Premier Mokgoro should table report on MEC Mohono’s R1 million travel claim

11 May 2021

Note to Editors: Find attached soundbites in English and Setswana by DA Alternate Member of Agriculture Portfolio Committee, North West Provincial Legislature, Freddy Sonakile and Afrikaans by Gavin Edwards, DA Member of Provincial Legislature.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West has written to Premier Job Mokgoro, requesting him to make good on his promise and table his findings on travel claims exceeding R1 million that was submitted by the MEC for Department of Agriculture, Desbo Mohono, on her private vehicle for the financial year 2019/20.

Last year, Premier Mokgoro conceded that such a substantial claim and use of a private vehicle by an MEC for official duties is in contravention with the guidelines provided in the Ministerial Handbook and undertook to investigate the matter.

To date, no course of action has been taken against MEC Mohono and the progress on the matter has not been communicated to the public.

The Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment, Tourism and Agriculture in the North West Provincial Legislature, requested an explanation from the Department on the MEC’s usage of her private vehicle for the execution of official duties, to which the Department reported that an amount of R1 009 233.62 was claimed by the MEC for the period 2019/20. (See response here)

The unabated abuse of public funds by officials and the ANC Government’s lack of consequence management has long reached epic proportions.

We will lodge a complaint with the Public Protector to investigate the MEC’s shameless exploitation of her position to ensure that she faces the repercussions of her actions.

Issued by Freddy Sonakile, DA Alternate Member of Agriculture Portfolio Committee, North West Provincial Legislature, 11 May 2021