Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has instructed his office to draft a travel and accommodation policy to prevent "unnecessary expenditure" in future, his spokesperson said on Thursday.

This was in reaction to a report in The Star newspaper that the minister spent 17 days at one of Cape Town's most luxurious hotels, the five-star Table Bay Hotel, at a cost of R235 000 to tax payers.

He stayed there earlier this year while his house was being renovated after flood damage occurred.

Mthethwa's spokesperson, Zweli Mnisi, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday, but said the minister was unaware of the high costs of the accommodation.

"As soon as the issue of the hotel costs was brought to the attention of the minister, he instructed a senior official to conduct a full investigation into the matter," said Mnisi.

Mthethwa spent only one night in the presidential suite and was not billed extra costs for it because it was a free upgrade offered by the hotel.

"The minister also stayed in different categories of rooms dependent on the availability of these rooms at the times he stayed at the hotel.

"The protectors who stayed at the hotel, stayed in the cheapest rooms available with the exception of four nights when they were placed by the hotel in more luxury rooms without the knowledge of the ministry.

"With regard to these four nights the official investigating the matter is currently in discussions with the travel agency to address why this took place."

Also, the ministry has queried certain room charges, including telephone, mini bar and laundry costs.

"The official investigating [team] has held discussions with the travel agents to seek clarity and steps are being put in place to rectify these queries.

"These steps, where necessary, may include the recovery of undue costs. In addition, where some of this undue expenditure did occur, this will be recovered from the relevant individuals."

The minister has now instructed two senior staff members to develop a comprehensive policy on travel and accommodation.

"This policy ensures that unnecessary expenditure on both travel and accommodation does not occur in future."

News: Mthethwa's five-star hotel spree