NCOP chair in trouble over Russia trip
The chair of South Africa's National Council of Provinces, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, is facing criticism for an expensive, unapproved trip to Russia with a large delegation. Opposition parties are questioning the necessity and protocol of the trip, while parliamentary spokespeople defend it as a bilateral engagement.
Why it matters
It highlights concerns regarding government spending, parliamentary oversight, and diplomatic relations between South Africa and Russia.
The chair of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) may have landed in hot water after embarking on a trip to Russia with an expensive army of officials in tow, apparently without approval from the relevant parliamentary bodies.
The Sunday Times has learnt from well-placed officials and politicians that there was consternation after Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane travelled to Moscow this week for bilateral meetings with her Russian counterpart.
There was also unhappiness about the size of the support staff group that accompanied Mtshweni-Tsipane, with eight officials flying Emirates business class to support five MPs.
MPs from the DA and MK Party , among others, also fumed after learning about the trip, saying they had neither been invited nor consulted as per normal parliamentary protocols and practices.
The cheapest return ticket for travel between Cape Town and Moscow via Dubai on Emirates business class was selling for just over R95,000 this week.
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