Luxury trip on taxpayer money: R3.3 million for flights, R931,870 for hotels, and R1.5 million spending money

The Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), Morakane Mosupyoe, spent R6 million on a luxury trip for herself and a small group of other officials.

This was revealed by the Democratic Alliance (DA), which submitted a motion of censure against Mosupyoe for wasting money on the trip to Venezuela.

This trip in November 2025 consisted of 13 people, including the Speaker, four members of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, and seven staff members.

R6 million was spent on the trip, with each member of the delegation receiving an allowance of R125,000 for being out of the country.

The Speaker claimed that the reason for the trip was to deepen diplomatic relations with Venezuela and that South Africa was the guest of honour.

“Through coordination with Gauteng Provincial Legislature, South Africa was recognised as the Guest of Honour country at the International Fair of Tourism FITVEN,” she said.

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature exhibited on the main stall alongside BrandSA, showcasing educational and promotional material.

“Our presence deepened diplomatic relations and soft-power international relations between Gauteng and its counterparts,” she said.

“It cemented the expressions of solidarity and mutual respect, with participation serving to enhance the dialogue and exchange that the FITVEN was designed to foster.”

Solly Msimanga, a Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and leader of the opposition, hit back.

He said that the exhibition was only for four days, and BrandSA already had an exhibition at the International Tourism Fair of Venezuela (FITVEN).

“This means that there was no need for the Gauteng Provincial Legislature to be at the FITVEN as South Africa was already represented by BrandSA,” Msimanga said.

“The delegation attended the four-day tourism conference, but the rest of the trip cannot be explained.”

“This action by the Speaker was solely for personal interests, specifically to increase the stipend received for being out of the country on legislative business.”

He said that the trip to Venezuela was a waste of taxpayers’ money and should not have taken place.

“Wasting money on a trip when service delivery in the province is floundering indicates that the Speaker cares little about the well-being of Gauteng residents,” he said.

The DA demanded accountability against those who misuse the public purse for personal gain.

“We disapprove of the wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money, particularly by politicians and officials hired to deliver services,” Msimanga said.

Breakdown of the cost of the Venezuela trip