Steenhuisen will respond to ActionSA's question about his travel costs this week

Agriculture Minister and DA leader John Steenhuisen will respond to ActionSA’s question about his and his deputy’s travel costs this week.

Jan Gerber/News24

ActionSA has questioned all ministers on travel costs,citing R184m in expenses since July 2024,which excludes the five ministers who haven’t responded on time.One of those ministers,Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen,pledged to submit his travel expense details this week after delays were brought about by administrative checks.Ministers' failure to answer parliamentary questions promptly has been an ongoing issue in the national legislature. Agriculture Minister and DA leader John Steenhuisen will respond this week to ActionSA’s question about his and his deputy’s travel costs.

According to ActionSA’s calculations,the government of national unity (GNU) has spent more than R184 million on travel and other perks since its formation in July last year.

However,the travel costs of Steenhuisen,Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso,Social Development Minister Nokuzola Tolashe,Sport,Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie and Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni are excluded from this amount,as these ministers are yet to respond.

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ActionSA’s question to these five ministers was posed in February. In terms of Parliament’s rules,ministers must answer within 10 days after a question is submitted. They can apply for extensions.

Last week,ActionSA chief whip Lerato Ngobeni wrote to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to ask that the matter be referred to Deputy President Paul Mashatile in his capacity as the leader of government business and the House. She also asked that they be formally reprimanded in the House.

News24 asked the five ministers why they didn’t respond to the questions on time.

On Wednesday afternoon,Steenhuisen’s spokesperson,Joylene van Wyk,said: “The question was broad,and as such,we needed to go back administratively to the start of the new administration to give an accurate reflection of the travel cost incurred,which includes flights,car rental,accommodation,etc.

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“All the figures were separate and had to be added up cumulatively to get the total representation of travel costs incurred by the three offices (Office of Agriculture Minister,Office of Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Office of Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform).

“The question is currently with the Deputy Minister’s Office for the finalisation of their travel details. The response will be submitted,still this week,to Parliament and be circulated next week.”

READ | ActionSA calls for ministers to be reprimanded over failure to account for travel expenses

Previously,McKenzie’s spokesperson,Stacey Khojane,and Nyhontso’s media liaison officer,Cassiem Khan,responded similarly.

“The outstanding response relating to travel costs is still being compiled as it requires input from both the minister and deputy minister,as well as verification of travel records,” said Khojane.

“Due to the complexity of the information,the process is taking longer than usual,but it is receiving urgent attention and will be submitted once finalised.”

Last year,a parliamentary question revealed that McKenzie’s trip to the Olympics cost R800 000.

Khan said Nyhontso intended to answer all questions posed to him.

He said there was some confusion because some of the questions were answered in the portfolio committee and were repeated in writing. Furthermore,Nyhontso’s department split from agriculture,meaning some technical staff were not available to answer questions.

But Khan assured: “Nothing will be left unanswered.”

Ministers’ failure to respond timeously to written parliamentary questions has been a longstanding issue for opposition parties in Parliament.

In the seventh Parliament,the EFF and ActionSA have been driving the issue.

The most recent available report,dated 4 April,shows that 230 out of 1 290 questions were unanswered within the required deadline,and only 9 of the 32 ministers had answered all their questions on time.

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