SA Deputy-Pres's Gravy Plane
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O Mystic one
Ja boet, my dictionary defines a mystic as :
"sacredly obscure or secret …involving ...a secret meaning hidden from the eyes of the ordinary person... only revealed to a spiritually enlightened mind”
It’s difficult enough for me in English, but in Afrikaans, het ek g’n kans man, not being at all enlightened (herstigte ?)
Still, yours are very enjoyable posts, I think.
oTd
"sacredly obscure or secret …involving ...a secret meaning hidden from the eyes of the ordinary person... only revealed to a spiritually enlightened mind”
It’s difficult enough for me in English, but in Afrikaans, het ek g’n kans man, not being at all enlightened (herstigte ?)
Still, yours are very enjoyable posts, I think.
oTd
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Phumzile 'did not abuse power'
Phumzile 'did not abuse power'
17/01/2006 15:49 - (SA)
Pretoria - Presidential spokesperson Murphy Morobe has rejected assertions that the deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka's trip to the United Arab Emirates amounted to an abuse of power.
"It is preposterous to say that she abused her power. It can't be considered an abuse that she took a friend on the trip to find out about projects she was interested in."
Morobe, addressing a press conference at the Union Buildings in Pretoria but beamed to Cape Town, confirmed that welfare minister Zola Skweyiya's wife Thuthukile Mazibuko-Skweyiya had been on board the flight to Abu Dhabi.
Morobe said Thuthukile Mazibuko-Skweyiya went along because she was voluntarily involved in growth initiatives in South Africa.
He said the deputy president had decided to use her state-funded trip to learn from the growth and women empowerment projects of the UAE.
Mlambo-Ngcuka regarded Mazibuko-Skweyiya as "the right person" to take along, Morobe told reporters in Pretoria.
Mlambo-Ngcuka also took along her husband Bulelani, their two children, and a personal assistant who travelled separately. The assistant's two children travelled with Mlambo-Ngcuka.
Morobe said: "It needs to be said that in no respects did the deputy president - although she did not take the decision regarding the modalities of travel to Abu Dhabi - infringe any law, regulation, or policy prescript."
As with all trips by the president and his deputy the state had paid for the provision of transport, security and associated costs, irrespective of whether they were on official or private travel.
Morobe said the emir of the UAE had paid for Mlambo-Ngcuka and her party's accommodation, transport and incidental costs.
17/01/2006 15:49 - (SA)
Pretoria - Presidential spokesperson Murphy Morobe has rejected assertions that the deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka's trip to the United Arab Emirates amounted to an abuse of power.
"It is preposterous to say that she abused her power. It can't be considered an abuse that she took a friend on the trip to find out about projects she was interested in."
Morobe, addressing a press conference at the Union Buildings in Pretoria but beamed to Cape Town, confirmed that welfare minister Zola Skweyiya's wife Thuthukile Mazibuko-Skweyiya had been on board the flight to Abu Dhabi.
Morobe said Thuthukile Mazibuko-Skweyiya went along because she was voluntarily involved in growth initiatives in South Africa.
He said the deputy president had decided to use her state-funded trip to learn from the growth and women empowerment projects of the UAE.
Mlambo-Ngcuka regarded Mazibuko-Skweyiya as "the right person" to take along, Morobe told reporters in Pretoria.
Mlambo-Ngcuka also took along her husband Bulelani, their two children, and a personal assistant who travelled separately. The assistant's two children travelled with Mlambo-Ngcuka.
Morobe said: "It needs to be said that in no respects did the deputy president - although she did not take the decision regarding the modalities of travel to Abu Dhabi - infringe any law, regulation, or policy prescript."
As with all trips by the president and his deputy the state had paid for the provision of transport, security and associated costs, irrespective of whether they were on official or private travel.
Morobe said the emir of the UAE had paid for Mlambo-Ngcuka and her party's accommodation, transport and incidental costs.
News 24.com
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Sorry for the cut and paste's but seeing that this issue has created a stir - let's keep the newspaper clips up to date 
IOL
The presidency's explanation for Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka's taxpayer-funded holiday trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last month was questioned by opposition political parties on Tuesday.
Pieter Mulder of the Freedom Front Plus said Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana should probe the link between Mlambo-Ngcuka and Mazibuko-Skweyiya, who has been mentioned in newspaper reports about the "Oilgate" scandal with the deputy president's brother, Bonga Mlambo.
"That the two would be travelling together in specifically that part of the world does seem rather odd," he said. "The public protector needs to consider whether this is really all that innocent."
According to the Democratic Alliance, the "ongoing saga" demonstrated that the leadership of the ruling ANC was out of touch with the public.
"(It) simply does not understand the revulsion which ordinary South Africans feel when they hear about massive extravagance of this kind."
It also questioned why different explanations had been given for Mlambo-Ngcuka's trip.
"First it was a holiday, then it was a business trip, then it was a holiday again, and now it is a fact-finding mission. Get real! What will it be tomorrow?"
Two questions remained unanswered about the trip, said Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille. What came first: holiday or government business?
