DA to report Muthambi over support staff claims
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it will be reporting the Minister of Public Service and Administration Faith Muthambi to Parliament's Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests.
This follows reports at the weekend that Muthambi has hired 27 people as support staff in her office.
According to the reports, Muthambi appointed mostly family members from Limpopo as drivers, deputy directors and food services in her office without following proper procedures.
The DA's Mike Waters says if these allegations are true, Muthambi could be in breach of the Ministerial Handbook.
"Chapter 8 of the Handbook clearly states that a Minister can appoint up to 10 individuals when establishing Private Offices.
"Annexure F of the Ministerial Handbook states that Ministers can only appoint two full-time Special Advisors," Waters says.
The allegations against Muthambi are not the first involving members of her family.
Recent media reports also claimed she had used public funds to fly her family members to Cape Town for the budget vote.
It is alleged that the trip had cost taxpayers close to R500 000.
Efforts to reach the Department of Public Service and Administration for comment have been unsuccessful.