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ActionSA can now reveal that the Finance Ministry, led by Minister Enoch Godongwana, racked up a travel bill of more than R8 million between July and November last year. Given the Finance Ministry’s mandate of ensuring fiscal prudence in government spending, these extravagant costs are a slap in the face of ordinary South Africans trying to make ends meet. 

In a reply to ActionSA’s parliamentary question received from the Finance Ministry, the Ministry states the following:

• Minister Godongwana's office’s international and domestic travel since assuming office in July totals R2 018 921.05.
• Deputy Minister Dr David Masondo's office’s international and domestic travel since assuming office totals R 3 906 122.80.
• Since assuming office, Deputy Minister Ashor Sarupen's office’s international and domestic travel totals R 2 087 142.94.

These costs include trips to Brazil, London, Washington DC, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, and Russia. Concerningly, there is no clear value to justify this extensive travel or the associated exorbitant costs to the taxpayer, especially when our floundering economy and unemployment crisis show no tangible return on investment.

Since last month, ActionSA has revealed the travel costs of the Ministries of Minerals and Petroleum Resources and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. Along with the Finance Ministry’s costs, the travel bill since July last year is already R20 million, funded by taxpayer money. 

What is most disturbing is that the Finance Ministry, which should set an example of responsible spending, has instead demonstrated a blatant disregard for the principles it is meant to uphold. While the Ministry preaches fiscal prudence, its actions reveal a disconnect between policy and practice, undermining its credibility and eroding public trust in government leadership.

The information provided highlights a disturbing continuation of old habits within government—a reliance on costly and extravagant travel arrangements despite the mounting socio-economic challenges faced by ordinary South Africans. Under the guise of official duties, taxpayer money is being drained to fund lavish travel expenditure. These patterns are symptomatic of a broader failure by the ANC and their partners in the GNU to prioritise fiscal discipline in governance.

ActionSA maintains that transparency in government spending is essential to restore public trust. This response is part of our broader effort to hold officials accountable and shed light on excessive and wasteful expenditure. When millions of South Africans are unemployed, and essential services remain underfunded, every cent of public money must be spent prudently.

We reiterate our call for stricter regulations on travel expenses for government officials, including:

• Mandatory disclosure of travel class and justification for costs exceeding predetermined thresholds.
• Comprehensive audits of travel arrangements to identify potential wastage.
• A prioritisation of local engagement and the use of digital platforms for international collaboration where possible.

ActionSA is committed to championing a government that places the needs of South Africans first, not the comforts of its ministers. We will continue to demand accountability on behalf of the citizens whose hard-earned taxes fund these extravagances.

Issued by ActionSA Member of Parliament Alan Beesley