Cape Town – Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has disclosed the breakdown of costs for his trip to Paris for the Olympic Games, which totaled R804,597.71.
McKenzie addressed a letter to his acting director-general, Dr Cynthia Khumalo, providing an explanation for the high expenditure.
He acknowledged that the R450,000 spent on ground transport and R113,000 for hotel accommodations were excessive.
His business class flights cost over R215,000, and accommodation at the Hotel Lumen Paris Louvre, including dinner, bed, and breakfast, amounted to R116,222.83 for seven nights.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), McKenzie said that he would provide further details regarding the expenses.
“I will answer all media questions at our 100 day press briefing tomorrow and have my say,” he wrote.
This is the response from @SportArtsCultur as promised. I will answer all media questions at our 100 day press briefing tomorrow and have my say. pic.twitter.com/WLBhn2Stfm
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) October 16, 2024
The EFF has criticised McKenzie for wasteful expenditure, with plans to file complaints with Parliament’s ethics committee and the Public Protector.
The party argued that McKenzie violated the Ministerial Handbook, especially regarding the exorbitant ground transport costs.
♦️Must Watch♦️
The EFF Member of Parliament, Commissar Sinawo Thambo on the EFF’s Statement Following Referral of Gayton McKenzie to Ethics Committee for Misuse of Taxpayer Money, and Dishonesty Regarding His Attendance of Paris Olympic Games.
The EFF is of the firm belief… pic.twitter.com/9cesHhpYtv
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) October 16, 2024
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
