Public Protector must investigate dodgy R2bn Zuma VIP jet deal
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will request the Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, to investigate the acquisition of a new Boeing 777-200 LR "Long Range" business jet for President Jacob Zuma.
The defence department is reportedly in the process of acquiring a Boeing 777-200 LR business jet for President Jacob Zuma as well as a Bombadier Global Express 6000 for Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.
The Boeing 777-200 LR business jet is a monster of an aircraft designed to carry up to 300 passengers. The aircraft reportedly held the record for the longest non-stop flight for a commercial airline.
The total cost of the Boeing 777-200 LR business jet is reportedly US$235 million (+/- R 1.99 billion) and the cost of the Bombadier Global Express 6000 is reportedly US$28 million (+/-R 237 million). The total cost of both aircraft is therefore US$ 263 million - approximately R 2.2 billion.
It is simply wrong to waste nearly R2billion on President Jacob Zuma's new business jet when so many people in our country are poor. We could provide nearly 24 000 houses for families who do not have shelter with the R2 billion being blown on a new Boeing 777-200LR for President Jacob Zuma.