Premier’s Bryanston property not a waste of money
BRYANSTON – The premier’s house in Bryanston is currently used to host official functions and meetings.
The Gauteng Provincial Department is resolute that renovating the premier’s property in Bryanston was not wasting the public money.
Provincial Communication Services deputy director-general at the office of the premier Thabo Masebe explained that Premier David Makhura informed the Executive Council at its first meeting after assuming the office that he would not be moving into the official residence.
He further explained that previous premiers did stay in the house but Makhura preferred to live with his family in their home, and government respected his decision.
“The house is currently being utilised to host official functions and meetings – saving government a lot of money which would have been spent hiring hotels and other conferencing facilities,” he indicated.
He concluded that the fact that the current premier decided not to live in the official residence did not mean keeping the house was a waste of money.
“Previous premiers have resided in the property and it cannot be assumed that any future premiers will choose not to live in the property,” concluded Masebe.
Gauteng DA member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) Jack Bloom said a total of R4.2 million had been spent on the official residence since May last year, even though the premier no longer lives there.
According to Bloom this was revealed by Infrastructure Development MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza in a written reply to his questions in the Gauteng Legislature.
“The house in Bryanston was refurbished for R2.47 million which included converting a mini-golf course into parking, fixing the leaking roof, replacing all external door locks, and repairs to the electrical system, plumbing, paintwork and furniture,” he said in a statement.
He explained that the house was bought in March 2004 for R11.5 million for the use of then-Premier Mbhazima Shilowa. Since then, more than R20 million has been spent on its upkeep, including many refurbishments and repairs.
He further expanded that R8.4 million was spent for renovations and alterations of the main house, conference facilities and the parking area when Shilowa was the premier.
“This house is a white elephant that should be sold as soon as possible. I suspect it is being retained because connected people are making money out of its running costs and never-ending repairs and maintenance,” he concluded.
Details: DA Gauteng 082 333 4222; Office of the Premier 011 355 6878.
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