Minister Big Spender

Recently-appointed communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda has come under fire for his extravagant purchases, at a time when his department faces serious challenges. Despite his department recently coming under fire from Parliament for regressive policies and the mess at the SABC, the minister has spent millions on two luxury German cars.
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Only three months into his tenure, Nyanda purchased two BMW 750i sedans, for R2.2 million. Each car is valued at R1 135 000 and collectively come with R148 000 worth of extra features. The 4.3-litre, V8-engined cars are the latest 2009 models of the German manufacturer's flagship 7-series range. One has been purchased for Nyanda's office in Pretoria, while he will use the other in Cape Town.

The Democratic Alliance (DA), which posed parliamentary questions to the minister on his vehicle spending, has questioned the acquisitions. DA spokesperson for communications Lindiwe Mazibuko said Nyanda's spending sent the wrong message to the public. “The ANC government, despite being in the grips of an economic recession and regardless of the endless public commitments by president [Jacob] Zuma to cut back on wastage, has not altered its approach to public spending: it continues to misuse public funds for entirely unnecessary purposes.”

The Department of Communications (DOC), in its response to the DA, refers to the ministerial handbook, which it says allows for the purchase of vehicles when the current official vehicle for a minister's office has reached 120 000km, or five years. The response further states the previous vehicle for use in Cape Town was nine years old and had reached 115 072km, while the one in Pretoria was four years old, with 137 194km on the clock. In its disclosure of vehicle cost and accessories, the DOC revealed the new Pretoria vehicle came with rear-seat entertainment at a cost of R23 000. An innovations package, which includes ambient interior lighting and a rear-view camera, ceramic surround for controls and adaptive headlights, was also included at a cost of R35 000. The vehicle also has a high-gloss satin chrome finish, valued at R5 600, and sun protection glazing for R6 200. The Cape Town vehicle also had a series of additional extras. A sports leather steering wheel, at a cost of R2 300, a rear-view camera for R5 000 and special wheel design for the 750i, valued at R3 000, also form part of the package.

Solidarity spokesman Jaco Kleynhans slammed the minister's purchases, saying Nyanda needs to set an example through wise spending. He adds that, while the minister's portfolio might not be seen as a priority, government has recognised the role of ICT in tackling key issues and the minister needs to start reflecting this. “The reality is we are in a recession and the example needs to be set by government. It needs to show that it can spend its money more wisely as income from taxes is reduced. Also, during this time, there is a bigger need for services, and government needs to show that it is cutting down on its spending,” he says. Kleynhans notes it is worrying that the industry and country have yet to hear from the minister on key issues, but his spending has come to the fore. He adds it is worrying that the country has not seen the minister take the lead in issues regarding the SABC board, reports of gross mismanagement by executives, or on telecoms infrastructure.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions declined to comment until it has studied the matter further. The DOC did not respond by the time of publication.

Source: IT Web