Mhlaba Memela

Mhlaba Memela

The DA and the ANC are at each other's throats over a decision to build a new KwaZulu-Natal legislature complex that is expected to cost more than R280million.

The ANC-led provincial government has secured a site to build new premises for the legislature in Townhill, outside Pietermaritzburg.

The DA has condemned the recent provincial cabinet decision to build the new centre on the site, saying the move was unnecessary.

Roger Barrows, the DA provincial leader, said the notion was "pathetic stupidity" because the province already had legislature premises in Pietermaritzburg.

"We supported the provincial government moving the legislature from Ulundi because it was costly for members to travel.

"But the latest notion is an awful waste of poor peoples' money," Barrows said.

Barrows said the money should be used to meet the needs of the people.

"People have basic needs. We wonder why the ANC fails the people by building so many fancy offices that cannot deal with peoples' plights," he said.

Willies Mchunu, the speaker in the legislature, described the decision as "prudent'" and "inevitable."

He said building the new complex would save a lot of money because it would be expensive to repair the old offices.