President's Jet 'Inkwazi' Takes a Toll on Taxpayers, Costing Tens of Millions Annually

• Defense Minister Thandi Modise revealed that South Africans paid almost R139 million in the past five years for catering on President Cyril Ramaphosa's jet, Inkwazi
• DA leader John Steenhuisen requested Modise to furnish a detailed breakdown of catering costs for each Inkwazi flight over the last three financial years and from April 2023 onward
• The Inkwazi, the presidential jet, is managed by the SA Airforce and can carry 18 passengers and six crew members

South Africa's defence minister Thandi Modise, revealed that taxpayers are coughed up R139m for Cyril Ramaphosa's presidential jet, Inkwazi in the past five years. The DA leader, Johan Steenhuisen raised some questions about the spending.

He posted on X (formerly Twitter):

'Since coming to office, Ramaphosa spent R139 million on catering aboard the presidential jet.

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"A DA administration would sell the jet and all politicians would fly commercially. The DA chooses the needs of the people over luxuries for politicians."

Thandi Modise discloses that South Africans are paying millions for state high-flyers

The DA said in a recent Tweet, Defence Minister Thandi Modise disclosed that South Africans have contributed nearly R139 million over the last five years to cover the catering expenses for President Cyril Ramaphosa and his accompanying delegation aboard the presidential jet.

According to TimesLIVE, Minister Thandi Modise's office revised the figures initially provided.

According to Modise's spokesperson, Amos Phago, the initially presented numbers pertained to the overall operational expenses of the jet. Phago clarified that the summary submitted to parliament encompassed various associated costs, including fuel, flight clearance, flyover fees, parking, airport handling fees, crew accommodation, stopovers, and refuelling.

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Mzansi is outraged by high running costs of president's plane

Tony Martins says;

"Shocking to say the least"

Riaan Le Roux noted:

"Disgraceful. The ANC should be embarrassed and should apologise."

Vanessa Hedley Hatton Spassov mentioned:

"Vote these thieves out."

Karen Ann Gilbert expressed:

"This is ludicrous honestly."

Sandy Harvey says:

"I am so sick of this, pathetic."

Road blockades in Mpumalanga ahead of Cyril Ramaphosa's visit

Previously, Briefly News reported that residents in Mpumalanga have blocked the R573 Moloto road, east of Pretoria, through which ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to pass.

Ramaphosa planned to use this route for his visit to the Kingdom Houses of amaNdebele as part of the ANC's 112th birthday engagements.

Source: Briefly News