Premier’s mansion stands empty
HATED: An aerial picture of one of the tolling gantries on the N1 highway IT has all the bells and whistles a homeowner could want.
At 77 Eccleston Crescent in Bryanston, Sandton, you’ll find a view to die for, a sparkling infinity pool, five bedrooms and five garages, all set in a huge, beautifully landscaped garden.
And you, the taxpayer, paid for the four facelifts — nearly R16-million in total — the property has had since it was bought as the official home for Gauteng’s No 1 citizen, the premier.
After all that, a new contractor was on site this week, this time to start a R2.2-million renovation to convert the property into a business centre to be used for official functions in the province.
This comes after premier David Makhura announced that he and his family would not live there and would remain in their own home.
The Bryanston property was bought by the province for R11.5-million in 2004 for then premier, Mbhazima Shilowa.
More than R8-million was spent on renovations and alterations to the house, conference facilities and parking.
When the next premier, Paul Mashatile, arrived in
A huge amount of tax money is used every month
2008, it required only deep cleaning of the carpets, a fresh coat of paint and waterproofing the roof. The bill was R1.7-million.
But with the arrival of Nomvula Mokonyane the following year, the place was transformed into the mansion on the hill that it is today. The renovations include:
In 2009, just more than R1million was spent on a makeover of the main bedroom and en suite bathroom; a new kitchen, laundry, closet, curtains, new couches and several TV sets; and work on the pool;
In 2010-11, the property required new security lights at a cost of R137 619;
The following year, it needed unspecified repairs to the tune of R470 000;
Last year the Gauteng government spent just more than R2-million on refurbishing the main bedroom, another kitchen makeover and some paint work;
R574 000 on repairing the swimming pool; and
The price tag for the curtains and bedding last year was R1.1-million.
The provincial government confirmed this week that it was paying for the conversion of the property.
Mbangwa Xaba, spokesman for the Gauteng department of infrastructure development, said staff from a contractor, Masingita, were on site. The company was appointed through a closed tender process in September and all furniture was being stored.
Mokonyane left the house soon after her appointment as minister of water affairs Now she lives in a ministerial house, her office said.
A neighbour, who did not want to be identified, said although no one was staying at the house, the lights were switched on every night.
An estate agent in the area, Mark Mitchley, said that depending on the type of renovations, the house could sell for about R40-million today.
Mitchley, who recently sold a similar house in a nearby street for R55-million, said houses in Bryanston could go for more than R60-million depending on view, stand size and value of renovations.
Nino Zama, spokeswoman for the premier, said Makhura’s family decided not to move in when he took office in May. Additional security features had been added at his private home but Zama referred questions about the cost of these to the police, who did not respond.
DA member of the provincial legislature Jack Bloom, who has monitored spending on this property, said the provincial government should consider selling the house, which seems destined to become a “white elephant”.
“A huge amount of tax money is used every month for gardening services, security personnel and other costs related to maintaining the house.
“If the premier isn’t going to live there, the government should sell it,” he said. Comment on this: write to tellus@sundaytimes.co.za or SMS us at 33971 www.timeslive.co.za