#Sona2016: Parly to consider one capital to cut costs
Jacob Zuma has said Parliament must consider the matter with much urgency as the cost is too big.
JOHANNESBURG - During his 2016 State of the Nation Address this evening, President Jacob Zuma said government had undertaken to spend public funds wisely, preventing wasteful expenditure.
Zuma says this includes Parliament considering the viability of two capitals.
He says the matter must be considered with much urgency as the cost is "too big".
He cites that in the current setting, members of the executive have to have two houses, two cars and support staff who travel with them between the two cities.
#SONA2016 Zuma wants Parliament to entertain 2 capitals: Pretoria (administrative) and Cape Town (legislative). GD
- EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) February 11, 2016
#SONA2016 Zuma: we believe the matter of two capitals must be looked at soon. The cost is too big. SG
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) February 11, 2016
"We believe the matter requires the attention of Parliament. The executive has looked into the matter and the cost is too big because it means with the executive we have to have two houses, one in Cape Town and one in Pretoria. You must have a number of official's travelling up and down and if they don't have the right infrastructure, they use hotels. It's a matter that must be considered with urgency if we are to save costs."
The President says cutting wasteful expenditure is a joint effort.
"I also invite Premiers, of all nine provinces, as well as Mayors to join us we begin eliminating wasteful expenditure within government."
Zuma's announcement was met with a positive response.
#SONA2016 Zuma: One thing we would like Parliament to consider is the maintenance of two capitals. Lots of clapping. SG
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) February 11, 2016
He says as part of the efforts to cut costs, budget vote dinners will no longer take place after the delivery of the budget speech, and adds that the size of delegations will be greatly reduced and standardised.