"Did she (Mlambo-Ngcuka) book the holiday before she made arrangements for work in the UAE?"
The ID furthermore failed to understand how the Deputy President could justify taking along other people on a non-work trip at taxpayers' expense.
Pieter Mulder of the Freedom Front Plus said Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana should probe the link between Mlambo-Ngcuka and Mazibuko-Skweyiya, who has been mentioned in newspaper reports about the "Oilgate" scandal with the deputy president's brother, Bonga Mlambo.
"That the two would be travelling together in specifically that part of the world does seem rather odd," he said. "The public protector needs to consider whether this is really all that innocent."
According to the Democratic Alliance, the "ongoing saga" demonstrated that the leadership of the ruling ANC was out of touch with the public.
"(It) simply does not understand the revulsion which ordinary South Africans feel when they hear about massive extravagance of this kind."
It also questioned why different explanations had been given for Mlambo-Ngcuka's trip.
"First it was a holiday, then it was a business trip, then it was a holiday again, and now it is a fact-finding mission. Get real! What will it be tomorrow?"
Two questions remained unanswered about the trip, said Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille. What came first: holiday or government business?
"Did she (Mlambo-Ngcuka) book the holiday before she made arrangements for work in the UAE?"
The ID furthermore failed to understand how the Deputy President could justify taking along other people on a non-work trip at taxpayers' expense.
IOL
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Mlambo-Ngcuka's holiday could prompt policy change
Just part of the report :
Full Report HERE !
Mlambo-Ngcuka's holiday could prompt policy change
January 17, 2006, 16:45
Murphy Morobe, the presidency spokesperson, has acknowledged that the current controversy surrounding Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the deputy president, could prompt policy change on travel arrangement for the presidency.
The Presidency has confirmed that Thuthukile Mazibuko-Skweyiya, the social development minister's wife accompanied Mlambo-Ngcuka on her trip to the United Arab Emirates late last year. It says other passengers on board the SA Air Force Falcon jet were Mlambo-Ngcuka's husband Bulelani Ngcuka, their two children and two other children belonging to the deputy president's personal assistant.
January 17, 2006, 16:45
Murphy Morobe, the presidency spokesperson, has acknowledged that the current controversy surrounding Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the deputy president, could prompt policy change on travel arrangement for the presidency.
The Presidency has confirmed that Thuthukile Mazibuko-Skweyiya, the social development minister's wife accompanied Mlambo-Ngcuka on her trip to the United Arab Emirates late last year. It says other passengers on board the SA Air Force Falcon jet were Mlambo-Ngcuka's husband Bulelani Ngcuka, their two children and two other children belonging to the deputy president's personal assistant.
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I messed up, Phumzile says, as truth emerges
I think it is a cause to resign ..
I messed up, Phumzile says, as truth emerges from BUSSINESS DAY
GOVERNMENT scrambled yesterday to extricate scandal-prone Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka from the public relations nightmare of her Arabian trip last month, as the deputy president conceded for the first time that she had “messed up”.
With the threat of another probe by the public protector looming, and as details of the controversial R500000 taxpayer-funded trip steadily emerged in the media, Mlambo-Ngcuka said: “The way I have messed things up this week I really don’t want to say anything anymore. There’s really true meaning to the statement that everything you say will be used against you.”
She was speaking at a youth development conference yesterday, shortly before her security detail prevented reporters from asking her about her holiday.
Yesterday, amid ongoing speculation about who had been on the trip with her, presidential spokesman Murphy Morobe confirmed that Thuthukile Mazibuko-Skweyiya, wife of Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya, did in fact accompany the deputy president to Dubai.
Morobe, however, made it clear that Skweyiya and African National Congress (ANC)-linked businessman Saki Macozoma had not gone along.
He told reporters that Mlambo-Ngcuka wanted to use her holiday to “learn about the empowerment of women” in large infrastructure projects.
“It was in this context that she invited a friend, Miss Thuthukile Mazibuko-Skweyiya, to accompany her. Miss Mazibuko-Skweyiya is contributing on a voluntary basis to the development of a programme for the development of project management skills for infrastructure projects with a particular focus on the empowerment of women.”
Morobe also insisted that Mlambo-Ngcuka had not infringed “any law, regulation or policy prescript”.
However, opposition parties dismissed the official explanation for Mazibuko-Skweyiya’s presence as “laughable”.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Freedom Front Plus called for Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana to investigate whether Mlambo-Ngcuka had abused her office by taking a personal friend on her state-funded excursion.
In separate letters written to Mushwana yesterday, both insisted that Mlambo-Ngcuka had contravened the Executive Members’ Ethics Act.
This is the second time the two parties have called on Mushwana to probe Mlambo-Ngcuka’s behaviour since she assumed office last year. She was cleared of wrongdoing after it emerged that oil businessman and ANC benefactor Sandi Majali gave money to her brother, Bonga Mlambo, and Mazibuko-Skweyiya.
