New ministries set to cost millions

Responding to a question submitted by Democratic Alliance MP, Malcolm Figg, Nene said on average R8 million a year was required for a new ministry and R4 million for a new deputy ministry.

There are three new ministries in the new cabinet, including telecommunications and postal services headed by Siyabonga Cwele, small business development headed by Lindiwe Zulu, and water and sanitation headed by Nomvula Mokonyane.

Each of these departments has its own deputy minister.

Co-operative governance and traditional affairs, rural development and land reform, and labour were each given an additional deputy minister.

Further, justice and constitutional development, and correctional services were combined, and now has two deputy ministers.

International relations and co-operation will still be served by two deputy ministers.

In a written parliamentary reply, Nene said provision would be made on existing budget votes for the setting up of the new ministries.

The costs would be covered mostly through the expenditure re-prioritization on the relevant budget votes, Nene said.

“Operational costs incurred by departments must be in line with cost containment guidelines issued by the treasury,” he said.

Figg expressed concern about the costs of new ministries and deputy ministers. “With a depressed economy that is struggling to create jobs, now more so than ever, government cannot afford any unplanned and uncontrolled expenditure,” Figg said.

According to Figg, the 35-strong cabinet has been estimated to cost the taxpayers about R1 billion by 2016.