Cape Town – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has accused Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie of lying about the costs of his trip to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
McKenzie revealed that his trip cost taxpayers over R800,000, with significant expenses for transportation and flights.
The EFF criticised these figures as excessive and unethical, suggesting McKenzie may have taken associates with him.
“The EFF condemns Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, for lying about his attendance at the 2024 Olympic Games and the misuse of taxpayers’ money.
EFF STATEMENT ON LIES AND WASTEFUL EXPENDITURE BY MINISTER OF SPORTS, ART, AND CULTURE
-The EFF condemns Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, for lying about his attendance at the 2024 Olympic Games and the misuse of taxpayers’ money. In response to a… pic.twitter.com/DHSksYKbMR
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) October 15, 2024
“In response to a parliamentary inquiry, McKenzie revealed that he spent R804,590.71 on the trip, including R454,005 for ground transportation and R215,976 for flights, suggesting excessive and unethical expenditure,” the EFF said in a statement.
The party said it intended to refer the minister to Parliament’s Ethics Committee for misuse of state funds.
“The EFF is committed to holding him accountable,” it said.
McKenzie defended his trip on social media, saying he attended meetings and the Olympics’ opening ceremony but left early, rejecting claims of a “joyride”.
I left the day the Olympics started, I went for government meetings with other Ministers of other countries. I didn’t attend the Olympics, only the opening and I came back to work. I could have stayed but wanted to get to know my new portfolio. Stop lying to people. https://t.co/PupxeEtU5Q
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) October 14, 2024
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: X/@matumbu_anthony
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
