Lesufi says he paid for his own World Cup trip — but official delegation will cost R9 million

A video of Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi touching down in Mexico for the FIFA World Cup has set social media on fire — and not in a good way. In the clip, Lesufi is seen in high spirits, wearing a branded SAFA jersey and a South African scarf, shouting: "Hey, we are in Mexico….Amigo, yeah! Bafana Bafana, we’re in Mexico and we’re going to do something big, amazing, surprising and shocking."

But while Lesufi was celebrating, many South Africans were asking a different question: who paid for this trip? With Johannesburg reeling from water shortages, high rates, and poor service delivery, the sight of the premier enjoying himself abroad didn't sit well.

Now Lesufi has set the record straight. In a statement to The South African, the Gauteng Provincial Government said the premier has taken official leave and isn't using public funds. The only thing he accepted from Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie was free tickets to access the stadium.

"The Premier, however, chose to attend in his private capacity, taking no government support staff along, thus choosing not to use public funds or government protocols," the statement read. During his absence, MEC for Health and Wellness Faith Mazibuko has been appointed acting premier.

"We suffering with high rates, Taxes, electricity, no service delivery, and Here this cake is in Mexico with Taxpayers Money, go to hell" — X user PaddyPower

But while Lesufi's trip might not cost the state a cent, the official ministerial delegation is a different story. In response to parliamentary questions, Gayton McKenzie admitted that the ministerial and departmental delegation would cost taxpayers around R9 million. He didn't give a breakdown of who exactly is in that delegation.

On top of that, the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture is spending R3.5 million on artists and cultural performers, and R6.7 million on Bafana Legends who played Mexico earlier this week. McKenzie added that trips for 20 "lucky fans" were funded by external sponsors — not taxpayers.

Lesufi is no stranger to controversy. Earlier this year, he made headlines for saying he showers in hotels while Gauteng residents face water shortages. His critics say he's out of touch. His supporters say he's just showing passion for Bafana Bafana.

Either way, the numbers are clear: R9 million for the official delegation, R3.5 million for performers, R6.7 million for legends. And Lesufi says he isn't costing the taxpayer a cent. Whether voters believe him is another matter.