If the latest call for a probe is successful, it will be the third time Mlambo-Ngcuka is investigated by the public protector’s office, following a 2002 probe by Mushwana’s predecessor, Selby Baqwa, into her heavily discounted purchase of a diamond tiara while she was minerals and energy minister.
Analysts said the latest storm around Mlambo-Ngcuka sent mixed messages to the public about government’s willingness to build a culture of accountability and transparency.
“It is clear that a substantial section of the public believes what she did was undermining good governance, irrespective of the rights and wrongs of this particular case. This suggests the presidency will have to reformulate the guidelines in an appropriate manner,” said Paul Graham of policy think-tank Idasa.
The South African Communist Party said it was “disturbed” by Mlambo-Ngcuka’s trip: “The fact that the deputy president was accompanied by individuals with private business interests may raise concerns and public perceptions about possible abuse of state resources to further private accumulation interests.”
With the threat of another probe by the public protector looming, and as details of the controversial R500000 taxpayer-funded trip steadily emerged in the media, Mlambo-Ngcuka said: “The way I have messed things up this week I really don’t want to say anything anymore. There’s really true meaning to the statement that everything you say will be used against you.”
She was speaking at a youth development conference yesterday, shortly before her security detail prevented reporters from asking her about her holiday.
Yesterday, amid ongoing speculation about who had been on the trip with her, presidential spokesman Murphy Morobe confirmed that Thuthukile Mazibuko-Skweyiya, wife of Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya, did in fact accompany the deputy president to Dubai.
Morobe, however, made it clear that Skweyiya and African National Congress (ANC)-linked businessman Saki Macozoma had not gone along.
He told reporters that Mlambo-Ngcuka wanted to use her holiday to “learn about the empowerment of women” in large infrastructure projects.
“It was in this context that she invited a friend, Miss Thuthukile Mazibuko-Skweyiya, to accompany her. Miss Mazibuko-Skweyiya is contributing on a voluntary basis to the development of a programme for the development of project management skills for infrastructure projects with a particular focus on the empowerment of women.”
Morobe also insisted that Mlambo-Ngcuka had not infringed “any law, regulation or policy prescript”.
However, opposition parties dismissed the official explanation for Mazibuko-Skweyiya’s presence as “laughable”.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Freedom Front Plus called for Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana to investigate whether Mlambo-Ngcuka had abused her office by taking a personal friend on her state-funded excursion.
In separate letters written to Mushwana yesterday, both insisted that Mlambo-Ngcuka had contravened the Executive Members’ Ethics Act.
This is the second time the two parties have called on Mushwana to probe Mlambo-Ngcuka’s behaviour since she assumed office last year. She was cleared of wrongdoing after it emerged that oil businessman and ANC benefactor Sandi Majali gave money to her brother, Bonga Mlambo, and Mazibuko-Skweyiya.
If the latest call for a probe is successful, it will be the third time Mlambo-Ngcuka is investigated by the public protector’s office, following a 2002 probe by Mushwana’s predecessor, Selby Baqwa, into her heavily discounted purchase of a diamond tiara while she was minerals and energy minister.
Analysts said the latest storm around Mlambo-Ngcuka sent mixed messages to the public about government’s willingness to build a culture of accountability and transparency.
“It is clear that a substantial section of the public believes what she did was undermining good governance, irrespective of the rights and wrongs of this particular case. This suggests the presidency will have to reformulate the guidelines in an appropriate manner,” said Paul Graham of policy think-tank Idasa.
The South African Communist Party said it was “disturbed” by Mlambo-Ngcuka’s trip: “The fact that the deputy president was accompanied by individuals with private business interests may raise concerns and public perceptions about possible abuse of state resources to further private accumulation interests.”
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Second Deputy Prez in six months if she goes. Can't see that happening, though. Snout too firmly stuck in the gravy trough. It'll take a major court case at taxpayer's expense again to enforce this so-called accountability that gets touted every time the fingers are slammed in the drawer of the till.
Politicians...!
Politicians...!
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Mlambo-Ngcuka's trip 'manna from heaven' - analyst
Well Rusty with the coming elections hopefuly some people will catch a wake up call and see the light in another ruling party.
But we both know - that will not happen (sadly)
SABC NEWS
But we both know - that will not happen (sadly)
Aubrey Mashqi, an independent political analyst, says the controversy surrounding the trip of Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the deputy president, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has presented
"manna from heaven" to the opposition, as it came in the midst of an election campaign.
Mashiqi says the issue also presented a political and public relations disaster because the presidency failed to coordinate their communication strategies. "They failed to ensure that communication came from a single point, and since it came from too many points, contradiction set in," he said. The analyst says this was because the presidency did not anticipate that the issue would end up in the public domain.
When asked exactly how much was spent on the deputy president's trip, Murphy Morobe, a spokesperson in the presidency, said: "I don't have the actual cost of the trip, but I am sure that trip like this costs a reasonable amount of money."
Out of the reported 12, only seven people have so far been identified as passengers in the plane used to transport the deputy president. Morobe refused to reveal the identity of the remaining five saying it would compromise the security of the deputy president.
