Parliament can’t continue paying for benefits of ex-Cabinet members, says Thandi Modise

Parliament can no longer carry the burden of paying for benefits due to former Cabinet members.

That’s according to National Assembly Speaker, Thandi Modise.

She said that while Parliament currently footed the bill, it could no longer continue to do so.

Modise was speaking during the debate on Parliament’s R2.6 billion budget on Tuesday.

Among the perks of being an ex-Cabinet minister were the free flights and contributions to medical aid. But Modise said that this could not go on.

“We are engaging the former members of the executive on their continued benefits. The reason we do that, is that budget for former ministers comes from the budget of Parliament and we cannot continue to do it.”

Modise did not specify whether this included former presidents and deputy presidents.

She said that Parliament also wanted provincial legislatures to take over paying medical aid contributions for former members (MPLs).

“In case members do not know, a member of the legislature who has never set foot in this House, when they retire, and continue with Parmed, this House carries the bill.”

Modise said that Parliament’s budget for this year was cut by R256 million and that it faced further cuts, totaling R634 million, over the following two years.

-EWN

In other news – Prayers pour in for Skeem Saam actor Clement Maosa over death of his mom and dad who died after their engagement

Skeem Saam actor and businessman Clement Maosa whose always been vocal about losing his parents at a very young age recently took to social media to share a snap of his birth parents on the day they celebrated their engagement.

Clement reflected on how their death came about so sudden and he and his siblings did not even get time to mourn. Learn More

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