12 August 2010

The IFP today revealed that the KZN Department of Public Works paid R106 774 805.36 to hire office accommodation for the 2009/2010 financial year.

"At a time when millions of jobs have been lost in Kwazulu-Natal and many small to medium size companies have had to close their businesses, it is totally unacceptable for government to be spending in excess of R100 million a year to hire office buildings," said Thulasizwe Buthelezi MPL, IFP Spokesperson on Transport and Public Works. 

In a response to a parliamentary question posed by the IFP to the KZN MEC for Public Works, the MEC further revealed that only 15% of the landlords contracted to the Department were African, while 34% were Asian. 50% of all leases are contracted to white-owned businesses. 

"Not only is the department spending R106 million a year to hire offices, it is also dismally failing to empower black-owned enterprises in line with government's broad-based BEE programme. The shift of government administration from Ulundi to Pietermaritzburg has clearly not benefitted black business in this province. It has enriched an elite few who have always been empowered," said Buthelezi. 

"The IFP will stand up for the people of Kwazulu Natal whose hard-earned taxes are being used to hire luxurious offices for the powerful elite," added Buthelezi.

Contact:
Thulasizwe Buthelezi MPL
078 302 3412