ActionSA calls on the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure to repay the R839 000 in taxpayer money allegedly splurged on a trip to Brazil accompanied by his partner, despite reportedly being given legal guidance advising against the partner’s travel, which we believe was purely wasteful and served no benefit to the taxpayer.
This latest scandal comes on the back of the Minister already racking up R3.2 million in travel expenses (as of June 2025), part of a staggering R448 million spent on travel by the broader GNU which has been uncovered and exposed by ActionSA. At a time when South Africans are battling rising costs, collapsing infrastructure and unreliable service delivery, this level of excess is indefensible.
Even more alarming in this matter is the alleged blatant waste of taxpayer rands, as revealed in reports about the chaotic booking process for the trip to Brazil, where three separate non-refundable flight bookings, totalling R95,649.17,R232,869.17, and R158,859.17 respectively, were made due to confusion within the department. This represents a flagrant abuse of State resources.
This is precisely why ActionSA’s first Bill introduced in the 7th Parliament was the Enhanced Cut Cabinet Perks Bill, legislation designed to rein in the unchecked extravagance contained in the Ministerial Handbook and end the culture of entitlement in the executive. Ironically, this is the very fight the DA abandoned the moment it entered the GNU and gained access to the same perks it once criticised.
South Africans are tightening their belts. Ministers must do the same and not expect taxpayers, already under pressure, to finance the getaways of ministers and their partners.
ActionSA calls on Minister Macpherson to immediately pay back the alleged wasted taxpayer money and to provide a full public explanation and apology for this abuse. South Africa cannot afford ministers who treat the public purse as their personal travel fund.
ActionSA Demands Minister Dean Macpherson Pay Back Taxpayer Money Splurged on Travel with His Partner
ActionSA calls on the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure to repay the R839 000 in taxpayer money allegedly splurged on a trip to Brazil accompanied by his partner, despite reportedly being given legal guidance advising against the partner’s travel, which we believe was purely wasteful and served no benefit to the taxpayer.
This latest scandal comes on the back of the Minister already racking up R3.2 million in travel expenses (as of June 2025), part of a staggering R448 million spent on travel by the broader GNU which has been uncovered and exposed by ActionSA. At a time when South Africans are battling rising costs, collapsing infrastructure and unreliable service delivery, this level of excess is indefensible.
Even more alarming in this matter is the alleged blatant waste of taxpayer rands, as revealed in reports about the chaotic booking process for the trip to Brazil, where three separate non-refundable flight bookings, totalling R95,649.17,R232,869.17, and R158,859.17 respectively, were made due to confusion within the department. This represents a flagrant abuse of State resources.
This is precisely why ActionSA’s first Bill introduced in the 7th Parliament was the Enhanced Cut Cabinet Perks Bill, legislation designed to rein in the unchecked extravagance contained in the Ministerial Handbook and end the culture of entitlement in the executive. Ironically, this is the very fight the DA abandoned the moment it entered the GNU and gained access to the same perks it once criticised.
South Africans are tightening their belts. Ministers must do the same and not expect taxpayers, already under pressure, to finance the getaways of ministers and their partners.
ActionSA calls on Minister Macpherson to immediately pay back the alleged wasted taxpayer money and to provide a full public explanation and apology for this abuse. South Africa cannot afford ministers who treat the public purse as their personal travel fund.