The SA Air Force has not flown Deputy President David Mabuza to Russia since January 2020, according to Defence & Military Veterans Minister Thandi Modise.
News24 reports that she was responding to a written parliamentary question from DA MP Kobus Marais, who asked whether 21 Squadron, or the SAAF, was responsible for Mabuza’s travel arrangements to Russia for medical reasons.
The 21 Squadron is the VIP transport squadron for Ministers and dignitaries to SA. DA leader John Steenhuisen also asked whether taxpayers paid for Mabuza’s trip to Russia. In his address to the National Assembly in September last year, President Cyril Ramaphosa said Mabuza was entitled to security, transport and accommodation wherever he was as it is government’s responsibility to ensure the deputy president and the president are kept safe.
In September, Mabuza reiterated that he paid for his own flight and medical costs when he visited Russia for a month-long medical treatment.
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