DA: #SONA2017 cost R11 million
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says this year's State of the Nation Address cost the taxpayer R11 million, and not R4 million as claimed by Parliament.
This according to written replies from Parliament to the opposition party.
DA chief whip John Steenhuisen says Parliament's Secretary told the media that R4 million had been budgeted for the event.
"Replies to written questions to the ministers of police and public works revealed that their departments spend a further R4 080 million and R2.7 million, respectively," says Steenhuisen.
Steenhuisen says the deployment of 411 members of the South African National Defence force cost an additional R2014 153.60.
"This eye-watering amount could have been spent on creating jobs, provide skills and training, or on education for young people," says Steenhuisen.
Parliament is yet to respond to the DA's allegations.