The Inkatha Freedom Party in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature has reacted with shock at spending by the Department of Social Development of over a quarter of a million rand on adverts to announce the MEC’s Budget Speech.
In response to a question by the Hon Mrs Ncamisile Nkwayana, the IFP’s member in the Legislature, the Department Head revealed that R306 953.66 was spent on informing the public that the MEC was going to deliver her budget in the Legislature.
“That R306 953, 66 belonged to the people of KwaZulu-Natal. The MEC wasted it and we believe she should pay it back. The spending of such a huge amount of money on adverts is a slap in the face of the poor who go hungry every day. The Department of Social Development should prioritise caring for the needy rather than attempting to popularise the MEC. It is the MEC’s job to speak in the Legislature and people are aware of that so there is no need to advertise it at such great expense”, said Mrs Nkwanyana.
“This large sum of tax payer’s money could have been better used to provide food for the needy in our province. But I suppose that since there is no election taking place now the MEC has forgotten the poor and will go back to delivering food parcels when it is election time in 2016. How can the Department justify such wasteful expenditure?” asked Mrs Nkwanyana.
