The Zondo Commission spends about R18 million a month on taxpayer money only to its investigators and their state hijacking investigations.
It does not include the sky-high salaries of the advocates acting as witnesses for the commission.
Parliament heard on Wednesday that the commission had requested an additional R42m from the Justice and Correctional Services because its budget for its investigators is currently depleted.
This amount is in addition to the R150 million budgeted for the commission for the 2020-21 financial year.
MPs in the Justice and Correctional Services Portfolio Committee also heard on Wednesday that the commission has been chasing around taxpayers since its inception about R700m.
The Department of Justice and Correctional Services and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) appeared before the committee in connection with their adjusted budgets.
Adv. Jacob Skosana, acting director general of the department, was also asked why the Zondo Commission was allocated more money while all other government departments and entities’ budgets were cut.
MPs also wanted to know if there is transparency with all the money allocated to the commission and what is being done to reduce the commission’s “runaway” costs.
Skosana said the department respects the Supreme Court order that extended the commission’s deadline, which states, among other things, that it is in the best interests of all South Africans for the commission to complete its work.
According to him, the major cost drivers for the commission are his investigative work and witness leaders.
“They spend about R18m a month on their investigations. This includes the remuneration of investigators and the very expensive equipment for their investigative work.
“The commission requested a budget of R240 million for 2020-21. What struck me, however, was the 5% increase in the compensation of their advocates.
“I refused to approve it because no one in South Africa, from judges, directors-general or other public servants, received increases this year. They would send a wrong message. However, their fees are staggering. ”
According to Skosana, the commission adjusted its budget to R150m. He also directed that stricter control be exercised over the remuneration of witness leaders.
Skosana added that the commission was told to hold their meetings in a government building instead of the previous building they rented to the private sector for the most part.
Adv. Jacob Skosana, acting director general of the department, was also asked why the Zondo Commission was allocated more money while all other government departments and entities’ budgets were cut.
MPs also wanted to know if there is transparency with all the money allocated to the commission and what is being done to reduce the commission’s “runaway” costs.
Skosana said the department respects the Supreme Court order that extended the commission’s deadline, which states, among other things, that it is in the best interests of all South Africans for the commission to complete its work.
According to him, the major cost drivers for the commission are his investigative work and witness leaders.
“They spend about R18m a month on their investigations. This includes the remuneration of investigators and the very expensive equipment for their investigative work.
“The commission requested a budget of R240 million for 2020-21. What struck me, however, was the 5% increase in the compensation of their advocates.
“I refused to approve it because no one in South Africa, from judges, directors-general or other public servants, received increases this year. They would send a wrong message. However, their fees are staggering. ”
According to Skosana, the commission adjusted its budget to R150m. He also directed that stricter control be exercised over the remuneration of witness leaders.
Skosana added that the commission was told to hold their meetings in a government building instead of the previous building they rented to the private sector for the most part.
