Millions more for govt fat cats

EXPANDED CABINET: IT COSTS TAXPAYERS R239M MORE

- Thando Nondywana

The size and cost of South Africa's government of national unity's (GNU) expanded executive has sparked widespread criticism, as it costs taxpayers over R200 million more annually. With 77 members, including newly appointed ministers and deputy ministers, the executive's annual expenditure now exceeds R1 billion.

Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana - responding to a parliamentary question from ActionSA on how much the additional ministers and deputy ministers were costing SA - said it was R239 million, including R800 000 for official vehicles.

Many have advocated that the Cabinet be reduced.

ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip slammed the minister's revelation, saying the ANC-DA-led GNU was unsustainable and underscored the financial burden placed on already overburdened taxpayers.

"The jet-setting GNU's insistence on wasteful spending is a slap in the face of every citizen forced to tighten their belt to get through each month," he said.