Cape Town – Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has strongly defended himself against accusations of taking a R800,000 “joyride” to the Paris Olympics, saying that his visit was for official duties, not leisure.
Speaking at a press conference marking his first 100 days in office on Thursday, McKenzie said that he attended six meetings and supported South African athletes, claiming his presence was necessary for his role.
He said that attending major sporting events like the Olympics was part of my job, and portraying it as a joyride was wrong.
“I had six meetings I had to attend now before the opening ceremony. The rugby already started for those that don’t know. So I went to go and watch the Sevens rugby,” said McKenzie.
Watch as the minister speaks below (Courtesy of SABC News)
“Then when the Olympics started I sat in the rain, so our athletes also can have somebody screaming for them there.”
He added: “I’m probably the only minister in the world of sport that was not at the Olympics. Now, where do you get the joyride thing from?
He dismissed the accusations as political attacks.
“It’s my job to go to sporting events, especially the biggest showcasing of talent in the sporting world, which is the Olympics. I didn’t go to the Paralympics and that’s not an achievement. I am still going to go to all the sporting events because that’s government. Now they want to portray me as taking a joyride. That thing, you can do with other ministers. You have chosen the wrong one.”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