Morobe disclosed yesterday that Mlambo-Ngcuka's husband, as well as the wife of Zola Skweyiya, the social welfare minister, were among the sizeable party accompanying her to the UAE.
"manna from heaven" to the opposition, as it came in the midst of an election campaign.
Mashiqi says the issue also presented a political and public relations disaster because the presidency failed to coordinate their communication strategies. "They failed to ensure that communication came from a single point, and since it came from too many points, contradiction set in," he said. The analyst says this was because the presidency did not anticipate that the issue would end up in the public domain.
When asked exactly how much was spent on the deputy president's trip, Murphy Morobe, a spokesperson in the presidency, said: "I don't have the actual cost of the trip, but I am sure that trip like this costs a reasonable amount of money."
Out of the reported 12, only seven people have so far been identified as passengers in the plane used to transport the deputy president. Morobe refused to reveal the identity of the remaining five saying it would compromise the security of the deputy president.
Morobe disclosed yesterday that Mlambo-Ngcuka's husband, as well as the wife of Zola Skweyiya, the social welfare minister, were among the sizeable party accompanying her to the UAE.
SABC NEWS
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Originally Posted by Gunship
...with the coming elections hopefuly some people will catch a wake up call and see the light in another ruling party.
But we both know - that will not happen (sadly)
But we both know - that will not happen (sadly)
When the ruling party is voted in by a narrow margin and know they have to perform to stay in power, things may begin to come right in SA. Unfortunately, the voter demographics are such that this is an impossibility. It's a case of "You can't vote us out so your charges of corruption are meaningless.".
Nothing's changed, folks...
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Well, if she has personally stated that she stuffed-up, the people could of course demand on the basis of the freedom of information act, who the rest of the party was on board the plane, not true?
In light hereof, now they recommend a policy-change? What?
Empowering of women? She has been empowered by the majority rule government, to work towards a stable positive economic growth for the WHOLE country. In return she abused it! (and her fellow pax, who is not willing to stand up and admit their part too!) Too many cowards. Yes, it may influence her safety, because jails isn't what they used to be.....thanks to?
The main brain is excercising the 5th I notice.....
In light hereof, now they recommend a policy-change? What?
Empowering of women? She has been empowered by the majority rule government, to work towards a stable positive economic growth for the WHOLE country. In return she abused it! (and her fellow pax, who is not willing to stand up and admit their part too!) Too many cowards. Yes, it may influence her safety, because jails isn't what they used to be.....thanks to?
The main brain is excercising the 5th I notice.....
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Originally Posted by Globetwotter
Appanently she even treated the aircrew like crap on the soustrein holiday. Nice one for affemetiev ektion eh?
If deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka wasn't so fussy about an "ordinary" seat in business class to Abu Dhabi, she could have saved the taxpayer R530 000.
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Mbeki : "i Am Leaving On A Bicycle"
He is as guttless as Graham Smith ...
Full Story on IOL here :
President Thabo Mbeki has quipped - after dogged attempts to get him to comment on the row about his deputy's R700 000 trip to the United Arab Emirates - that he will continue his visits to foreign climes - "on a bicycle if needs be".
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Funny how he then always blame the parties working "against" the fine efforts in this country to move forward in the major changes made since the change away from the apartheid regime.
Maybe, what they want is exactly the same as all the people in the country from their elect government, accountability and fairness. It is a democracy afterall, insn't it?
If governed upon these real principles, this would've been a shut case, but this is only a rumour network afterall....
Viva pprune, viva!
(Will the administrator kindly....contact me, for transfer details...
)
Maybe, what they want is exactly the same as all the people in the country from their elect government, accountability and fairness. It is a democracy afterall, insn't it?
If governed upon these real principles, this would've been a shut case, but this is only a rumour network afterall....
Viva pprune, viva!
(Will the administrator kindly....contact me, for transfer details...
)
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Well then this is the 4th time .... she just done it again last week !
Go Erika
News 24 Link
Go Erika
Erika Gibson, Beeld
Pretoria - Deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka this week apparently again put her foot in it - by making use of another potentially controversial flight - this time to Sun City.
This time it was the charter of an intercontinental jet to fly her and her company for 13 minutes to Sun City.
As far as could be ascertained the cost of the return flight amounted to approximately R75 000.
Mlambo-Ngcuka on Wednesday morning officially opened the Women's World Cup golf tournament at Sun City.
Aviation circles 'buzzing'
Aviation circles were abuzz on Friday to know the reasons for using a jet that is normally used for flights from South Africa to Europe or the USA for such an insignificant hop.
According to aviation experts there are several other options for less than half of the estimated R75 000 which would have delivered her to her destination a few minutes later.
The Gulfstream is one of the aircraft utilised by the Air Force when one of their own aircraft is not available for an intercontinental excursion.
This jet, which flies most economically on long distance intercontinental flights at a height of 35 000ft, would not even have attained a height of 12 000ft on the flight to Sun City before it would have had to descend again.
One aviation expert was of the opinion that other aircraft probably did not have enough seats for her party.
It was understood that the Falcon was not available as Mbeki is in Sudan at present for the African Union meeting, requiring the use of his business jet.
