The DA will submit a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application to the Presidency to request a full breakdown of the costs of Deputy President David Mabuza’s recent and previous trips to Russia.
Now that Mabuza is back and in good health, he and his office should provide transparency on the details of the trip.
The Office of the Deputy President indicated that the recent trip by Mabuza was paid for by himself. In the interest of openness and transparency the Deputy President must provide receipts and proof that he paid out of his own pocket for this trip. Given the ANC government’s love for luxury on the taxpayer’s account, we can’t just merely take his word for it.
While Mabuza is entitled to his privacy regarding his medical condition, the cost involved is very much in the public’s concern. Especially if there’s a possibility that it may have been funded by them.
There has been very little transparency over the years regarding the Deputy President’s trips to Russia:
- In 2015, he travelled to Russia for medical treatment after he was allegedly poisoned;
- He also travelled to the country in 2018 for “medical treatment”.
If there is nothing to hide, the Deputy President would share the details of his trip without hesitation. The public should know how much has been spent on Mabuza’s Russia trips and whether it has been on the account of the taxpayer.
We trust that the Presidency will heed to the DA’s PAIA application in the interest of openness and transparency.