Replies to questions I posed to the Minister reveal shocking information about the expenses of the office of the Minister of Transport.
In the last three financial years to date, an astronomical R 77 505 million was budgeted for. A higher figure of R78 433 million was spent; that’s over 1% over budget and the financial year isn’t over yet! The replies further show that he has 15 staff members in his office. The ministerial handbook permits a total of 10 members. How can these amounts be justified?
The new Transport Minister, Blade Nzimande needs to respond to the following questions: Will he be retaining all these staff members? Have other staff joined him and will he retain Dudu Myeni as special adviser? Nzimande inherited her from his predecessor.
This high number of staff members and the over-the-top budget and expenditure cannot be justified considering how historically the Minister has done little to advance the cause of transport and mobility.
Manny de Freitas, Shadow Minister of Transport, Democratic Alliance.
