Dept defends R3m 'joyride'

COSTLY: CALLS NEW YORK TRIP 'INVESTMENT' >>> 'Outcomes will benefit SA women and girls for many years to come.'

- Enkosi Selane

The department of social development has defended its R3 million expenditure on a trip to New York in March, arguing that the "investment" delivered strategic diplomatic and policy results that will benefit South African women and girls for years to come.

The department presented a comprehensive report to the standing committee on appropriations yesterday, detailing costs and justifications for the trip to attend the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) conference.

Seven officials attended the event, including newly appointed deputy director-general for welfare services Sizakele Magangoe, who accounted for more than R1 million of the total expenditure.

The department's total expenditure of R3 015 887.13 included flight tickets costing R1 090 463.18, and insurance at R5 536, accommodation expenses of R1 336858.26, transport transfers totalling R423 964.40, and subsistence and travel allowances of R159 065.29.

The costs have been labelled by critics as excessive and amounting to a "joyride" at the expense of taxpayers.