Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and a delegation flew to Japan in a Gupta family jet at a cost of millions of rands‚ The Times newspaper reported.
Besides the cost‚ questions are being raised as to why a jet owned by a company of which President Jacob Zuma’s son‚ Duduzane‚ is a director was used to transport VIPs.
On Wednesday‚ the Department of Defence‚ which hired the plane‚ could not say how much the flight cost. Spokesman Siphiwe Dlamini said this would be disclosed only next year in the department’s annual budget.
“The South African Air Force leases when an aircraft is unsuitable for the trip to be undertaken or when the aircraft is due for service or is in service. Such leasing is done through a central contract managed by the government through the national Treasury‚ RTC-61 Contract‚” he said.
It is believed the presidential plane will soon be heading to China‚ and that there are not enough pilots. – The Times
Source: RDM News Wire.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
