Dukwana splashes R1.4m on flights to China

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein – The cost of the much-hyped trip to China by Mxolisi Dukwana, Free State Province Premier, and his entourage came at a high cost.

Not much was revealed about the trip but the questions posed by Dr Roy Jankielson of the Democratic Alliance unearthed what many did not expect.

QUESTIONS:

1. What was the (a) purpose and (b) outcome for the Free State from this trip?
2. Who were the individuals who undertook this trip?
3. What was the total cost per individual mentioned in 2 of (a) traveling, (b) accommodation, and (c) all other expenses of the trip?
4. How long was the Premier abroad with the delegation?

ANSWERS:

The Premier was accompanied by the following official delegation:

• Mr Thabo Meeko, MEC for Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental
  Affairs (DESTEA)
• Ms Dibolelo Mance, MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure and Chairperson of the Economic
  Cluster
• Mr Teboho Saki Mokoena, MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development
• H.W. Ms Irene Mehlomakulu, Executive Mayor of the Xhariep District Municipality
• Dr Mbulelo Nokwequ, Head of Department, Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and
  Environmental Affairs (DESTEA)
• Mr Moses Alphons Kaunyana Kau, Chief Director, Intergovernmental Relations
• Mr Sello Dithebe, Premier’s Spokesperson
• Ms Ntebaleng Nqai, Personal Assistant to the Premier
• Ms Lerato Ngwenya, Deputy Director, Communications
• Ms Lindelwa Dabi, Assistant Director, International Relations
  (a-c) The costs per person who took part in the visit were as follows:
• Premier, MECs, Mayor and Officials
• Flights: R141 327,95 per person
• Accommodation: R 23 766,63 per person
• Travel insurance: R630 per person
• Shuttle: Bloemfontein – Johannesburg: R6 943,00
• Car Hire: R2 405,90
• The Premier and his delegation were out of the country with effect from 1 September 2023 and returned on 13 September 2023.

Dukwana has been in office for 11 months now, not much can be said about what he has done.

The center is not holding for someone who went to Chief Justice Zondo and blamed Magashule.

In another question poised by EFF’s Liphoko about the investigation in the costs of Tate Makgoe’s funeral Dukwana said there was no investigation but the Public Protector is investigating.

The DA also asked Dukwana about his SOPA commitment to establish the Anti-Corruption Task Team and this he said unprovoked, and the answer was NO.

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