President Jacob Zuma\u00a0has reportedly outright refused to use his\u00a0current jet, Inkwaze, over fears of sabotage, the City Press reported.<\/p>\n
Citing military sources, the paper reported that the president is currently using a rented aircraft, after Inkwaze was found to have leaking fuel pipes when it landed in Doha, Qatar, earlier this month.<\/p>\n
When the plane was returned, fixed, the president refused to use it – even after assurances were given that it was 100% safe.<\/p>\n
The Qatar incident followed another technical problem with the jet that left the president\u00a0unable\u00a0to leave Burundi.<\/p>\n
Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula confirmed earlier this month, that the government will buy a new VVIP jet for the presidency.<\/p>\n
There has been much debate about the potential cost of Zuma\u2019s new\u00a0plane. Mapisa-Nqakula rubbished claims that\u00a0the new plane\u00a0would cost up to R4 billion, as has been quoted in the media.<\/p>\n
She said the department had never mentioned the cost of the aircraft, and she did not know where the R4 billion figure had come from.<\/p>\n
However, Darren Olivier, senior correspondent at African Defence Review, \u00a0affirmed\u00a0that the cost to replace the current jet was about R4 billion, while the cost of a second hand plane is R2 billion.<\/p>\n
You can read the full story in the City Press for 29 May 2016.<\/em><\/p>\n Deal for new VIP jet for Zuma moves ahead<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n R4 billion Zuma jet back on the cards after \u2019embarrassing\u2019 old one breaks down<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Zuma jet a \u2018strategic asset\u2019 not a toy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMore on Inkwazi<\/h3>\n