It has emerged that Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa spent R570,000 on luxury hotel accommodation in December, bringing the total amount of taxpayer’s money wasted on personal opulence between him and his deputy Fikile Mbalula so far to R3.7-million – if you include the cars they bought recently.

It is still in our memories how Mthethwa recently spent more than R235,000 at a the Table Bay Hotel, and claimed he had no idea that establishment was that expensive. This statement tells us one of two things, he either doesn’t care how he spends our money or he is spending it just because he can. Either way he is showing the South African taxpayers a fat middle finger.

His office said he spent the R570,000 while in KwaZulu-Natal (his home province) in December on “official duties” and taking part in road shows intended to reduce festive-season crime. His April stay at the Hilton, it is claimed was due to the national elections.

Cope said Mthethwa was either campaigning for the ANC or simply went home and billed the government.

Now what should we make of President Jacob Zuma’s calls for austerity and prudence? The people he has employed (for their loyalty) surely must know something we don’t. Methinks the new administration speaks in forked tongues.

I am sure after making a public statement they go down to their favourite pub and crack themselves up saying: “Did you hear that part comrade where I said we should be prudent and all that jazz? I had them going there and chanting my name as if they believed I meant it. Please order another bottle of Johnny Walker blue there, I am dying of thirst.”

Into the sixth bottle of blue, one would suddenly look at their boss and say: “Boss, do you think I would look nice in a Lamborghini Gallardo? The Benzs and Beemas are so common here in government, they are beginning to feel like a Toyota Yaris. Also the difference between a Bez S-class price and that of a Lamborghini is only about a few million rands.”

But I am glad the local voter is beginning to wake up to the fact the power is with them and not the people they elect to parliament. The uprising in the townships are a good sign that hopefully in the next election, each party will have a hard sell.

Experts, however, argue that it will take another generation before voting is about delivery and not black and white and political sentimentality.

Do you think our politics will move beyond colour in our lifetime? What will it take for voters to realise that power is in the vote? Drop in your comments and let me know your thoughts.

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