Zille’s Asian trip cost taxpayers R1 million: report
Western Cape Premier Helen Zille’s 9-day trip to Asia cost South African taxpayers over R1 million – but it could have been much worse, the politician argued.
The total bill for the trip amounted to R636,159 for travel and accommodation costs, and R500,000 paid to Wesgro, which organised seminars during the trip.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, Zille confirmed the amount, but pointed out that it wasn’t a fruitless trip, and wasn’t as costly as the ministerial handbook allowed it to be.
She noted that it was the first trip in 8 years where her husband accompanied her (where the handbook allows such benefits for every trip), and that he was doing research.
Zille also pointed out that she did not take her personal secretary, to save costs.
“It means an average of R127,000 per person, all expenses included, which is within a reasonable ballpark for this kind of trip,” she said, adding that the future benefits were difficult to see, but would be apparent in time.
The ANC said it would investigate, to find out what the exact outcomes of the trip were, and that no money exchanged hands illegally.
You can read the full story in the May 7th edition of the Sunday Times.
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