NELSPRUIT – A total of six weeks after the provincial government spent R4 million on the two-day event to officially launch the University of Mpumalanga, no breakdown of the expenditure has been made public.
Officials of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) attended the event, where the winners of the architectural-design competition were announced and the sod turning at the Lowveld Agricultural College as well as an imbizo at Nsikazi Stadium in KaBokweni on October 30 and 31.
Afterwards, Mr Madala Masuku, MEC for finance, said his department and the Office of the Premier, Mr David Mabuza, had set aside an estimated R4 million for the launch, but the exact spending report had not completed.
His department referred queries to the government. Ms Nokululeko Mbatha, spokesman for the provincial government, was first contacted in this regard on November 11, and again on November 19 and 27.
On November 28, Mbatha responded by email that “I sent you a comprehensive response last week in this regard”. But at the time of going to press, no response had been received.
The following questions remain unanswered:
• How much was spent on the transport of people to the three events over the two days?
• How many people were transported and from where to attend the events?
• Which company were they transported by and at what cost?
• Which company was contracted to provide meals to the delegates and guests on both days?
• How many people did they cater for and at what cost?
• How much money was spent on alcoholic drinks over the two days?
• How many delegates needed local accommodation?
• Where did they stay and at what cost?
• What did the security services for delegates cost?
• How much money was spent on entertainment at the three events?
• What other expenditures were incurred and at what cost?
• How much of the total was supplied by the premier’s office and how much was contributed by treasury?
