Maimane demands Zuma brief Parly about planned jet purchase

"The DA will be using all available mechanisms to block the procurement," Maimane told a media briefing.

He said he was demanding that Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula stop the procurement process and instruct Armscor accordingly.

Maimane said the department and Armscor had been trying to back-pedal since Sunday press reports drew an outcry, but the requests for proposals the arms procurement company issued made it plain that the jet should be delivered to Waterkloof Air Force base by the end of March.

He said the plan to buy a luxury presidential jet that could seat 30 people and boasts a private sleeping space with an en suite bathroom was indicative of skewed priorities.

"Government cannot justify spending up to R4 billion on an aircraft to serve the president while millions of young South Africans are jobless and unable to afford higher education," he said.

In a statement, the DA described the need for a new presidential jet as "irrational, irresponsible" and said it could not "be justified in the current economic climate".

"I have therefore written to the President, urging him to show leadership by instructing the procurement process to be halted as a matter of urgency," the DA leader said.

"If the President puts South Africa first then he should order the DoD to cancel the proposal and focus on ensuring that the real problems, such as the jobs crisis, chronic higher education funding crisis and impending water crisis, are addressed instead."

The DA has called on Zuma to make a statement on the jet issue prior to his oral question and answer session next week and has also directed queries to the Minister of Defence via the Speaker of the National Assembly and the chairperson of the portfolio committee on defence.

The DA urged Zuma to "do the right thing and kill the procurement process before it goes any further". 

ANA

File photo: Gallo Images