Abrahams gets R1.2m while NPA short of funds #CAP

Five days after Parliament heard that performance bonuses for prosecutors were re-assessed because of the NPA's lack of funds, it has emerged that NPA head, Shaun Abrahams, received a R1.2m car.

Five days after Parliament heard that performance bonuses for prosecutors were re-assessed because of the National Prosecuting Authority's lack of funds, it emerged on Monday that the NPA head, Shaun Abrahams, received a R1.2m car.

DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach asked Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha a parliamentary question to ascertain the details of the car bought for Abrahams after he was appointed NPA head.

He received a Mercedes-Benz GLE 350d Coupé at a cost of R1 234 157.97.

Trainee prosecutors

The statement said: "The vehicle was bought on March 17 2016 as part of G Fleet’s RT57-government contract as approved by the minister of justice and correctional services on January 27 2016."

A RT57 contract is a national contract that makes it possible to buy vehicles from suppliers at reduced rates.

The basic GLE 350d Coupé will now cost R1 187 238, according to the latest price list on the Mercedes-Benz website.

Abrahams on Wednesday submitted his budget and performance plan to MP’s in the justice portfolio committee.

The NPA’s acting chief director of finance, Hanika van Zyl, said the training programme for trainee prosecutors had to be curtailed because of a lack of funds. About R38m is needed annually to train 100 prosecutors.

Van Zyl said it was thought that the NPA would overspend its personnel remuneration budget by about R31m.

She said this was the amount after cost saving measures had already been implemented for the buying of goods, services and performance bonuses.

The state has spent more than R40m on vehicles for ministers since 2014 and it’s not yet known which cars the various ministers have received.

The DA has asked every minister and his/her deputy about cars bought for them since 2014 and in their possession now.

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