Africa’s lack of air infrastructure blamed for minister’s high flight bill

By Khanyisa Tabata
15 December 2011

International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has defended her use of expensive chartered international flights.

She says a lack of proper infrastructure in Africa often leaves her department with no other choice.

According to the Democratic Alliance, Nkoana-Mashabane could have saved almost 10-million-Rands in taxpayers’ money over a 15-month period had she used commercial flights.

The minister told a news conference in Pretoria today that the claim was unrealistic.

The DA has since written to the Public Protector to request an investigation into Nkoana-Mashabane’s conduct.