South Africa’s DA party request public protector to probe presidential jets

The Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has been asked by the Democratic Alliance party to investigate a decision by the Defence Department to buy multi-billion rand planes for transporting the President and his deputy.

Reports reveal that the department is due to sign a deal to buy a two billion rand jet for President Jacob Zuma’s use. According to DA defence spokesperson David Maynier the former Defence minister Lindiwe Sisulu was in an advanced stage of negotiations.

“The evidence also suggests that the department had embarked on the acquisition process took place outside National Treasury regulations and the Public Finance Management Act. In other words there was no competitive tender process and for that reason I have already laid a complaint with public protector and ask her to investigate this matter and I also intend to ask the auditor general to look to this matter”, said Maynier.

Sisulu is now Public Service minister and has left the decision to her successor Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakalu. Sisulu declared that she made the assessment that it would be better to buy new planes than to lease them.

SABC