The official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) says it is to submit questions to all national departments of government in South Africa about which politicians and officials have gone to Germany during the World Cup at taxpayers’ expense.
This follows a report that the KwaZulu-Natal transport department was sending a delegation to look at the German transport system — during the World Cup. Included in the delegation was the transport department head Kwazi Mbanjwa and five other people, including MECs (provincial ministers) on a 14-day trip.
Official opposition transport spokesperson Stuart Farrow, noting that the KwaZulu-Natal delegates would attend the World Cup semifinal and final, said: “There appears to be no logical reason why the trip had to take place during the World Cup itself.”
Farrow, an Eastern Cape Member of Parliament (MP), said: “The trip comes on the back of reports that the Eastern Cape provincial government is also sending a set of politicians, including the premier, her husband, two MECs, three mayors and the speaker in the provincial legislature on an Arts and Culture [Department} visit to Germany, which also coincides with the World Cup.
“No plausible reason has yet been given as to why these politicians are accompanying the official delegation, or as to the cost. It looks like as many government departments as possible are trying to get to Germany at the taxpayers’ expense,” said Farrow.
He noted that it was reported that the city of Durban (Ethekwini) had already sent a delegation of six officials to Germany, including city manager Mike Sutcliffe.
“All of this travel comes at an enormous cost. It is estimated that a round-trip business class ticket to Frankfurt costs some R30Â 000. That is ignoring the intermediate travel costs and accommodation.
“It is perfectly understandable that various technical members of government need to gain expertise ahead of South Africa hosting the World Cup in 2010 but there is simply no need for politicians to accompany these delegations. Political leadership and specialised expertise are two different matters. One of them can be learnt in Germany; the other cannot.
“In light of this new information, the DA will now submit questions to every national department to determine: which officials and which political figures went to Germany; why they went, what the total cost of their trip was; whether they attended World Cup football matches and why it was deemed necessary that they attend while the World Cup was happening as opposed to before or after.”
Farrow said: “Increasingly the South African taxpayer seems to be footing the bill for unnecessary government travel. The World Cup should not become an excuse for every government official to fly to Germany.” ‒ I-Net Bridge