Aristide flight cost R700 000
2004-07-01 22:43
Anesca Smith
Cape Town - The flight from Jamaica to South Africa for former Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his entourage cost the taxpayer more than R700 000, said Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota in parliament this week.
Lekota was reacting to a question posed by the Democratic Alliance's spokesperson for defence, Hendrik Schmidt.
Lekota said that, after considering various options, the government decided to use the presidential jet, Inkwasi, to collect Aristide, his family and his entourage.
The plane left Johannesburg on May 28 and returned on May 31.
Aristide and his entourage are being housed in Pretoria.
The government has also said the Haitian former president can stay in South Africa until his country's elections next year.
However, the government has until now refused to divulge how much it is costing to house Aristide.
The DA opposed the flight costs, which totalled R738 211 and said the money could have been used to help relieve poverty.
- Die Burger