Stop President Jacob Zuma's new gravy plane deal
05 April 2015
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, must come clean about a reported plan to acquire three new VIP jets, including one Boeing Business Jet and two Falcon 900 Business Jets, at an estimated cost of R2 billion.
Last year the Secretary of Defence, Dr Sam Gulube, told members of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans "There is no plan for the Department of Defence to acquire VVIP aircraft".
However, in today's City Press and Rapport there is a plan to acquire three new VIP jets, including one used Boeing Business Jet and two new Falcon 900 Business Jets, at the cost of approximately R2 billion.
This is very similar to former Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Lindiwe Sisulu's failed attempt to circumvent defence acquisition policy and acquire a Boeing 777-200 LR and Global Express 6000 Business Jet, at the cost of US$ 263 million (R3.1 billion) in 2012.
It's shocking that in the very year the Minister of Finance, Nhlanhla Nene, announced revised spending plans to reduce waste, including cost cutting on "non critical activities", such as travel and subsistence, a decision has reportedly been taken to spend approximately R2 billion on VIP jets for President Jacob Zuma and his Cabinet.
There are a number of reasons that make the reported acquisition of VIP aircraft highly questionable.
First, there is absolutely no reason why President Jacob Zuma needs a new Boing Business Jet. The existing Boeing Business Jet ("Inkwazi") is in mint condition and has recently undergone an extended maintenance period at considerable cost to the taxpayer.
Second, it is not clear how the new aircraft will be operated, given the high vacancy rate of aircrew in the South African Air Force. The latest figures indicate that of the 830 posts for aircrew, 348 posts are vacant, which is equivalent to a vacancy rate for aircrew of 42
Third, the acquisition appears to once again have circumvented normal defence acquisition policy. There is no evidence that there has been a competitive bidding process and key stakeholders, including the South African Air Force's Squadron 21, do not seem to have been consulted.
Finally, the plan is likely to be funded from within the existing defence budget, from funds "warehoused" in the Special Defence Account. This means the South African Air Force's defence acquisition priorities, including much needed transport aircraft, may be compromised. The South African Air Force's "No. 1" purpose is evidently to provide a flying taxi service for "No 1".
Rather than focusing on increasing the supply of aircraft, we should be focusing on decreasing the demand for aircraft by:
reducing the travel requirements of the President, Deputy-President and Cabinet to a minimum;
terminating the requirement that the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, and Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, must be transported on military aircraft; and
ensuring that, where possible, the President, Deputy-President and Cabinet travel on commercial airlines.
If Prime Minister David Cameron can fly on British Airways, there is no reason why President Jacob Zuma cannot fly on South African Airways.
I will, therefore, write to Stanley Motimele and Emmanuel Mlambo, the Co-Chairpersons of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, to request an urgent briefing on the acquisition of new VIP aircraft for President Jacob Zuma and his Cabinet.
In the end, President Jacob Zuma and his Cabinet should make do with the existing Boeing Business Jet and Falcon 900 Business Jet operated by the South African Air Force.
Statement issued by David Maynier MP, DA Shadow Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, April 5 2015
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