By Akani Nkuna
The EFF has called for a Parliamentary report on international travel for Public Works Minister, Dean Macpherson, following confirmation that the minister spent R350,000 on his partner’s travel costs to the BRICS Summit in Brazil last year, citing wasteful expenditure.
In a statement on Monday, EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said that it was immaterial the amount spent, but emphasised the need for transparency, accountability and the legality of the money, arguing the act constituted blatant disregard for public resources.
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“[The EFF calls for] full disclosure of the complete breakdown of the Brazil trip expenditure and clarity on what portion of the cost related directly or indirectly to the
Minister’s partner. A clear policy explanation from the Department regarding companions on official trips. A report to Parliament on all international travel undertaken by the Minister since assuming office,” he said.
In a statement on Sunday, the minister described the reports as a smear campaign and resistance following efforts to clean up the department’s rot marked by suspension and resignation of senior officials, including the introduction of lifestyle audits bolstered by stringent disciplinary action within the department.
Preliminary reports claimed that Macpherson spent R839,000 of tax payer money on the trip, of which he has since debunked, highlighted that R350,000 was the total expenditure accounted for and he considered all legal advise for the inclusion of his partner on the trip.
“Whether the cost was R350,000 or R3 million is not the central issue. The issue is the blatant abuse of public resources and the entitlement mentality that has infected the leadership of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. The Minister can hide behind corrections and media technicalities, but he cannot hide from the political reality: taxpayers funded a trip that included his partner,” said Thambo.
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Thambo further highlighted that it was the action was appalling and undermine the structural and management challenges which the department of public works is currently synonymous with, stemming even to financial mismanagement and corruption.
He says that the minister’s prioritising of international travels with his partner when public infrastructure is collapsing, highlights the lack of capacity and out of depth Minister Macpherson is, calling the Democratic Alliance (DA) hypocritical for prohibiting public representatives from travelling with unauthorised companions yet Macpherson stands accused of the same.
“The attempt to portray legitimate public scrutiny as a “fightback campaign” is desperate and dangerous. Every time a minister is exposed, the reflex is to blame journalists, blame officials, blame political opponents — anyone except themselves,” he added.
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