I didn't spend your tax to go watch Money beat Manny: Mbalula

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula has strongly denied spending government money to attend Sunday’s “fight of the century” between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

Going to see Floyd Mayweather #LasVegasvibes

— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) May 2, 2015

Mbalula's tweet was followed by a question from Beeld editor Adriaan Basson on Twitter.

Adrian, please note that in the new democratic dispensation a Black man can afford to go to America without using your tax @AdriaanBasson

— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) May 2, 2015

The only way I could b here in @AdriaanBasson eyes is if govt payed for me what an insult ,or somehow bankrolled.

— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) May 2, 2015

 

Honorable Tweeps, you're my employer. You elected me to work for you. I wait for month end like many. Not everything I do is with your tax.

— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) May 2, 2015

 

I'm SA employee, I clock to work and wait for month end. It's ignorant and stupid to assume evetime I blink it's your money @AdriaanBasson

— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) May 2, 2015

Now y'all know who I have my money on. TmT #FloydVSPacquiaopic.twitter.com/lnIqdHPOiz

— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) May 2, 2015

 

Twitter users joined in the debate, with many defending Basson's right to ask such a question, while others defended the minister.