The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have accused the Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie of lying about his trip to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The Red Berets claim that the minister was not transparent with the public about the cost of his trip to the Olympic Games in Paris, which was funded by taxpayer’s money.
On Tuesday, McKenzie defended his trip saying it cost just over R800,000. The EFF however were having none of it, accusing Gayton of violating his oath of office.
“The expenditure was extensive and is puzzling as the figures and what they relate to seem to expose exorbitant and unethical use of taxpayers money,” the party said.
EFF accuses Gayton McKenzie off looting funds
“Figures such as R454 005.00 for ground transportation and R215 976.96 for flights are a staggering revelation of what can only be described as looting, as McKenzie clearly took a large cohort of his associates as these figures could not possibly account for an individual,” the EFF said in a statement.
While Gayton has won the hearts of many South Africans since he was appinted minister, the EFF have always been sceptical of the Patriotic Alliance leader. Just weeks after getting elected as sports minister, McKenzie halted all sponsored superfan trips to events abroad, including the upcoming Olympics.
Sports superfan Joy Chauke, famously known as Mama Joy, initially thought she would miss the Olympics but eventually made a plan to travel to Paris.
EFF Member of Parliament Sinawo Thambo took to X (Twitter) to accuse Gayton of cutting out super-fans to benefit himself.
“So this guy cancelled Mama Joy’s travelling to sporting events because he wanted to eat alone. Mara this thing of convicts is a problem,” he tweeted.
The minister soon clapped back, calling for the party’s former deputy president to return. “@FloydShivambu pls come back, you didn’t leave a void, you left a Kimberley hole.”
Did Gayton lie about his trip to Paris?
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