The Ministry of Communications rejects statements by Cosatu that seek to vilify Political Office Bearers who purchased vehicles for official duty upon taking office.
We have stated several times that the Department of Communications did not violate any rule when it secured official vehicles for the Minister of Communications. Cabinet has also stated that the Political Office Bearers who acquired official vehicles upon assuming office did not break any rule.
We therefore find it opportunistic for COSATU to turn a blind eye on all these facts and rather embark on a tirade in a bid to cast aspersions over the Minister of Communications' conscience.
We also find it absurd for COSATU to suggest that the Minister should now return the official vehicles, the tools with which he is supposed to deliver on his mandate and meet the expectations of the public.
It is unfortunate that COSATU finds itself joining the bandwagon of those who are hell-bent on distracting this new administration from delivering on its commitments to the electorate.
COSATU fails to understand that these vehicles are not personal possessions of the Minister, but have been secured only to aid him in meeting his obligations to the Republic.
Furthermore, the suggestion by COSATU that the Ministerial Handbook is a product of the apartheid era is without basis, reckless and unfortunate. For the record, the current Ministerial Handbook was reviewed and approved by cabinet on 7 February 2007, 13 years into freedom and democracy.
For more information contact:
Tiyani Rikhotso
Tel: 012 427 8010
Cell: 083 800 9936
E-mail: tiyani@doc.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Communications
8 September 2009
