The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng has submitted a motion of censure against Gauteng Provincial Legislature Speaker Morakane Mosupyoe following a November 2025 trip to Venezuela that cost taxpayers R5.9 million.
The official opposition party, led by Solly Msimanga, claims the expenditure was wasteful and unnecessary, particularly given South Africa’s existing representation at the event through BrandSA.
13-member delegation attended tourism fair
The trip to the International Tourism Fair of Venezuela (FITVEN) included Speaker Mosupyoe, four members of the GPL and seven staff members. According to documents submitted to the Oversight Committee of the Office of the Premier, the total cost reached R5 997 895.
Each member of the delegation received an allowance of R125 000 for being out of the country. The tourism fair itself lasted four days, though questions have been raised about the length of the broader trip.
Questions over duplicate representation
The DA argues that the GPL delegation was redundant, as BrandSA already maintained an exhibition at the Venezuelan tourism fair. Msimanga stated that the speaker’s justification for the trip was to deepen diplomatic relations with Venezuela, with South Africa being the guest of honour.
However, the opposition party contends that existing representation meant there was no need for an additional 13-person delegation from the provincial legislature.
Accountability and service delivery concerns
In its motion, the DA criticised the expenditure as “appalling judgement” at a time when service delivery in Gauteng faces challenges. The party argues that funds could have been better allocated to basic services such as water, electricity and sanitation.
Msimanga described the trip as an example of leadership that “looks for loopholes to steal from the public purse” rather than responsible governance. The DA has pledged to prioritise transparent spending and service delivery should it govern the province.
The motion of censure seeks to hold the speaker accountable for the use of public funds and to reprimand her for the expenditure decision.
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