Johannesburg - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken a commercial flight for his family holiday in Havana, Cuba, City Press reported on Sunday.
He was also believed to be travelling without his security detail.
A government official told the newspaper that Ramaphosa was “rich” and “he won't be using any state money,” even though he was entitled to use an official aircraft.
Government leaders were entitled to use an SA Air Force or chartered jet once a year for their annual leave, due to “security concerns”.
It was unclear which airline Ramaphosa was using, although Air France and British Airways were the most popular choice of travel between South Africa to Cuba.
The newspaper reported that despite allegations that government was involved in facilitating discussions between Cuba and the United States about easing relations between them, Ramaphosa would not be involved in official meetings during his visit to the country.
US President Barack Obama announced this week that relations between the two countries would be eased in an attempt towards diplomacy.
Ramaphosa's modest travel plans were in contrast to other government leaders including President Jacob Zuma and former Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, according to the report.
The newspaper reported that the department of defence told Parliament last year that the cost of Zuma's Mozambique holiday and Motlanthe's Seychelle's holidays had amounted to R2.6 million. - Sapa