South Africa: Minister’s Salary Docked for Dodgy Diplomatic Visit

The government of South Africa has reprimanded Defense and Military Veterans minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, for allowing several members of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to join her on an official trip.

In early September, the 63-year-old politician – along with an unauthorised ANC delegation – flew to Zimbabwe as part of a diplomatic visit, using an aircraft from the South African Air Force.

A statement from the presidency earlier in the week said that Mapisa-Nqakula did not act “in the best interest of good governance.”

In a recent parliamentary session, members claimed that the minister misused state resources, and will thus have her salary docked for three months, starting from October. The docked funds will be utilised in the country’s battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

Mapisa-Nqakula is also facing mounting pressure from opposition parties to resign, despite the ANC stating that it will resolve the excess costs from her “error of judgment” in using the military aircraft.

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