The government has wasted at least R1.5-billion in a year on things such as World Cup tickets, long stays in expensive hotels and fancy cars, the Democratic Alliance says.

The government has wasted at least R1.5-billion in a year on things such as World Cup tickets, long stays in expensive hotels and fancy cars, the Democratic Alliance says. Document

Lindiwe Mazibuko told reporters at Parliament that KwaZulu-Natal was the most profligate province with more than R120-million wasted on unnecessary property rentals, luxurious cars and artwork.

The SABC was the most expensive state-owned enterprise with its insistence on hiring space at the Sandton Convention Centre and an expensive TV hagiography of President Zuma.

Sbu Ndebele, the minister of transport, is in a class of his own with R1.2-million spent on a self-congratulatory advertising supplement with 27 full-colour photographs of himself in it and another R20-million to take his friends and contacts to World Cup matches.

Jimmy Manyi, the now suspended director general of labour, is this year’s host with the most. His year-end staff party cost a sparkling R350 000. Prior to April 2010, that honour goes to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize, whose inauguration party cost us R10.6-million.