Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has revealed he spent close on R250 000 on his stay at the five star Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town.

Mthethwa was responding in writing to a parliamentary question from the Democratic Alliance.

In the reply, the minister said his stay was necessary because renovations were being done at his ministerial residence.

Mthethwa revealed he spent a total of 17 days in the presidential suite of the luxury hotel between May and July this year.

His bill, including meals, laundry and a valet service, came to just over R93 000.

Mthethwa's security entourage was also accommodated in luxury rooms.

In total taxpayers had to foot a bill of over R234 000.

News of the expense has come in a year that has seen cabinet ministers slammed for excessive spending on vehicles and what civil society groups have called "a blatant disregard for the plight of the country's poor".