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The Congress of the People takes note of the opportunistic attack by COSATU on COPE President Lekota and Alec Erwin. The suggestion that these two individuals are responsible for the proposed transaction to purchase the Airbus transport aeroplanes, is just plain silly. Surely even the COSATU leadership can understand that the Cabinet assumes collective responsibility for such decisions.

COPE supports the call for a review of the proposed procurement decision, not because there is any evidence of wrongdoing, but because the reported price escalation needs to be explained. At this point our country may not be able to afford to purchase these aircraft, even if they are so desperately needed.

This review should also take into account the potential job losses locally if the contract is cancelled, as some of components for all these aircraft are manufactured locally.

While South Africans must remain vigilant and the officials in charge of executing these decisions held accountable, we should not jump to premature conclusions or make hasty decisions.

While this sort of populist response has become the order of the day in the ruling party and its alliance partners, citizens must make their minds up on the basis of facts.