Thandi Modise insults the North West

Premier Thandi Modise's excuses for buying a R1.3 million BMW 750i is a slap in the face for the people of North West (see report).

Three months ago, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan promised South Africans that government would spend less on wasteful and luxurious items like expensive cars and alcohol.

Premier Modise simply ignored the new policy and bought herself the most expensive car she could find.

Her excuse that the car had been ordered before Minister Gordhan's announcement is complete nonsense.

All it would have taken to cancel the order is one phone call to the dealer in Mafikeng. Instead, Premier Modise went through with it, even after the Treasury suggested a more affordable BMW 530 instead.

Politicians in President Zuma's ANC always go for the most expensive and luxurious option at the tax payers' expense.

It must stop. This waste cannot continue while peope live in poverty without proper service delivery. The Premier must appear before the North West Provincial Public Accounts Committee to explain her decision to buy the car.

Statement issued by Chris Hattingh, DA Leader in North West, December 6 2013

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