/ 11 December 2009

Prisons minister treats herself to a Lexus

Correctional Services Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has bought herself a R960 000 Lexus, while her deputy, Hlengiwe Mkhize,
chose to get a Porsche Cayenne, worth more than R750 000.

The Star newspaper reported on Friday that the combined cost of the two vehicles to the department was R1,73-million.

The department overspent its budget by R500-million in the last financial year.

The information was contained in a series of replies to questions raised by the Democratic Alliance in Parliament.

The minister’s Lexus LS460 cost R968 821, while the deputy minister’s Porsche Cayenne’s purchase price was R650 000, but accessories took the costs to R750 070.

DA correctional services spokesperson James Selfe said this was an ”example of gross self-indulgence from the ANC administration, which has now spent R47,8-million on motor vehicles since April”. – Sapa