THE MTHETHWA ANTI-CIME ROADSHOW I was living in Luanda when MPLA took over power in 1975. My friend Louis, who could not speak English well, tried to explain why he would not be able to live under communist rule. ‘Power to the people, and the money to the leaders. Fuck off camarada.’ He said. Whether you like it or not, Africa has a history of the Power to the People and The Money to the Leaders philosophy.

Why then are we so surprised when Trevor Manuel joins the BMW comrade - sorry - brigade.
Why do we even blink when Nathi Mthethwa runs up yet another five-star hotel bill of over R500 000.00? In his home town?

Why do we doubt that he was conducting government business?
Why do we doubt that this government business is always strategically scheduled?
Like over Xmas and New Year, Valentine’s Day and the Easter weekend?
How dare we question why he could not stay at his own house in Durban while conducting this government business – in Durban?
Why do we bother to suggest that he could have chosen anything less than the most expensive hotel in Durban?

 

When The Sunday Independent sought comment from the Minister's office on Saturday, they decided to release a statement to all media, saying ‘the bill was the result of the minister's crime-fighting roadshow!’

Road show indeed.

My heart goes out to the members of the Cosatu office – obviously firm and trusting believers in the Power of The People - who issued the following statement regarding the BMW combrigade. Combrade?

"If ministers are allowed to purchase expensive cars at taxpayers' expense, it gives an impression that they do not care about the message this opulence gives to the poor. Spending so much money on vehicles is a slap in the face of the unemployed and people living in shantytowns. It gives politics a bad name and encourages the view that government office is a stepping stone to quick and easy personal wealth."

Encourages the view indeed.

Kader Khan
Editor
info@yummie.co.za