DA to Grill Minister Gayton McKenzie Over R31m FIFA World Cup Delegation Expenses
BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR
DA to Grill Minister Gayton McKenzie Over R31m FIFA World Cup Delegation Expenses
PARLIAMENT — Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie is set to face intense scrutiny in Parliament today as the Democratic Alliance (DA) prepares to question him over a controversial R31 million expenditure related to the South African delegation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Minister McKenzie and representatives from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture are scheduled to appear before the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture at 17:30. This marks their second appearance before the committee regarding the matter, following an initial meeting on 4 August that left lawmakers dissatisfied.
During the previous parliamentary session, committee members rejected the department’s presentation, describing it as lackluster, and formally demanded a comprehensive, line-item report detailing the delegation's activities and associated costs. The DA noted that Minister McKenzie departed the previous meeting as the probe into the World Cup spending commenced, preventing committee members from questioning him directly.
Heading into today's proceedings, the DA’s Spokesperson on Sport, Arts and Culture, Leah Potgieter MP, emphasized that the department has had sufficient time to produce the required financial records and justifications.
According to the DA, the delegation in question comprised 151 individuals. The opposition party has outlined a specific list of demands that it expects the department's updated report to address, including:
- Delegation Composition: The full names, professional qualifications, and relevant experience of all 151 delegation members to justify their inclusion.
- Roles and Responsibilities: A detailed breakdown of the specific duties assigned to each member during the tournament.
- Activity Log: An account of the daily activities, meetings, and official engagements conducted by the Minister and individual delegation members.
- Financial Expenditure: An itemized breakdown of the estimated R31 million total cost, specifying the exact amount attributed to each individual attendee.
- Sponsorships: Full disclosure of all private or corporate sponsorships received to subsidize the trip.
- Return on Investment: Measurable outcomes and tangible benefits secured for South Africa’s sport, arts, culture, and tourism sectors as a result of the expenditure.
"It is time for the Minister to stop avoiding accountability and account for each rand spent at the World Cup," the party stated ahead of the evening committee meeting.
The Portfolio Committee session is expected to focus heavily on financial oversight and public transparency regarding international government delegations.
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