Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said in the report Cooperative Governance Minister Sicelo Shiceka, Zuma’s long-time ally, spent 600,000 rand ($76,000) on unauthorized luxury travel that included the visit to his lover, jailed for drug smuggling.

Zuma’s government, in office since 2009, has been implicated in several dodgy deals exposed by Madonsela, a top government corruption buster who can only recommend legal action be taken but cannot prosecute.

Shiceka has not commented on the report but has said he feels his name has been tarnished.

Analysts have said Zuma’s dithering on clearing out his cabinet of those implicated in corruption and delaying legal proceedings against them is further undermining his leadership, already seen by many as ineffectual.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, Madonsela recommended that Shiceka, who has been on sick leave since February when reports of his trip first came out in the media, repay the money. She also recommended that Zuma take “serious action” against the minister, without elaborating.

“His actions were accordingly unlawful and constituted maladministration, dishonesty in respect of public money and improper conduct,” Madonsela said.

She said Shiceka’s had breached the executive ethics code and misled the presidency on the purpose of the visit to Switzerland.

The presidency was not immediately available to comment.

The leading opposition party Democratic Alliance called for Shiceka to be sacked.

The ANC’s partner in government, the labor federation COSATU, and others have accused Zuma’s ruling party with using its power to broker sweetheart deals for members and cronies.

Global investors became concerned last year after a high-profile mining deal came to light that benefited one of Zuma’s sons and some of the president’s benefactors.

Zuma has also faced corruption charges but was not convicted.

Other tainted Cabinet members include State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele, whose ability to uncover sensitive information was questioned after his wife was convicted in May of dealing drugs.

Cwele said his wife’s conviction had no impact on his ability to carry out his official duties in the government.

The public protector in a separate report said Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu Nkabinde and police commissioner Bheki Cele, who is not in the Cabinet, abused their offices by signing a dodgy property rental deals. Both have denied any wrongdoing.

“This cements the perception in the public’s minds that given the fact that Zuma himself was involved in corruption that he can’t act against it,” said Prince Mashele, executive director of the Center for Politics and Research.

“It fuels the negative impact that the government is corrupt.”