Parliamentary questions calling for a detailed accounting of the cost of President Thabo Mbeki's recent visit to Haiti have been submitted to the president and four of his Cabinet ministers, the Democratic Alliance announced yesterday.

The party says government has misused tens of millions of rands of taxpayers' money on the trip, which they have labelled a "pet project of entirely symbolic value".

In a statement, DA finance spokeswoman Raenette Taljaard said written questions had been submitted to the presidency, as well as the ministries of foreign affairs, safety and security, intelligence and defence.

"In particular, I have submitted a question to Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota about the costs of sending the SAS Drakensberg and SANDF personnel to Haiti to protect the president.

This one aspect alone probably cost - at a conservative estimate - at least R5-million.

"Add to this the R10-million contribution to the Haitian government for its bicentenary celebrations, and the costs quickly escalate into the financial stratosphere".

Taljaard said South Africa's spending on foreign relations should have two key focuses, including increasing trade and investment, and advancing democracy and human rights.

"President Mbeki's trip served neither goal. On the contrary, his visit has had a diplomatic cost, especially since the situation in Haiti has actually deteriorated since the President's visit.

"Economically, Haiti has nothing to offer South Africa," Taljaard said.

Earlier this month, DA leader Tony Leon said he would use the State of the Nation debate in February to demand to know the full costs of Mbeki's visit to Haiti, and what benefits it had brought for South Africa.

In a statement at the time, he accused Mbeki of "propping up yet another international outcast - and in the process misusing millions of taxpayers' rands". – Sapa.