No five star hotel stays for our MECs - Helen Zille

03 May 2011

Today, I am pleased to present the Western Cape ministerial handbook recently approved by the Provincial Cabinet. Since coming into office in 2009, our administration has introduced a number of initiatives that underscore our commitment to clean and efficient government. Last year, we passed the Business Interests of Employees Act to prevent all government employees and their families from doing business with the state.

We have also strengthened our Forensic Investigation Unit to ensure that cases of corruption in provincial departments can be better detected, investigated and prosecuted. The Western Cape Ministerial Handbook is our latest initiative. There have been numerous media stories on excessive spending by National Ministers on lengthy stays at five star hotels, purchasing expensive vehicles and throwing lavish parties.

When questioned on spending taxpayer's money in this way many of them refer to the current ministerial handbook produced by the national Department Public Service and Administration and say "The handbook says I can." In other words, the current ministerial handbook (which applies to all national ministers and provincial MECs) facilitates and legalises this form of power abuse.

That is why we have developed our own provincial ministerial handbook in line with the 'no frills' ethos of this government. Western Cape provincial MECs will be bound by these tighter rules and regulations. Read more: Politicsweb ...