By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Government spokesperson Phumla Williams says ministers and deputy ministers are not exempt from paying for water and electricity.
Williams said Department of Public Works is responsible for providing water and electricity to state-owned residences.
“We would like to assure South Africans that the private properties of the members of the executive (mostly ANC members) remain their responsibility, their upkeep, including the water and electricity.”
This comes after government noted an article published in the City Press newspaper dated 09/10/2022 saying “ministers pay nothing for water and electricity”.
Williams said that, as stipulated in the Ministerial Handbook which contains guidelines for members of the executive, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) is responsible for the costs associated with the provision of water and electricity to any state-owned residence.
“The Department of Public Service and Administration sets out the provisions in the ministerial handbook. These provisions are part of the package that comes with being a member of the Executive as they are living in state-owned houses in service of the country.
“The only facilities exempt from load shedding are the seat of government, which is the Union Buildings, as well as the House of Parliament. The other facilities exempt from load shedding are mines that supply Eskom with coal,” she added.
Williams further said that people in the proximity of these facilities, may also be exempt from load shedding.
“Hospitals are required by law to have their own backup power, however, due to the continued load shedding; government is working on a plan to exempt certain hospitals in the country,” Williams said.
Government further urges consumers to continue to pay for the services they receive so that municipalities are able to collect revenue, meet their debt obligations, and provide quality services to communities.
Meanwhile DA said it wanted a review of how amendments which details perks for ministers and their deputies can be changed by President Cyril Ramaphosa without consulting anyone.
DA Shadow Minister of Public Service and Administration Leon Schreiber said the lack of transparency is giving rise to the outrage.
“It appears Ramaphosa hid from the public amendments he made to the Ministerial Handbook that force taxpayers to pay water and electricity bills of Cabinet cadres.