Free Business Class Flights for Former Ministers and Their Spouses: Report

Former ministers and their spouses continue to fly business class, costing taxpayers millions, according to a report from the sunday time

The newspaper reported that up to R45.3 million have been spent on travel for former ministers, deputies, prime ministers and their spouses between 2014 and 2020.

This includes apartheid-era ministers and those who left the executive in disgrace after allowing the capture of the state or being accused of other corrupt activities.

The Sunday Times reported that at least R10 million has been spent on flights in the last year alone, despite this excess profit being removed from the ministerial manual last year.

The information comes from a request from the DA’s Law for the Promotion of Access to Information (Paia) to parliament, which highlights some of the main beneficiaries, including:

• Former Finance Minister Des van Rooyen: Rand 24,000 in 2018/2019 and Rand 17,000 in 2019/2020;

• Apartheid-era minister Adriaan Vlok: Rand 59,000 in 2018/2019 and Rand 46,000 in 2019/2020;

• Apartheid-era Minister Roelf Meyer, R98,000 in 2018/2019) and R126,000 in 2019/2020;

• Former Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba and his wife: rand 19,000 in 2018/2019 and rand 87,000 in 2019/2020 and rand 26,000 in 2018/2019 and rand 66,000 in 2019/2020;

• Former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel and his wife: R187,000 in 2018/2019 and R124,000 in 2019/2020 and R10,000 in 2018/2019 and R61,000 in 2019/2020.

Updated ministerial manual

In July 2019, the government published its revised guide for members of the executive, effectively replacing the controversial ministerial manual presented in 2007.

The updated guide covers everything from relocation expenses to automobiles, and most of the new perks appear to be largely the same or slightly contained in the old ministerial manual.

This guide also describes the new powers granted to Finance Minister Tito Mboweni to directly curb spending on transportation and other luxuries.

However, ministers can also expect some bigger benefits, such as more staff members and a higher limit on home security.

Cars

• The South African Police Service (SAPS) will provide the member with VIP drivers and protectors for official purposes and in the interest of safety;

• National Members will have a vehicle for official use at each office site. The provincial members will have a vehicle for official use;

• The cost of this vehicle, including safety improvements, will be determined by the Minister of Finance;

• In the event that an official vehicle is not obtained for a member, they can be reimbursed for the use of their own private vehicle;

• Departments can only replace a motor vehicle purchased for a member if the vehicle has reached 120,000 km or 5 years, or if the car experiences serious mechanical problems and is in poor condition;

• Spouses and other dependent family members may be transported in the member’s official vehicle.

Travel

• Members and their spouses (or an adult family member accompanying the member in an official capacity) have the right to travel for official purposes under the responsibility of the corresponding department;

• This trip must be a business class trip using the cheapest of three (3) quotes for the most cost effective and convenient route;

• Members and their spouses can use the VIP facilities at the corresponding airports on domestic trips under the responsibility of the corresponding department;

• No allowances or allowances are paid to a member, their spouse or minor children for domestic travel;

• National members and their spouses are also jointly entitled to 30 (thirty) individual national business class airline tickets per year;

• The ministers and vice ministers may only make official visits abroad if they are essential, in the national interest and taking due account of the availability of funds;

Houses

• Members can occupy a state-owned residence at the office headquarters free of charge;

• The state will contribute up to R250,000 in security updates, and this amount will be reviewed annually;

• The Ministry of Departmental Works will be responsible for paying for water and electricity, as well as hiring a domestic worker for these homes;

• Telephone rentals (as well as official call costs), installation and maintenance of fax, internet / WiFi and DSTV facilities will be borne by the department.

Read the full document here.

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