Taxpayers Foot Hefty Bill for Presidential Jet Inkwazi Amidst Controversy

South African taxpayers have been left reeling from the revelation that close to R139 million was spent on President Cyril Ramaphosa's official jet, Inkwazi, over the past five years, as disclosed by Defence Minister Thandi Modise in a parliamentary response. In an alarming message to the citizens, it was initially understood that this figure strictly pertained to catering costs while the President and his entourage were aboard the presidential aircraft.

However, in a prompt clarification, the minister's spokesperson Amos Phago retorted to enquiries by noting that the mentioned sum was a cumulative total, inclusive of all operational expenses associated with the jet. These operational costs are comprehensive and span fuel, airport handling and flyover fees, and accommodation for crew during stopovers, among other essentials necessary for the high-flying travels of the nation's leadership.

A vital contributor to this national concern is the DA leader, John Steenhuisen, who has voiced sharp criticism towards the government's spending. His request for a detailed breakdown of the jet's catering expenses for each flight taken by Inkwazi over the past three financial years came on the heels of a disconcerting report. The report, which surfaced in November last year, depicted a notably high catering bill of just under R600,000 for fewer than 18 VIP guests on a single 12-hour journey from London to South Africa following Queen Elizabeth's funeral.

Minister Modise defended the costs by explaining the complexities of the presidential schedule and the resultant air travel. The controversial London leg was not an isolated trip but part of a broader presidential duty itinerary. The flight had originated from Washington DC, where President Ramaphosa had been on a sanctioned working visit. The subsequent need to visit London was a last-minute adjustment to the plan, which logically incurred additional costs due to the spontaneity of arrangements and the invoicing in foreign currencies.

Furthermore, provided by Modise were the financial figures spent on the jet through the years ranging from R33.7 million in the 2018/2019 financial year rocketing to R42.4 million in 2019/2020, and fluctuating down to R5.1 million in the pandemic year of 2020/2021. The spending witnessed a mild rise to R7.8 million in 2021/2022 before jumping to R30.7 million in the 2022/23 fiscal period, with R19 million chalked up to the current year.

A notable omission in these disclosures was the exact number of flights undertaken by Inkwazi that warranted such hefty spending, a detail many believe is crucial for full transparency. Steenhuisen, channeling widespread public frustration, lambasted the government for what he deems excessive and insensitive fiscal conduct. He is appalled by the luxurious indulgences of the president and his entourage, contrasted starkly against the socio-economic hardships faced by average South Africans.

In his scathing critique, Steenhuisen presented an alternative vision promoted by his party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), which involves selling the presidential jet and adopting commercial flying routes for governmental travel — a practice common in nations with similar economic standings as South Africa.

Amidst ongoing economic challenges and societal inequalities, this story surrounding Inkwazi serves as a stark reminder of the contentious dichotomy between governmental spending and public welfare in South Africa, raising questions about fiscal responsibility and national priorities.