Millions for MPs’ ‘secret’ f lowers
PARLIAMENT plans to spend R1-million in the next two years — on fresh flowers and fruit baskets.
The baskets and assorted blooms, including table posies in martini vases and loose cut flowers, will be used to beautify venues for special events and dining rooms, where MPs eat what some last month called fattening buffet meals at the legislative capital.
They are also given to staff as a “token of appreciation” or “sympathy offering” in cases of illness or bereavement.
Parliament’s annual reports, analysed over the past five years, reveal a combined expenditure of R17.7-million on fresh flowers, pot plants and decorations.
‘‘It’s not justified given the economic situation we find ourselves in,” said Alf Lees, DA spokesman on public accounts.
But Luzuko Jacobs, spokesman for parliament, defended the decision.
“We do not believe the amount estimated is over the top in relation to the purpose specified,” he said on Friday.
Tender documents said the “value of this bid is estimated to exceed R1-million”.
Because of strict security around the parliamentary precinct, the project is classified “confidential”. The winning bidder will have to take an oath of secrecy and their staff be subjected to security checks.
Asked how much would be spent on fruit and flowers, Jacobs estimated the amount at R432 000 over 12 months.
Bidding by potential suppliers closed on Friday, just days after the National Treasury faced criticism for failing to follow its own advice on prudent financial behaviour.
The Treasury admitted, in a response to questions raised in parliament, to having spent R1.2-million over the past five years on the maintenance of pot plants.
Former finance minister Pravin Gordhan vowed last year to slash spending on a raft of perks for government officials, including luxury cars, credit cards, food, drink and entertainment budgets.
Although R1-million was not in itself huge, combining it with additional spending by various ministers on items such as flowers, plants and furniture amounted to a substantial sum of money, said Lees.
“It’s not to say that there is no need to try to make a pleasant atmosphere in the dining rooms, but that can be done with minimal cost, as we all do in our own homes.
“We don’t go out every day and buy a fresh bunch of flowers to decorate our homes.”
MPs in the executive are also allowed, according to the Ministerial Handbook, to ask the Department of Public Works to supply cut flowers for official functions held at their stateowned homes.