The police say they have paid R315 000 for billboards across the country
showing
Minister Nathi Mthethwa's face and a world cup safety message.
In his response to a parliamentary question Mthethwa said the billboards was to
“emphasized that the billboards utilised during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, were
part of a broader communication strategy which SAPS implemented, including a
broad range of local and international media interviews, stakeholder
engagements
and utilising partnerships such as Primedia.”
“The ministry is under no illusion that the negative perceptions about the
ability of the police to deliver a safe and secure World Cup, a strong message
of assurance to both local and international fans was necessary. This message
had to show that the leadership of the country was making this assurance and if
history is anything to judge the safety of the whole tournament by, the
investment were indeed worthy,” Mthethwa said
But Democratic Alliance Shadow Minister of Police, Dianne Kohler Barnard says
the billboards amounts to self promotion. In a media release Barnard added that
“public money should be spent on doing a job, not assuring them that you are
doing it. This kind of behaviour is sadly common amongst the executive.
Minister
Nthethwa’s cabinet colleague, Minister of Transport Sbu Ndebele, paid R1.5
million for a 24 page glossy self promotional colour pamphlet that appeared in
numerous newspapers earlier this year – and which contained 27 photos of
himself.
In the press release by the Opposition added that “the new [police]
administration has spent at least R7.5 million on wasteful and self-indulgent
items, including luxury vehicles, luxury hotel stays and luxury homes. These
include:
• BMW X5 3.0D – Bought by Minister Nathi Mthethwa – Cost: R 685 091.00 – The
price includes extras, such as reverse cameras; navigation system; sport
suspension; sunroof; and electric seat adjustment.
• BMW X5 3.0D – Bought by Minister Nathi Mthethwa – Cost: R 677 270.00 - The
price includes extras, such as reverse cameras; navigation system; sport
suspension; sunroof; and electric seat adjustment
• BMW 740i – Bought by Deputy Minister Fikile Mbalula – Cost: R 832 700.00 -
The
price includes extras, to the value of R35 800.00, including a rear view
camera,
ceramic surround for controls, ambient interior lighting, adaptive headlights,
high beam assist, lane departure warning and lane change warning.
• Mercedes-Benz ML500 – Bought by Deputy Minister Fikile Mbalula – Cost: R 759
529.00 - The price includes extras, to the value of R48 079.00 and which
included an off road package, media interface, privacy glass, multi-contour
seat
package and ext. spare wheel carrier
• 66 days at the Table Bay Hotel – Departmental officials benefiting: Minister
Nathi Mthethwa and eight officials – Cost: R 234 875.67 - The hotel offers five
star accommodation. The Minister stayed in the Presidential Suite for one night
and four body guards in luxury rooms for four nights.
• Intermitted residence at the Durban Hilton Hotel - Departmental officials
benefiting: Minister Nathi Mthethwa and various officials – Cost: R 570 000.00
-
The hotel offers five star accommodation.
• A new ‘official residence’ – Departmental officials benefiting: National
police commissioner Bheki Cele – Cost: R 3 374 092.00 - According to reports,
several less luxurious official residences were available in Silverton.
• Billboards with giant photos of the Minister – Departmental official
involved:
Minister Nathi Mthethwa – Cost: R 315 000.00 - 10 billboards across South
Africa
which display photos of the Minister's face and the words, "Come Fifa 2010
World
Cup. We are ready"
--
You are subscribed. This footer can help you.
Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this
message.
You can visit the group WEB SITE at
http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options,
pages, files and membership.
To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You
don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put
anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this
address (repeat): [email protected] .
