Cape Town - The Public Protector will investigate a complaint over former presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj’s stay in a ministerial home while he held the position, spokesman Oupa Segalwe confirmed on Wednesday.
The complaint was laid by the Democratic Alliance after the Sunday Times reported that Maharaj had stayed at the Bryntirion Estate during the years in which he served as spokesman for President Jacob Zuma.
Government has defended the benefit given to Maharaj, a former minister who became Zuma’s spokesman in 2011, saying the job had required him to be in close proximity to the president.
But the DA said the ministerial handbook made no provision for free housing for liaison officers and it had therefore been a waste of public funds.
Maharaj, who retired in April and is fighting lung cancer, has refused to comment.
ANA