Three trips to China involving Nelson Mandela Bay deputy mayor Gary van Niekerk cost ratepayers a total R1.047m between December 2023 and September 2024.
Van Niekerk travelled to China in his previous role as mayor with Babalwa Lobishe, who was his deputy at the time, and several officials of the metro.
The trips covered domestic and international flights, domestic and international accommodation, international transport, agency fees and subsistence allowances.
DA councillor Werner Senekal submitted written questions to the city to inquire about the costs related to the China visits funded by the ratepayers.
According to the responses tabled at the council on Thursday, the first visit from December 8-15 cost the city R264,350.
Van Niekerk and two officials were among several politicians and officials invited by Changchun Municipal People’s Government director-general of foreign affairs, Xue Chunzi.
The second trip between June 23 and 29 cost R423,708, with Van Niekerk, Lobishe and an official jetting off on the seven-day trip to attend the 2024 Maritime Silk Road Port Co-operation Forum in Ningbo, a major port and industrial hub in China’s eastern Zhejiang province.
The last trip from August 24 to September 2 2024 cost R357,248. Van Niekerk and other government delegates were invited to accompany premier Oscar Mabuyane to visit three Chinese provinces.
The visit was focused on cementing economic and diplomatic relations between the Eastern Cape and Zhejiang, and trying to foster new relations with the other Chinese provinces the delegation would be visiting.
The total amount for all three trips was R1,047,033.76, with the expenses broken down as follows:
- International flights (R736,310);
- Domestic flights (R39,743)
- International accommodation (R120,122)
- Domestic accommodation (R4,590);
- International transport (R4,312);
- Agency fees (R94,840); and
- Subsistence allowance (R45,491).
Speaking on the sidelines of council, Senekal said they noted the exorbitant amount of money spent on foreign travel during Van Niekerk’s tenure.
“Not only was over R1m spent on his Chinese trips, but during his time at the helm, a trip to the US in July this year by two members of the mayoral committee and eight senior officials amounted to just over R2m.
“It appears it was a free-for-all on foreign travel.
“The council is yet to receive reports on these overseas trips and the value it brought to ratepayers of our city,” he said.
HeraldLIVE
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