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THE R1.6bn the state is expected to spend on two new long range jets for President Jacob Zuma and his deputy is "simply wrong", the DA said on Sunday.
"The fact is that it is simply wrong to spend R1.6bn on business jets when millions of people in our country do not have housing, health or access to basic services," Democratic Alliance MP David Maynier said in a statement.
The department of defence confirmed that a tender was out for the purchase of two new business jets for the exclusive use of Zuma and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, this after technical problems on VIP flights.
"It is an outrageous extravagance for President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to each have dedicated long-range business jets," said Maynier.
Defence spokesperson Ndivhuwo Mabaya said as a lead department in the purchase process, defence was weighing several options including whether to lease the aircraft or to buy them outright.
Maynier said he would schedule a meeting with Defence and Military Veterans Minister Lindiwe Sisulu to obtain a full and comprehensive briefing on the planned acquisition.
