DA introduces bill seeking to limit Cabinet benefits
Updated | By Sandile Bhengu
The Democratic Alliance says it's introducing a Private Member's Bill in Parliament which it says is designed to take over President Cyril Ramaphosa's unrestricted powers over the Ministerial Handbook.
The party says the current legal framework has allowed for the abuse the handbook by forcing taxpayers ‘to pay for unnecessary benefits for Ministers and Deputy Ministers’.
It follows recent revelations that the handbook was amended in April to allowed members of the executive to receive free water and electricity at their official homes.
READ: DA: Ministerial Handbook allows ministers to hire more staff
The DA's Leon Schreiber says the amendment was possible due to the lack of a legal framework.
"This untenable situation changes today, with the DA's introduction of a new Private Member's Bill to cut Cabinet perks.
"The Bill will bring to an end to the impunity with which the President is able to secretly force taxpayers to pay for additional perks and benefits.
"The bill will force the President to first obtain properly considered and costed recommendations from the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers before introducing benefits or allowances for Ministers and Deputy Ministers."
ALSO READ: DA vows to push for revision of ministerial handbook
Schreiber says the bill will require the President to openly report any changes and new benefits to the National Assembly within 30 days.
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