Limpopo Premier Cassel Mathale uses his own vehicle on official trips and later pockets thousands of rand in travelling claims.
This is despite having spent millions of rand of taxpayers money to buy expensive vehicles for use on official trips.
The Star has seen a document from the premier’s office detailing how Mathale, who presides over a near-bankrupt province, has been cashing in on travel claims.
The document shows that for September last year alone, he was paid R446 000, including the R75 000 monthly salary he gets as premier.
Mathale has bought two expensive cars during the two years he has been premier.
Shortly after his appointment in April 2009, he bought a BMW 750i for R1 million. Last June he added a BMW X5, costing R821 000, to his garage.
But it has since emerged that Mathale prefers to park the state vehicles so that he can enjoy the benefits that come from using his own car.
This information comes in the wake of central government’s intervention in Limpopo’s financial affairs as it teeters on the brink of bankruptcy.
Mashadi Mathosa, the premier’s spokeswoman, on Monday defended Mathale’s use of his personal cars.
“The Ministerial Handbook gives him the prerogative to use his private vehicle and claim,” she said.
The handbook came under intense criticism after new ministers in President Jacob Zuma’s cabinet splashed out millions of rand on new vehicles after the 2009 elections.
Many of the ministers bought expensive top-of-the-range German sedans for their official use in Pretoria and Cape Town. - The Star