Speaker, we were all shocked to learn this weekend that the hon Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Lindiwe Sisulu, is on yet another shopping trip, this time for brand new luxury VIP business jets for President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe. I am sure I speak for the House when I say that it is an outrageous extravagance for President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe each to have a dedicated long-range business jet, operated for their exclusive use by the SA Air Force.
The price tag, reportedly estimated to be R1,6 billion, is the tip of the iceberg, and would probably double if the operating and maintenance costs were factored in. The fact is that it is simply wrong to spend R1,6 billion on new business jets when millions of people in our country do not have housing, do not have access to primary health care, and do not have access to basic services. [Interjections.]
The President, Deputy President and Minister should be using military aircraft, or chartered aircraft only in exceptional circumstances. [Interjections.] If Prime Minister David Cameron can fly British Airways, there is no reason why President Jacob Zuma cannot fly SA Airways. [Interjections.] It's high time more members of the Cabinet began to enjoy the chicken or beef served up by SA Airways. [Applause.]