OR Tambo mayor Nomakhosazana Meth has come under fire yet again for spending R369244 of taxpayers’ money on flights and accommodation to Argentina for herself, her personal assistant and the CEO of Ntinga Agency.
Meth was part of a delegation accompanying the MEC for rural development and agrarian reform Mlibo Qoboshiyane on a trip to learn about Argentina’s agricultural systems.
The council knew nothing about the trip, although a council spokesman said the mayor did not need approval to travel.
Previously Meth has been lambasted for using council funds to hire vehicles at a cost of almost R1-million.
An invoice seen by the Daily Dispatch from a local travel agency showed the cost of the flights and accommodation for all three. They spent 10 days in Argentina and one night at Hemingways Hotel in East London.
The document shows that the three flew from East London to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. From there, they travelled to Guarulos International Airport in Sao Paulo, then to Argentina’s Aeroparque International Airport.
Meth and her entourage slept at the four-star Loi Suites Recoleta in Buenos Aires.
The total cost of the trip came to R369244.00.
OR Tambo spokesman Ayongezwa Lungisa said there had been talk of creating a policy.
“There is no guiding document that says when the mayor travels this is what she should do. The mayoral committee did discuss the matter and said such a document should exist. There is nothing saying the mayor needs an endorsement of the council for her to go on a trip.”
Last year Meth travelled to Lusaka to attend 50th Jubilee Celebrations with various politicians and officials.
Political parties in council have slammed the latest trip, calling Meth’s actions embarrassing.
COPE councillor Mandla Gogo said: “We heard that she went to Argentina last month…It is shocking that the executive mayor went to Argentina and did not seek council endorsement.”
The UDM’s Mncedisi Bunzana said Meth should have focused on the villages that do not have water instead of going overseas.
DA councillor Chris Xhangayi said Meth’s actions showed that she did not have the interests of OR Tambo citizens at heart. — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
OR Tambo mayor draws flak for R369 000 overseas jaunt
Meth was part of a delegation accompanying the MEC for rural development and agrarian reform Mlibo Qoboshiyane on a trip to learn about Argentina’s agricultural systems.
The council knew nothing about the trip, although a council spokesman said the mayor did not need approval to travel.
Previously Meth has been lambasted for using council funds to hire vehicles at a cost of almost R1-million.
An invoice seen by the Daily Dispatch from a local travel agency showed the cost of the flights and accommodation for all three. They spent 10 days in Argentina and one night at Hemingways Hotel in East London.
The document shows that the three flew from East London to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. From there, they travelled to Guarulos International Airport in Sao Paulo, then to Argentina’s Aeroparque International Airport.
Meth and her entourage slept at the four-star Loi Suites Recoleta in Buenos Aires.
The total cost of the trip came to R369244.00.
OR Tambo spokesman Ayongezwa Lungisa said there had been talk of creating a policy.
“There is no guiding document that says when the mayor travels this is what she should do. The mayoral committee did discuss the matter and said such a document should exist. There is nothing saying the mayor needs an endorsement of the council for her to go on a trip.”
Last year Meth travelled to Lusaka to attend 50th Jubilee Celebrations with various politicians and officials.
Political parties in council have slammed the latest trip, calling Meth’s actions embarrassing.
COPE councillor Mandla Gogo said: “We heard that she went to Argentina last month…It is shocking that the executive mayor went to Argentina and did not seek council endorsement.”
The UDM’s Mncedisi Bunzana said Meth should have focused on the villages that do not have water instead of going overseas.
DA councillor Chris Xhangayi said Meth’s actions showed that she did not have the interests of OR Tambo citizens at heart. — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
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