The Air Force has a contract for outsourcing VIP flights and will, depending on the urgency of requests for air transport by the various government departments, charter aircraft for the account of the departments.
The contractor will then be responsible to charter a suitable aircraft for the purpose of the excursion.
Apparently Jacob Zuma, former deputy president, regularly made use of two cheaper aircraft when he had official engagements or when he flew to KwaZulu-Natal for weekends.
It is normal that an aircraft is chartered for a minimum block of a specific number of hours, even if the full time schedule is not utilised.
Meanwhile the Air Force is trying to establish how the information about Mlambo-Ngcuka's outing to Abu Dhabi was leaked. Sam Mkhwanazi, spokesperson for the defence ministry, said there was no official investigation.
Personnel at the command post of Air Force headquarters in Pretoria, as well as those of 21 Squadron, the VIP squadron at Waterkloof air force base, have already been questioned.
Mkhwanazi said it had to be accepted that any organisation had to function in terms of certain rules and regulations.
"Some information is confidential, some secret.
"Any person divulging such information about the Air Force to the media or any other person is in breach of the law and can be prosecuted."
At our deadline he was still awaiting information regarding the Sun City flight from the Air Force.
Pretoria - Deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka this week apparently again put her foot in it - by making use of another potentially controversial flight - this time to Sun City.
This time it was the charter of an intercontinental jet to fly her and her company for 13 minutes to Sun City.
As far as could be ascertained the cost of the return flight amounted to approximately R75 000.
Mlambo-Ngcuka on Wednesday morning officially opened the Women's World Cup golf tournament at Sun City.
Aviation circles 'buzzing'
Aviation circles were abuzz on Friday to know the reasons for using a jet that is normally used for flights from South Africa to Europe or the USA for such an insignificant hop.
According to aviation experts there are several other options for less than half of the estimated R75 000 which would have delivered her to her destination a few minutes later.
The Gulfstream is one of the aircraft utilised by the Air Force when one of their own aircraft is not available for an intercontinental excursion.
This jet, which flies most economically on long distance intercontinental flights at a height of 35 000ft, would not even have attained a height of 12 000ft on the flight to Sun City before it would have had to descend again.
One aviation expert was of the opinion that other aircraft probably did not have enough seats for her party.
It was understood that the Falcon was not available as Mbeki is in Sudan at present for the African Union meeting, requiring the use of his business jet.
The Air Force has a contract for outsourcing VIP flights and will, depending on the urgency of requests for air transport by the various government departments, charter aircraft for the account of the departments.
The contractor will then be responsible to charter a suitable aircraft for the purpose of the excursion.
Apparently Jacob Zuma, former deputy president, regularly made use of two cheaper aircraft when he had official engagements or when he flew to KwaZulu-Natal for weekends.
It is normal that an aircraft is chartered for a minimum block of a specific number of hours, even if the full time schedule is not utilised.
Meanwhile the Air Force is trying to establish how the information about Mlambo-Ngcuka's outing to Abu Dhabi was leaked. Sam Mkhwanazi, spokesperson for the defence ministry, said there was no official investigation.
Personnel at the command post of Air Force headquarters in Pretoria, as well as those of 21 Squadron, the VIP squadron at Waterkloof air force base, have already been questioned.
Mkhwanazi said it had to be accepted that any organisation had to function in terms of certain rules and regulations.
"Some information is confidential, some secret.
"Any person divulging such information about the Air Force to the media or any other person is in breach of the law and can be prosecuted."
At our deadline he was still awaiting information regarding the Sun City flight from the Air Force.
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Hier is die Afrikaanse weergawe ...
Die Burger
PRETORIA. – Adj.pres. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka het haar vandeesweek waarskynlik onwetend op nóg ’n potensieel omstrede vlug begewe.
Dié keer was dit ’n interkontinentale straler wat gehuur is om haar en haar geselskap vir ’n vlug van 13 minute na Sun City te vervoer. Die onkoste was, sover vasgestel kan word, sowat R75 000 vir die retoervlug.
Mlambo-Ngcuka het die Wêreldbeker-gholftoernooi vir vroue Woensdagaand geopen.
Dit het gister in die lugvaartgemeenskap gegons oor die redes waarom ’n straler wat normaalweg op vlugte van Suid-Afrika na Europa of Amerika gebruik word, vir dié kort vlug gebruik is.
Volgens lugvaartkenners is daar verskeie ander moontlikhede beskikbaar wat haar en haar gevolg vir heelwat minder as die helfte van R75 000 in dieselfde tyd of ’n paar minute later by haar bestemming sou besorg.
Die Gulfstream V is juis een van die stralers wat deur die lugmag vir interkontinentale vlugte gebruik word wanneer sy eie vliegtuie nie beskikbaar is nie. Dié straler, wat op ’n normale langafstandvlug op ’n hoogte van 35 000 vt op sy mees ekonomiese sou wees, het waarskynlik nie eens ’n hoogte van 12 000 vt gehaal op die vlug Sun City toe voordat dit al weer moes begin daal het nie.
