Question NW953 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
20 April 2018 - NW953
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)(a) What were the costs of chartering SAA Airbus A300-200 with registration ZS-SXW for the visit of the President, Mr C M Ramaphosa, to Rwanda and other African countries, (b) was a cost-benefit-analysis done, (c) why was the aircraft chartered and (d) was chartering the aircraft the most cost-effective option; (2) has the SA Air Force and/or the National Treasury considered other options for the President’s flights; if not, why not; if so, what were (a) the other options and (b) the costs of the alternative options that were considered? NW1039E
Reply:
1. (a) The SAAF/SANDF did not charter an A300-200. The cost of chartering the A330-200, Registration No: ZS-SXW Waterkloof to Rwanda and back to Waterkloof was R1 725 468.09.
(b) Yes.
(c) To air transport the Principal.
(d) Yes - The transportation of our Principals is the sole responsibility of the SANDF through the SAAF,
2. (a) Yes. The transportation of our Principals is the sole responsibility of the SANDF through the SAAF.
(b) Chartering aircraft is an involved exercise and one of the main considerations is safety and security of our Principals