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Following a complaint to Parliament by Minister Sisulu regarding the written reply tabled by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Minister Mapisa-Nqakula, the Acting Minister of Defence & Military Veterans has confirmed the withdrawal of the reply provided to Parliament. The response to Question 2284 was factually incorrect and misleading.

Minister Bathabile Dlamini, the Acting Minister of Defence and Military Veterans has written to Parliament to withdraw the reply and conveyed an apology to Minister Sisulu for the inconvenience caused in respect of the reply.

Minister Sisulu maintains that she did not fly 203 trips with an Air Force rented Gulfstream plane, but 35 trips. Minister Sisulu’s information is confirmed by her office and the official records of the South African Air Force of all her trips with the mentioned Gulfstream aircraft.

Minister Sisulu is very proud of the work she did during her tenure as Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. “I am relieved that this matter has been resolved, that the reply to question 2284 has been withdrawn and that an apology has been submitted. I have been particularly sensitive of how we use the aircraft of the South African Air Force. For my ANC and other responsibilities I made use of commercial airlines.

During my tenure the Department of Defence received its first unqualified audit report in the history of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). We left the SANDF in a better state of health than it has ever been before. I am very proud of our achievements” the Minister said.

The Minister calls on Members of Parliament in particular Mr David Maynier to refrain from spreading lies based on incorrect information that has been withdrawn.

The Minister would like to reiterate that all her trips as Minister of Defence and Military Veterans were in line with necessary SANDF regulations. All care was taken to ensure that resources were used effectively and in terms of good financial governance.