Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi is in the process of buying two Mercedes-Benzes to the tune of R1,2-million, his department said this week in response to a question in Parliament by the Democratic Alliance (DA).
The health minister was acquiring a Mercedes E200 for use in Cape Town, at a cost of R451 134, and a Mercedes E500 for Pretoria, for R757 545.
DA national spokesperson Lindiwe Mazibuko said the difference in price suggested that the ”E500 is exorbitant and unnecessary”.
”Indeed, the cost of the E200 makes it the cheapest car bought to date, more frugal even than that of the finance minister. For this, the minister must be commended. It is unfortunate, however, that his attitude didn’t carry over to the Pretoria purchase.”
The DA has slammed a spate of lavish car purchases by ministers, whose car allowance under government rules is about 70% of their salary. It translates into about R929 000.
The party said Motsoaledi was the eighth minister to buy a new car since May.
Others include Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande, who raised eyebrows by buying a BMW for R1,1-million.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) this week added its voice to the condemnation and urged ministers to trade in their expensive cars for more modest models.
”Spending so much money on vehicles is a slap in the face of the unemployed and people living in shanty towns. It gives politics a bad name,” Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven said.
Meanwhile, Housing Settlement Minister Tokyo Sexwale, who is using his own car, launched an austerity drive in his department. He ordered officials to fly economy class and to share transport whenever possible. — Sapa