Een lugvaartkenner het gesê die ander vliegtuie het waarskynlik te min plek gehad vir die getal mense wat haar vergesel het.
’n Cessna Citation-straler (teen sowat R35 000 vir ’n soortgelyke vlug) of ’n King Air-turbineskroefvliegtuig (teen sowat R30 000) kan ses mense vervoer, terwyl die Gulfstream 10 tot 12 kan vervoer. Laasgenoemde is omtrent net so groot soos die Falcon 900 – oftewel die lugmag se nommer twee straler naas dié wat pres. Thabo Mbeki gewoonlik gebruik – waarmee Mlambo-Ngcuka in Desember op haar omstrede vakansievlug na Aboe Dhabi in die Verenigde Arabiese Emirate (VAE) toe was.
Na verneem word, was die Falcon nie beskikbaar nie. Mbeki is tans in die Soedan vir die Afrika-unieberaad en dus was sy sakestraler besig.
Die lugmag het ’n kontrak vir die uitkontraktering van BBP-vlugte en huur na gelang van die dringendheid van lugvervoerversoeke deur die onderskeie staatsdepartemente vliegtuie, verhaalbaar van dié departemente se rekening. Die kontrakteur bekom ’n vliegtuig geskik vir die vlug.
Na verneem word, het mnr. Jacob Zuma in sy termyn as adjunkpresident gereeld met die twee goedkoper vliegtuie gevlieg wanneer hy amptelike verpligtinge gehad het. Wanneer ’n vliegtuig gehuur word, word dit na verneem word vir ’n bepaalde aantal ure verskaf – al word dit net vir ’n fraksie daarvan gebruik.
Intussen probeer die lugmag bepaal hoe die inligting oor Mlambo-Ngcuka se vlug na Aboe Dhabi uitgelek het. Mnr. Sam Mkhwanazi, woordvoerder vir die ministerie van verdediging, het gesê daar is nié ’n amptelike ondersoek nie. Personeel by die bevelspos in die lugmag se hoofkwartier in Pretoria, sowel as by 21 Eskader, die BBP-eskader by die Waterkloof-lugmagbasis, is egter reeds ondervra. Mkhwanazi het teen druktyd nog vir besonderhede oor die Sun City-vlug van die lugmag af gewag.
Dié keer was dit ’n interkontinentale straler wat gehuur is om haar en haar geselskap vir ’n vlug van 13 minute na Sun City te vervoer. Die onkoste was, sover vasgestel kan word, sowat R75 000 vir die retoervlug.
Mlambo-Ngcuka het die Wêreldbeker-gholftoernooi vir vroue Woensdagaand geopen.
Dit het gister in die lugvaartgemeenskap gegons oor die redes waarom ’n straler wat normaalweg op vlugte van Suid-Afrika na Europa of Amerika gebruik word, vir dié kort vlug gebruik is.
Volgens lugvaartkenners is daar verskeie ander moontlikhede beskikbaar wat haar en haar gevolg vir heelwat minder as die helfte van R75 000 in dieselfde tyd of ’n paar minute later by haar bestemming sou besorg.
Die Gulfstream V is juis een van die stralers wat deur die lugmag vir interkontinentale vlugte gebruik word wanneer sy eie vliegtuie nie beskikbaar is nie. Dié straler, wat op ’n normale langafstandvlug op ’n hoogte van 35 000 vt op sy mees ekonomiese sou wees, het waarskynlik nie eens ’n hoogte van 12 000 vt gehaal op die vlug Sun City toe voordat dit al weer moes begin daal het nie.
Een lugvaartkenner het gesê die ander vliegtuie het waarskynlik te min plek gehad vir die getal mense wat haar vergesel het.
’n Cessna Citation-straler (teen sowat R35 000 vir ’n soortgelyke vlug) of ’n King Air-turbineskroefvliegtuig (teen sowat R30 000) kan ses mense vervoer, terwyl die Gulfstream 10 tot 12 kan vervoer. Laasgenoemde is omtrent net so groot soos die Falcon 900 – oftewel die lugmag se nommer twee straler naas dié wat pres. Thabo Mbeki gewoonlik gebruik – waarmee Mlambo-Ngcuka in Desember op haar omstrede vakansievlug na Aboe Dhabi in die Verenigde Arabiese Emirate (VAE) toe was.
Na verneem word, was die Falcon nie beskikbaar nie. Mbeki is tans in die Soedan vir die Afrika-unieberaad en dus was sy sakestraler besig.
Die lugmag het ’n kontrak vir die uitkontraktering van BBP-vlugte en huur na gelang van die dringendheid van lugvervoerversoeke deur die onderskeie staatsdepartemente vliegtuie, verhaalbaar van dié departemente se rekening. Die kontrakteur bekom ’n vliegtuig geskik vir die vlug.
Na verneem word, het mnr. Jacob Zuma in sy termyn as adjunkpresident gereeld met die twee goedkoper vliegtuie gevlieg wanneer hy amptelike verpligtinge gehad het. Wanneer ’n vliegtuig gehuur word, word dit na verneem word vir ’n bepaalde aantal ure verskaf – al word dit net vir ’n fraksie daarvan gebruik.
