Buti Manamela budgets to spend R2m on government car and 'furnishings'

Mercedes Benz S 500 - the kind of car you can get for R2m. Picture: MERCEDES

11.51

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These are trifling amounts in the bigger scheme of things, but they are very powerful symbolically.

In the same budget documentation tabled by the finance minister to set a tone of fiscal discipline and to promise higher taxes to cover government spending, several government ministers have staked their claim to new cars.

What is fascinating is how the SACP's luminaries desire the fanciest luxury vehicles. Perhaps its to make up for those lost years noodling around East Germany in donated Trabants.

So we have the Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, who wants a new car for R1,72m and the Deputy Minister in the Presidency Buti Manamela, who has budgeted no less than R1.97m for a new vehicle, according to the adjusted budget.

Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa needs two vehicles for R3m.

Manamela's office called me to contest that the entire R1.97m was spent on a car, saying that the money was also intended for office and household furnishings. I was promised an email spelling it all out and as soon as it arrives, I will attach its contents to this article.

So the message is clear: Pay more taxes while government spending rises at a rate higher than inflation so that ministers can deal with their self-esteem issues by driving around in luxury.

It's a shame, really. It cruelly exposes how powerless Pravin Gordhan and the Treasury when it comes to cutting ministers down to size.

Here's a snippet from Linda Ensor's story out of Parliament:

The culprit is the as yet unamended ministerial handbook, which has been subject to review for over five years and which continues to allow ministers to spend, spend, spend.

Promises that the handbook — which provides guidelines on what ministers and deputy ministers are allowed to spend on vehicles, accommodation, security etc — will be changed have yielded nothing.