Things have escalated quickly, as scandal engulfs Lindiwe Sisulu and the Department of Water and Sanitation. The DA have been on her case relentlessly since last week, after the minister appointed Menzi Simelane and Mo Shaik to her National Rapid Response Task-Team (NRRTT). Both have been blamed for facilitating state capture.

Lindiwe Sisulu latest: How much money will Menzi Simelane and Mo Shaik make as her advisors?

Their employment itself is a huge concern for critics, but a nightmare 24 hours for Sisulu has made things worse. On Monday, she was accused of trying to “cover-up” the appointments by retracting an answer she submitted to Parliament. Now, it’s alleged that her new advisors are making a monstrous amount of money from this gig. Accoridng to the DPSA Salary Scale, this is how much money these two will rake-in:

Menzi Simelane and Mo Shaik are currently earning R1 978 533 per annum as “special advisors.”

as “special advisors.” That figure could potentially rise to R2.2 million if they are “moved up a notch” in the department.

if they are “moved up a notch” in the department. These earnings are almost double the amount some MPs – including Julius Malema – get paid .

. The total annual cost of Lindiwe Sisulu’s Ministerial Office staff remuneration stands in excess of R13.9 million per year. Shockingly, that number excludes the 19 people appointed to her controversial task-team.

“Gross mis-hiring has taken place” – DA

The numbers are staggering, but the cherry on this cake comes from the “grading” both Simelane and Shaik have been placed at. They are, allegedly, at Notch A of a Level 16 DPSA Grading – a position that usually only goes to Director Generals of National Government Departments. These pair are merely “advisors” to a minister, and something just doesn’t add up in Emma Louise Powell’s book.

The shadow minister for water and sanitation – effectively, Lindiwe Sisulu’s opposite number – has berated the ANC stalwart for “trying to build a political war room” instead of a capable department. Powell also had a dig at Simelane and Shaik for their qualifications – we bet the “optometrist” didn’t see this one coming…