No more free water, electricity for politicians| Ramaphosa withdraws controversial perks for millionaire Cabinet ministers after public outrage

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered the withdrawal of the new Ministerial handbook proposing free services, including water and electricity, for Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers, according to spokesman Vincent Magwenya.

Magwenya hosted a media briefing at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Monday.

He said the president acknowledged the public sentiment on the issue.

“President Ramaphosa has ordered the withdrawal process of the presidential minute on the Executive Memebers’ guide – commonly known as the ministerial handbook – of 2022. The withdrawal will give effect to the 2019 version of the guide, pending a review,” Magwenya said.

“The president has listened. The president appreciates the public outcry in the context of economic socio pressures South Africans are facing. We can take heart in the fact that the President has ordered the withdrawal of this; however, the impression created that the amendments were conducted in secrecy and to avoid public scrutiny