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Defense Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
President Cyril Ramaphosa wants a detailed report, within 48 hours, from Defense Minister and military veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula after an ANC delegation accompanied her to Zimbabwe on a Defense Force air force plane. South African National (SANDF).
This comes after News24 reported that the ANC had been accused of abusing state resources because it used a government-sponsored plane to conduct party business.
“In the interest of good governance and the prudent and ethical use of State assets, the president ordered the minister to deliver a report within 48 hours that will expose the circumstances surrounding the flight and the passenger list,” said the presidency in a statement Friday night.
Ramaphosa said Mapisa-Nqakula had permission to travel to Zimbabwe to meet with his counterpart and discuss defense-related matters.
He also noted public reaction and said it is a sign of the nation’s vigilance against accusations of abuse of public resources.
READ | SANDF says the defense minister went to Harare for official duties and gave his ANC colleagues a push
The ANC delegation, departing in ZS-NAN, an air force aircraft assigned for VIP, was seen arriving in Harare for a planned meeting with Zanu-PF.
The delegation, which included ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule, Lindiwe Zulu, Nomvula Mokonyane, Enoch Godongwana, Tony Yengeni and Dakota Legoete, left Waterkloof Air Force Base Tuesday night in an air force plane.
READ | Public Protector is considering investigating the use of a military jet by the ANC to travel to Zimbabwe
On Thursday, defense spokesman Siphiwe Dlamini said the ANC meeting coincided with the official work of Mapisa-Nqakula.
“The ANC meeting in Zimbabwe coincided with the meeting of the Minister of Defense and Military Veterans, who was traveling to Zimbabwe to meet with her counterpart in preparation for a meeting of the SADC Troika and the reconfiguration of the Intervention Force of the UN, which comprises troops from the SADC region, “he said.
Meanwhile, the Public Protector, attorney Busisiwe Mkhwebane, is considering whether to investigate the incident. Mkhwebane’s office said it received two complaints “asking it to investigate the matter.
“The Public Protector is considering the matter for investigation,” spokesman Oupa Segalwe told News24 on Friday.
Segalwe said Public Protector received complaints from Freedom Front Plus and lobby group AfriForum.
– Compiled by Adiel Ismail
