Last week, Ramaphosa had to use a South African Airways flight to attend the South African Development summit in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). SA Airways was one of several bidders from which the air force sourced quotes for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s flight to the summit in Kinshasa last week, says the defence department.
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The president flew on an SAA A340 passenger jet because none of the air force VIP fleet was serviceable, reports the Sunday Times.
According to reports, Inkwazi, the presidential Boeing business jet, would have cost about R800 000 for the eight flying hours to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and back. However, Ramaphosa and his delegation could not fly using the Presidential aircraft.
In response, claiming that the presidential jet has been “decommissioned”, the SANDF said it had to source alternative means of transport for Ramaphosa and his team when they travelled to the DRC for the 42nd Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government.
According to SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini, two quotes for significantly smaller aircraft came close to R1.9 million each.
Furthermore, Ramphosa charted the flight to Kinshasa with 14 passengers, while returning with 55 passengers, excluding SAAF crew members, said the department.
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Picture: South African Airways/ Facebook