Zuma's backup helicopter cancelled

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Grant

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The air force has apparently cancelled the backup helicopter previously provided to President Jacob Zuma's family and friends travelling between Durban and Nkandla.

The City Press newspaper is reporting that family and friends have been hitching rides from the air force base in Durban.
The Special Investigation Unit is now looking into the matter.

The newspaper is reporting that the helicopter known as the ‘Zuma Taxi’ costs the presidency R63,000 an hour.
The South African National Defence Force reportedly charged the president a discounted rate for the chopper.
His bodyguards were apparently forced to drive three hours from Durban to Nkandla.

The presidency's Mac Maharaj has denied the allegations saying no member of the family used the chopper unless accompanying the president.
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http://ewn.co.za/2015/03/29/Zumas-backup-helicopter-cancelled
 
In an article on IOL in Nov or Oct last year, it was mentioned that the total cost to taxpayers for the SANDF heli flights Durbs-Nkandla are exceeding R 60 m a year.

This is on top of the R 592 m costs for the two new roads to this rural backwater, that were built since 2009.
 
Marcan said:
In an article on IOL in Nov or Oct last year, it was mentioned that the total cost to taxpayers for the SANDF heli flights Durbs-Nkandla are exceeding R 60 m a year.
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this is what happens when khulubuse goes to visit uncle jacob - a Mi-26 helicopter has to be used
Mi-26.jpg
 
NO CHOPPER USE BY ZUMA FAMILY: SANDF

At no point has President Jacob Zuma's family used a SA Air Force helicopter for transport, the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) said on Sunday.

"The SANDF rejects these spurious allegations and places on record that at no point has the SA Air Force helicopter been used to transport family members," spokesman Siphiwe Dlamini said in a statement.

"Furthermore at no point was such ever raised by any of the crew members of the Air Force with the Command of the Air Force."

The City Press on Sunday reported that the air force has cut the backup helicopter service it provided for Zuma's family and friends travelling between Durban and Nkandla amid allegations of abuse.

The backup Oryx helicopter from 15 Squandron, which usually flew with Zuma's military transport, has been grounded because of lack of funds, according to reports.

The newspaper reported that insiders said that the Special Investigations Unit had begun to make enquiries into the alleged abuse.

The backup Oryx, for which the presidency paid the SA National Defence Force R63,000 an hour instead of the R70,000 an hour standard commercial tariff, had been used by family and friends instead of security personnel, according to the report.

Zuma's bodyguards were reportedly forced on "several occasions" to drive the three hours.

The presidency on Sunday said that Zuma's family do not use military helicopters to travel between Durban and Nkandla.

"The Presidency rejects the baseless and mischievous allegations made in City Press newspaper today that family members of President Jacob Zuma make use of a military helicopter for personal travel between Durban and Nkandla.

"Tasking for the President's travel is made by the Presidency and it is stipulated clearly that the aircraft or helicopter is being booked for his use," spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

He said that family members such as a spouse or a child may travel if accompanying Zuma.

The presidency has at no stage ever made bookings for family members travelling alone, Maharaj said.

Maharaj said that the SA Air Force has also informed the presidency that no such misuse of the helicopters had occurred, he said.

"The City Press reporter was informed by both the Presidency and the department of defence that there is no truth in the rumour but the newspaper continued to publish," said Maharaj.

"The presidency is alarmed by the blatant reporting of such an untruth, the purpose of which could only be to contribute to the stereotyping of the President and his family."


Source : Sapa /aw
Date : 29 Mar 2015 16:48
 
The Presidency rejects the baseless and mischievous allegations made in City Press newspaper today that family members of President Jacob Zuma make use of a military helicopter for personal travel between Durban and Nkandla.
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Every single Zuma scandal starts with the dumbass & his various spokespeople lying about what really happened.

It also usually ends with some lowlife being selected to be the fall guy for the prez's transgressions.

It's only the newspapers that keeps them remotely honest.
 
When did the story break of misuse?
When was the helicopter cancelled due to 'lack of funds'?
How will Zuma now travel to Nkandla?
When will Zuma purge the Durban air force base & replace personnel them with 'yes men'?
 
koeks525 said:
Wow... I just wonder what other kinds of perks our president has on standby :(

LOL I am loving that ANC offical list of excuses photo :D



I see a number 7 in this story too :D
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Number 10 too: "It was just a joke" :whistle:
 
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