GAUTENG PREMIER SPENDS R240 000 ON HIRED CARS

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane spent R238 000 on hired cars in the past three years.

This information is revealed in a reply to my application under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) for details of vehicles rented by the premier from 2011 to 2013.

In 2011, R94 414 was spent for 12 luxury cars over 44 days, R94 885 in 2012 for 12 vehicles over 30 days, and R48 292 in 2013 for 5 vehicles over 19 days.

The premier has a preference for high-level Mercedes cars as these were hired for 22 of the 29 trips. Other makes included a BMW X3, Audi Q5, Nissan X-trail, VW T5 Microbus and Hyundai Tucson.

According to the premier, all cars were used for official business.

The most expensive trip was R14 700 for a Mercedes S350 for a mere two days in March 2012.

This is extravagant expenditure to fit the premier's love of luxury at taxpayers' expense.

It is unclear why she had to hire cars for 93 days over three years when she has a R1.3 million Mercedes ML63 official vehicle.

People in Gauteng deserve better than this wasteful spending of public money that should be used for public benefit.

A DA provincial government would curb all non-essential spending in terms of a revised Ministerial Handbook.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Caucus Leader, February 10 2014

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