Minister in the presidency Mondli Gungubele has laughed off suggestions he should use public healthcare, saying he pays about R10,000 a month for his medical aid.
Gungubele was responding to a question about why he is paying for medical aid when public healthcare is available.
Speaking on SAfm, he said: “The ministerial job is one of the most insecure jobs. Second, ministers buy their own houses, they don’t have a housing subsidy, including MPs.
“They pay for their medical aid. I think I am paying nearly R10,000 a month as a minister. A lot of things are not subsidised. [This is] a job that you can leave at any time and [it is] a job that [requires one to be] involved 24/7.”
Gungubele agreed that ministers should use public healthcare, saying: “I would agree that the more we use public health services the better. It would send a message of our confidence in the system”.
Earlier this week, it was reported that ministers and deputy minister don't pay a cent for electricity and water at their official residences.
City Press reported the ministerial handbook has been amended to remove a cap on municipal utilities for ministers and deputy ministers.
The amendment sparked backlash from opposition parties, civil society and citizens.
Cabinet ministers earn R2.4m a year and their deputies R2m.
Addressing the criticism, government spokesperson Phumla Williams said the public works department is responsible for providing water and electricity to state-owned residences.
“Those properties used [by ministers and deputy ministers] remain the property of the state. Their upkeep is overseen by the department of public works and infrastructure. This includes paying for water and electricity.
“We would like to assure South Africans that the private properties of the members of the executive remain their responsibility, their upkeep, including water and electricity,” said Williams.
She also denied that ministers and deputy ministers are exempt from load-shedding.
On social media, scores of users weighed in on Gungubele paying R10,000 for medical aid.
Here's what some of them had to say:
Minister Gungubele complains about paying R10,000 towards Medical Aid every month, when asked why he doesn’t use public health facilities, laughs…now that’s deep 🙏🏽
— Xoli Zondo (MBA) (@XoliswaZondo) October 13, 2022
Mondli Gungubele comes on @SAfmRadio & complains about paying R10k p/m for medical aid, while ordinary citizens are forced to use the broken public health services without complaining. These people are so out of touch with the realities of the people they claim to represent.
— Duke of Kimberley👑 (@steph_gareth) October 13, 2022
Gungubele's laugh on why he is not using public health system is just a reminder that the ANC government will never take us serious at all. It's the same thing with public school system. There's us and them, they belong there. They are real madrid and we are Tshakuma Tshamandira
— Katlego Kenneth Molelekwa (@Katli_molelekwa) October 13, 2022
Anc been a colossal mess for years now what Gungubele said doesn't shock me cadres have this belief that we owe them. https://t.co/E55o6zWSFk
— Mbali🌹 (@Mbali_Mod) October 13, 2022
Our Government Ministers and Deputy Ministers are living celebrity lavish life styles.
— L U N G I S A (@_Lungisa_) October 13, 2022
Thats what i got from the Mondli Gungubele interview
TimesLIVE
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.