National Scopa learns that some ministers’ braai areas cost taxpayers R500,000 Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts wants the department of public works to account for the amounts spent — and a cap on the cost of minister’s houses BL PREMIUM

Why are we spending almost half a million rand on braai areas for ministers?That is what parliament’s standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) asked the department of public works in a media statement on Tuesday. Scopa is concerned about the almost R500‚000 spent on "braai entertainment areas" in ministerial houses."Scopa is of the view that South Africans cannot be expected to pay that amount of money just for a braai area for a minister. The committee is concerned about what seems to be a priority for the government. Is it really necessary to spend that kind of money just for a braai area for a cabinet minister?" Scopa chair Themba Godi asked."The state is spending exorbitant amounts of taxpayers’ money on buying and maintaining these houses when some of them are not even being utilised by ministers or deputy ministers."According to Scopa‚ the department owns 148 houses and allocates "prestige" homes to ministers and their deputies."Scopa has requested the department to provi...