Taxpayers have coughed up about R2,6-million for security at the private residences of four Free State ministers, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Monday.
The party’s Free State leader, Roy Jankielsohn, said the amount was excessive and that the African National Congress (ANC) provincial ministers must explain who they were afraid of.
”Furthermore, security should not be a problem for ANC public representatives since the national Minister for Safety and Security [Charles Nqakula] regards crime as manageable,” said Jankielsohn in a statement.
The DA said about R728 000 was spent on security at the home of the provincial minister for public works, roads and transport, Seiso Mohai.
At the home of the minister for tourism, environmental and economic affairs, Neo Masithela, R730 700 was spent, and about R728 000 was spent at the home of the former minister for public safety, security and liaison, Playfair Morule.
About R495 000 was spent on security at the home of the minister for agriculture, Susan Mnumzana.
The information was part of a written reply by Mohai to questions by the DA in the Free State legislature.
Jankielsohn said a member of the provincial executive responsible for safety and security could not spend R728 278 on security at his private home and deny that crime was a crisis.
The party said although the rules for members of the executive authority made provision for security, the amounts seemed excessive.
The security measures paid for included high security walls, the installation of electronic fences on top of walls, installation of security surveillance cameras, security lighting, burglar alarms and security doors.
Jankielsohn said the protection of citizens and not just politicians should be the government’s primary task. — Sapa