Public Works Minister Vows MECs, MPs’ Lavish Lifestyles a Thing of the Past
- Newly-appointed Public Works Minister Dean MacPherson has committed to put a cork on "reckless" spending
- McPherson promised to do away with procuring accommodation and offices for ministers in the 7th administration
- As a contingency for curbing spending, public works would allocate existing state-owned properties and not procure new ones
MPs and MECs must take what they get as the Public Works Minister declares there is enough. Image: Darren Stewart
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JOHANNESBURG — Newly-appointed Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson is pushing for a no-nonsense approach to getting things done right.
McPherson vowed to crack the whip on excessive spending on accommodation and offices to get his department's house in order and minimise unnecessary expenditure, as seen with the previous administration.
No lavish living for MPs, MECs
McPherson was referencing the pattern of spending by Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Executive Council (MECs).
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SABC News reported that McPherson said his department would not allow the procuring of accommodation and offices for ministers in the 7th administration.
The politician, one of the Democratic Alliance's (DA) six ministers, replaced Sihle Zikalala, who is now the Deputy Minister.
As a contingency for curbing spending, he said his department would allocate existing state-owned properties rather than procure new ones.
Use of existing office space, furniture
MacPherson put a firm foot down when he insisted on using existing furniture.
“I have issued a directive that no new houses or offices be procured for ministers and deputy ministers or members of parliament," he said.
"After consultation with the director-generals, I've confirmed that the department has sufficient stock to meet the executive's and MPs' needs."
McPherson added that no furniture or fittings would be procured for the executive of MPs' homes either.
"This is to ensure that we continue with our cost-cutting programme and that more infrastructure is developed and deployed to more communities.”
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The development follows two postponements resulting from the impasse with the DA over position allocations amid protracted Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) negotiations.
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Source: Briefly News
