Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie is being investigated by the Public Protector’s Office, under the leadership of Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, for alleged misuse of R804 000 in olympic funds. The inquiry centres around claims of improper use of public funds during the Minister’s recent attendance at the Olympics held in Paris, France.
In correspondence dated December 3, the Public Protector acknowledged the complaint, which outlined breaches of ethical codes and the Ministerial Handbook that governs executive members. Thambo’s allegations suggest not only financial impropriety but also efforts to obscure the true nature of McKenzie’s trip.
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Details of the Investigation
According to Gcaleka’s office, the allegations against McKenzie include violating the ethical code for government officials and potential misuse of the Ministerial Handbook. The complaint, refined in response to a Public Protector query on October 23, was formally amended to meet the requirements of section 4(1) of the Executive Members’ Ethics Act (EMEA).
Breakdown of Expenditures
In response to a parliamentary query, McKenzie revealed that his trip to the Paris Olympics incurred a total cost exceeding R800,000. The expenses were detailed as follows:
- Flights: R215,976
- Accommodation: R113,271
- Ground Transport: R454,005
The staggering ground transport costs, including chauffeur services, have sparked widespread criticism. These revelations came despite McKenzie’s earlier denial of attending the event. His subsequent admission, through a parliamentary response, has raised questions about transparency and ethical accountability.
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Opposition Reaction
EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo voiced strong disapproval of the expenditure, describing it as an outrageous misuse of taxpayer funds. Thambo highlighted the inconsistency in McKenzie’s statements regarding his presence at the Olympics, calling it a betrayal of public trust.
“McKenzie’s extravagant spending, from flights to luxury accommodation, demonstrates a flagrant disregard for public resources. He must answer for his actions.”
The opposition party further criticized the Minister’s claims that his attendance was limited to the opening ceremony, arguing that such justification does not align with the reported expenses.