Defence Committee should launch inquiry into Ramaphosa’s Gupta flight
28 August 2015
The Minister of Defence, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, still has much to answer for on the chartering of a Gupta-owned aircraft for the Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa and other ministers. Given the close relationship between the ANC and the Guptas, every step must be taken to ensure that there was no abuse of public money.
To this end, the DA will now also request that the Portfolio Committee on Defence launch a full inquiry into this matter. We will also be proceeding with the submission of a series of written parliamentary questions. We will now, in addition, also ask questions as to why:
The South African Air Force (SAAF) planes, normally reserved for transporting government officials, were not available; and
What the difference would have been between the cost of the leased plane and the cost if the SAAF had carried out the flight.