It is crucial that government be committed to addressing wasteful expenditure and that it takes action against Ministers who are found guilty of the reckless spending of state funds.
The latest Auditor-General's report on national audit outcomes for the 2010- 11 financial year shows an obscene amount of R427,4 million in wasteful expenditure compared to the R26,6 million of the previous financial year.
South Africa is currently experiencing difficult economic times and millions of our people live in poverty and do not have access to proper housing. In the light of this, Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson's expenditure of R1,6 million on luxury hotel accommodation in a 30-month period cannot be justified.
It is equally disturbing that more than R400 million has been spent on refurbishing the President's offices and official homes in Cape Town and Pretoria. This is a slap in the face for ordinary South Africans in the light of the fact that a standard RDP house costs the state about R70 000 to build.
The firing of the former Minister Sicelo Shiceka is a good sign and a step in the right direction. It should serve as a strict warning to other Ministers ... [Time expired.]