Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka's family "gravy plane" holiday in Abu Dhabi would have cost the taxpayer at least R700 000, Democratic Alliance MP Gareth Morgan said on Tuesday.
He was reacting to a report that she and her family flew to the United Arab Emirates for a five-day holiday at the end of December on the SA Air Force Falcon 900 jet reserved for VIPs.
He said that given President Thabo Mbeki's commitment to root out corruption, it was "simply outrageous" that this had happened.
"The deputy president's use of the plane in such circumstances appears to be a violation of the rules of use of VIP planes and it at best constitutes a gross misjudgement on her behalf and at worst a possible act of corruption," he said.
He said a judging from a previous Falcon flight to Egypt, for which expenses were known, the UAR trip would have cost R384 000 for fuel and R325 000 for operating costs, handling fees and catering.
Frivolous spending of this nature was an insult to millions of people in South Africa who continued to live in grinding poverty.
Responding to media queries, the presidency confirmed in a statement that the deputy president undertook "a private visit" to the UAR from December 27 to 31.
"It is part of the convention and practice in government for the state to take full responsibility for the provision of transport and security for the president and deputy president — as well as all associated costs — irrespective of whether they are on official or private travels," the statement said.
The actual type of transport was determined on the basis of security, cost and convenience.
In this instance, Mlambo-Ngcuka was advised that security would be best served by using SA National Defence Force transport.
Such arrangements were standard procedure for many governments.
Spokesperson for the presidency Murphy Morobe confirmed that members of the deputy president's family had been with her on the trip.
He said it was "part of her vacation time".