KwaZulu-Natal MEC for finance Francois Rodgers continues to work to eliminate wastage in management of resources of the provincial government.
He has set his sight on cutting wastage incurred through the renting of cars for MECs.
In a statement, the department said, “Rodgers continues in his mission to apply fiscal discipline and cut wastage in the provincial government. A recent investigation undertaken by the MEC indicates that the seventh administration has inherited a legacy of wasteful expenditure.”
It said the investigation centres around vehicle rentals for MECs in the province.
Over four months, R16.8 million was spent on hiring of vehicles for 11 provincial government departments. This would equate to a projected annual expenditure of almost R40m per year.
“In the MEC’s very own department of Treasury, just over a million rand was spent between April and July this year. This is expenditure incurred by his predecessor. The MEC and the team at KZN Treasury are currently exploring the option of acquiring vehicles for MECs through the transversal contract by the national Treasury,” said the statement.
It said this process would mean that the province would project to spend R12m on the acquisition of vehicles, saving the province a projected R27m per annum.
“MEC Rodgers continues to ensure that the four key spending areas ie. job creation, building a sustainable economy, service delivery as well as alleviating inequality and poverty remain non-negotiable priorities,” it said.
The Mercury