Has Minister Dlamini misled South Africans and grant recipients on R12 million travel?

20 September 2016

The DA has made an application in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to request a full breakdown, as per my question to the Minister, of the costs incurred by the Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini, on her overseas travel, stays at the Oyster Box Hotel, and other information requested that has not be adequately answered. 

Specifically Minister Dlamini, in her reply to a DA parliamentary question, only accounts for R1.6 million spent on travel which we contend is wholly misleading, considering that the latest Annual report pitches her travel at R12 million.

Based on her deliberately vague responses to written questions - that enquire into R12 million spent on overseas travel - it would appear that the Minister of “Smallanyana Skeletons” is determined to keep her skeletons firmly locked up in the cupboard. 

In fact, apart from explaining why she had to go (as a representative to various UN councils), the question with regards to the use of tax payers’ money is not answered at all. 

The DA will no longer accept the ducking and diving in this manner, especially when it comes to the use of public funds. The Minister giving vague answers, or no answer at all, has become the norm of late. 

If she has no more skeletons in her closet, then there is no reason to avoid questions with regards to use of tax payers’ money. The Minister has an obligation to adequately answer written and oral questions put to her by any member of the House.

We are still awaiting a response to her R11 000 per night stays at the Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga Rocks and her justification thereof.

Furthermore, the DA has written to the Leader of Government Business, Cyril Ramaphosa, expressing our concerns and frustration at the lack of accountability by the Minister, coupled with her vague responses to questions, and asked that he address the situation urgently.

There are 3 million children facing starvation in South Africa. We cannot and will not sit by and watch this happen, while the Minister is living a life of luxury at their expense. 

Issued by Lindy Wilson, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Social Development, 20 September 2016