Zuma must reverse decision to purchase R4 billion Presidential Jet
11 May 2016
I call on President Zuma to make a public announcement reversing his own government’s decision to purchase a new Presidential Jet, which will cost the South African taxpayer an estimated R4 billion.
This follows today’s announcement in Parliament by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula that the procurement of a new luxury jet for the President is confirmed and will certainly go ahead. In addition to this, due to delays in finalising the purchase of this new jet, a leased aircraft will be used for Presidential travel, which will be an additional cost hitting the pockets of all South Africans.
Minister Mapisa-Nqakula further refused to disclose to Parliament how much this new jet will cost, nor how much her Department is willing to spend, effectively giving her Department a blank cheque.
The Democratic Alliance has long-held that the President does not need a new jet – either leased or purchased – while the current Presidential Jet, Inkwazi, remains, in terms of aircraft standards, relatively new.
Up until last week, ANC ministers in Parliament denied the purchasing of a new jet. In fact, Buti Manamela, the Deputy Minister in Presidency categorically denied this in his budget vote speech.
Therefore, either cabinet ministers were misleading Parliament and the nation, or the decision was effectively made in the last week.
Either way, President Zuma ought to do the responsible thing and clarify this to the national via a public statement, and reverse the decision once and for all. Furthermore, as Head of State, President Zuma cannot claim that he has no authority over this decision.
Given our current economic climate and our country’s record high unemployment crisis, South Africa cannot afford to spend R4 billion on a luxury jet for the President which he simply does not need.
The Presidency should focus its financial mandate on the pressing issues facing all South Africans, not the luxury of our state head.
Issued by Mabine Seabe, Spokesperson to the DA Leader, 11 May 2016
