Fifteen KZN MPLs have to do without personal drivers after failing to provide certification to show they require such a perk.
|||Durban - Fifteen KwaZulu-Natal MPLs would have to do without personal drivers after declining to reapply, undergo medical examinations or provide certification to show they require such a perk.
Initially, 22 of the 68 ordinary MPLs were allowed to be chauffeur driven at an annual cost of R3.2 million in salaries alone.
Last month, the KZN Whips Forum adopted new regulations after protests from opposition benches because the 22 MPLs chose their drivers.
It was alleged this was being abused as MPLs could appoint relatives.
ANC provincial spokesman, Senzo Mkhize, said they had identified gaps in the old policy, which had been rectified and amended.
“All members who needed a driver because of medical reasons would have applied. Some had applied in terms of the old policy. This posed a problem because certain documents required by the new policy were not handed in. They have since reapplied. There isn’t a deadline for applications,” Mkhize said.
DA chief whip in the KZN Legislature, Radley Keys, said the new rules meant all 22 MPLs with drivers had to reapply for the benefit.
He said several MPLs had declined to apply and undergo the medical examination and certification required.
“The outcome is that R15 000 per month, per members’ driver, is being saved. This is up to a total of R225 000 per month and R2.7m of ratepayers’ money per year,” Keys said.
The Minority Front’s Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi said the investigation had shown that there was abuse.
“Proper guidelines were drafted, which give clear directions on who can and cannot qualify for a chauffeur.
“It is a policy that now is inclusive, so that Parliament becomes the role model to satisfy people with disabilities being represented among political parties,” Rajbansi said.
“This perk makes it possible for them to function effectively.”
Daily News