SUBJECT: ID WANTS CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE & TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS MINISTER SICELO SHICEKA INVESTIGATED BY PUBLIC PROTECTOR
Independent Democrats Secretary-General, Haniff Hoosen MP, has called on the Public Protector, Thulisile Madonsela to investigate whether Minister Sicelo Shiceka has contravened the Code of Ethics for Ministers and Deputy-Ministers (see letter to Public Protector below)
‘It has been alleged (see Sunday Times report) that the Minister has spent:
- R367 000 on first class air travel and accommodation for his personal assistant and himself on a trip to Switzerland to visit his girlfriend in prison.
- R32 000 for the hire of a limousine for the same prison visit.
- R640 000 for himself and staff on accommodation at the luxury One & Only Hotel in Cape Town.
- R160 000 in travel expenses for family members.
- In excess of R1m in accommodation costs for himself, family and friends which included several nights at plush hotels.
When it came to light that Shiceka had allegedly wasted more two million rand on hotel accommodation at plush hotels for himself and his family, Hoosen accused the Minister of being "without conscience".
‘Whilst many Municipalities are struggling to provide basic services to the poor in our country and whilst millions of South Africans are living on "scraps", the Minister sees it fit to be travelling the world and living a "rich & famous" lifestyle in top class hotels, all at taxpayers' expense,' says Hoosen
It seems that members of the cabinet are taking turns at splurging on luxuries. Just a year ago, Hoosen submitted a similar call on the Public Protector to investigate the extravagant lifestyle of Police Minister Nathi Mthewtwa, when he (Mthethwa) had spent almost R250 000 on himself and 8 police officials at the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town and the Hilton Hotel in Durban.
‘The Public Protector must investigate whether Shiceko has contravened any of the provisions of the Code of Ethics for Ministers and Deputy-Ministers.' says Hoosen.
The Public Protector
Adv.Thulisile Madonsela
* Via email
10 April 2011
Dear Madam
Re: REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION - MINISTER Sicelo Shiceka
I refer to recent report in the Sunday Times (10.04.2011) regarding the extravagant travel and accommodation expenses of the above Minister.
It has been alleged that the Minister spent:
1. R367 000 on first class air travel and accommodation for his personal assistant and himself on a trip to Switzerland to visit his girlfriend in prison.
2. R32 000 for the hire of a limousine for the same prison visit.
3. R640 000 for himself and staff on accommodation at the luxury One & Only Hotel in Cape Town.
4. R160 000 in travel expenses for family members.
5. In excess of R1m in accommodation costs for himself, family and friends which included several nights at plush hotels.
It is further alleged that Minister Shiceka attempted to influence his department to cover the expenses of a personal trip to Maseru for himself and family members. The bill for this trip amounted to approx. R350 000 which included accommodation expenses.
In accordance with Sect 3(1) of the Executive Members Ethics Act 1998, I call upon your office to investigate whether or not the above Minister has contravened the provisions of the Code of Ethics for Ministers and Deputy-Ministers and/or any other relevant legislation.
Regards
Haniff Hoosen, MP
Statement issued by Haniff Hoosen MP, ID secretary general, April 10 2011
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