Public Protector dismisses Steenhuisen's complaint against Ramaphosa

The Public Protector (PP), Kholeka Gcaleka, has dismissed a complaint Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen, which alleged the inflation of catering costs on the Inkwazi presidential aircraft.

The complaint was filed by Steenhuisen in 2023.

It is related to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s trips to England, the United States and a cancelled visit to Turkey.

A report that the PP released recently found that the allegations by Steenhuisen were unsubstantiated.

The allegations stemmed from a City Press article claiming that Ramaphosa and his entourage went on a R600,000 junket aboard the Inkwazi, allegedly including luxury alcohol, chocolates and other food items.

Following the publication of the article, Steenhuisen lodged a complaint with the PP, calling for an investigation into alleged maladministration by the president and his entourage.

The report states that in September 2022, Ramaphosa flew from Pretoria to London and later to Washington.

His delegation included his spokesperson, an adviser, the head of digital communications, and three bodyguards.

According to the report, the total catering bill amounted to R139,000, with no alcohol having been ordered.

In June 2023, Ramaphosa’s trip to Turkey was cancelled at the last minute, resulting in his office having to pay R91,000 to the caterer for the late cancellation.

The report concludes that all transactions were above board and did not constitute any wasteful or irregular expenditure of government funds.