representatives as they are excluded by law from engaging in procurement matters,” the report quoted Zikalala as saying.
Meanwhile, according to News24, his deputy Bernice Swarts said that the Public Works and Infrastructure Department was responsible for the prestigious accommodations and movable assets provided to the president, deputy president, ministers, and deputy ministers.
“We carry the mandate to ensure that all clients occupying these residences are housed safely and their needs are addressed,” she said.
The DA said over the weekend that it was submitting a complaint to the Public Protector about what appeared to be “brazen corruption and tender inflation” in the upkeep of ministerial mansions.
“Our country simply cannot afford to keep paying for the luxury lifestyles of ministers who live like rockstars, while load shedding, unemployment and poverty are at crisis levels,” said Leon Schreiber, DA shadow minister for public service.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
Additional reporting by AFP
