PREMIER'S FURNITURE IS NOT A STATE SECRET 

The cost and type of furniture in the Gauteng Premier's official residence cannot be revealed as this would be "a risk to the safety and necessary confidentiality of the occupants of the house."

This ridiculous excuse is given by Gauteng Infrastructure Development MEC Bkeki Nkosi in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

Instead of giving details of furniture bought since Premier Nomvula Mokonyane moved into this Bryanston house, Nkosi responds as follows:

"In keeping with the obligation to maintain the Premier's house in a hospitable manner, the department procured various household items necessary for the upkeep and good standing of the house. Further to this, the department regards the matter as a risk to the safety and necessary confidentiality of the occupants of the house and therefore deems that we retain the right to not divulge any details."

According to Nkosi, the old furniture that was removed dating from when Mbhazima Shilowa was premier "was originally stored and later refurbished for use in other government properties where a need was identified."

This includes Shilowa's cigar lounge fixtures, white couches and chrome furniture. I wonder where this ended up, or is this a state secret too?

I suspect that the premier's new furniture is being kept secret because it is extravagant and would be criticised. I don't believe it was necessary to replace the old furniture. It has been reported that Mokonyane disliked Shilowa's fixtures, but why should the public pay for her expensive tastes?

It shows how open to abuse the proposed Protection of State Information Bill would be, since all sorts of information is likely to be classified because it is embarrassing rather a security risk.

I will not give up on this matter and will submit an application using the Promotion of Access to Information Act in order to get what is being covered up by the department.

Statement by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Caucus Leader, October 10 2011

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