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“R1,6 billion for two aircraft for the Presidency is too expensive. Cheaper aircraft with fewer luxuries are available and the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms. Lindiwe Sisulu, should ensure that the tender procedure is transparent. It should be specified which luxuries are to be included,” Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP), the chief spokesperson on Defence for the Freedom Front Plus said.

“The R800 million rental contract with the Nigerian aircraft company, AdoAir, which has to see to it that there are aircraft available for the Presidency when they have to fly, should definitely be ended. In the long term the purchasing of two aircraft will cost the taxpayers much less but not at R1,6 billion. If the Presidency flies with commercial aircraft, it could cause discomfort and even delays to ordinary passengers as a result of all the security measures. Presidents in the previous regime also had their own aircraft but it was definitely not that luxurious,” Groenewald said.

The Freedom Front Plus will today submit a question in Parliament to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans about the requirements and luxuries on the aircraft.