Jobs not Jets: Inkwazi fit for purpose, still in use

28 September 2016

Following an oversight visit to the South African Air Force (SAAF) in Pretoria, the DA can confirm that there is nothing wrong with President Zuma’s Jet, Inkwazi, except for the routine maintenance repair of “snags” after each flight similar to any commercial airline. 

President Jacob Zuma has now confirmed that he can fly SAA for the occasional long-haul intercontinental flight, and we suggest he continue to do so and that funds be reallocated to maintaining Inkwazi and other jets in the SAAF. This will free up millions which can be redirected towards much-needed job creation. President Zuma should show his seriousness for economic stability by opting for modest modes of transportation. 

The Chief of the SAAF, Lt Gen Fabian Msimang, has expressed pride in the reliability of among others Inkwazi, his only concern being the inadequate budget allocation for spare parts for routine maintenance. He also confirmed that this challenge with Inkwazi will also apply to any new aircraft to be procured. Added to this, there are two other squadrons in the SANDF of older stock and closer than Inkwazi to needing replacement. 

Contrary to reports by the Minister of Defence, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakila that Inkwazi was “grounded due to safety reasons”, Inkwazi was recently used for training new pilots for the BBJ, and to fly some senior officers to Langebaan Airforce and other bases. Added to this, Lt Msimang has not received complaints by the Presidency that Inkwazi is unreliable. Why then, does Minister Mapisa-Nqakula insist we spent R273,972 per day for the lease of a presidential jet for Zuma when it is unnecessary?

There are fewer and fewer reasons to justify the extravagance of a new presidential Jet while the South African economy is under extraordinary fiscal pressure and facing a potential ratings downgrade. Under President Zuma, VIP travel has become a fiscal black hole costing South Africans hundreds of millions and it will take political will from the ANC to end this. 

Issued by Kobus Marais, DA Shadow Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, 28 September 2016