National
Arms deal inquiry cost taxpayers R80m─── 06:26 Wed, 26 Nov 2014
Pretoria - Taxpayers have forked out over R80m so far to fund the Seriti Commission of Inquiry into allegations of corruption in the multi-billion rand 1999 arms deal, Justice Minister Mike Masutha revealed on Tuesday.
"The total cost as at 30 September 2014 is R83.199m," Masutha said in written reply to a question by DA MP David Maynier. Sapa
Most of the money spent had been on paying the salaries of evidence leaders who were brought on as consultants.
"The total cost of consultants from 27 October 2012 up to 30 September 2014 is R41.955m," said Masutha.
These included senior evidence leaders Simon Lebala who earned R10.2m, followed by Phumlani Ngobese who received R6.7m, and Barry Skinner who earned just over R5m.
Forensic auditor Jabulani Mahlangu earned a total of R9.2m.
The commissioners are full-time judges and are therefore not paid by the commission.
