A defiant Gayton McKenzie sought to dispel any notion that he attended the Paris Olympics as part of a R800,000 “joyride”, saying he was no superfan, but attending to his duties as Sports Minister.
He was speaking off-script before addressing the public on his first 100 days in office during a press conference held in Johannesburg on Thursday.
McKenzie has defended himself, saying he had made it his mission to save money on accommodation, but it is unclear why he did not display the same energy to save over R400,000 spent on ground transport costs.
‘I had six meetings’
Though he did not go into much detail about why some of the expenses were so high which included over R454,005 on ground transport in Paris for him and his officials - he claimed there was no irregular expense incurred by his department.
“I had six meetings I had to attend now before the opening ceremony. The rugby already started for those that don't know. So I went to go and watch the Sevens rugby,” said McKenzie.
“Then when the Olympics started I sat in the rain, so our athletes also can have somebody screaming for them there.”
Since he did not remain in Paris for the duration of the games, McKenzie insisted that meant he was not there for anything remotely resembling a ‘joyride’.
“I'm probably the only minister in the world of sport that was not at the Olympics. Now, where do you get the joyride thing from?
“So I want to make it very clear. I came back, not because I was forced to come back.”
Clearly angered by the accusations, McKenzie said it was his job to watch sport.
“There was nothing wrong me being there. Now he's going to sporting events. That's my job, you want me to go look at cabbages and the agriculture? That is the job of Mr John Steenhuisen to look at the farms.
“That's my job to go to sporting events. Especially the biggest showcasing of talent in the sporting world, which is the Olympics.”
As for the money spent on ground transport, McKenzie dodged explaining the huge amount his department spent.
“I got there. I saw them saying ‘Mr McKenzie, welcome, welcome.’ I jumped in the car.
“Now it's being acted like I'm sitting behind the computer and going to the different airlines… [to] wish [for] things.
“There are people that are hired for those [tasks]. Now if you want to play politics, it's fine. But don't play politics only with me.”
Like he said previously, he explained that he requested not to stay in a five-star hotel to save money. However, it’s clear he didn’t say anything of that nature when it came to transport.
Finally, McKenzie ended his ad-lib speech by saying: “Don't say I went for a joyride and don't compare me to Mama Joy, I am not a super fan. I'm the Minister of Sport Arts and Culture.”