PUBLIC PROTECTOR MUST INVESTIGATE R3.25M SPENT ON PREMIER'S HOUSE
R3.25 million has been spent over the past three years to maintain Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane's official Bryanston residence in north Johannesburg.
This is revealed by Gauteng Infrastructure Development MEC Bheki Nkosi in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.
R547 000 was spent in 2008 on "deep cleaning of the house, garden service, swimming pool and smaller maintenance".
In 2009 and 2010, a total of R2 704 500 was spent on refurbishment of the main bedroom and en-suite bath room, as well as the kitchen, laundry, dressing room closet, curtains and bedding, and furniture. Furthermore, there was painting of internal walls, and supply of a TV, a cupboard and additional couches.
Keliana Services was paid R3.25 million for the above services, and another company, Sonke Plantscapers, has a R137 619.88 contract for maintenance on the house this year.
This really appears excessive.
This house was bought in 2004 for R11.5 million, but about R13 million has been spent since then on various refurbishments and repairs although the house was only a few years old when purchased by the province.
I have asked various questions about spending on this house, and the latest reply deviates significantly from previous replies that I have been given. This is the first time that Keliana has been named as a service provider, whereas other companies were named before.
Were all these tenders awarded properly? Did we get value for money, or did we overpay because of possible corruption?
It is all very suspicious. I have already referred various aspects of the spending on this house to the Public Protector, and will refer the latest fishy expenditure to her as well for investigation.
Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane is ultimately accountable in this matter. We need to know why more than R2 million has been spent on the house during her administration alone.
Statement issued by Jack Bloom, MPL, DA Gauteng Caucus Leader, August 18 2011
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