DA Welcomes Public Protector’s investigation into Maharaj’s ministerial stay

26 August 2015

The DA welcomes confirmation from the Public Protector’s office that they will be investigating former Presidential Spokesperson, Mac Maharaj, five year stay in Bryntirion Estate at taxpayer’s expense, as per the DA’s request.

Last week, the DA wrote to the Public Protector requesting an investigation into alleged waste of public funds.

According to the Ministerial handbook, state owned housing is reserved for Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Premiers, Members of the Executive Council, Presiding Officers/Deputy Presiding Officers in Parliament or in a Provincial Legislature. The Ministerial Handbook further allows for “accommodation and domestic services to the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice.”

Nowhere in the handbook does it state that accommodation should be provided for the Presidential Spokesperson and it appears that Mr Maharaj was given special privileges which could amount to a flagrant abuse of public resources. 

The DA await the outcome of the investigation and will ensure that those found to be guilty of wasting public funds are held accountable to the full extent of the law.

Statement issued by Phumzile Van Damme MP, DA National Spokesperson, August 26 2015