Zille hopes DA Cabinet members won't take ministerial perks

JOHANNESBURG - Democratic Alliance (DA) Federal Chair Helen Zille said that she hopes party leaders who have been appointed to Cabinet will not be taking the perks detailed in the ministerial handbook.

Six DA members have been appointed as ministers, while the same number will serve as deputy ministers.

The party has previously been critical of the benefits awarded to serving ministers, including being transported in blue light brigades.

Zille said that the DA's stance remained unchanged.

"I certainly hope they won’t take the full benefits of that ministerial handbook because they are certainly absurd. I hope that they pay for their own lights and water and won’t take two ministerial residences, one in Tshwane and one in Cape Town. I hope they won’t be running around in blue light brigades because that has certainly been our policy for a very long time."