South Africa’s opposition has demanded that the government scrap plans to buy a new jet for President Jacob Zuma that could cost 4bn rand ($280m; \u00a3185m).<\/p>\n
The defence department has advertised for a plane with a bedroom suite and a conference room.<\/p>\n
The presidency has responded, asking the department to brief the public “as much as possible” on the purchase.<\/p>\n
Secretary for defence Sam Gulube told City Press that they don’t know how much the plane would cost.<\/p>\n
But the advert for suppliers specifies they are looking for a plane with a range of 13,800km (8,600 miles), meaning it can fly to Moscow or New York without landing to refuel.<\/p>\n
The tender notice also says the plane should have 30 passenger seats – double the number of the president’s current plane.<\/p>\n
The department of defence says the jet would replace the current plane, Ikwazi, which has been grounded a number of times due to mechanical problems.<\/p>\n
But opposition parties are pushing for a cheaper, less luxurious option.<\/p>\n
Analysis: Milton Nkosi, BBC News, Johannesburg<\/p>\n
Reports of the intention to buy a multi-million dollar jet for South Africa’s president could not come at a worse time – after huge public protests by students calling for no fees at universities.<\/p>\n
It is not the first time a new aircraft for President Zuma has been proposed.<\/p>\n
The last few occasions those plans never came to fruition.<\/p>\n
So it is unlikely that the state will go ahead with the procurement against the current barrage of condemnation.<\/p>\n
The timing is just not right.<\/p>\n
“A four-billion rand luxury VIP jet fitted with a private bedroom suite\u201a a bathroom and conference room for eight and 30-person capacity is not the answer,” said the Democratic Alliance spokesperson on defence matter Kobus Marais.<\/p>\n
Pikkie Greef from the organisation representing soldiers, the South African Defence Union (Sandu) added that the expense was unnecessary.<\/p>\n
“There is no reason why President Zuma cannot travel the way President Mandela used to travel which is with stop-overs and refuelling,” he told Eye Witness News.
\n–
\nBy: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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