If Cyril Ramaphosa can fly commercially, so can pres. Jacob Zuma

The purchase of a luxury long-distance jet for President Jacob Zuma is a totally unnecessary and a waste of taxpayer’s money, Dr. Pieter Groenewald, the FF Plus’ chief spokesperson on Defence says.

Dr. Groenewald says a cheaper jet could complete long distance trip to destinations such as Beijing in two shifts and it wouldn’t create a security risk.

He said the luxuries planned for the new presidential jet should be closely monitored as it would be these items that would sharply increase the cost of the jet. Bedrooms and living rooms do not necessarily have to be luxurious.

“If the there are long distance destinations, serious consideration should be given to then make use of commercial flights. If deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa could do it, so could president Zuma do it as well,” Dr. Groenewald said.

According to Dr. Groenewald, he has already submitted a question to the minister of Defence in which he asked what the proposed budget for the jet would be and from which account the purchase will be funded, should the jet be purchased.

Issued by Dr Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus chief spokesperson: Defence, 10 November 2015