By Sapa, 2013-08-16

Taxpayers Pay R1.6m for Zuma’s Mozambique Break

President Jacob Zuma's recent holiday on a Mozambican island and that of his deputy, Kgalema Motlanthe, in the Seychelles, cost the taxpayer R2.6 million, Beeld reported on Friday.

 

 

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A Falcon 900 and two Oryx helicopters had to make 36 flights to take Zuma to Bazaruto and back.

This emerged from answers provided on Thursday by the defence ministry to written questions by Democratic Alliance MP David Maynier.

Zuma took a break on Bazaruto earlier this year after his doctors advised him to rest.

Two Oryx helicopters from 15 Squadron flew from Durban to the Mozambican town Vilanculos to take Zuma to the island.

According to Beeld, every time the helicopters land to refuel, it counts as a new flight.

Zuma flew in a Falcon from Waterkloof Air Force Base to Vilanculos, where the helicopters took him and his bodyguards to the island.

Overall expenditure, including crew and staff allowances, amounted to R1.6 million.

Motlanthe used the Falcon for the Seychelles break with a female friend and at least five bodyguards.

Motlanthe paid for his own accommodation, but taxpayers funded the crew and bodyguards which cost R512,000, with travel and subsistence expenses for staff costing over R130,000.

The agent who made arrangements that included the fuel, was paid R296,000.

Airline tickets cost R83,000.