Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele says that today’s (9 November) media reports by Independent Newspapers on his “lavish hotel stays” are a malicious lie.
“Media reports on this matter are incorrect, misleading and sensational, and based on interpretation by the DA of the information provided in a parliamentary response. Whilst certain media have since corrected the facts on this issue, Independent Newspapers continue to repeat misinformation,” said the Minister.
Reports on this matter stated that:
· The Minister stayed for 25 nights at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Jo’burg at a cost of R190,333, and R69,984 for a chauffeur-driven car: the Minister was at the Hyatt in Canada during this period for 11 days attending a meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
· The Minister spent almost one year in hotels for the period April 2009 to July 2011: the Minister spent 56 nights on local accommodation and 102 nights on international accommodation during more than a two-year period.
· The cost of the Minister’s local and international accommodation was R1,4 million: the amount spent is R592,768,07.
“As Government and the Department of Transport, we take our responsibility locally, on the continent and internationally very seriously. All public funds utilized for international and domestic accommodation are in accordance with prescribed rules. We, therefore, welcome the investigation by the Public Protector into this matter, and the opportunity to explain these false allegations so as to set the public record straight.
:While we respect the process of the Public Protector investigation and will do whatever necessary to cooperate with it, we also reserve the right to pursue legal action against the parties responsible for the defamatory and false allegations being published, including the newspapers concerned,” the Minister said.
International hotel accommodation accounts for expenditure emanating from officials visits abroad, including Presidential delegations, mandatory meetings of various international bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Maritime Organisation (IMO), World Roads Congress, SADC Ministers of Transport, African Union, Global Road Safety Council, International Committee of Ministers of Energy and Transport and United Nations Road Safety Council.
International visits also comprise the signing of bilateral agreements in air services, infrastructure development, capacity development and training as well as other international matters of mutual interest and cooperation.
Other international visits were in response to invitations from counterparts in various countries. Costs for international travel vary according to the fluctuation of exchange rates.