Skweyiya not on 'gravy plane'

2006-01-16 16:43

Cape Town - Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya did not accompany deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on a trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) late last year, the minister's office said on Monday.

Reacting to a statement by the Democratic Alliance, which claimed it had information suggesting Skweyiya had been on the controversial flight, the minister's spokesperson, Lakela Kaunda, told Sapa: "It is incorrect. He (Skweyiya) did not go on that trip at all."

Earlier on Monday the DA's Gareth Morgan said his party had "uncorroborated information" that Skweyiya and his wife had accompanied the deputy president to the UAE.

He said this was supported by reports suggesting Mlambo-Ngcuka and her entourage "were hosted in a palace by a member of the UAE royal family".

Earlier this month, a presidential spokesperson confirmed Mlambo-Ngcuka had used an air force Falcon 900 passenger jet to take her and her family to the UAE at the end of December last year. The DA has described the flight as a "gravy plane" holiday, and one that cost taxpayers an estimated R700 000.

Late edition newspapers on Monday reported Skweyiya's wife, Thathu Mazibuku-Skweyiya, had in fact been on the flight to the UAE.

Officials at both the social development ministry and the deputy president's office could not be reached for comment

- SAPA