AG probes Zuma shadow planes
2012-02-21 22:10
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Johannesburg - The auditor general's office will look into the shadow plane saga around President Jacob Zuma's trip to the United States earlier this year, an official confirmed on Tuesday.
"Yes, the AG will be covering this aspect... It will not be a special investigation as such, but will form part of the normal regularity audit," spokesperson Jeanny Morulane said.
She was confirming a statement issued by the opposition Democratic Alliance on Monday that the AG had decided to investigate the cost of "shadowing" Zuma's Boeing business jet by two backup aircraft - an SA Airways Airbus A340 and a Bombadier Global Express XRS in January.
DA MP David Maynier had earlier written to the AG's office to request a probe.
The defence ministry initially denied reports the planes had followed Zuma into New York. It said the Bombardier only flew halfway and landed in the Canary Islands.
The SA Air Force later admitted the plane that had shadowed Zuma had done so to ensure the president did not miss a United Nations meeting.
- SAPA