The ANC’s motto is apparently ‘South Africa’s National Liberation Movement’, but it appears those at the top seem intent on liberating South Africans of their tax money so they can buy new toys.

Reports suggest that the the Department of Communications, headed up by Zuma lackey Faith Muthambi until the Cabinet Reshuffle, will run out of money by the second quarter of this year.

That’s according to the DA, with this from BusinessTech:

The DA cited a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Communications, by the acting director general, Basani Baloyi, who indicated that the department is under severe economic pressure, and will likely run out of money by mid-year.

And what do you do when you’re in danger of running out of money? Hey, you have to spend it to make it:

Yet despite its financial woes, according to DA shadow minister of communications, Phumzile Van Damme, the DoC intends to purchase two new vehicles for minister Ayanda Dlodlo [below] and deputy minister, Thandi Mahambehlala.

Dlodlo has only been in the position since 30 March 2017, as part of president Jacob Zuma’s most recent cabinet reshuffle.

Nothing says ‘job well done’ quite like a new car after a month on the job.

What makes it worse is that the department has some pretty decent wheels on the books already:

According to the DA, the department should have the following cars in its garage:

Minister:

• 2014 BMW X5 XDrive 3.0D – R926,310.00
• 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee – R862,838.00

Deputy minister

• 2014 Audi A8 3.0TDI Quattro – R852,041.00
• 2014 Audi Q7 4.2TDI V8 – R882,250.00

“The excuse that the Ministerial Handbook allows ministers to purchase new vehicles once mileage has been reached does not hold water.

“Given the tough economic climate in South Africa, if ordinary South Africans have to tighten their belts, so should ministers,” [Van Damme] said.

Pretty tough to tighten your belts when you’ve been gorging yourself on the public’s funds for years.

During her time at the helm, Muthambi described the purchase of these vehicles ‘as tools of the trade’.

I’d say we all know who the tools are here.

[source:businesstech]