KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC and Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Francois Rodgers has closed the Treasury office in Durban.
Rodgers was elected Finance MEC after the African National Congress formed a government of provincial unity with the DA and Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). This, after no political party achieved an outright majority (50%+1) to govern the province on its own.
FINANCE MEC CLOSES KZN TREASURY OFFICE IN DURBAN
On Monday, KZN Treasury said closing the office on The Marine Building is Rodgers’ way of demonstrating his commitment to ensure effective spending of the budget.
The closure of the leased office will save KZN Treasury an estimated R1 million per annum. The amount will be directed to other strategic service delivery needs of the department in supporting the province.
Regarding his commitments, Francois Rodgers said his main priority is to stabilise finances in the province and work with the provincial Treasury team to ensure that strategic decisions are taken. This will ensure that they safeguard the provincial fiscus.
Rodgers said the KZN Treasury office in Durban served as a secondary office with an annual lease amount of R1 115 768. He said the Department will save R5 578 000 over five years.
“My ministry team will operate from the Pietermaritzburg office and the team will be as prescribed by the Ministerial handbook. My wish is to enhance the transparency of our decision making in resource allocation and utilisation.
“I am prepared to make tough decisions if we are to demonstrate that we mean business when we say we will stabilise the finances in the province with prudent fiscal management,” Rodgers said.
