Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s “belt-tightening measures” means Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba’s personal assistant will still be fastening her seatbelt in economy class.A request for the aide to travel business class - to prevent GigAba “arriving late for scheduled appointments” – was stamped “NOT APPROVED”.It was one of the 22 – out of 28 - requests for deviations from cost containment measures that National Treasury refused to accede to April 1‚ 2015 and July 31‚ 2016.“…Gordhan‚ is clearly desperately trying to hold the fiscal line but his belt-tightening measures are being resisted by ministers and officials too accustomed to the high life‚” said the Democratic Alliance’s David Maynier after receiving the information in a reply to his parliamentary question.These cost containment measures were originally introduced during Gordhan’s first stint as finance minister three years ago in his National Treasury Instruction No. 1 of 2013/14.Maynier highlighted Home Affairs’ reque...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.