2 days ago
Mashatile's overseas trips spark fury as costs soar to R8m
The total cost of the visit as detailed in the parliamentary response amounted to R2,319,138. The detailed breakdown showed that R613,214 was spent on flights, R1,235,569 on accommodation and R410,926 on ground transport. A further R59,426 was spent on laundry services and meals, including R8,033 for laundry and R51,393 for food and beverages. Mashatile's own flight cost R117,518, while his accommodation amounted to R956,057 and his ground transport R77,360.
His spouse, Humile Mashatile, who also participated in the official programme, incurred travel and accommodation costs of more than R190,000.
The most expensive supporting official was media liaison officer Tshiamo Selomo, whose total trip costs amounted to R580,582.
Other officials included the deputy president's private secretaries, advisers, communications staff and protocol officers, each with travel-related expenses ranging between R80,000 and R130,000.
This latest expenditure adds to a growing international travel bill for the deputy president since taking office.
Previous trips also disclosed in parliamentary replies include working visits to Ireland and the UK in September and October 2024, attendance at the inauguration of Botswana's President Duma Boko in November 2024, and participation in the Extraordinary Sadc Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, that same month.
The Ireland and UK visits cost the state R5,475,829, the Botswana trip R52,867 and the Zimbabwe summit R56,166.
Together with the Japan visit, Mashatile's international travel expenses since July 2024 have now reached nearly R8m.
While the deputy president's office maintains that these trips are critical for advancing South Africa's foreign policy and economic interests, the costs have attracted criticism amid public concern over government spending.
TimesLIVE
