Cargate: Hypocrisy reigns supreme - Blade's R1 million vehicle
The reply to a DA parliamentary question has revealed that the Department of Higher Education has purchased a new R1.1 million BMW 7501 for Minister Blade Nzimande.
It is not insignificant that Nzimande is also the General-Secretary of the South Africa Communist Party (SACP). Speaking in this capacity, in June this year, and endorsing the principles and values behind Nelson Mandela Day, Nzimande stated:
"...Nelson Mandela Day must also be a re-affirmation of the values he has come to represent - that of social solidarity, selflessness, dedication, equity and fairness! It is through the consistent inculcation of these values that we can roll back the greed, corruption and selfishness of capitalism."
Two months later he has approved over R1 million for a luxury car, for his personal use - which is self-indulgent, unnecessary and extravagant.
So much for rolling back the greed and selfishness of capitalism. It appears that only the very best will do for the leaders of the working class.
In fact, when set alongside his recent comments, Minister Nzimande's purchase of this vehicle gets to the heart of what is wrong with this ANC government and its alliance partners. The ANC cannot understand the connection between the behaviour - or, more accurately, misbehaviour - of its public representatives, and the lives of ordinary South Africans.
When a minister spends R1-million on luxury vehicles, that is R1-million less that can be spent elsewhere. Remember, this is the self-same minister who recently berated our leading academic research institutions for having too much money (which is was both technically wrong and principally wrongheaded). One wonders how many graduates R1.1 million could produce?
Minister Nzimande's purchase places him near the top of the wasteful ministerial vehicle buyers:
|
Minister |
Department |
Vehicle |
Total Cost* |
Extras |
|
Ace Magashule |
Premier of the Free State |
Mercedes Benz S600 |
R1 300 000 |
|
|
Siphiwe Nyanda |
Communications (Pretoria) |
BMW 750i, 2009 model |
R1 271 800 |
Dynamic Drive (body roll stabilisation); Sports leather steering wheel (3 spoke); Electric Rear Screen Roller Sun blind with manual side blinds; Active cruise control with Stop & Go function; Rear-seat entertainment; High-gloss satin chrome; Sun protection glazing; Special wheel design recommended for the 750i; rear view camera; ceramic surround for controls; ambient interior lighting; adaptive headlights; high beam assist; lane departure warning; lane change warning |
|
Siphiwe Nyanda |
Communications (Cape Town) |
BMW 750i, 2009 model |
R1 147 600
|
Sports leather steering wheel (3 spoke); Rear view camera; High Beam Assist; Special wheel design recommended for the 750i |
|
Blade Nzimande |
Higher Education and Training (Pretoria) |
BMW 750i, 2009 model |
R1 110 750 |
Not disclosed |
|
Free State MECs x10 |
Free State Provincial Government |
Mercedes Benz S500 x10 |
R970 000 x 10 = R9.7m (Source) |
|
|
Angie Motshekga |
Basic Education (Cape Town) |
BMW 730D |
R894 500
|
None |
|
Angie Motshekga |
Basic Education (Pretoria) |
Range Rover Sport TDV8 |
R809 592 |
Mudguards |
|
Tina Joemat-Petterson |
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries |
Mercedes Benz 2009 S350 |
R796 003 |
Black wooden/leather steering wheel and sunblinds rear window |
|
Naledi Pandor |
Science and Technology (Pretoria) |
Mercedes Benz 2009 S250 |
R711 718 |
Metallic paint, Command navigation, Media interface, DVD player, Technical off road package, Heated front seats, Xenon active lights, Sunroof, Run flat, Private glass |
|
Naledi Pandor |
Science and Technology (Cape Town) |
Mercedes Benz 2009 S250 |
R695 095 |
Metallic paint, Command navigation, Media interface, DVD player, Technical off road package, Heated front seats, Xenon active lights, Sunroof, Run flat, Private glass |
|
Nathi Mthethwa |
Police |
2008 BMW X5 3.0D |
R685 091 |
"Included" reverse cameras; navigation system; sport suspension; sunroof; and electric seat adjustment. |
|
Nathi Mthethwa |
Police |
2008 BMW X5 3.0D |
R677 270 |
"Included" reverse cameras; navigation system; sport suspension; sunroof; and electric seat adjustment |
|
Pravin Gordhan |
Finance |
Audi A6 3.0T |
R590 500 |
- |
|
Pravin Gordhan |
Finance |
Lexus GS 300 SE |
R557 673 |
- |
* Includes costs of extras, but excludes ongoing vehicle tracking and insurance costs
Statement issued by Wilmot James, MP, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of higher education and training, September 2 2009
[The SACP's reply to this statement can be found here].
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