MPs call for cap on cost of state funerals
Director-general suspended over contracts
PARLIAMENTARIANS want the costs on state and official funerals to be capped so that there is no unnecessary expenditure.
This emerged when Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille on Tuesday briefed the committee on the suspension of the department’s director-general Sam Vukela in connection with awarding contracts for state funerals.
The call was made as the Presidency was busy reviewing the funeral policy amid reports that the recent funeral of Struggle veteran Andrew Mlangeni cost about R35 million.
Service provider Crocia Events was again awarded the tender for the Mlangeni funeral despite allegations of charging inflated prices for previous funerals.
Auditing firm PWC recently probed allegations involving the funerals of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, former minister Zola Skweyiya and ambassador Billy Masetlha, which cost the state R76m.
Briefing the joint meeting of parliamentary committees, De Lille said the disciplinary process against Vukela would start soon and be chaired by a senior advocate.
De Lille also said in terms of the senior management handbook the disciplinary process should start within 60 days of delivery of a letter to him.
“I sought legal advice and assistance to start the process as directed in minutes of the president. An internal disciplinary process that will be chaired by a senior advocate will be convened in due course,” she told the MPs.
EFF’s Mathapelo Siwisa noted with concern that Crocia Events was awarded the Mlangeni funeral tender yet it had been accused of allegedly inflating prices.
IFP’s Mthokozisi Nxumalo said there was a need to establish why state funerals cost too much.
“It does not make any sense to have a funeral that costs R40m,” Nxumalo said.
DA MP Tim Brauteseth said he had warned De Lille that Vukela was “problematic” and had not answered questions when asked about the cost of state functions in the 2020-21 Budget.
Brauteseth added that Vukela was previously dismissed but was reinstated after a botched transaction for a SAPS building when Police Minister Bheki Cele was police commissioner.
He said the minister should ensure that “the matter does not fall through the cracks”.
Freedom Front Plus MP Philip van Staden said the overcharging of the government for state funerals was a disaster.
“Action must be taken and people taken to jail for looting the funds. The minister must be held accountable,” Van Staden said.
ACDP’s Wayne Thring said it was scandalous to spend in excess of R50m on state funerals and give R350 to the unemployed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“There ought to be a cap on state funerals so that we do not have officials putting hands in the public purse and spending public funds as they do in state funerals,” he added.
Committee chairperson Nolitha Ntobongwana echoed the sentiments of other members that there was a need for state funerals to be capped.
“We need to have a maximum amount,” she said.
“How can a funeral be R35m and (they) appoint the same contractor since 2018?” Ntobongwana said.
Responding to some of the questions, acting director-general Imtiaz Fazel told the MPs that the investigation into the R76m spent on state funerals in 2018 had found that 15% of the payment made was contractually compliant.
“The problem lies with how the department manages these funerals,” he said, adding that the suggestion that the funerals be capped was the way to go to avoid overspending.
De Lille said the funeral of heroes should not be tainted with allegations of corruption.
“We are bringing our heroes and legends into disrepute by having their names dragged into allegations of corruption.
“We must ensure that their funerals are not tainted by allegations of corruption,” she said.
De Lille told the MPs that there was currently a process by the director-general in the presidency to review the state funeral policy.
“We will await that process to come to Cabinet for consideration and approval.”