‘Broke’ SA municipality spends R1m on business class trip to Korea

This is borderline shameful. A municipality riddled with water, power, and sewage issues is now forking out for a business class jol.

‘Broke’ SA municipality spends R1m on business class trip to Korea

Leaders of the Maluti-A-Phofung municipality will have to do a bit of Seoul-searching this week, after they were tuned for planning to spend almost R1 million on a trip to South Korea. The Free State region is one of many municipalities currently facing financial turmoil.

Korea Maluti-A-Phofung municipality
Maluti-A-Phofung has fallen on hard times in recent years – Photo: Flickr / COGTA

Free State municipality plans ‘million-rand trip’ to South Korea

Three senior representatives, including the local mayor, were invited to a conference in the Far East. Subjects up for discussion include ‘feminist leadership’ and ‘digital rights’. Though these are serious topics, critics believe that municipal officials must prioritise their efforts elsewhere.

What’s more, detractors have also flagged just how much the planned trip is set to cost Maluti-A-Phofung. So far, the price has ballooned to almost R800 000, and could potentially rise up to R1 million in total. This, the DA notes, while sewage ‘runs through the streets’ of the municipality.

Accommodation, travel expenses, and even a request for business class flight tickets have all been processed. As far as Ana Motaung is concerned, the decision to fly halfway across the world – when there are so many problems back home – is a disgrace.

Cash-strapped Maluti-A-Phofung finds money for ‘business class tickets’

The DA Maluti-A-Phofung councillor vented her frustrations on Monday morning. She was left ‘puzzled’ by the trip, and suggested a range of alternative ways in which the money could be spent serving local citizens instead:

“In a municipality riddled with service delivery problems, it is puzzling that the serving leadership can even consider leaving residents to fend for themselves while they waste funds on a visit to South Korea.”

The total cost for the trip amounts to R789 093 – including business class flight tickets and accommodation. The misspent funds should be used to help the people of Maluti-A-Phofung. New water pumps, investment in streetlights, and fixing the sewage system should take priority.”

“The fact this was considered and brought to the council shows how disconnected the municipality leadership is from the current crisis. We strongly condemn this decision, and urge the municipality to reverse it and use the limited funds available for critical service delivery.” | Ana Motaung