Last year, Zuma’s people were gunning for a new jet to replace Inkwazi, his current presidential jet. While the SABC tweeted a little F-bomb and the country wondered where their jet was, Zuma quietly backed down. Kinda.

Last Friday night, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa had to stand in for JZ at the ANC Women’s League gala dinner because JZ was stranded in Burundi. Apparently, his jet Inkwazi was acting up. But, although there was shadow jet – which cost around R650 000 to rent for the occasion – to bring Zuma home if such a problem occurred, the crew wasn’t provided the necessary safety clearances to bring Zuma home.

The air force then decided to send another plane to fetch Zuma. But nothing was really wrong with Inkwazi. In fact, after a “minor” fuel leak was discovered and fixed, Zuma still wouldn’t get on the plane. Siphiwe Dlamini, spokesperson for the defence ministry, said:

Problems with Inkwazi were unacceptable and pressure would be put on its arms procurement agency, Armscor, for a new jet.

In view of Inkwazi’s constant problems, we are going to negotiate with Armscor urgently to resolve the issue.

The defence department was sticking to its statement that the plane had been out of order and Zuma was stranded. It has been a deliberate attempt to embarrass the military’s supreme commander and the defence minister. The department of defence will fulfil its responsibility [for Zuma’s safe transport] without fear or compromise.

However, on the other side, Arsmcor is awaiting approval and input from the air force before they buy a new jet.

Jacob Zuma postponed his flight time on Friday as peace talks dragged on and eventually collapsed at around 3pm. It was then decided that JZ would fly back the next day at 8am, but instead of the safe Inkwazi, the Falcon 900 should be fetched. Although the decision was made due to “security reasons”, the president’s life was never in danger.

The seven-hour round trip cost the taxpayer an estimated R300 000. International rates put fuel costs at about R38 000 an hour for such a plane. This excludes air clearances and landing fees.

Some presidency staff flew back on Inkwazi, landing at Waterkloof without incident. A “faulty” aircraft may not transport passengers under any circumstances, according to international aviation regulations

It also emerged that two air force Hercules C-130s, and two rented heavy-cargo planes carrying South African soldiers and special forces and equipment, arrived in Bujumbura before the talks to help secure the city. A bulletproof car was sent for Zuma.

[source: city-press]