Dean Macpherson, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure. (Photo: Facebook/Dean Macpherson)
The DA appealed to Dean Macpherson, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, to have an audit of all state properties that may be illegally occupied by officials carried out.
Bonginkosi Madikizela, DA MP and spokesperson for public works and infrastructure, says he wrote to Macpherson on Monday and asked for a full investigation.
“The DA believes that an audit is now necessary to determine whether any civil servants are illegally living in state properties,” says Madikizela.
According to him, the audit must include officials and office bearers at all three levels of government, as well as members of the military, judiciary, politicians, and family members of officials and employees of all government entities.
The party says the case regarding Judge Daniel Thulare of the Western Cape High Court, who is believed to be illegally occupying a state residence and has already received a notice to vacate the property, is causing serious concern.
Madikizela says it is particularly problematic that Thulare allegedly argued as a defense that other judges also live in government housing.
Judge Daniel Thulare (Photo: Judges Matter)
He adds that an appeal has already been made to Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi to provide clarity on all members of the judiciary possibly living in state-owned properties.
“Now is the time for an audit so that we can do away with people in public positions of power who use state assets unlawfully,” says Madikizela.
The DA says it looks forward to action by Macpherson “as he continues to take action against such abuses and transform the state’s property portfolio into a source of income for the country.”