Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has cleared the Presidency and the Department of Defence (DoD) of any wrongdoing related to catering expenses on the Presidential aircraft Inkwazi.
Gcaleka released a statement on 768 investigations finalised during the third quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year, which ended on 31 December 2025.
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The cases included 638 service delivery complaints, 107 good governance and integrity matters, 23 early resolution cases, the Inkwazi catering scandal, and allegations of nepotism and corruption involving uMngeni Local Municipality Mayor Christopher Pappas.
Inkwazi Catering Costs Under Scrutiny
The Inkwazi scandal centred on claims that passengers travelling with President Cyril Ramaphosa enjoyed extravagant food and drinks while returning from the funeral of British Queen Elizabeth II, allegedly costing R24 000 per person.
Further allegations suggested that catering costs ballooned to R569 000 when Ramaphosa and his delegation returned from London to South Africa in 2022.
There were also claims relating to a cancelled flight to Turkey for an inauguration. Although the trip was called off, catering had already been loaded onto the aircraft, which then flew to Cape Town to collect the President before returning to Waterkloof Airbase the following day. Reports claimed that none of the food was returned, with catering costs amounting to nearly R91 000.
‘No Maladministration’ Found in Inkwazi and Pappas Cases
Gcaleka said the investigation examined allegations that included the procurement of luxury items.
“Evidence showed that catering costs for the London flight totalled R139 319,73, significantly less than alleged. The procurement process adhered to the Presidential Handbook and South African Air Force (SAAF) guidelines, and no alcohol or luxury items were included in the catering orders.”
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On the cancelled Turkey trip, she found that “while the situation had resulted in additional costs due to the cancellation, the evidence suggests that reasonable care was exercised, and mitigation steps were taken, such as some of the catering being utilised on two aircraft returning to Pretoria, and non-perishable items being stored for future use to avoid complete wastage.”
“The cancellation of the Turkey flight resulted in a payment of R82 037,84 for catering services, which was in line with the supplier’s cancellation policy.”
“The Public Protector concluded that the Presidency and the DoD acted within legal and policy frameworks, and their conduct did not amount to maladministration or improper behaviour,” Gcaleka said.
Her findings also cleared uMngeni Mayor Christopher Pappas, who had faced accusations of nepotism relating to funding allocated to uMngeni Tourism, chaired by his fiancé Jean-Pierre Prinsloo.
Gcaleka said the investigation found “no evidence of improper conduct.”
“Both Mr Pappas and Mr Prinsloo had made the required declarations, and the funding was approved by the Council through a formal resolution. Mr Pappas recused himself from all deliberations and decision-making processes related to the funding, ensuring compliance with governance protocols.
“Furthermore, uMngeni Tourism was already receiving regular grant money from the municipality long before Mr Pappas became mayor. In March 2021, it had signed an agreement for the Municipality to pay uMngeni Tourism R10 000 a month. This ongoing funding started well before Mr Pappas took office as mayor,” Gcaleka said.
Pappas assumed office as mayor in November 2021.
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