A view of the '131 on Herbert Baker' hotel where minister Des van Rooyen is staying at taxpayers expense Government has spent an estimated R500 000 housing Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Des van Rooyen and his family in a five-star boutique hotel.The Mail and Guardian reported on Friday that the Department of Public Works justified the expense by saying there was no official state-owned residence available when he was appointed as a minister.The family have been booked into the hotel‚ with sweeping views of Pretoria‚ on a month-to-month basis since January 1.Van Rooyen was controversially appointed as the Minister of Finance by President Jacob Zuma on December 9 last year. The rand took a beating when it was revealed that he had replaced Nhlanhla Nene in the key position. He was appointed Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister four days later.Pravin Gordhan‚ in his budget speech tabled in Parliament on February 24‚ made a point of emphasisin...
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