Intussen probeer die lugmag bepaal hoe die inligting oor Mlambo-Ngcuka se vlug na Aboe Dhabi uitgelek het. Mnr. Sam Mkhwanazi, woordvoerder vir die ministerie van verdediging, het gesê daar is nié ’n amptelike ondersoek nie. Personeel by die bevelspos in die lugmag se hoofkwartier in Pretoria, sowel as by 21 Eskader, die BBP-eskader by die Waterkloof-lugmagbasis, is egter reeds ondervra. Mkhwanazi het teen druktyd nog vir besonderhede oor die Sun City-vlug van die lugmag af gewag.
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So what happened to the much touted transparency? The public has a right to know, yet it seems the hunt for someone to blame for the leak is going ahead.
It appears that democracy comes without responsibility.....
It appears that democracy comes without responsibility.....
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Deputy Pres.next flight-dispute !
Lekota defends trip to Sun City by jet
January 22 2006 at 10:32AM
No aircraft other than the sophisticated intercontinental jet was available to take Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to Sun City this week, Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota said on Saturday.
He lashed out at a report in Beeld that listed alternative planes that could have been used.
"They are command fighters that work in operational places and are not used for carrying passengers."
Lekota also lashed out at reporter Erika Gibson, saying that as a former member of the old South African Defence force, she should have known her facts better.
Lekota also said there would be investigations into disloyal members of the airforce who sent her information that was effectively a security threat.
He said reports on the deputy president's visit to Abu Dhabi and Sun City had implied she was misusing tax payers money.
He said neither the deputy president nor the president had a say in the planes they used.
The ministry of defence took total responsibility for that. - Sapa
____________________________________________________________ __
Deputy president in new flight furore
Johannesburg, South Africa
22 January 2006 07:31
No aircraft other than a sophisticated Gulfstream V intercontinental jet was available to take Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to Sun City this week, Minister of Defence Mosiuoa Lekota said on Saturday.
He lashed out at a report in Beeld that listed alternative planes in the South African Air Force's fleet that could have been used: a Cessna Citation and a King Air 200.
Those, he said, are used in operations and not for carrying passengers.
"Beeld has misrepresented the situation in the extreme, because the two small planes they refer to are not for the transport of the president, deputy president nor the minister of defence."
Lekota said that had the air force's Falcon 900 been available, it would have been used to ferry Mlambo-Ngcuka and her entourage to Sun City.
The deputy president went to open the Women's World Cup of Golf.
According to Beeld, the 13-minute journey in the Gulfstream -- which was chartered -- cost taxpayers an estimated R75 000, and use of the alternative planes could have cost less than half that amount.
However, Lekota said that had the Falcon 900 been used, it would have cost the taxpayer the same amount as the Gulfstream, because both planes are the same size.
The type of plane used depends on the size of the entourage, he added.
Reporter 'should have known better'
Lekota also lashed out at reporter Erika Gibson, saying that as a former member of the old South African Defence Force, she should have known her facts better.
"Apart from anything else, she is one journalist who ought to have known these facts and not allowed for the creation of sensation that has no sense."
Lekota also said there will be investigations into disloyal members of the air force who sent Gibson information that was effectively a threat to security.
"Last year, I dismissed two people who spoke to her giving her information with implications for the safety of the minister, deputy president or president."
Lekota said reports on the deputy president's visit to Abu Dhabi and Sun City have implied she was misusing taxpayers' money.
"The stories have left the distinct impression in the minds of the public that the deputy president is busy misusing public funds from which a deduction can be drawn that she is corrupt. There is no foundation for this slant."
Queries
He said the South African National Defence Force is the institution that takes the decision what planes to use, how many crew members to use and all else that goes with these kind of trips.
"Therefore, any queries relating to them should be directed to the Department of Defence."
Asked why he had taken so long since the Abu Dhabi trip to come forward with explanation, Lekota said he had been away and only just come back to work.
"I have just returned to duty. Questions should have been referred to the defence force, but unfortunately there was miscommunication."
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance said on Saturday that it is shocked.
"On the back of her taxpayer-funded R700 000 holiday to the United Arab Emirates, the deputy president has seen fit to spend a further R75 000 on chartering a luxury jet for a 13-minute trip to Sun City to open a sports tournament," said spokesperson Gareth Morgan.
He said it illustrates that the ruling African National Congress elite is completely out of touch with the plight of ordinary South Africans.
"While local government is in a state of disarray and people are rioting in the streets, the deputy president's biggest worry seems to be deciding which luxury jet aeroplane she will make her next trip in." -- Sapa
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Public protector to probe UAE flight
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Deputy president keeps mum on UAE flight
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DA, FF+ want probe into Phumzile's trip
____________________________________________________________ _
So these flights certainly have attracted political & media attention !
January 22 2006 at 10:32AM
No aircraft other than the sophisticated intercontinental jet was available to take Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to Sun City this week, Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota said on Saturday.
