"A DISTURBING pattern of unchecked luxury" is what ActionSA accused the ministers in the Government of National Unity for having spent over R200 million on travel since stepping into office a year ago. The party was reacting to supposed spurge of the government officials in question, having considered data provided by the party’s GNU Performance Tracker, based on replies to parliamentary questions.

The questions were posed to all ministers - including President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, and the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, who emerged as the big hitters. "This paints a damning picture of executive indulgence at a time of deep economic crisis,” ActionSA said in a statement, calling the trend “a disturbing pattern of unchecked luxury and weak oversight.” At the centre of the controversy is Mashatile, whose office confirmed spending over R2 million on transport and accommodation for official duties. The state has spent more than R7.

9 million on four international trips that Ramaphosa took, including trips to Ireland, the UK, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Japan. One trip, a visit to Tokyo for four nights in March 2025, received particular criticism after it was revealed that the cost of the hotel alone was more than R900,000, or roughly R225,000. Questions about financial oversight arise because McKenzie and his department have spent approximately R6.6 million on international travel, including a payment of R164,556 for a trip to Burkina Faso that was postponed. IOL News compiled a comprehensive cost breakdown of Tokyo's luxury hotels amid ongoing public debate.

Although the R900,000 figure caused some to raise their eyebrows, analysis suggests that such expenditures are possible in one of the most expensive cities in the world, particularly when executive suites and top-tier hotels are involved. However, public concern over whether officials are appropriately balancing international representation with fiscal responsibility has grown as a result of the costs. The following are some of the costs associated with staying at some of Tokyo's most opulent hotels for four nights: • For four nights at the Park Hyatt Tokyo, prices range from $1,824 to $4,096 (R32,436 to R72,704). For four nights, you can choose from a Deluxe Room for $1,844 (R32,726), a Standard Room for $4,104 (R72,846), or a King Room for $3,432 (R60,918).

• Hoshinoya Tokyo: For four nights, prices range from $782 to $7,884 (R13,877 to R139,491). The price ranges from $7,356 (R130,089) on average to $31,536 (R559,764) for four nights during peak season. • For four nights at the Aman Tokyo, prices range from $6,070 to $24,620 (R107,743 to R437,005). The Tokyo Suite is $6,920 (R122,830) and the Grand/Panorama Suites are $13,128 (R232,022) for four nights. • For four nights at The Peninsula Tokyo, room rates range from $1,112 to $2,204 (R19,742 to R39,131). The Grand Premier Suite costs $6,400 (R113,600) for four nights, while the Executive Suite costs $5,308 (R94,717). • Mandarin Oriental Tokyo: Stays cost between $2,200 and $4,800 (R39,050 – R85,200) for four nights, including options like the Deluxe Room at $2,204 (R39,131) and the Premier Room at $2,788 (R49,487)for four nights.

IOL found that spending four nights at Hoshinoya and Aman Tokyo would cost close to R669,255 and R699,025, respectively. IOL was unable to ascertain exactly which hotel the deputy president stayed at and whether there were any additional levies such as tourism levies that could add to the cost of the hotel stay. This financial context is critical in the face of public scrutiny surrounding Mashatile’s travel expenses. “Categorically, the Office and the Deputy President have not, as seems to be suggested, misused State funds or bee The issue was raised by ActionSA through a parliamentary question,” his spokesperson Keith Khoza stated in a statement. Mashatile responded with a detailed cost breakdown for each delegation member. According to Khoza, the trips were official government visits, not personal holidays.

The Japan trip, conducted from 16 to 19 March 2025, was described as strategically important - the first high-level engagement between South Africa and Japan in a decade and linked to South Africa’s G20 chairship and the upcoming TICAD summit. Khoza said that the media had reported an incorrect cost of R580,582 for a media liaison officer, when in fact the official's total cost, including flights and lodging, was less than R66,000. Khoza said international travel costs should be assessed within the context of exchange rates and global norms, noting that travel arrangements are handled by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), not Mashatile’s office.

Khoza stated, "The President and Deputy President's accommodation and incidental expenses on all official trips abroad are arranged through Dirco and paid for by Dirco." He confirmed that expenses were shared between Dirco and other departments, with all trips conducted in compliance with the Public Finance Management Act, the Presidential Handbook, and National Treasury regulations. “In all these visits, the Office of the Deputy President has insisted on the most cost-effective provisions for the Deputy President and his delegations, and has therefore not misused nor extravagantly used State funds as alluded,” Khoza said.