One Minister and his support staff spent R7.046 million on international trips in five months

Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, and his support staff spent R7.046 million on international travel between June and October 2025.

This was revealed during a parliamentary question and answer session, where MP Alan Beesley asked the minister for a breakdown of his official travel expenses.

Tau revealed that he, accompanied by his support staff, visited Russia, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Turkiye, Vietnam and Malaysia over the last year.

“The Ministry undertakes international travel to carry out the core mandate of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition,” he said.

Travel is either at the request of the President, particularly for State Visits, or through South Africa’s membership of global structures.

He added that international travel is needed to defend or advance South Africa’s interests, for example, in the World Trade Organisation or meetings with investors.

The total cost of Tau’s international trips, including flights, accommodation, and car rental, over the last year is provided below.

Moscow and St Petersburg, Russia, in June 2025 – R1.744 million.

• Paris, France, in June 2025 – R368,852

• Beijing, China, in July 2025 – R584,655

• Yakohama, Japan, in August 2025 – R745,280

• Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Washington, USA, in September 2025 – R964,959

• New York, USA, in September 2025 – R1.649 million

• Ankara and Istanbul, Turkiye in October 2025 – R394,475

• Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia in October 2025 – R593,998

This data revealed that Minister Parks Tau and his support staff spent R7,045,625 on international travel between June 2025 and October 2025.

Over the same period, international travel expenditure for Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi and his support amounted to R1,340,301.

Godlimpi travelled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Dakar, Senegal, and Bern, Switzerland, between June and October 2025.

Total expenditure for international travel for the Minister, Deputy Minister, and support staff amounted to R8.386 million.

Domestic travel expenses of the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

Minister Parks Tau explained that domestic travel is needed for many reasons, including fulfilling his Parliament and Cabinet obligations.

As with international travel, local travel is also needed to bolster African trade, investment, and industrialisation.

It can involve meetings with major trading partners, including State Visits, and cases where South Africa is a member of the International Organisations.

Between November 2025 and February 2026, Tau and his support staff travelled to Cape Town, Johannesburg/Pretoria, Gqeberha, Bloemfontein, Thohoyandou, and Durban.

Domestic travel expenses over this period, including air travel, shuttle services, car rental, and accommodation, amounted to R1.638 million.

Deputy Minister Zuko Godlimpi travelled to Cape Town, Johannesburg/ Pretoria, Gqeberha, East London, and Durban.

He and his support staff also visited smaller towns, including Makhado, Richards Bay, Burgersfort, and Colesberg.

These domestic trips, which included air travel, shuttle services, car rental, and accommodation, cost R1.246 million.

Former Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield and his support staff travelled to Cape Town, Johannesburg/Pretoria, Gqeberha, and East London, which cost R987,387.

Deputy Minister Alexandra Abrahams and her support staff also travelled between Cape Town, Johannesburg/Pretoria, Gqeberha, and East London at a cost of R248,366.

Total expenditure for domestic travel for the Minister, Deputy Ministers, and support staff amounted to R4.119 million.