Cape Town – Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie on Thursday dismissed the EFF’s threats to report him to Parliament’s ethics committee over the high expenses of his Paris Olympics trip, which totaled R804,590.
The EFF claimed McKenzie misused state funds, citing excessive costs for flights, accommodation, and ground transport.
“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 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.
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
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 responded by accusing the EFF of jealousy, claiming they are upset because he holds a ministerial position.
He argued that the EFF is “obsessed” with him and using his name to stay relevant.
“They can take me wherever they want to take me. The EFF needs to be relevant, and Gayton McKenzie is the most relevant name at the moment in this country. When they talk about [party leader Julius] Malema, people don’t listen. They have to talk about McKenzie so he can have the shine I’m experiencing.
Gayton McKenzie says the EFF is using his name to stay relevant.
“They are Gayton-crazy. They are obsessed with me, and I’m enjoying it because I’m a minister.”The EFF has threatened to refeport the minister over his R800K Paris Olympics trip expenses.@TimesLIVE pic.twitter.com/PEZekeDwaR
— Innocentia Nkadimeng (@inno_nkadimeng) October 18, 2024
“They are Gayton-crazy. They are obsessed with me,” McKenzie said during a media briefing.
McKenzie defended the trip costs, stating he didn’t set the travel rules and had no control over the bookings.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
