South Africa’s Deputy President spent R346,000 a night in London using taxpayer money

South Africa’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile spent R346,000 a night for accommodation in London for him and his spouse, Humile Mashatile.

This was revealed in a response to a parliamentary question from MP Lerato Ngobeni about Mashatile’s official travel since he assumed office on 3 July 2024.

Ngobeni requested details about the purpose and justification for each trip, the destination information, and the costs incurred.

She asked for information about the expenses incurred for transportation, accommodation, meals, and other related incidental costs.

The Deputy President’s office provided details about Mashatile’s travels in two responses – one in February 2025 and one in May 2025.

They said that after Mashatile assumed office on 3 July 2024, he has undertaken four trips.

• Ireland and the United Kingdom Working Visits from 26 September to 4 October 2024.
• Standing for President Ramaphosa and South Africa at the inauguration of the President of Botswana, Duma Boko, on 8 November 2024.
• Standing for President Ramaphosa and South Africa, at the extraordinary SADC Summit held on 20 November 2024 in Harare, Zimbabwe.
• Japan working visit from 16 to 19 March 2025.

His office showed that the working visits to Ireland and the United Kingdom cost R5.475 million, and the working visit to Japan cost R2.3 million.

What stood out about the cost breakdown was the high amounts associated with Mashatile’s accommodation for him and his spouse.

It cost the South African taxpayers R2.077 million for Mashatile’s six-night stay in London. This equates to R346,000 a night for accommodation.

For the Japan trip, taxpayers forked out R956,057 for the four-night stay. This equates to R239,000 per night.

The Deputy President’s office did not provide details about where he stayed and why there was such a high cost associated with it.

To put this cost into context, the largest suite at the Aman Tokyo, widely regarded as one of the top hotels in Japan, costs R142,000 per night.

The same goes for London. Although it is possible to find a room for R346,000 a night at a top hotel like Claridge’s or The Ritz, it is incredibly opulent and only for the ultra-rich.

The table below shows the cost for Mashatile and his wife’s accommodation during their trips to London and Japan.