The Public Protector has cleared the Presidency and the Department of Defence over allegations about catering aboard the presidential jet Inkwazi, ending months of public scrutiny that began after the president’s return from London following Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022.
The Sowetan reports that Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka’s office found that the contested London flight’s catering bill came to about R139319, far below earlier claims that the cost reached R600000 and that the cancellation of a separate Turkey trip led to catering fees of roughly R82037 in line with supplier terms.
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Gcaleka emphasised that ‘no alcohol or luxury items were included’ and said procurement complied with the Presidential Handbook and South African Air Force guidelines.
The investigation followed a complaint from Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen, who had urged a probe after media reports suggested extravagant spending (News24).
A Presidency spokesperson previously told journalists that catering arrangements on Inkwazi are handled by the air force’s VIP squadron and not the Presidency itself.
Gcaleka’s findings form part of a batch of 768 matters the Public Protector finalised for the third quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year, and the office concluded that the conduct did not amount to maladministration or improper behaviour.
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Picture: ER Lombard / Gallo Images
