Paul Mashatile spent R239,000 per night on accommodation using taxpayer money

Deputy President Paul Mashatile spent R2.3 million on a 5-day working visit to Japan, which included R956,057 on accommodation for him and his wife.

This was revealed in a parliamentary question and answer about Mashatile’s official travel since he assumed office on 3 July 2024.

Parliamentary member Lerato Ngobeni requested details about the purpose and justification for each trip, as well as the destination information.

She also asked about the costs incurred, including, but not limited to, transportation, accommodation, meals, and other related incidental expenses.

The Deputy President’s office said that since Mashatile assumed office on 3 July 2024, he has undertaken four trips.

• Ireland and the United Kingdom Working Visits from 26 September to 4 October 2024.
• Standing for President Ramaphosa and South Africa at the inauguration of the President of Botswana, Duma Boko, on 8 November 2024.
• Standing for President Ramaphosa and South Africa, at the extraordinary SADC Summit held on 20 November 2024 in Harare, Zimbabwe.
• Japan working visit from 16 to 19 March 2025.

His office provided details about the costs related to the official international visit to Japan from March 16 to 19, 2025.

It explained that the working visit to Japan was of strategic importance in strengthening the political, economic, and social areas of cooperation between the two countries.

The working visit followed the celebration of 115 years of strong diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The Deputy President was accompanied by a delegation consisting of:

• Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Thandi Moraka.
• Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie.
• Minister of Higher Education, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane.
• Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen.
• Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau.
• Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nomalungelo Gina.

“Japan is South Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner. Therefore, a critical focus of the Deputy President’s visit was on strengthening bilateral economic relations,” it said.

How much the Japan working visit cost

Mashatile departed OR Tambo International to Narita International, Tokyo on 15 March 2025 and returned on 19 March 2025.

The full trip for Mashatile’s delegation, excluding the other ministers, cost R2.3 million. It included flights, accommodation, ground transport, and restaurant services.

What stood out was the cost of the accommodation for Mashatile and his spouse, Humile Mashatile, for this working visit.

According to the parliamentary feedback, taxpayers forked out R956,057 for the stay. This equates to R239,000 per night if it were for four nights. It would be even higher if it were for three nights.

There are very few hotels that charge R239,000 per night for accommodation. The feedback did not provide details on where the Deputy President stayed.

To put this cost into context, the largest suite at the Aman Tokyo, widely regarded as one of the top hotels in Japan, costs R142,000 per night.

The table below shows the breakdown of the costs incurred for the Japan working visit in March 2024.