Mashatile denies the misuse of state funds amid claims of extravagant international trips
According to responses from the deputy president’s office Mashatile has taken a handful of international trips in 10 months, to Ireland, the UK, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Japan and the most recent one to France.
Paul Mashatile and his wife Humile arrive at the Union Buildings ahead of the 2024 presidential inauguration on 19 June 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Deputy President Paul Mashatile has denied the misuse of state funds amid claims of extravagant international trips.
Since taking up office almost a year ago, Mashatile’s overseas trips have come up to close to R8 million rand.
The deputy president detailed some of the costs he incurred in response to a question by ActionSA's Chief Whip in Parliament Lerato Ngobeni.
According to responses from the deputy president’s office Mashatile has taken a handful of international trips in 10 months, to Ireland, the UK, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Japan and the most recent one to France.
The Ireland and UK trip cost a combined R5 million rand, while R2 million rand was spent on the four days in Japan.
ActionSA said that it believes the spend on accommodation was alarmingly high.
The deputy president said that while the cost of international travel is generally very high, he says these costs must be seen in the context of their original currency in relation to the rand dollar exchange, as well as the going rate of travel expenses, including ground transport, accommodation and flights.
In his defence, Mashatile said that the international visits are aimed at strengthening existing bilateral, political, economic and diplomatic ties between South Africa and visited countries.
He said that the trips are an important part of the country’s attempt to woo investors. In that sense, Mashatile believes the country is getting value for money.