Johannesburg - DA leader Helen Zille and Gauteng premier candidate Mmusi Maimane said the party would cut all luxuries and abuse of public funds which were the “hallmark of Premier Nomvula Mokonyane” if elected in the province.
The two were speaking at the unveiling of the party’s provincial ministerial handbook in Joburg.
“One of our first acts in provincial government will be to pass this new handbook in line with our policy to cut corruption and create jobs in Gauteng,” Maimane said.
He said the DA would, among other measures, ban government credit cards; ban the use of five star hotels for overnight stays; ban cabinet members from doing business with the state and slash the allowed cost for official cars.
Flights less than 8 hours would also have to be flown at economy class for all members; car rentals would be limited to D-class vehicles and strict provisions would be implemented for security upgrades.
Maimane said under Mokonyane and President Jacob Zuma there was “immense abuse of state resources”.
“(Some) R1.2 million was spent on new furniture for the official premier’s residence in Bryanston and R574 000 on repairs on the swimming pool,” he said.
“The premier spent R238 000 in hired cars over the last three years.”
Mokonyane had also purchased a Mercedes Benz ML63 for R1.3m
Zille spoke about what her administration had done in Western Cape, saying corruption was based on a “monopoly of discretion” without “accountability”.
“So if you let sunshine in and let everybody see what processes (there are) you are less likely to get corruption,” she said.
She said the Western Cape had opened up tender processes to public scrutiny, including how consultants were hired.
“So people can observe adjudication process on internet in the province,” she said.
This included which businesses bid for contracts, which companies were adjudicated leading to the results being “absolutely transparent”.
“Sufficient checks and balances need to be augmented… (And) we’ve increased the BBBEE component – it’s not tenders for pals as it is under the ANC. So (it is) a hugely impressive and competitive process,” Zille said.
Political Bureau