RATEPAYERS in Nelson Mandela Bay have allegedly forked out about R25,000 for mayor Zanoxolo Wayile and his wife, Fezeka, for an eight-day getaway at a four-star luxury hotel in Durban over the festive season.

Municipal invoices leaked to The Herald this week showed that the Bay’s first couple spent more than a week in December-January at the Protea Mhlanga Ridge Hotel, with accommodation, food and drinks paid for by the Metro at a time when it was barely recovering from a financial crisis.

Wayile’s spokesman Luncedo Njezula insisted, however, that the mayor had been on official business – but would not say what it was.

The documents show that Fezeka flew from Port Elizabeth to Durban on December 27 and spent the night at the hotel, while Wayile flew from East London the next day to join her.

The hotel bill – including breakfast, dinner and beverages for the duration of the holiday – totalled about R17,600 while their return flights cost about R7,500.

UDM councillor Mongameli Bobani has asked for an investigation into the allegations.

“This is very serious. When the head of an institution is involved in fruitless expenditure, that needs to be investigated and, if it is true, the law should take its course. We condemn it.”

DA caucus leader Leon De Villiers said: “If that is indeed true, it would surprise me as the mayor does not strike me as someone who would do that.

“So far he has shown a very good example and shown willingness to lead a clean municipality,” he said.

“This is the first time I am hearing about this and if it is even remotely true, I would be very disappointed.”