'Where's our drug war money?'

CENTRAL AUTHORITY: PARLY HEARS MILLIONS SPENT BY DEPT, BUT NOT ON OPERATIONS

- Jarryd Westerdale

A government entity fighting one of society's ills is pointing fingers at its department for allowing millions to be unknowingly spent on its account.

The Central Drug Authority (CDA) told parliament's select committee on social services expenditure unrelated to its operations was authorised at the discretion of the department of social development.

The CDA recorded expenditure for the last financial year of R7.2 million - R3.1 million over its baseline budget.

However, the CDA executive claims the majority of the expenditure had little to do with the entity's work.

Mystery expenditure items include almost R70 000 for travel agency fees, R343 000 for accommodation, R124 000 for car rental and R854 000 for air travel.

“We are not entirely sure what that accommodation is because the CDA holds virtual meetings,” said CDA governance chair Nomathemba Kela.

“The car rental? We have not been travelling.

“Air transport? We have not flown.

“We are not flying, we are in the office and we do virtual interactions,” Kela said.