Since 2009 the South African Air Force (SAAF) has conducted 814 VIP flights, including 606 flights by aircraft from 21 Squadron and 208 flights using aircraft from reserve squadrons. These flights have cost a total of R217 million.

This information emerged in the responses to parliamentary questions answered by outgoing Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Lindiwe Sisulu, who, after Tuesday’s Cabinet reshuffle is being replaced by Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.

The 606 VIP flights conducted by 21 Squadron aircraft cost R143 156 838, while the 208 flights conducted by SAAF reserve squadrons cost a total of R74 103 469, according to Sisulu’s department. This figure does not include flights chartered by the Air Force, which chartered 55 VIP flights between 2009 and May 2012, at a cost of R76 277 351.10, according to figures provided by answers to the parliamentary questions.

It has also emerged that President Jacob Zuma undertook 286 flights aboard SAAF VIP aircraft and chartered jets since 2009, at a cost of R140.5 million. Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, on the other hand, embarked on 213 flights in the same period, at a cost of R70 million, while former President Thabo Mbeki undertook 39 flights at a cost of R32.13 million.

Sisulu, during this period, undertook 268 flights at a cost of R40 581 878.12.

These four individuals in total flew on 806 VIP flights, at a cost of R282 974 026.61, between 2009 and 2012.

21 Squadron flights:

Year	Inkwazi	Falcon 900	Falcon 50	Total
2009/2010	65	25	100	190
2010/2011	74	55	72	201
2011/2012	50	70	69	189
From April 1, 2012	10	4	12	26
Total	199	154	253	606

21 Squadron flight costs

Year	Inkwazi	Falcon 900	Falcon 50	Total
2009/2010	R26 063 400	R3 439 553.20	R11 448 731	R40 951 684
2010/2011	R37 903 250	R7 208 350	R8 799 845 .70	R53 911 445
2011/2012	R24 33[0] 100	R10 455 261	R7 835 774	R42 621 135
From April 1, 2012	R2 649 900	R950 766.80	R2 071 908	R5 672 574
Total	R90 946 650	R22 053 930	R30 156 258	R143 156 838

SAAF reserve squadron flights

Year	Citation	DC-9	Gulfstream II	Gulfstream III	Hawker	Premier	Total
2009/2010	0	14	51	0	7	6	78
2010/2011	4	5	33	17	14	7	80
2011/2012	0	2	16	16	9	6	49
From April 1, 2012	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
Total	4	21	100	33	30	20	208

SAAF reserve squadron flight costs

Year	Citation	DC-9	Gulfstream II	Gulfstream III	Hawker	Premier	Total
2009/2010	R0.00	R12 083 473	R18 490 782	R0.00	R746 304	R328 845	R31 649 404
2010/2011	R771 222	R4 216 199	R12 186 687	R7 283 942	R1 681 552	R 429 231	R26 568 833
2011/2012	R0.00	R615 457	R4 205 619	R9 192 317	R1 245 456	R542 550	R15 801 399
From April 1, 2012	R0.00	R0.00	R0.00	R0.00	R0.00	R83 825	R83 825
Total	R771 222	R16 915 129	R34 883 088	R16 476 259	R3 673 312	R1 384 451	R74 103 461

The South African Air Force’s 21 Squadron flies a Falcon 900B, two Falcon 50s, two Cessna Citations and a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ - Inkwazi). The latter is the only intercontinental aircraft in the squadron. It spent three months in Switzerland last year undergoing maintenance and only arrived back in South Africa on December 21.

Chief of the South African Air Force Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano earlier this year said that the SAAF in September 2011 had created a dedicated unit for managing VIP transport and that the newly established unit will see all VIP flight activities consolidated under a single command.

Gagiano said that the SAAF is busy drawing up a memorandum of understanding with South African Airways (SAA) regarding the leasing of its aircraft for VIP flights.

In early December last year it was reported that the SA National Defence Force had asked SAA to provide alternative aircraft for Zuma and Motlanthe after a series of embarrassing mechanical problems, which have affected Motlanthe's aircraft since 2009, resulted in his missing an official trip to Finland.

The Department of Defence is busy looking for two new VIP aircraft for top government officials. The SAAF is busy working on the requirements for the new jets and will issue a tender once these have been finalised. Late last month Defence Department spokesman Ndivhuwo Mabaya said the leasing and purchase processes were ongoing and the department would communicate the details once the deals had been concluded.

Note: Totals calculated in the tables are to the nearest rand and do not include cent values.