Ex-MK MPs won’t give up state-subsidised accommodation

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Abuse of state-subsidised accommodation is under the microscope yet again, after former Members of Parliament (MPs) refuse to move out. Three are from the uMkhonto we Sizwe party (MK Party) and one is from the ANC, reports GroundUp. As such, the department responsible for Parliamentary Villages in Cape Town has asked the State Attorney to institute legal action to evict the former MPs who are no longer involved in any way with Parliament business.

Cape Town’s Parliamentary Villages comprise 666 residential units. These include Acacia Park with 493 residential units, Pelican Park made up of 108 residential units and Laboria Park comprising 65 residential units. Members of Parliament, sessional officials, support staff to disabled MPs and DPWI officials performing standby duties are all accommodated in these villages. It’s unclear in which of the villages the former MPs reside …

STATE-SUBSIDISED ACCOMMODATION

A multi-million Rand upgrade was announced for Cape Town’s Parliamentary Villages back in 2020. Image: File

According to the GroundUp report, the former MPs of the MK are France Bongani Mfiki, Garatwe Agnes Mogotsi and Nomado Grace Mgwebi (pictured above). They were appointed in June 2024 following the May elections but were removed by the party in August 2025. All have been stripped of their party membership but continue to reside in state-subsidised accommodation.

The fourth person is ANC MP Lawrence Edward McDonald, who was in Parliament for five years from May 2019 to May 2024. It is understood that McDonald is receiving treatment for an illness and that is why he’s failed to move out. Similar problems arose following the 2019 General Election. Some former MPs did have to be forcibly removedfrom their state-subsidised accommodation.

WASTE OF TAXPAYER MONEY

MPs allocated state-subsidised accommodation are put up in expensive hotels until evictions go through. Image: File

Worse still, parliament spends millions of taxpayer money to put MPs in hotels until such time as the houses are vacated. The highly state-subsidised accommodation includes basic furniture, free electricity and water. MPs also receive a ‘settling-in allowance’ when they move in. This is to buy anything not included in the house, like kitchenware and linen. They also enjoy a free shuttle service to and from Parliament each day. The issue of the ex-MPs was raised by public works minister Dean Macpherson (DA). After no response to eviction notices, the department handed over to the State Attorney for further action.

MPs are given a month’s grace after losing office to make arrangements to move out. Parliament also foots the bill for the transfer of their belongings/vehicles anywhere in South Africa. However, it is understood that the three former MK MPs are not moving because they are in litigation with the party over the loss of their jobs. 15 MK MPs were suddenly fired last year, leading to accusations of cronyism within the party. Among their replacements were former Transnet executives Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama. And former PRASA CEO Lucky Montana.