The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean McPherson, justified expenses amounting to 186,150 rand for hotel accommodation in the Gauteng province over the past two years, stating that this department managed to save approximately 1.3 million rand.
Response to Parliamentary Query
Responding to questions from the Atmosphere Member of Parliament (ATM MP) Vuyo Zungulu, McPherson confirmed that taxpayers paid bills totaling 186,150 rand for 65 nights of accommodation in Gauteng between July 3, 2024, and June 20, 2026.
He specified that the department saved approximately 1.3 million rand compared to estimated costs of 1.5 million rand that would have arisen from renting housing, including domestic staff costs.
Comparison with Owning a Residence
McPherson emphasized that if the department had purchased a ministerial residence, the total costs for security systems, personnel, furnishings, and usage would have exceeded 5 million rand at minimum. He noted that accounting for these costs only for 65 nights over two years would be unjustified compared to a much more affordable option.
Furthermore, he added that using the hotel option eliminated the need to house an SAPS officer on-site, allowing for a more efficient distribution of limited police resources in combating crime.
Circumstances of Housing Selection
Earlier this year, the Public Protector cleared McPherson of violating the Executive Ethics Code. When Zungulu asked about the total accommodation expenses in Gauteng since McPherson assumed office as minister on July 3, 2024, he explained that upon appointment, he was informed of a lack of adequate housing in Pretoria for the new executive composition within the National Unity Government.
According to McPherson, if he had received a ministerial home in Pretoria, the department would have had to enter the market to purchase or rent property.
Market Assessments and Budgetary Constraints
McPherson also stated that despite the costs for necessary security systems, SAPS personnel, domestic staff, and maintenance, the market value for renting a fully furnished home in the Waterkloof area would have been around 50,000 to 60,000 rand per month, while purchasing would cost between 4 and 5 million rand, excluding furniture. He declared this impractical and unacceptable due to the department's limited budget and urgent service delivery needs.
He also mentioned that he made every effort to minimize the time spent in Gauteng to avoid further expenses. Thus, he had to choose between the millions incurred for lodging in rented or owned accommodation for 2.7 nights per month or finding a more economical alternative, which was done.
Costs of Ministerial Residences
McPherson also pointed out that the cost of servicing 42 properties in Pretoria for ministers amounted to 5.1 million rand from April to June of this year. This sum included 2.6 million rand for scheduled maintenance, 1.1 million rand for unscheduled maintenance, as well as costs for taxes (561,963 rand), water (380,422 rand), sanitation (109,472 rand), waste removal (65,463 rand), and electricity (263,430 rand).
He added that on average, one property per month during the specified period cost 40,573.10 rand, which does not include security costs covered by SAPS or household staff costs paid by each department. The upkeep of one domestic staff member costs between 15,000 and 18,000 rand per month.
Comparison with Other Ministers
Earlier this month, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, David Meyer, reported that the department spent 301,979 rand on former ministers Dion George and Willie Avkamp for accommodation expenses starting from July 3, 2024. 219,465 rand was spent on George, and 82,414 rand on Avkamp over two years.
