Johannesburg - South Africans have a tendency of sensationalising issues, President Jacob Zuma said in response to reports about the procurement of a new VIP jet for him.

"You know South Africans... even if it is a leaf just passing through, they say some animal has passed. Sensation really," he said in an interview with the SABC while on a state visit to Germany.

"There is nothing of that nature."

Zuma said he knew nothing about the so-called plan to buy the jet but he was happy that the military had clarified the issue.

"There is nothing of that nature except the idea," he said.

Earlier this week, the South African Air Force (SAAF) held a briefing to clarify the issue regarding the procurement of a new jet, which was speculated to cost more than R4bn.

SAAF Chief Fabian Msimang told reporters that the air force was not able to cope with the demand for intercontinental travel by government officials and that was why it needed to buy a new jet.

He said that over the years the availability of the inter-continental aircraft had been a problem for the air force, making it difficult for them to fulfil their responsibility.

Armaments Corporation of South Africa CEO Kevin Wakeford has rubbished reports that they would be spending R4bn on the plane. He said they were still seeking information.

This article first appeared in News24 – see here.