Minister says spending R186,150 on hotel accommodation saved taxpayers money

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, said that spending R186,150 on hotel accommodation saved taxpayers money.

Macpherson shared this information in response to a Parliamentary question by National Assembly member Zelna Abader.

Abader asked Macpherson whether he considers it ethical and justifiable to spend R186 150 of taxpayers’ money on hotel accommodation.

He responded that his hotel accommodation is more cost-effective than renting or purchasing a dedicated residence for the Department.

He explained that the circumstances arose after President Cyril Ramaphosa increased the number of cabinet positions.

“It would not be financially responsible to acquire additional residential assets on the assumption that the size of the executive may increase from time to time,” he said.

He slated Abader’s question, arguing that she essentially prefers to spend millions on purchasing additional houses or tens of thousands a month to lease property.

“This excludes costs associated with maintenance, staff costs and police costs which include police officers guarding houses over fighting crime in communities,” he said.

He pointed to the cost of maintaining properties by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.

At Pelican Park, the Parliamentary Village, the Department paid R6.488 million in municipal utility charges between 13 June 2024 and 20 August 2026.

Across all Parliamentary Villages, the Department incurred the following expenditure:

• R11.249 million on maintenance between 1 April and 21 August 2026.
• R11.259 million on municipal services between 1 April and 21 August 2026.
• R899,325 on the transportation of Members of Parliament and learners between 1 April and 31 July 2026.

“Over a period of approximately five months, the Department incurred expenditure in excess of R23 million to maintain the Parliamentary Villages,” he said.

“If we were to extrapolate that figure over a two-year period, it would be close to a quarter of a billion Rand having been spent since June 2024.”

“I have long supported calls by Members of Parliament rather to seek cheaper forms of accommodation including that of a housing allowance.”

“This frees the state from the burden of municipal charges, maintenance costs, and diverting policing resources from fighting crime.”