GAUTENG PREMIER'S SWANK NEW CAR

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane is driven around in a swank new Mercedes ML63 AMG that costs R1 259 000, which is about R500 000 more than her previous car, a BMW X5.

This is revealed in a written reply by the premier to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

According to Mokonyane, her present car was leased from G-fleet in May last year. It replaced a seven year old BMW X5 that had 125 862 km on the clock.

In terms of the Ministerial Handbook she is entitled to a vehicle that is 70% of the value of her annual salary of R1 789 873, so Mokonyane has chosen a vehicle at the very upper level of this limit.

By contrast, in the DA-ruled Western Cape members of the executive council are limited to an official vehicle that is no more than 40% of their annual salary in terms of a "no frills" ministerial handbook that has been adopted there.

Western Cape Premier Helen Zille uses a mid-level 2010 Mercedes C300 that costs about R550 000, less than half the price of Mokonyane's vehicle..

Mokonyane has been needlessly extravagant in this matter, setting a poor example in use of public money that is desperately needed to fix this province.

The Democratic Alliance will push in the Gauteng Legislature for a revised Ministerial Handbook that cuts out unnecessary luxury by provincial cabinet members.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Caucus Leader, March 8 2012

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