Mashatile has confirmed that it has conducted four official international trips since July 2024, spending around R7.9 million.
Vice President Paul Mashatile revealed that he spent R2.3 million on a single work visit in March 2025, with costs including flights, accommodation, ground transportation, restaurant services and laundry costs.
This latest revelation adds to previous travel spending, which totaled over R5.5 million since taking office in July 2024. The revelation came in response to a council question from Actions MP Lerato Mikateko Ngobeni, who has requested a full breakdown of all official trips that Mashathir has made since assuming the office on July 3, 2024.
Four international trips with total costs over R7.9m
Mashatile confirmed that it had made four official international trips from the specified date.
These include:
He visited Ireland and the UK in September and October 2024, represented President Cyril Ramaphosa at the inauguration of President Botswana's President Dumaboko in November 2024, attended the extraordinary SADC summit held in Harare, Zimbabwe in November 2024, and made his recent visit in March 2025.
The cost of labor visits in Ireland and the UK was R5 475 829.03, while the inauguration in Botswana was R52 867.58 and Zimbabwe SADC Summit Cost R56 166.20.
The latest Japan trip alone is R2 319 138.19, bringing the total spending on all four trips to about R7 903 901.
Comprehensive details were previously provided on the first three trips in February 2025, but Mashatile's latest parliamentary response focused specifically on Japanese work visits conducted between March 16th and 19th, 2025.
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The importance of Mashatile's visit to Japan
The Vice President emphasized the strategic significance of Japan Travel, explaining that it focuses on “enhancing the political, economic and social fields of cooperation between the two countries.”
The visit coincided with a celebration of 115 diplomatic relations between South Africa and Japan.
In the parliamentary response, Mashathil said he was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, and Deputy Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Tandi Moraka, Gayton Mackenzie. Gina.
Economic Focus and Business Engagement
Mashatair highlighted Japan's position as South Africa's fourth largest trading partner as an important motivation for the visit.
He said, “Many Japanese companies expanded their investment plans in the South African pipeline, thereby ensuring the South African government's trust in the Japanese government and support for its economic policies.”
During the work visit, Mashatile and his delegation were involved with the Japanese business community in a variety of areas, including manufacturing and machinery, mining and mineral benefits, energy cooperation, the automotive industry and improving market access for South African agricultural products.
According to the Vice President, major engagements included a visit to factory service by Fujisawa, a meeting with Dr. Tanaka, chairman of the Japan Agency for International Cooperation, and discussions with the Friendship League of the Japan-Africa Union Congress.
The delegation also met representatives from the Japanese business community, including the Japan External Trade Organization, Metal Energy Security Organization, Cadanren, and the Japan Committee's African Economic Development Association.
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High-level political meetings
According to Mashatile, the visit was marked “the first high level of involvement between South Africa and Japan in the past decade.”
He met with Prime Minister Isba and Prime Minister Hayashi. “To promote closer political cooperation.”
Mashatile also gave a keynote speech at the United Nations University under the theme of “South Africa's G20 President: Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability – Conversation with Japan.”
Detailed cost breakdown of Mashatile's Japan trip
A comprehensive breakdown of costs for Japan Travel revealed a total cost of R2,319,138.19.
In the case of the mandate, the flight cost was R613,214.92, while the accommodation cost reached R1,235,569.73.
The total cost of land transport was R410,926.94.
Additional costs included R8,033.50 for laundry services and R51,393.10 for restaurant services covering food and drinks.
Previous travel expenses for war stars Japan expenses
Japan trip was expensive, but not Mashatile's most expensive international trip during the period in question.
Visits to Ireland and the UK in September and October 2024 increased significantly at R5,475,829.03, with London accommodation alone costing over R3.2 million.
The two regional trips to Botswana and Zimbabwe were relatively modest, with R52,867.58 and R56,166.20, respectively. This is because the Vice President was carried by the South African Air Force for these short trips.
Composition of delegation and personal expenses
Mashatile's spouse, Humile Mashatile, accompanied the delegation and accompanied him with “participating in the spouse program,” with flight costs listed at R117,518.08 and ground transport was carried out at R73,592.80.
Mashatile's own costs included R117,518.08 for flights, R956,057.00 for accommodations and R77,360.32 for ground transport.
Senior staff accompanied the Vice President. This includes Deputy Director Mduduzi Mbada, Keith Khoza, Political Advisor and Acting Spokesman, Itumelen Mafatshe, Director of Communications, and various administrative and protocol support staff.
The role of each staff member was clearly defined, ranging from providing strategic and advisory support to handling communications, administrative duties and protocol requirements.
Agenda Alignment for the G20 and Africa
Mashatile pointed out that the timing of the visit was strategically in line with South Africa's G20 presidency and the Japanese hosts at the 9th Tokyo International Conference in August.
This confluence presented “a unique opportunity for South Africa to communicate the continent's position and priorities towards Japan, and the expected support and role that Japan can play in this respect.”
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