Question NW412 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
23 March 2017 - NW412
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)Whether a SA Air Force aircraft was used to transport her and the President of the Republic, Mr Jacob G Zuma, to attend the funeral of the late Mr Fidel Castro in the Republic of Cuba in November and December 2016; if not, (2) whether the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) chartered a private plane to transport her and the President on the specified trips; if so, (a) which company was used, (b) what did the specified chartered aircraft cost, (c) which aircraft were chartered and (d) what was the nationality of each crew member on board; (3) whether each of the specified crew members were vetted by the Intelligence Services of the SANDF; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether the specified charters were authorised in terms of National Treasury RT61 contract specifications; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The information requested relates to the movement of the VVIP and such information can only be disclosed in a closed session of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.