Question NW1542 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
12 December 2019 - NW1542
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)Given the perceived sustainable serviceability of the Presidential BBJ, Inkwazi, why did the President, Mr M C Ramaphosa, use a chartered aircraft with tail or registration number ZS-KDR to attend the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan; (2) (a) what was the total cost for chartering the private aircraft and (b) from which budget item in the budget of the Department of Defence will this be funded; (3) whether Inkwazi is out of service; if so, (a) what are the reasons for its unserviceability and (b) by what date will it be returned to actively transport the President?
Reply:
The question requires a closed session of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence as it relates to the security and movements of the VVIP.