A reply to a Democratic Alliance (DA) parliamentary question reveals that Deputy Police Minister Fikile Mbalula has spent R1.6-million on two new ministerial vehicles, including R83 879 on extras like ceramic surround controls, an off-road package, media interface and a multi-contour seat package.

The reply reveals he spent R832 700 on a new BMW 7 series, and R759 529 on a new Mercedes ML500.

The DA described it as yet another act of gross self-indulgence from a member of the ANC's cabinet.

In a statement the DA said:" All of the gesturing and rhetoric is clearly just window dressing - at the end of the day many ANC members appear to be interested in one thing and one thing alone: how to advance their wealth and lifestyles.

Earlier on Wednesday another DA parliamentary question revealed that deputy minister of water and environmental affairs Rejoice Mabudafhasi had spent close to R900 000 on yet another new ministerial BMW.

"This kind of expenditure is ridiculous;" the DA said, "so far we have ascertained that a total of over R40.5-million has been spent; however, with 4 ministers and 12 deputy ministers still to respond to Democratic Alliance parliamentary questions, and with details of the expenditure of most of the country's MECs still outstanding, it is likely that the final figure will be a great deal higher than that.

"Indeed, if every minister, deputy minister, premier and MEC were to spend the full amount allowed by the government handbook, the total cost could spiral as high as R240-million."

The DA said that only in its Western Cape administration, where no MECs have purchased any new vehicles, and the Premier is using cars from the existing government garage stock, is there "a genuine commitment to austerity, and are funds genuinely being shifted away from luxuries, and towards delivering services and building infrastructure".

"It is also quite absurd for the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, to claim that Mbalula's previous vehicle - a 2006 model Mercedes Benz E350 - needed to be replaced because its high mileage constitutes a "security risk"."

"If the ANC thinks that a three year old car is a security risk, its members have clearly entirely lost touch with reality," the DA said.

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