Note to editors: The Minister’s written reply can be accessed here.
The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, has confirmed, in reply to a BOSA parliamentary question asked by Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster MP, that government increased the price cap for official vehicles for Ministers and Deputy Ministers to R1.1 million in July 2025. The trouble is that the Minister is unable to provide a full account of what these perks cost the public.
The threshold, previously set at R800,000, was raised by the National Treasury under President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Government of National Unity (GNU). This decision is offensive to millions of South Africans, who are face a cost-of-living bind, and are reeling from a R3 per litre fuel price increase – effective today.
In his response to our question, the Minister confirmed that the National Treasury does not have a consolidated figure for the total annual cost of official vehicles and related perks. Instead, he pointed to “decentralised procurement” across national and provincial departments. The Minister effectively held his hands up in the air, shifting responsibility, deflecting, and avoiding a clear answer.
At the same time, Treasury conducted detailed internal analysis to justify increasing the vehicle cap, citing inflation and procurement constraints. This is deeply concerning as government can calculate the rising cost of luxury vehicles for politicians, but cannot quantify the total burden these perks place on public money.
It appears there is a blank cheque for political elites to be driven around in the lap of luxury while citizens are forced to count every kilometre and every rand just to get by.
South Africans are being told to tighten their belts as they pay more at the petrol pump and absorb rising food prices. Yet government’s response is to make it easier for politicians to access more expensive vehicles, insulated from the very pressures citizens face every day.
BOSA believes this reflects a broader failure of accountability and priorities within government. You cannot manage what you do not measure, and Treasury’s inability to provide a full cost of executive perks undermines any claim to responsible financial management.
BOSA calls on the Minister of Finance to:
- Publish a full, consolidated account of all executive perks, including official vehicles;
- Review and reduce these benefits in line with current fiscal constraints; and
- Prioritise meaningful relief for South Africans over the comfort of politicians.
While South Africans count every litre of fuel, government is counting none of the cost for themselves and their friends. In a time of deep economic strain, leadership should be defined by restraint and a clear alignment with the realities facing people. Instead, we are seeing decisions that entrench privilege and erode public trust.
Media Enquiries:
Roger Solomons
BOSA Spokesperson
072 299 3551