Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula and his deputy Gert Oosthuizen’s have been exonerated by public protector, Thuli Madonsela.
The pair stood accused of violating the Executive Ethics Code and the constitution by spending close to R2.6-million on domestic and international flights since 2010.
Madonsela said she could find no evidence that the trips were improper or outside their mandate.
But, she said she hoped that “ministers do take into account that we are a country where children in some rural villages have no electricity, classrooms, science or technology equipment, road infrastructure and even sports facilities”.
Madonsela also released her findings into KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo’s use of the province’s only emergency chopper to attend a funeral in November 2012.
The DA’s Sizwe Mchunu, claimed Dhlomo’s actions meant the helicopter was not available to take a critically injured teenager to hospital.
Asheen Maharaj, 15, was left brain dead following a car crash near Pinetown. His parents, Ashnee and Ashwin, and sister Asheena, were killed. Asheen died a week later.
Madonsela slammed the policy of using emergency helicopters for non-emergency purposes.
Mbalula not guilty of travel charge
The pair stood accused of violating the Executive Ethics Code and the constitution by spending close to R2.6-million on domestic and international flights since 2010.
Madonsela said she could find no evidence that the trips were improper or outside their mandate.
But, she said she hoped that “ministers do take into account that we are a country where children in some rural villages have no electricity, classrooms, science or technology equipment, road infrastructure and even sports facilities”.
Madonsela also released her findings into KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo’s use of the province’s only emergency chopper to attend a funeral in November 2012.
The DA’s Sizwe Mchunu, claimed Dhlomo’s actions meant the helicopter was not available to take a critically injured teenager to hospital.
Asheen Maharaj, 15, was left brain dead following a car crash near Pinetown. His parents, Ashnee and Ashwin, and sister Asheena, were killed. Asheen died a week later.
Madonsela slammed the policy of using emergency helicopters for non-emergency purposes.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos