The Democratic Alliance (DA) has tabled a motion of censure against Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) Speaker Morakane Mosupyoe over a R5.9 million taxpayer-funded trip to Venezuela, accusing her of wasting public money on what it describes as an unjustifiable foreign visit.
The motion, submitted by DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga, follows revelations that the legislature spent R5 997 895 on a delegation of 13 people that travelled to Venezuela between 27 November and 3 December 2025 to attend the International Tourism Fair of Venezuela (FITVEN).
According to the DA, the delegation comprised Mosupyoe, four members of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and seven officials, with each delegate receiving a daily allowance totalling about R125 000 during the trip.
Msimanga argued that the expenditure amounted to a blatant misuse of taxpayers’ money at a time when Gauteng continued to grapple with service delivery challenges.
“The Speaker must be reprimanded for her appalling judgement on wasting money on this trip,” he said.
He argued there had been little justification for the legislature’s participation because South Africa was already represented at the tourism exhibition by Brand South Africa.
“The exhibition was only for four days and BrandSA already had an exhibition at the International Tourism Fair of Venezuela. This means there was no need for the GPL to be there.”
Msimanga further questioned what the delegation did for the remainder of the trip, alleging the visit primarily served to increase the subsistence allowances received by delegates travelling on official business.
“This action by the Speaker was solely for personal interests, specifically to increase the stipend received for being out of the country on legislative business.”
He said the trip reflected poor leadership and misplaced priorities while residents continued to experience challenges relating to basic service delivery.
However, in its response to the Legislature’s Oversight Committee, the Gauteng Provincial Legislature defended both the trip and its cost.
The legislature said the visit had been coordinated with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), which approved and facilitated the delegation’s travel.
The GPL also rejected suggestions that the trip took place after Venezuela’s airspace was closed, stating that the delegation travelled from 27 November to 3 December 2025, while the closure occurred only after the arrest of the Venezuelan president in January 2026.
A breakdown provided by the legislature shows that R3.27 million was spent on air travel, R931 870 on accommodation, R251 717 on transport, R33 840 on travel services and R1.5 million on per diem allowances.
The legislature said the visit produced several tangible outcomes.
These included South Africa being recognised as the Guest of Honour at FITVEN, the Gauteng Provincial Legislature exhibiting alongside Brand South Africa to promote its educational and institutional programmes, and strengthening diplomatic relations between Gauteng and its Venezuelan counterparts.
The legislature further said the visit helped deepen dialogue, promote international cooperation and strengthen relations through what it described as “soft-power international relations”.
Msimanga, however, dismissed those explanations, arguing that diplomatic engagement could not justify nearly R6 million in expenditure while the province continued to face pressing socio-economic challenges.
“The trip to Venezuela is not the action of responsible leadership; instead, it is one of leadership that looks for loopholes to steal from the public purse.”
He said government had a responsibility to build international relations, but not at the expense of delivering basic services such as water, electricity, sanitation and support for vulnerable residents.
The motion of censure is expected to be considered by the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
