Fast-Food Premier: DA calls on Public Protector to investigate

The DA has written to the Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, requesting that her office investigate Northern Cape Premier, Sylvia Lucas, under the Executive Ethics Code for her alleged abuse of a state credit card to purchase fast-food.

Lucas is reported to have misused her official credit card to buy fast food and groceries amounting to R53 159 in her first 10 weeks in office.

R11 956 of this figure was spent on outlets in Kimberley, where she has an official residence.

This is a clear violated the Executive Ethics Code, amongst other regulations.

Her subsequent silence and her going into hiding on this matter is also an indication of the disrespect she has for accountability and for residents of the province; 40.1% of whom live in poverty.

The DA strongly condemns this alleged abuse of state funds. The Premiers 10 week R53 159 spending binge works-out to an astounding average of R5 315 per week, or R759 per day.

For her to see nothing wrong in gobbling up so much of state funds in 10 weeks is equally a slap in the face of poor and struggling citizens.

The DA has already written to the Auditor-General requesting an investigation and we have also submitted parliamentary questions to establish the extent of state credit card abuses in all the provincial government departments.

Statement issued by Harold McGluwa, DA Northern Cape Chairperson, September 26 2013

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter