City of Johannesburg spent R585,831 on an international trip for two officials

The City of Johannesburg spent R585,832 to send two officials to a four-day AIDS conference in Brazil, even as it faces severe financial challenges.

Johannesburg councillor Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku questioned whether this was a necessary expense given the city’s crisis.

She said that the trip to Brazil was for the Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Economic Development and Health.

“We question the relevance of this trip and why residents must fund international travel during a financial and service delivery crisis,” she said.

“This appears to be an extravagant international trip for a portfolio, Economic Development, unrelated to the conference.”

Kayser-Echeozonjoku said that documents in her possession indicate a total cost of R585,831.92, plus a combined R31,032.12 in subsistence allowances.

This comes amid National Treasury intervention over Johannesburg’s equitable share allocation and growing pressure for strict financial discipline.

She said that residents are told there is no money for service delivery, and the City of Johannesburg’s phones are cut due to non-payment.

Residents also have to deal with prolonged power outages and weekly water leaks because the city does not invest enough in maintenance.

However, despite these financial and service delivery problems, the City of Johannesburg spent a large amount on international travel.

Kayser-Echeozonjoku said that the city’s priorities are misplaced, and that Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero should account for it.

Kayser-Echeozonjoku has asked Morero for details of the trip, including approvals, total costs, funding, and compliance with cost-containment measures.

She also asked about the relevance of the MMC for Economic Development attending an AIDS conference in Brazil.