This was revealed in a reply to a DA parliamentary question, which indicated that R1 238 539, an average of nearly R250 000 per year, was spent on pot plants in treasury departmental offices in the past five years.
According to Dion George, DA Shadow Minister of Finance, Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene conceded that his department had already spent nearly R40 000 this year on pot plant maintenance.
The DA sought a briefing from the new Minister of Finance, Nhanhla Nene on the matter and would submit further questions to ascertain whether any steps would be taken to limit future expenditure in this area, said George.
“It is highly disappointing that despite former Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan’s commitment to belt tightening measures during his Medium Term Budget Review last year, treasury failed to take its own advice,” he said
National Treasury’s pot plant expenditure of R39 917 thus far this year eclipsed the Department of Tourism, which succeeded in keeping its pot plant expenditure for the past five years to under R20 000.
“If financial prudence is not exercised within treasury, it is unsurprising that state departments such as science and technology succeeded in spending
R1 074 429 on the maintenance of plants over the past five years.”
