September 16, 2011.
The refusal of a minister to have her handbag scanned at an airport in Oslo, Norway, cost South African taxpayers just over R235,000, according to a report.
The Mail & Guardian reported that International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane was on a state visit this month when she refused to pass her handbag through an x-ray scanner.
As a result she missed her scheduled commercial flight to her next diplomatic engagement in Bulgaria.
A private charter executive jet was then hired to transport her.
It cost taxpayers a total of R235,343, according to her department.
It was unclear what the minister was carrying in her handbag and why she was keen to avoid security screening, said the newspaper.
In its response the department said that the Vienna Convention exempted diplomats from luggage searches at airports, and that the minister -- as the country's top diplomat -- was right to stand her ground.
"[There was nothing in her handbag] which could not be disclosed. This matter was not about the contents of the luggage. It's a matter of principle," spokesman Clayson Monyela said.
Comment: And her principle was to defend her honor or the integrity of the South African citizenry?
I understand that this most ineffectual minister should be accorded her privileges just like any other diplomat in her position anywhere else but damn homes sometimes a terse letter to the authorities in Norway would have cost the price of a stamp and some stationery (if even).
And if the heffa sent an email it would have been free!
R235 00 is approximately $35 000! That is a sh*t load of money and not worth the self-inflated point she was trying to make (we don't even know what that point may be).
She should explain herself - well she would if there was even a semblance of democratic accountability in the cesspool of corruption that is Rainbow Delusion.
Geez hey.
Onward!
UPDATE (September 18): See "Calls on Minister to Pay Back R200K".
No comments:
Post a Comment