Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka’s holiday flight to the United Arab Emirates in December last year cost R519 857, according to Minister of Defence Mosiuoa Lekota in reply to a parliamentary question.
Replying to Democratic Alliance MP Gareth Morgan in Parliament, the minister said this included meals and a daily allowance of R36 393, fuel of R130 475, handling fees of R5 141 and an operating cost of R347 847.
The flight came under fire from opposition parties in Parliament, with the Democratic Alliance estimating that it had cost in the region of R700 000.
The trip was recently defended in Parliament by President Thabo Mbeki who said that security reasons dictated the means of transport and arrangements that his deputy took.
Asked if the deputy president had used a Falcon 900 for a flight to the United Arab Emirates in December, the minister confirmed this and said it had departed from South Africa on December 27 and had arrived on the same day.
Asked by Morgan what the reason for the journey was, Lekota said: ”Reasons for the journeys are not stated in the initial air-transport requests in which the air force is tasked by the Presidency. The South African Air Force is a mere carrier for the authorised dignitary and accompanying delegation. In such tasking, the air force is not privy to the precise details surrounding the purpose of the visit.”
Lekota said the passenger list included the deputy president; her husband, Bulelani Ngcuka; Thuthukile Mazibuko-Skweyiya (wife of Minister of Social Development Zola Skweyiya); as well as a Ms Mngomezulu, a Mr Ngcuka, a Mr Ndeleleni, Ms Shange and a Mr Shange.
Lekota said that 7 690 nautical miles (13 842km) were travelled.
Protector
Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana is to probe Mlambo-Ngcuka’s holiday trip despite the public explanation by President Thabo Mbeki, Mushwana’s office said on Monday.
Two political parties had complained to the protector about Mlambo-Ngcuka’s use of a South African Air Force plane on her unofficial visit to the United Arab Emirates.
”It is mainly alleged that the use of an aircraft of the South African Air Force to transport the deputy president, members of her family and her entourage on her vacation was a waste of public funds and amounted to unethical and improper conduct,” Mushwana’s office said in a statement on Monday.
The Democratic Alliance, one of the parties that complained, welcomed the move but questioned why the decision was so long in coming. ”The Executive Members Ethics Act compels him to investigate any complaint about a breach of the Act, lodged by a member of Parliament.”
Available evidence suggests that Mlambo-Ngcuka might have violated several sections of the Act, the party said in a statement. ”We therefore trust that the public protector will consider the full detail of our complaint and ensure that the investigation is carried out in an impartial and fair manner.”
The DA has asked the protector to probe, in line with the Act’s requirements, whether the deputy president acted in good faith and in the best interests of good governance, and whether she exposed herself to a conflict between official responsibilities and private interest.
”The deputy president has claimed that she inspected the construction industry in the United Arab Emirates during her stay. Therefore a possible conflict of interest needs to be investigated into whether her husband, Bulelani Ngcuka, who has substantial interest in a South African construction company … benefited from these interactions.”
The Act prohibits Cabinet members from using their position or entrusted information to enrich themselves or improperly benefit another person.
The protector should also investigate whether Mlambo-Ngcuka’s accommodation at a United Arab Emirates royal palace during her stay was disclosed as a benefit, as required, the DA said.
Complaints
Complaints about the trip had also been submitted to Parliament’s public accounts committee (Scopa) and the auditor general.
Scopa decided not to investigate, and Fakie said he would consider probing the matter if so asked. If not, it would form part of his annual audit of the Presidency’s books.
”The Office of the Public Protector has consequently commenced with its investigation into the allegations contained in the complaints received from the members of Parliament,” Mushwana’s office said on Monday. ”The investigation will be conducted in terms of the provisions of the Public Protector Act … and the Executive Members’ Ethics Act.”
No further comment will be made until the probe has been finalised, the statement read. — Sapa, I-Net Bridge