The public broadcaster, the SABC, spent R6.7 million on its own in-house choir over the past two years and will spend another R3.7 million next year.
This is according to a reply to the DA by Communications Minister, Faith Muthambi, on choir spending.
The DA called the spending an “unnecessary cost”.
According to the reply, R3.745m and R3.780m have been budgeted for the SABC choir for the 2015/16, and 2016/17 financial years respectively.
In 2014/15, R3m was spent.
Phumzile van Damme, DA spokeswoman on Communications, said the SABC had become nothing but praise singers for SABC boss, Hlaudi Motsoeneng, after they were recorded last year singing Hlaudi Motsoeneng reya o leboha (Hlaudi Motsoeneng we thank you).
In the reply, Muthambi said the choir did not sing songs about Motsoeneng and that only one verse had been sung about him in a single staff meeting.
“This verse was spontaneous and was not composed by the subject of the verse nor was it composed under his direction and or influence,” she said.
Van Damme said there was no need for the SABC to have its own choir.
“It makes absolutely no sense for the SABC to have an in-house choir, particularly if it exists to inflate Mr Motsoeneng’s ego.
"There are plenty of talented choirs in South Africa that can be commissioned by the SABC.
"As the public broadcaster, the SABC exists to serve the interests of all South Africans, and not as Mr Motsoeneng’s personal piggybank and fiefdom,” she said.