R17 Million in travel: ActionSA demands probe into Minister Macpherson’s global trips and “luxury” spending.

More than R17 million in taxpayer money has been spent on travel linked to the leadership of South Africa’s Department of Public Works and Infrastructure since mid-2025.

Opposition party ActionSA has now escalated the issue, demanding answers, repayment of disputed expenses and a Public Protector investigation into whether the spending breached government rules.

The controversy emerged after Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, responded to a parliamentary question from ActionSA MP Malebo Patricia Kobe.

His response revealed that international trips alone cost about R4.91 million, while domestic travel and protection services pushed the total past R17 million once support staff and police protection were included.

ActionSA says the spending is excessive and poorly explained, particularly given South Africa’s economic pressures.

ActionSA escalates the fight.

ActionSA has moved the issue beyond Parliament, accusing the minister of failing to justify the spending and calling for stronger accountability.

In a public statement, Kobe described the travel costs as 'indefensible' while ordinary South Africans face unemployment, service delivery failures and rising living costs.

The statement reads:

"Ironically, this is the very fight the DA abandoned the moment it entered the GNU and gained access to the same perks it once criticised. South Africans are tightening their belts. Ministers must do the same and not expect taxpayers, already under pressure, to finance the getaways of ministers and their partners".

The party has made several demands including a full repayment of allegedly wasteful expenses.

She said:

"ActionSA calls on Minister Macpherson to immediately pay back the alleged wasted taxpayer money and to provide a full public explanation and apology for this abuse. South Africa cannot afford ministers who treat the public purse as their personal travel fund".

She is also calling upon the Public Protector to investigate the potential breaches of the Ministerial Handbook.

The Brazil Trip that sparked the controversy.

The biggest flashpoint in the debate is a 10-day trip to Brazil from 17–26 June 2025.

According to the minister’s parliamentary reply, the trip cost R1,050,701.23 for seven people, including the minister’s partner.

Kobe claims the trip involved wasteful spending and questionable decisions, including:

• The inclusion of the minister’s partner in the delegation.

• Allegedly duplicated flight bookings that could not be refunded.

• High overall costs compared to expected travel expenses.

ActionSA alleged that R839,000 in wasteful expenditure related to the partner’s inclusion and travel arrangements.

"ActionSA calls on the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure to repay the R839 000 in taxpayer money allegedly splurged on a trip to Brazil accompanied by his partner, despite reportedly being given legal guidance advising against the partner’s travel, which we believe was purely wasteful and served no benefit to the taxpayer.

But Macpherson rejected this claim".

He said his and his partner’s combined costs were about R350,000, and he denied ignoring legal advice or causing duplicate bookings.

Macpherson also suggested that the criticism forms part of a political campaign against reforms his department is trying to introduce.

Still, critics argue that the trip which included attendance at the BRICS Urbanisation Forum produced limited visible outcomes compared to its cost.

The Brazil costs.

When the numbers are broken down, the Brazil trip raises several questions.

With seven participants over about 10 days, the average cost works out to roughly R150,100 per person.

Typical international travel costs might include:

• Business-class flights: R40,000 – R60,000.

• Accommodation: R25,000 – R50,000.

• Meals and daily allowances: around R20,000.

That would normally place total costs between R110,000 and R130,000 per person.

For the group of seven, that suggests a typical cost range of R770,000 – R910,000.

The R1.05 million total therefore appears 15%–36% higher than typical estimates. However, because the parliamentary response did not provide a detailed breakdown, it remains unclear exactly how the money was spent.

Other international trips raise questions.

The Brazil visit was not the only overseas trip disclosed. Several other international trips by the minister and deputy minister were also listed, costing millions of rands. Without itemised cost details, analysts say it is difficult to judge whether the spending represents value for money.

List of international trips disclosed.

Minister Dean Macpherson.

Brazil – 17–26 June 2025.

• Delegation: 7 people (including partner).

• Cost: R1,050,701.23.

Australia – 21 Aug to 2 Sept 2025.

• Delegation: 3 people.

• Cost: R536,609.16

Europe Mission (Germany, France, UK) – 5–18 Oct 2025.

• Delegation including partner for UK leg.
  • • Cost: R836,777.82.

    Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala.

    Russia / Nigeria: 22–26 June 2025.

    • Delegation of about 5–6 people.
    • Cost: R1,447,568.58.

    Egypt – 22–26 Oct 2025.

    • Delegation: 3 people.
    • Cost: R329,185.01.

    United Arab Emirates – 22–28 Nov 2025.

    • Delegation including spouse.
    • Cost: R711,518.36.

    Total cost of international trips.

    Cost of disclosed international travel:

    • Brazil: R1,050,701.23.
    • Australia: R536,609.16.
    • Europe: R836,777.82.
    • Russia/Nigeria: R1,447,568.58.
    • Egypt: R329,185.01.
    • UAE: R711,518.36.

    Total International Travel:≈R4.91 million.

    Domestic travel and VIP Protection costs.

    The international travel figures are only part of the overall spending.

    Domestic travel, including flights, accommodation and official engagements inside South Africa added millions more. A significant portion of the costs came from SAPS VIP protection services. In some cases, police protection accounted for 30% to 40% of travel costs.

    The department argues that these security measures are necessary because infrastructure oversight sometimes involves criminal syndicates and corruption networks. However, critics say the lack of detailed breakdowns makes it impossible to determine whether the security spending is justified.

    A Test of accountability.

    The dispute now places the spotlight on government accountability.

    Supporters of the minister argue that international engagement is necessary to attract infrastructure investment and build partnerships. Some trips, such as the Europe mission, reportedly helped secure technical cooperation agreements worth about R10 million in expertise support. But critics insist that public money must be spent carefully, especially in a country facing deep economic challenges.

    For now, the political battle continues. And unless a full financial breakdown is released or the Public Protector investigates the matter the debate over the R17 million travel bill is unlikely to fade anytime soon.