When everyday South Africans are tightening their belts, news that Deputy President Paul Mashatile and his wife spent close to R1 million on hotel stays during a five-day visit to Japan has hit a nerve across the country.
The trip, framed as a diplomatic mission to boost trade and cultural ties with Japan, is now under intense scrutiny — not for its goals, but for how much it cost the public.
R956K Just for the Hotel Room?
Let’s break it down.
According to a recent response in Parliament, Mashatile’s trip in March 2025 racked up a staggering R2.3 million in total.
And of that, a jaw-dropping R956 057 went to hotel accommodation alone.
To put it plainly, that’s nearly R239 000 per night — more than most of us make in a year.
And here’s the kicker: Parliament didn’t even name which hotel the delegation stayed at.
That lack of transparency has sparked a storm of criticism from opposition leaders and public watchdogs, who argue that these kinds of expenses are tone-deaf, especially given the economic challenges ordinary citizens face.
“Wasteful and Insensitive” Say Critics
DA MP Lerato Ngobeni, who originally asked about the trip, didn’t mince words:
“Taxpayers are struggling to survive while senior officials live in five-star luxury.
This kind of wasteful expenditure is unacceptable.”
The outrage isn’t just about the Tokyo trip either — it’s part of a larger conversation about how South African officials are managing public funds, especially when it comes to international travel.
Not His First Luxury Stop Abroad
Since taking up the role of Deputy President in July 2024, Mashatile has already made several overseas visits.
His travel itinerary includes countries like Ireland, the UK, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and of course, Japan.
Each stop has raised more and more eyebrows as the bills keep stacking up.
Government’s Justification Falls Flat
Officials have tried to justify the Tokyo trip, saying it helped deepen cooperation in areas like trade, science, education, and sports diplomacy.
The delegation reportedly included ministers and deputy ministers from various departments, so the idea was to broaden South Africa’s international partnerships.
But many South Africans — and advocacy groups — aren’t buying it.
Calls for Transparency and Accountability
Sipho Mbele from the Public Accountability Forum said it best:
“It’s not just about this one trip.
There’s a clear pattern of high-level officials enjoying perks with very little oversight.
Ordinary citizens are held to account for every cent — why not government leaders?”
He, along with other civic groups, is now calling for a detailed audit of the Japan visit and tighter rules on how public money is spent during official travel.
Silence from Mashatile’s Office
Despite mounting public pressure and growing calls for an explanation, Paul Mashatile’s team hasn’t made a statement.
The silence is only adding fuel to the fire, especially as frustration with government spending continues to grow.
What’s Next?
This story taps into something bigger than hotel bills — it’s about public trust.
When leaders live lavishly while asking citizens to sacrifice, that trust begins to crack.
Whether an investigation or policy reform follows remains to be seen, but for now, the public is watching — and waiting.