This is daylight robbery. Yesterday, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela laid bare details of former Eastern Cape MEC for social development Pemmy Majodina's five-day trip to New York in September 2012. We are told she spent about R3 000 a day on lunch alone. Last year she caused a public outcry when it emerged she went to the US to hand-deliver an invitation to human rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson to some talk shop in Eastern Cape.During her four-day trip, she was accompanied by an entourage. The likes of Majodina are treating South Africans with disdain as their personal ATMs.This happens while South Africans are told to tighten their belts .It is these incidents that give rise to questions of whether those we elect to govern this country remember they are paid out of our pockets.Madonsela said Majodina's conduct constituted improper or unlawful conduct and called on Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masaulle to take disciplinary action against her. He must order Majodina - who at present serves as MEC for arts, culture, sports and recreation - to pay back the money.We wait to see whether any action will be taken by the Eastern Cape government as Madonsela's earlier rulings are being challenged in the highest office in the land. In fact, the message being communicated to us is that Madonsela's rulings are just mere recommendations and must be treated as such.It is important that such leaders are disciplined to demonstrate that the government is serious about corruption.Madonsela said it had also come to her attention that Majodina was involved in another travel allowance dispute in relation to R13935 she received for an earlier trip - in February 2012 - to New York, a portion of which she was required to pay back.But we must ask, why it took the involvement of the public protector to force an elected official to pay back our money?..