He lashed out at a report in Beeld that listed alternative planes that could have been used.
"They are command fighters that work in operational places and are not used for carrying passengers."
Lekota also lashed out at reporter Erika Gibson, saying that as a former member of the old South African Defence force, she should have known her facts better.
Lekota also said there would be investigations into disloyal members of the airforce who sent her information that was effectively a security threat.
He said reports on the deputy president's visit to Abu Dhabi and Sun City had implied she was misusing tax payers money.
He said neither the deputy president nor the president had a say in the planes they used.
The ministry of defence took total responsibility for that. - Sapa
____________________________________________________________ __
Deputy president in new flight furore
Johannesburg, South Africa
22 January 2006 07:31
No aircraft other than a sophisticated Gulfstream V intercontinental jet was available to take Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to Sun City this week, Minister of Defence Mosiuoa Lekota said on Saturday.
He lashed out at a report in Beeld that listed alternative planes in the South African Air Force's fleet that could have been used: a Cessna Citation and a King Air 200.
Those, he said, are used in operations and not for carrying passengers.
"Beeld has misrepresented the situation in the extreme, because the two small planes they refer to are not for the transport of the president, deputy president nor the minister of defence."
Lekota said that had the air force's Falcon 900 been available, it would have been used to ferry Mlambo-Ngcuka and her entourage to Sun City.
The deputy president went to open the Women's World Cup of Golf.
According to Beeld, the 13-minute journey in the Gulfstream -- which was chartered -- cost taxpayers an estimated R75 000, and use of the alternative planes could have cost less than half that amount.
However, Lekota said that had the Falcon 900 been used, it would have cost the taxpayer the same amount as the Gulfstream, because both planes are the same size.
The type of plane used depends on the size of the entourage, he added.
Reporter 'should have known better'
Lekota also lashed out at reporter Erika Gibson, saying that as a former member of the old South African Defence Force, she should have known her facts better.
"Apart from anything else, she is one journalist who ought to have known these facts and not allowed for the creation of sensation that has no sense."
Lekota also said there will be investigations into disloyal members of the air force who sent Gibson information that was effectively a threat to security.
"Last year, I dismissed two people who spoke to her giving her information with implications for the safety of the minister, deputy president or president."
Lekota said reports on the deputy president's visit to Abu Dhabi and Sun City have implied she was misusing taxpayers' money.
"The stories have left the distinct impression in the minds of the public that the deputy president is busy misusing public funds from which a deduction can be drawn that she is corrupt. There is no foundation for this slant."
Queries
He said the South African National Defence Force is the institution that takes the decision what planes to use, how many crew members to use and all else that goes with these kind of trips.
"Therefore, any queries relating to them should be directed to the Department of Defence."
Asked why he had taken so long since the Abu Dhabi trip to come forward with explanation, Lekota said he had been away and only just come back to work.
"I have just returned to duty. Questions should have been referred to the defence force, but unfortunately there was miscommunication."
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance said on Saturday that it is shocked.
"On the back of her taxpayer-funded R700 000 holiday to the United Arab Emirates, the deputy president has seen fit to spend a further R75 000 on chartering a luxury jet for a 13-minute trip to Sun City to open a sports tournament," said spokesperson Gareth Morgan.
He said it illustrates that the ruling African National Congress elite is completely out of touch with the plight of ordinary South Africans.
"While local government is in a state of disarray and people are rioting in the streets, the deputy president's biggest worry seems to be deciding which luxury jet aeroplane she will make her next trip in." -- Sapa
Related articles
PSAM: Phumzile should foot bill
Phumzile's flight of fancy: The unanswered questions
Phumzile could have saved thousands
Public protector to probe UAE flight
Phumzile's flight: Guest list grows
Deputy president keeps mum on UAE flight
Mbeki's response to UAE flight 'laughable'
Presidency: No laws broken by UAE trip
DA, FF+ want probe into Phumzile's trip
____________________________________________________________ _
So these flights certainly have attracted political & media attention !
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Originally Posted by flyboy2
...a Cessna Citation and a King Air 200.
Those, he said, are used in operations and not for carrying passengers...
Those, he said, are used in operations and not for carrying passengers...
Carlo must be so proud.....
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Originally Posted by flyboy2
Lekota defends trip to Sun City by jet
According to Beeld, the 13-minute journey in the Gulfstream -- which was chartered -- cost taxpayers an estimated R75 000, and use of the alternative planes could have cost less than half that amount.
However, Lekota said that had the Falcon 900 been used, it would have cost the taxpayer the same amount as the Gulfstream, because both planes are the same size.
According to Beeld, the 13-minute journey in the Gulfstream -- which was chartered -- cost taxpayers an estimated R75 000, and use of the alternative planes could have cost less than half that amount.
However, Lekota said that had the Falcon 900 been used, it would have cost the taxpayer the same amount as the Gulfstream, because both planes are the same size.
Why did they have to use a Falcon or Gulfstream? If it was chartered then they could have chosen a cheaper option.Shame on you miss deputy president