The cost and use of the police jet bought last year was defended by Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa in Pretoria on Wednesday.

"This is an operational jet, it has been used several times in hostage [situations]," Mthethwa told the National Press Club.

The jet was recently used to ferry a special task team to a hostage drama at the Mangaung Correctional Centre outside Bloemfontein where three wardens were taken hostage by three inmates.

The jet was also used during the election period where intelligence had isolated violent hotspots.

National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele's spokesperson Nonkuleleko Mbatha also defended the purchase saying the jet was "operational" and "cost effective".

"The special task team [sent to Mangaung] intervened after 14 hours in hardly five minutes. It's through these resources that police are able to respond," she said.

Mbatha said the jet cost about R8 000 an hour, in fuel and landing fees among others.

Last year the maintenance bill for the jet - bought in February - amounted to R152 000.

However, Mbatha said it needed to be put in perspective that for commercial planes, services were undertaken every 200 hours, while the jet was serviced every 400 hours.

"That's what makes it cost effective."

She said for police to travel from commercial airports, using a local carrier and with the fixed check-in times, limited their effectiveness to get to an emergency quickly.

Mthethwa said the jet was more feasible as it was able to land on small airstrips.

"South African Airways - they are not going to be able to land in certain situations," he said.