The Democratic Alliance on Sunday called for a full-scale hearing on the chartering of aircraft for VIPs, amid reports that former president Thabo Mbeki’s flights to Sudan had cost taxpayers R20,5-million between April 2009 and October last year.
This included 11 chartered flights and excluded Mbeki’s trips this year.
“This once again focuses attention on chartering of flights for VIPs by the defence department,” DA defence spokesperson David Maynier said in a statement.
He intended requesting portfolio committee on defence and military veterans chairperson Stanley Motimele to schedule the hearing.
It would focus on the increase in the costs of VIP flights, the defence department’s compliance with regulations set out in the Public Finance Management Act and National Treasury regulations, and the “excessive secrecy” surrounding VIP flights operated by the department.
Sisulu recently revealed that there had been an increase in spending from R3,6-million in 2009 to R16,9-million in 2010 on the chartering of flights for VIPs by her department.
According to the Sunday Times, the increase was partly attributed to “additional responsibilities given to former president Thabo Mbeki by the African Union (AU), which requires a great deal of travel”.
In an internal presidency memorandum, director general Cassius Lubisi complained about the costs of transporting Mbeki and suggested that the AU should fund his trips, the Sunday Times reported.
“I will seek clarity on the responsibility of the AU in the funding of missions involving South African leaders,” Lubisi wrote.
Defence department spokesperson Ndivuhuwo Mabaya said Mbeki regularly used chartered flights for his trips to Sudan because of his entourage of about 15 people, which was sometimes beyond the capabilities of the air force’s planes.
‘Quick to blame Mbeki’
As a former head of state, Mbeki was flown by the South African Air Force, and other transport and accommodation costs were funded by the presidency budget.
Criticising the singling out of Mbeki as the main culprit for mounting costs, Maynier questioned whether it was for the former statesman to take the blame.
“The fact is that [Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu] has consistently refused to disclose information about flights, including the cost of flights for President Jacob Zuma, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and herself.
“The minister is quick to blame former president Thabo Mbeki for the excessive expenditure on the chartering of aircraft.”
Mbeki’s office had to request permission from the presidency before he took trips.
The government had indicated that it would limit Mbeki’s travels, since his mission in Sudan was completed
Maynier said more than R1-million per charter flight was spent by the state on several occasions in 2010.
He said the real cost of chartering aircraft was probably being “hidden” by the defence department using the SA Air Force Reserve.
“It is important that we get to the bottom of what is going on with the chartering of aircraft by the defence department.” – Sapa