Newsflash
ANC says it will repay Zim flight money
The cash-strapped ANC has pledged to refund the government for the costs incurred when its delegation hitched a ride on a South African Air Force plane to Zimbabwe. This, after questions were asked about the legality of the use of the plane for the trip.
Almost a week after returning from a meeting with the governing Zanu-PF in Harare, Zimbabwe, the ANC has issued a statement to say that it considered the meeting “constructive”, despite Zanu-PF leaders on Friday berating the ANC delegation for its approach.
The party also apologised for the “unusual manner” in which its delegation travelled to Zimbabwe last week Tuesday – by flying along with Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who said she had an official meeting with her counterpart in Harare.
In its statement on Tuesday, 15 September, the ANC said “[we] profusely humble ourselves where we went wrong during the lockdown and will reimburse the government for the costs incurred on behalf of our delegation.
“Our delegation is under quarantine in line with our lockdown regulations.”
At the weekend, the Sunday Times reported that party secretary-general Ace Magashule insisted to the newspaper that he did not believe the delegation had abused state resources. It also reported that it could confirm at least two members of the delegation – social development minister Lindiwe Zulu and ANC official and former minister Nomvula Mokonyane – did not subject themselves to the stipulated 10-day self-isolation period required under lockdown regulations after international travel. The delegation consisted of at least eight members, with the party delegation being led by Magashule.
It’s not clear how much the ANC will repay. Defence spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said: “I do not know how much the flight cost and I am not aware of any discussion about the ANC paying or refunding [the money] except what has been suggested or talked about by individuals in the media and public space.”
DA MP and party spokesperson on defence, Kobus Marais, estimates that the flight could have cost between R750,000 and R1-million.
“The ANC’s admission and offer [to repay the money] is proof that I was right, and that they were dishonest and unethical to try to deny it,” Marais said.
He said reports that Mapisa-Nqakula only had a 30-minute meeting with her counterpart meant that the flight was unnecessary. “She could have held the meeting on a virtual platform,” he said, or she could have used a smaller plane.
It’s unclear where the ANC will get the money to repay costs for the flight, as there were reports earlier this month that the party struggled to pay its August salary bill on time.
The ANC said in its statement on Tuesday that the meeting with Zanu-PF was a success and that the delegation had briefed the ANC’s national officials about its “cordial and successful” deliberations with Zanu-PF, which reportedly went on for longer than six hours last Wednesday. DM
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The apology is irrelevant; it is the ethical breach that is relevant. Once again the ANC cannot grasp the distinction between party and state… and don’t care. They are only undertaking to “pay back the money” because they were caught with their fingers in the cookie jar…. again.
Couldn’t agree more. It’s the same thing as a bank robber offering to return the stolen money to try to avoid jail time. What happened to the old “if you do the crime, you do the time” eh Ace? I would love to to remind some of these ANC thieves that the government has no money – they are the feckless custodians of our money, the SA taxpayers. We pay you dude – you work for us OK!
So the ANC say they will pay for the flight-how will the public know that this payment has been made?
The apology is a joke.The arrogance Of the ANC knows no bounds.
And when will Ramaphosa announce that he will speak to the nation? The disdain for South Africans is displayed by the lack of timeous information.
The scientists have spoken – Politicians take their advice.
And if there is any trouble from the unions send them to Zimbabwe for a look into the future.
At least there has been an admission of error and a promise of reparations – these are rare things!
The ANC will repay the Government?
Can someone tell me how this works?
Paul is the government. Peter is his pseudo name. Peter takes money from the taxpayer and pays Paul.
Peter is happy, Paul is happy and the taxpayer is fleeced again!
Anywhere that Ace goes, dishonesty is sure to follow. I wonder what they brought back in their suitcases!
Lots of Zim dollars !
Nothing to see here, the ANC is giving us all the middle finger again….. Perhaps we really do need to cut off their water ?
As mentioned below , how can the ANC pay for anything ?
Cannot even pay it’s own staff on time !
Breaking Covid regulations is an offence!
Can almost see Cele arresting them ! When hell freezes over !
Have 2 other questions :-
Who authorised the official flight and why ?
Who authorised ‘Ace’ in the hole and his buddies to go !
Well, CR is not using the jet , and it ‘belongs’ to the ANC , so we will just take it !
Ace just gave CR the middle finger !
Maybe the individuals involved should pay back the money out of their own fat wallets ?
I’ll believe this once I see a copy of the deposit slip published in the mainstream media. Correction, make that verified and published by DM.