The SA Air Force has stuck to its guns on the use of standby planes when President Jacob Zuma travels abroad.

“The SAAF will continue to act responsibly by providing a plan B with standby abroad, especially for time critical and very important missions,” it said in a statement on Wednesday.

Defending its decision charter two standby planes for Zuma’s recent trip to the United States, the SAAF added: “[This will be done] to ensure the president’s on time and [has] safe transportation to destinations.”   

Zuma attended a UN Security Council meeting two weeks ago.  After this meeting, Zuma had to return to South Africa immediately for another “important commitment”, SAAF said.

According to weekend media reports an SAA Boeing A340-200 shadowed Zuma’s Boeing business jet Inkwazi as far as Las Palmas, Canary Islands, on Zuma’s outbound leg to New York.

A second aircraft, a chartered Bombardier Global Express, was on  standby in New York and followed the presidential jet back to South  Africa at the conclusion of Zuma’s visit.

SAAF said its mandate was to ensure an efficient and safe flight  service to the president and his deputy, to avoid any possible embarrassment to the country.

“Departure and arrival times for the entire mission were critically important and standby aircraft in South Africa simply would not have sufficed, taken into consideration the reaction time  required over the long distance in this case, over-flight clearance  etc.”   

There were fears the aircraft could have “unforeseen technical difficulties”, it said.    

The Inkwazi had been in Switzerland for several months for a major service. Upon its return to South Africa, it was used extensively for training flights to ensure all possible “snags” were fixed.

“Any slightest possible glitch had to be avoided and thus a plan  B was put in place, albeit the standby aircraft.”   

The incident riled opposition parties and raised questions about  the costs of such arrangements.

DA MP David Maynier said the arrangements were “mind boggling”.

He called on Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu to explain the details  of the flight arrangements, in which standby crews were also flown to Las Palmas, to Parliament’s defence committee.

On Wednesday, the SAAF said “fresh” crew were made available to take over in a bid to avoid pilot fatigue.

“The aircraft does not have a special rest area facility on board for standby crew and thus could not be accommodated on board,” it said.

“A standby crew in South Africa would not have sufficed, due to critical time constraints and reaction time.”

Comments

• Sign in or sign up to comment

Sun May 19 00:35:26 SAST 2013 ::

Jan 25, 2012

1tsotsi

Ooh sweet Lord, save us from this man, what is it that zuma wants to achieve?
Report Abuse

Jan 25, 2012

sekhebereshe

This is getting too much...Zuma is becoming a liability to RSA economy...
Report Abuse

Jan 25, 2012

TKay

We soon gonna go bankcrupt because of this standard 3 man...when is his term ending, cant wait
Report Abuse

Jan 25, 2012

MORNACHIES

If possible put some more bombs ....
Report Abuse

Jan 25, 2012

MommaC

Why don't they just make sure the plane is air-worthy?
Report Abuse

Jan 25, 2012

oldlady

I saw the flightplans of the previous flights. One of these planes actually flew with Zuma's plane. Now my question. Is there an emergency lane in the air so Zuma can change planes in midair if anything happens?
Report Abuse

Jan 25, 2012

Mbeva

Why NOW? Are there rumuors to suggest that some people want to take him out?
Report Abuse

Jan 25, 2012

Mtho'eng'nanqondo

It was during his inauguration where I started to see we are in for a high jump. He and his family were driven in a laxury bus instead of a sedan. Now two planes wherever he goes! What's next? Whole skycraping hotel to accomodate him?
Report Abuse

Jan 25, 2012

Charley4sure

@TKay
We soon gonna go bankcrupt because of this standard 3 man...when is his term ending, cant wait
__________________________
U can ask that again
Report Abuse

Jan 25, 2012

IamJustCool

DA makes me sick go and rest .
Report Abuse

Read all 18 comments