Minister Macpherson defends R186,150 hotel stay, claims savings of R1.3 million

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has defended the R186,150 for his hotel stay in Gauteng over the past two years, saying it saved the department about R1.3 million.

Responding to parliamentary questions from ATM MP Vuyo Zungula, Macpherson confirmed that taxpayers footed the bill to the tune of R186,150 for 65 nights in accommodation costs in Gauteng between July 3, 2024, and June 20, 2026.

He said the department saved about R1.3 million compared to about R1.5m had it rented accommodation, inclusive of household aide costs.

“Had the department purchased a ministerial residence, the total costs for security installations, staffing, furnishing, and usage would have exceeded R5 million at the very least.