PSA ‘disgusted’ at govt's residential splurge
Updated | By Nokukhanya Mntambo
The Public Servants Association (PSA) has expressed outrage at plans by the government to spend millions on residential upgrades for ministers and parliamentarians.
The Department of Public Works announced at the weekend that it plans to set aside over R730 million to upgrade ministerial houses and other government-owned buildings.
"Basically the PSA is alarmed and disgusted by our state. Our government, they really have their priorities messed up. I mean these are the people who went out in Parliament and said we must tighten our belt, they are going to reduce the public service and the public service spending and all that nonsense in order for us to save, in order for us to maintain their luxuries.
“They are looking after themselves and anticipating the results of the elections next year that when they come back into those residence they live in luxury at the expense of the country, at the expense of the public servants. As the PSA we are saying this is irresponsibility on steroids," says the PSA's Tahir Maepa.
The trade union, which represents over 200 000 public servants, believes the government is neglecting the needs of its employees.
"These are the kinds of things that cannot be allowed. How we convince our members not to demand higher salaries when we have leaders who behave like this? And as the PSA we are calling on (President Cyril) Ramaphosa to really put this thing on ice. And the big-mouth (Finance Minister) Tito Mboweni, who's been outspoken on government spending, he's approved this over R700 million to just spend on the luxuries of ministers and politicians."
Maepa adds that Ramaphosa needs to ensure that the funds budgeted for upgrades are diverted to addressing service delivery.
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