The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) says the R240 million price tag for the remuneration of the members of the Executive for the next financial year is a waste of taxpayers’ money.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana revealed this in a reply to a written parliamentary question about the associated costs for the new Ministers and Deputies.
Currently, Ministers earn about R2.69 million per annum, while Deputy Ministers are remunerated at R2.2 million.
ACDP MP Steve Swart says, “Whilst the ACDP appreciates that there are a number of political parties that needed to be accommodated in the GNU, we are concerned about the R240 million costs for the Ministers and their deputies.”
“Government is facing severe financial constraints which resulted in budget cuts in all departments, severely impacting our teachers, policemen and health workers, soldiers and all other public servants.”
Swart adds, “It is clear that the country cannot afford such a bloated Cabinet with its related costs. The ACDP believes that government departments should be restructured to ensure efficiency and better service delivery. This will also reduce the number of Ministers and Deputy Ministers and will save costs significantly.”
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