State foots R1m bill for renovations on army chief’s home – report

Just another day in South Africa: About R1 million of taxpayers’ money was spent towards renovations and furnishings for a Pretoria home occupied by the South African National Defence Force’s (SANDF) chief, General Lawrence Mbatha, Sunday Times reports.

All this less than three months after Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula bemoaned a R15 billion budget cut for her portfolio.

“We must inform this House of the negative impact our declining allocation has had and will continue to have on the Department of Defence in general – our military capabilities in particular and our ability to meet our operational responsibilities assigned to us as well as our international obligations,” Mapisa-Nqakula said when delivering her budget vote back in May 2021.

SANDF’s spending spree for army chief

Well contrary to the minister’s claim, the latest spending saga implies the SANDF may have money to burn. According to Sunday Times, the state funded the new additions to General Lawrence Mbatha’s house in Waterfloof, one of the poshest neighbourhoods in the capital – properties there range from under R4 million. The house has reportedly been fitted with some plush features including a basketball court and carpets, which totalled nearly R300 000.

While installations for new cupboards, a shower, six toilet paper holders, bath tubs & basis and paving cost approximately R280 000. Curtains for the home did not come cheap either, with the state having paid R181 000. Sunday Times has cited “insiders” who claim Mbatha’s wife went to Fordsburg, Johannesburg, for the purchases.

The state also forked out more than R205 000 towards other renovations to Mbatha’s home, including the installation of air conditioning units, fixing leaking roofs and electrical wiring, among others.

Mbatha was announced as the new SANDF army chief back in April 2020, taking over from Major General “Mannetjies” de Goede.