ANC quizzes Zille on cost of overseas trips

PREMIER Helen Zille has so far spent R2.1 million on overseas trips to promote business and investment in the province.

The ANC’s caucus in the Western Cape Legislature, which came armed with large photos of Zille (when she was still Cape Town mayor) with a member of the controversial Gupta family, questioned her trips.

Zille hit back, saying the province was already reaping the rewards of her trip to Ghana.

“Out of the 18 Western Cape-based companies that were part of the delegation, five have so far signed declarations totalling R112m, while one company has signed an Outward Foreign Direct Investment declaration to the value of R35m. The latter deal will create about 35 jobs, while enabling 63 jobs to be retained over the next five years,” she said.

“It is encouraging to see that within a short time after the Ghana trade mission, companies are already taking advantage of the new market opportunities presented by our relationship with Ghana.

“Trips like these play a vital role in exposing companies in the province to the broader continent and the globe,” said Zille.

ANC Western Cape leader Khaya Magaxa questioned the value of Zille’s recent trips to Ghana, Vietnam and Thailand. “What is the value of these trips?” Magaxa wanted to know.

Zille flew to Thailand and Vietnam earlier this month for a trade mission, at a cost of R540 000. Since the start of the year, she has been to London to attend an education conference and on trade missions to Singapore and Ghana.

Zille’s trip to Ghana cost the taxpayer around R388 000, and her trip to Singapore, R1.1m.

Zille’s tweets on the Singapore trip caused drama in the party when she said the legacy of colonialism wasn’t all negative. She later apologised, saying she never intended to defend colonialism.

On the trip to Vietnam and Thailand, four people from the provincial government accompanied her.

Speaking on trips to promote trade, Zille said it was at times difficult to promote the country. “People see us a haven for corruption and violent crimes,” she said.

In Ghana Zille also attend a conference for disables people where R57 000 was donated.

Magaxa questioned the relevance of Zille’s participation in the conference for disabled people, as a disabled staffer in the Public Works and Transport department was fired.

“The Labour Court upheld that official’s case, please explain,” he said.

Zille said disabled people were not immune to labour laws.