ActionSA requests Ethics Committee investigation into Premier Alan Winde's costly US trip on taxpayer's

11 October 2023

ActionSA has formally written to the Speaker of the Western Cape Provincial Legislature, requesting that the Legislature's Ethics Committee investigate the R1.6 million spent by the Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, on his recent trip to the United States.

ActionSA is particularly concerned about reports that R535,885.00 was splurged on hotels, R140,318.78 on food and beverages, and R454,183.78 on airfare. These exorbitant amounts warrant scrutiny

We are further troubled that the misuse of taxpayer funds is a recurring phenomenon among the political office-bearers of the Western Cape Government, as evidenced by the case of the Deputy Speaker's improper use of a luxury vehicle, leading to fruitless and wasteful expenditure in the amount of R158,297.86. Despite our request in December 2022, the Speaker has yet to provide a response regarding our call for Deputy Speaker, Beverley Schafer, to pay back the full amount found to have been wasted by her.

In light of these concerns, ActionSA has called on the Speaker to take the necessary steps to ensure that the Western Cape Provincial Legislature's Ethics Committee conducts a thorough investigation into any misuse or wastage of taxpayer funds by the Office of Premier during his recent trip to the United States, and to provide us with urgent feedback regarding whether the full amount of the fruitless and wasteful expenditure has been recovered from the Deputy Speaker.

Issued by Michelle Wasserman, ActionSA Western Cape Provincial Chairperson, 11 October 2023