R1.5M a year for Gauteng State House used for only 50 meetings

14 March 2016 

Gauteng Premier David Makhura has revealed that about 50 engagements and meetings were held last year at the Bryanston house that was formerly the official Premier’s residence.

Makhura says in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature that “the House is utilised principally for official business wherein the Premier engages with various sectors, stakeholders, departments, municipalities and foreign missions.”

But when asked for costs and the details of the events at the House, he says “there is really no need to provide such details” and “the cost for all official meetings is budgeted for by the Office of the Premier”.

This is an evasive reply and it looks like there is something to hide. I have therefore put in an application under the Promotion of Access to Information Act to get the details and costs  of the meetings held at the house.

We know from previous official replies that annual costs of this house include the following:

Gardening - R309 000

Cleaning - R300 000

Water and lights - R227 000

Rates and taxes - R195 000

The total yearly cost together with the R500 000 maintenance cost in the latest budget means that this house costs at least R1.5 million a year. This money could build about 45 RDP houses.

Why is the Premier reluctant to give details on the 50 “engagements and meetings” at the house and what they cost?

It is surely more cost-effective to use the province-owned Emoyeni conference centre or a private venue as the annual cost of the Bryanston house works out to about R30 000 a meeting just as a venue.

Last year it was revealed that R4.2 million was spent on the house since May 2014 when Premier Makhura took the decision not to live there.

More than R20 million has been spent on its upkeep, including many refurbishments and repairs, since it was bought in March 2004 for R11.5 million for the use of then-Premier Mbhazima Shilowa.

Makhura says in his reply that “the future of this house will be considered, together with all non-core assets and fixed properties owned by the Gauteng government.”

My view is that its present use does not justify the cost and it should be sold as soon as possible.

Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Member of the Oversight Committee on the Premier's Office and Legislature, 14 March 2016