It’s fair to say SA ministerial travel expenses got out of hand in 2025. According to a series of responses to parliamentary questions throughout the year, it’s evident there has been extravagant spending of taxpayer money. The question is whether South African ministers and deputies need to undertake such costly travel to do their jobs.
The assertion comes courtesy of ActionSA, reports The Citizen. According to the political party, by June 2025, SA ministerial travel expenses had already topped R200 million. With the figure likely to more than double by the close of the year.
SA MINISTERIAL TRAVEL EXPENSES
Moreover, not even all the SA ministerial travel trips undertaken in 2025 are listed below. These are simply the ones that ActionSA lists as particularly egregious:
Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s March 2025 working visit to Japan had a total expenditure of R2.3 million. This included four nights’ accommodation at R900 000. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including several ministers and their spouses. The latter participated in a ‘spousal programme’ at a cost of R191 110 each.
Next, the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans racked up an impressive travel bill. Minister Angie Motshekga authorised R20 million in travel expenses up until July 2025, according to parliamentary responses. This included 22 international trips to Russia, Angola, China, Saudi Arabia, France and other countries.
SPORTS, ARTS AND CULTURE
Next in the firing line is Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie’s department. According to responses, it spent R6.6 million on SA ministerial travel expenses. McKenzie himself totaled R2.5 million across 11 international trips. And his deputy Peace Mabe spent approximately R1.2 million on travel.
McKenzie says his trips are work and not holidays. “I’ve effectively seen the world three times over as a businessman, often in first class. Travel is neither a novelty nor exceptionally exciting for me,” explained the minister.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT JOLLY
Next, the Department of Social Development spent R3 million on a single trip to the United Nations in New York. Seven officials attended the Commission on the Status of Women conference. Newly appointed Deputy Director-General Sizakele Magangoe accounting for more than R1 million of the total. The delegation stayed at the five-star St. Regis Hotel in Manhattan.
However, the department defended its SA ministerial travel, saying it was justified by historical returns. R590 million had been channelled into South Africa’s gender-based violence (GBV) programmes through the UN Women Spotlight Initiative. However, critics labelled the costs excessive, particularly as 45% of the country struggle with nothing more than SASSA grants as a primary source of income.
But what do you think? Are such SA ministerial travel expenses necessary? Or are these MPs simply taking advantage? Be sure to let us know in the comments section below …
