Bheki Cele admits to R500k taxpayer-funded Rugby World Cup trip
South Africans are livid at news Minister of Police Bheki Cele’s assistant received a R500k taxpayer funded trip to the Rugby World Cup.
Minister of Police Bheki Cele has faced backlash for his admission that his personal assistant’s trip to the Rugby World Cup cost over half a million rand.
The controversial politician disclosed the information during a parliamentary question by the opposition party, the Democratic Alliance.
Cele was among many cabinet ministers who attended the World Cup finale between South Africa and New Zealand in October in France.
ALSO READ: Taxpayer vaycay? Ministers dripped in designer wear at Rugby World Cup final
TAXPAYERS FOOT R500K BILL FOR BHEKI CELE’S ASSISTANT
A statement issued by the DA revealed that Bheki Cele’s trip to the Rugby World Cup was funded by an “unnamed private company.”
However, his executive assistant’s travel and accommodation to the value of nearly R500 000 were paid for with taxpayer money. Cele’s travel insurance and allowance will also paid by South Africans.
It shared: “At the same time, it is unfathomable that the Minister would allow almost half a million Rand to be spent on an assistant where SAPS already has budgetary restrictions, shortages of detectives, and dilapidated SAPS stations.
💸 The DA has revealed that close to half a million rand of taxpayers money was used to sponsor Bheki Cele's executive assistant’s trip to watch the Rugby World Cup.
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) December 6, 2023
The DA will now file a PAIA application to access more information about the trip.https://t.co/WQ69OQ0vPQALSO READ: The City of Tshwane is set to close two cemeteries
“However, notwithstanding the above, it is clear that this trip was not part of Ministerial duties, as it was a privately funded trip, and as such, any staff member being covered by the taxpayer for a personal trip is in clear violation of the (Executive Members’ Ethics) Act and Code of Conduct.
The DA – who have issued a PAIA application into the expenditure – are demanding to know if Bheki Cele’s assistant flew in business or first class and stayed in 5-star hotels, “which were for the taxpayer’s dime.”
WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT?
Meanwhile, South Africans on social media are demanding to know the identity of Bheki Cele’s executive assistant and why they were requested to travel on official duty with the Minister of Police on a private trip to the Rugby World Cup in France.
I'm taking bets on who will first expose the identity of Bheki Cele's "executive assistant" that spent nearly half a million rand to go watch the Rugby World Cup final in France. pic.twitter.com/GucmOpI5TG
— Sphelele (@SpheDludla) December 6, 2023
MORE MINISTERS AT THE RUGBY WORLD CUP
Bheki Cele was one of many cabinet members who travelled to the Rugby World Cup.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula and Minister of Justice and Correctional Services Ronald Lamola were also questionable sightings at the sporting event.
ALSO READ: Blue Drop Report: Here are the municipalities with clean water
Lamola’s spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, told The South African that his trip to France was also privately funded.