Former KwaZulu-Natal premier Zweli Mkhize used 45 chartered planes and helicopters at a cost of R1.2-million between 2010 and 2013, the Star reported on Thursday.
This was reportedly said by current Premier Senzo Mchunu and provincial director general Nhlanhla Ngidi in response to questions posed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the provincial legislature earlier this month.
The newspaper reported that most of the trips were within the province. Some of the trips were to attend weddings and funerals and cost between R22 000 and R58 000.
According to the report, the DA's leader in the province, Sizwe Mchunu, "has called the money spent on Mkhize flying privately 'completely inappropriate and excessive'.".
Mchunu added the money would have been better sent on service delivery, said the newspaper.
Abuse of government funds
The office of the premier said the use of private aircraft was not unusual.
Spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya was quoted as saying the province was mainly rural, so private planes were required to access certain areas.
"There are no commercial flights to deep rural areas within KZN. Over the past years, premiers have used private aircraft to travel to far-flung areas to execute their duties," he said.
He said the usage did not constitute abuse of government funds as Mkhize was invited to the weddings and funerals in his capacity as premier.
Some of the trips, according to the report, include the following:
- "In April 2011, R58 000 was spent" on flying the premier to Pietermaritzburg from Mthatha to attend the wedding of "Sambula";
- In July 2011, R22 000 was spent on him to fly from Durban to Hluhluwe for the wedding of "Dumile";
- "A few days later, R24 000 was spent flying him" from Durban to Ulundi (round trip) for the funeral of "Mama Magwaza"; and
- In 2012, R38 000 was forked out for the former premier to fly from Pietermartizburg to uMkhuze to Durban for the funeral of "Mama Nyawo". – Additional reporting by Sapa