The department wants to make sure that these prestigious homes are never left in such a disgusting condition again and Minister Macpherson is now working to amend the lease agreements entered with ministers and deputy ministers when they take occupation of State houses.

“It’s important that we treat these leases in the same way as someone in a private sector lease would be treated, which includes incoming and outgoing inspections,” De Villiers said.

“The minister has similarly taken action to reform the governance of the Prestige Unit by ensuring that the Director General has direct oversight over its activities, and he has removed the delegations which empowered State officials to spend up to R20 million without accounting officer approval.”

The department now aims to ensure that public employees, even high-ranking officials, cannot get away with damaging state property without facing repercussions.

De Villiers said that the department is currently engaging with the non-returning members to return assets which were reportedly taken, or to account for them, or to repair damages which have been encountered.

Name and shame these cretins and charge them with theft and destruction of property! One can only imagine what state they left their departments in.

Shame on you.