Please pass the gravy... train
Johannesburg - The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng is worried about the expenses of the province's MEC for finance after it became known he spent more than R226 000 on functions in a year.
Percy Mthimkulu, spokesperson of Paul Mashatile, MEC, said the expenses on his official credit card (with a limit of R400 000) were all of an official nature.
The finance MEC's expenses follow an exclusive party costing more than R360 000 hosted by Nomvula Mokonyane, MEC for housing, and the R700 000 spent by Brian Hlongwa, MEC for health, to upgrade his office.
Mashatile's credit-card expenses for the period June 2005 to June 2006 indicated he had spent more than R163 000 at the luxury five-star restaurant, Auberge Michel, in Sandton the nine times he dined there.
The expenses included, among others, amounts of R19 354.50, R9 854.50, R10 354.50 and R96 375.40.
No special event that day
That entry was, according to Mthimkulu, for a function held for officials of the Gauteng shared services centre after the MEC's budget speech.
A manager of Auberge Michel, who asked to remain anonymous, said the restaurant hosted no special event on that day and had been open as usual for lunch and dinner.
The restaurant could seat 70 and private functions were held in a top-floor room which could seat 30 people.
Mashatile also dined at other top restaurants like Ritrovo in Waterkloof, Pretoria, Pigalle in Sandton and Wine on the Square in Sandton.
Only Mashatile was authorised to use the credit card and he said in his written reply no unauthorised expenses had been incurred.
The best Caspian Beluga caviar
Even though he understood the MEC sometimes had to treat important people to a meal, said Brian Goodall, DA leader in the legislature, he found it difficult to understand how Mashatile could spend more than R96 000 in a restaurant on one day.
"While the MEC had to decide between deboned trotter filled with foie gras, served on a bed of porcini and the best Caspian Beluga caviar, you wonder if he thinks about the people living in squatter camps, whose lives he has to improve."
Mthimkulu said the department was formulating a statement and that Mashatile, who was overseas at present, already had received numerous questions about the use of the credit card from the legislature.
News source: www.news24.co.za
Posted by: www.SouthAfrica-CarHire.com
R96 000. Thats a lot of gravy. Hire a car, its cheaper
Click Click... Vroom, Vroom
