Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for an investigation into alleged wasteful expenditure on the Inkwazi Presidential Jet.
An article in the City Press reported excessive spending on luxury alcohol and food, depleting the South African Air Force catering budget to just R45 000 for the remainder of the year.
The report said that the ongoing manipulation of Inkwazi’s catering expenses resulted in a staggering increase, with the food and beverage costs reaching R569 000 upon President Ramaphosa and his team’s return from London to South Africa last year.
The Air Force is responsible for all operational expenses of VIP aircraft and chartered flights.
According to EWN, the presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya denied any presidential involvement in catering decisions.
Following the report, the DA leader, John Steenhuisen, plans to write to the Public Protector to look into the claims, criticising the apparent extravagance while ordinary South Africans suffer from hunger and malnutrition.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will be writing to Public Protector, Koleka Gcaleka, requesting a full investigation into allegations of exorbitant and wasteful expenditure for catering aboard the Inkwazi presidential jet, Steenhuisen said on Sunday.
He added: “It is clear that while President Ramaphosa and his VIPs rack up exorbitant catering and alcohol bills for travel, at the expense of the South African taxpayer, thousands of ordinary South Africans are left to perish from severe hunger and malnutrition.
“So blatant is the gluttony and greed of presidential VIPs, that even surplus food, drink, and entire chocolate cakes are smuggled out of Inkwazi in their luggage.”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
