Leasing of jet for Zuma is wasted expenditure – AG asked to investigate

12 September 2016

“The response of the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, to a question in Parliament that R100 million has been allocated for the lease of a jet to transport President Zuma from 1 November 2016, is a waste of taxpayers’ money and therefore a contravention of financial legislation,” Dr. Pieter Groenewald, the chief spokesperson on Defence for the Freedom Front Plus, said.

“The SANDF currently has a suitable jet, Inkwazi, which was purchased specifically to transport the President. The jet is fully operational and available for use. This jet is, however, no longer being used for the President, as he indicated that he no longer wants to fly in it.

“Because there is nothing wrong with the Inkwazi, I view the R100 million which is being additionally allocated, as a waste of taxpayers’ money. It is a contravention of financial legislation, and that is why I had asked the Auditor General to immediately investigate the use of R100 million for the purpose of leasing an additional jet for the President. It cannot be expected of taxpayers to fork out funds for the whims and fancies of Zuma,” Dr. Groenewald said.

Issued by Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus chief spokesperson: Defence, 12 September 2016