Pandor panders to ego with TWO new Mercedes ML350

The science and technology department has spent R1.4m on TWO Mercedes-Benz ML350's for Minister Naledi Pandor. (News24)

In her reply, Pandor said one of the previous two vehicles had a gearbox fault and the cars had registered 141 000km and 106 000km respectively.

A reply to another question, showed the police department had spent R1.3m on replacement vehicles for Minister Nathi Mthethwa - two BMW X5s.

Extras included reverse cameras, navigation system, and sport suspension, coming to about R200 000.

In his reply, Mthethwa said the two previous vehicles - a BMW X5, 2003 model and an Audi A8 2006 model, were both "mechanical[ly] unsound".

How cats always land on their feet....

The Fat of the Land

President

Annual salary: R2 040 780

Corporate credit card

State funeral with full military ceremonial honours

Presidential guest house

Full salary for life after leaving office

Security for life after leaving office

R1,3-million annual contribution to medical aid

Free furnished accommodation in Cape Town and Pretoria

Free cleaning and maintenance of these residences

R3-million for two cars for Cape Town and Pretoria

Daily allowance when travelling abroad for tips, room service, reading material and normal liquid refreshments

Deputy president

Annual salary: R1 836 745

State funeral with prescribed military ceremonial honours

Corporate credit card

Full salary for life after leaving office

Security for life after leaving office

R1,3-million annual contribution to medical aid

Free furnished accommodation in Cape Town and Pretoria

Free cleaning and maintenance of the residences

R3-million for two cars for Cape Town and Pretoria

Ministers

Annual salary: R1 561 223

Rent-free house in either Cape Town or Pretoria

Domestic worker

Corporate credit card

Two official cars in Cape Town and Pretoria to the value of R1-million each

Free government transport for spouses and dependants

30 business-class tickets annually for minister and spouse for discretionary use

First-class international travel for official trips

Six economy-class tickets annually for children

Spouses can travel on official trips and enjoy same benefits as ministers

Use of South African Air Force aircraft

Free travel on the Blue Train

Use of VIP lounges at airports

Private office with 10 staff members including four secretaries

Official funeral

Security worth R100 000 a year at private residences

Free telephone and internet services

(from the Mail and Guardian)

BMW's for everyone!!!

New Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda has treated himself to a pair of German luxury cars, one to use in Pretoria and the other in Cape Town. (from the M&G)

In a written reply to a parliamentary question, posed by the Democratic Alliance, he said the new vehicles -- both 2009 BMW 750i models -- cost R1 135 500 each.

His reply also reveals the cars are fitted with R148 400 worth of extras, including, in the Pretoria-based vehicle, a R23 400 "rear-seat entertainment" system and a R5 600 "high-gloss satin chrome" paint job.

Nyanda said the existing official vehicles available for him had either done more than 120 000km, or were more than five years old, and in terms of the Cabinet-approved Ministerial Handbook he was entitled to new ones...