Gravy Plane: International Relations Minister spends over R10 million on charter flights

A reply to a parliamentary question has today revealed that International Relations Minister, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, spent over R10 million on 14 chartered international flights between 1 April 2010 and 30 June 2011.

Each flight cost an average of almost R750 000.

A copy of the reply can be found here.

We calculate that had the Minister used commercial airlines, like ministers should do, she would have saved the South African people R9.6 million.

This is the same minister who, in September this year, chartered a flight from Oslo apparently to avoid having her luggage scanned, as required by international law.

But now a different picture is emerging. The chartered flight from Oslo was not a one-off - expensive chartered flights are clearly her preferred mode of travel.

No doubt the cost of these flights to the South African people is the furthest thing from her mind as she kicks back on a luxury jet. Now she owes us all an explanation.
It is up to the Minister to tell us why she chose to abuse public money for private jets. The DA will be writing to the Public Protector to request an investigation into the Minister's conduct.

Minister of International Relations travels in style

Another reply to a parliamentary question received from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) today reveals that Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane spent R2.9 million on international hotel stays.

This follows a reply received earlier today that indicated Minister Nkoana-Mashabane spent over R10 million on 14 chartered international flights. 

This is clearly a minister with expensive taste. 

In a statement earlier today, I indicated that we will be asking the Public Protector to investigate the Minister's conduct. We will now ask the Public Protector to include the Minister's hotel stays in this investigation. 

The following information was included in the reply: 

• The Minister stayed in 4 and 5 stars hotels, including hotels in the Hilton Group, Sun International and the Westin;
• The average cost per stay was R47 351; and
• The duration of the stays varied from one to five days. 

Whilst the Minister did not provide a breakdown of the duration and cost of specific stays a conservative estimate indicates that she spent R9 500 per night on accommodation at the very least. 

We understand that international travel is part of the Minister's job description. But we don't believe there is any obligation on her to stay in fancy hotels and fly in private jets.

Statements issued by Kenneth Mubu MP, DA Shadow Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, December 14 2011

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter