Sell Mokonyane's house: DA
Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane's official house in Bryanston, which will undergo maintenance costing R7.5 million over three years, must be sold, the DA in the province said on Thursday.
Spokesman Jack Bloom said in a statement that R13.5m had been spent on the house since it was bought for R11.5m in March 2004.
"Why has it cost more to repair than it was bought for?" he asked.
"... It should be sold off as soon as possible, with the proceeds used to benefit the people of Gauteng."
Bloom said Gauteng Infrastructure Development MEC Qedani Mahlangu had refused to disclose the names of the companies which refurbished the house when he asked for them in the provincial legislature.
"She has also refused to give details of how they were chosen for this work."
Bloom said he would apply for information under the Promotion of Access to Information Act.
Last year, Bloom approached the Public Protector to investigate "excessive spending" on Mokonyane's house.
Her spokesman Thebe Mohatle told a newspaper the Gauteng government had spent about R25m, including the purchase price, on the house since it was bought in 2004.
In addition, R1.2m of taxpayers' money had been spent on new furniture, linen and curtains for the house.
Asked whether Mokonyane felt it was reasonable to expect taxpayers to pay so much on the upkeep of her home, Mohatle said it was a private matter.