Ntuthuzelo Nene7 January 2025 | 13:02

DA must not complain about wasteful expenditure when Steenhuisen uses blue lights, says ActionSA

ActionSA's said Steenhuisen's admission to using blue lights contradicts DA federal chairperson Helen Zille's public assertions that no DA minister makes use of blue lights.

DA must not complain about wasteful expenditure when Steenhuisen uses blue lights, says ActionSA

John Steenhuisen as he was being sworn in as Minister of Agriculture in South Africa in July 2024. Picture: X/@jsteenhuisen

CAPE TOWN - ActionSA said that the Democratic Alliance (DA) must never claim to be against wasteful expenditure when its leader and agriculture minister, John Steenhuisen, is using blue lights.

In a parliamentary reply, Steenhuisen acknowledged the use of three luxury SUVs as part of his security detail for official duties, valued at more than R1 million each.

Before being part of the Government of National Unity (GNU), the DA criticised the money spent on ministers' official vehicles, homes, and free flights among other perks.

ActionSA's Dereleen James said Steenhuisen's revelations contradicted DA federal chairperson Helen Zille's public assertions that no DA minister makes use of blue lights.

"ActionSA will fight tirelessly to end this profligate travel and put a stop to the unchecked extravagance and patronage enjoyed by the partners in the grand coalition, who are clearly unwilling to give up self-serving excesses that fly in the face of the poverty that is the daily fare of millions of South Africans who go to bed hungry each day," said James.