“This seems an extraordinary waste of public money at a time when our Cabinet Ministers should be tightening their belts,” said DA shadow minister of communications, Gavin Davis.<\/p>\n
The DA pointed out that Muthambi’s bodyguard, and chief of staff and an assistant director in her department accompanied the minister.<\/p>\n
“Minister Muthambi\u2019s decision to spend R600,000 of public money on a nine-day trip of this nature is certainly questionable,” Davis said.<\/p>\n
![\"ElizabethThabete\"](\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/ElizabethThabete.jpg\")
<\/a>Deputy minister of Small Business Development, Elizabeth Thabete<\/p><\/div>\n
The South Africa Lifestyle Hub in Atlanta is a permanent showcase of high-end products for sale to the American market.<\/p>\n
According to the Lifestyle Hub website: \u201ca unique array of furniture, home d\u00e9cor, and giftware all handcrafted from hide, beads, clay or fine linen\u201d are on display.<\/p>\n
The Sante Fe Folk Art Market is an exhibition of folk art from around the world, the DA said.<\/p>\n
“Both events have very little to do with the minister\u2019s mandate. Instead of attending international lifestyle and art shows on the taxpayer\u2019s dime, minister Muthambi should be focusing on the core business of her portfolio: to ensure that South Africans are informed of their rights and government services available to them,” Davis said.<\/p>\n
More on Faith\u00a0Muthambi<\/h3>\n
It\u2019s okay for ministers to have business interests: Muthambi<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Muthambi\u2019s legal advisor struck off the roll for misconduct<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n