I did not declare Dubai trip, admits Ayanda Dlodlo

Cape Town – Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo on Thursday acknowledged that she had not declared a trip taken to Dubai and her stay at the Oberoi Hotel and said she would “take whatever is meted out” and admit to wrongdoing if it is indeed the case.

During a media briefing at Parliament following a Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday, Dlodlo was asked to clarify allegations made in the media about her trip to Dubai.

The Sunday Times reported that Dlodlo failed to declare a 2015 trip to Dubai and her stay at the luxurious Oberoi Hotel when she was the Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration.

This emerged from an investigation by the Democratic Alliance into Parliament’s Register of Members’ Interests.

Dlodlo said on Thursday the matter has been referred to Parliament’s Ethics Committee which will deal with the matter.

“It’s true – I did not declare that benefit. But I’d like people to judge me on my work. I’d admit to wrongdoing if there’s it. I will take whatever is meted out,” Dlodlo said.

She said allegations of a shopping spree and her attending the French Open were already referred to her lawyers.

“It’s up to the person who made these allegations to prove if they’re true,” Dlodlo said in reference to former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor’s Facebook post, alleging that she and Dlodlo had been offered an opportunity in 2009 to fly first class to Paris to watch the French Open tennis tournament and stay in a luxury hotel for 10 days should they want to.

Mentor alleged that Dlodlo accepted this offer.