President Zuma's "break" in Mozambique must be investigated by the Public Protector
I will request the Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, to investigate the use of public funds by President Jacob Zuma for his recent "break" in Mozambique.
President Jacob Zuma reportedly used public funds to pay for part of his "break" on Bazaruto Island in Mozambique.
The facts are reportedly as follows:
- A Falcon 50, operated by the SAAF's Squadron 21 (VIP) Squadron, transported President Jacob Zuma to Vilanculos International Airport in Mozambique; and
- Two Oryx helicopters, operated by the SAAF, then transported President Jacob Zuma from Vilanculos International Airport to Bazaruto Island.
The SAAF's two Oryx helicopters and Falcon 50 presumably transported President Jacob Zuma back to South Africa after his break in Mozambique.
We do not know the total cost of operating the Falcon 50 and the two Oryx helicopters.
The President's spokesperson, Mac Maharaj, reportedly claims that everything was done according to the rules.
However, the rules are, bizarrely, classified and set out, depending on who you believe, in a secret "President Handbook" or an appendix to a Cabinet Minute.
I will therefore request the Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, to investigate the use of public funds by President Jacob Zuma on his recent "break" in Mozambique.
This follows a similar request for the Public Protector to investigate Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe's use of public funds to pay for part of his holiday in the Seychelles.
In the end, the public should not be expected to fork out millions of rands to pay for presidential holidays.
If Prime Minister David Cameron can use a discount airline for his holiday, why can't President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe use commercial airlines for their holidays?
Statement issued by David Maynier MP, DA Shadow Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, March 7 2013
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