By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister of Trade and Industry Parks Tau and his support staff international and domestic travel expenditure between June and October 2025 amounted to R7 045 624 and R1 638 162, respectively.
Tau revealed this during a parliamentary question and answer session that he visited Russia, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Turkiye, Vietnam and Malaysia over the last year.
“The Ministry undertakes international travel to carry out the core mandate of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition,” he said.
Travel is either at the request of the President, particularly for State Visits, or through South Africa’s membership of global structures.
He added that international travel is needed to defend or advance South Africa’s interests, for example, in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) or meetings with investors.
The total cost of Tau’s international and domestic trips, including flights, accommodation, and car rental, is provided below:
Tau also explained that domestic travel is needed for many reasons, including fulfilling his Parliament and Cabinet obligations.
Domestic travel is also needed to bolster African trade, investment, and industrialisation. It can involve meetings with major trading partners, including State Visits, and cases where South Africa is a member of the International Organisations.