President Jacob Zuma should show leadership\u201a and publically insist that government plans to provide him with a new R4 billion VIP jet are scrapped\u201a says the Democratic Alliance.<\/p>\n
In strained financial times\u201a and with more important priorities needing funding\u201a the President cannot possibly \u2018need\u2019 such a luxury\u201a DA spokesman on defence matters Kobus Marais said on Sunday.<\/p>\n
He added that there were more sensible and cost effective options to ensure the president\u2019s safe travel.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we appreciate that the President\u2019s existing jet\u201a Inkwazi\u201a has been grounded from time to time due to mechanical problems\u201a a R4 billion luxury VIP jet fitted with a private bedroom suite\u201a a bathroom and conference room for eight and 30 person capacity is not the answer. Particularly considering that the Department of Defence (DoD) was considering buying three second hand jets at half the cost to the taxpayer.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn fact\u201a last year the Secretary of Defence\u201a Dr Sam Gulube\u201a told members of the Joint Standing Committee of Defence that \u2018there is no plan for the department of defence to acquire VVIP aircraft\u2019. Yet just one year later not only is the procurement set to go ahead\u201a it is going ahead with alarming haste and at double the projected budget for the replacement of the President\u2019s aircraft\u201a Marais said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is very similar to former Minister of Defence and Military Veterans\u201a Lindiwe Sisulu\u2019s failed attempt to circumvent defence acquisition policy and acquire a Boeing 777-200 LR and Global Express 6000 Business Jet\u201a at the cost of 263 million US dollars (R3.1 billion) in 2012.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs such I will be request that this deal be halted and the Joint Standing Committee on Defence can thoroughly interrogate the procurement process and recommend more cost effective options so Parliament can satisfy itself that the taxpayer is not footing the bill for outrageously frivolous expenditure for the President to jet-set across the globe at taxpayers\u2019 expense.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo this end I will write to Stanley Motimele and Emmanuel Mlambo\u201a the co-Chairpersons of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence\u201a to request an urgent briefing on the acquisition of new VIP aircraft for President and his Cabinet\u201a\u201d Marais added.<\/p>\n
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