Zuma flies to New York meeting in SAA jet
PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma has flown to the US in a South African Airways (SAA) jet to attend this week’s UN General Assembly, the Presidency says.
Zuma landed in New York a few hours before an explosion in Manhattan injured 29 people on Saturday night. New York mayor Bill de Blasio said the blast was intentional, but “there were no clear links to terrorism”. A second device, described as a wired pressure cooker attached to a phone, was found four blocks away.
Zuma flew SAA after criticism that millions were wasted hiring chartered jets for him. The Presidency last week denied claims he preferred to travel by chartered aircraft, saying he had to do so because reliable air force aircraft were not available.
The Presidency announced Zuma had arrived at John F Kennedy Airport on flight SA 203. As SA marks tourism month, spokesman Bongani Ngqulunga said Zuma “strongly recommends” the national carrier to all travellers.
SAA chairwoman Dudu Myeni has been blamed for the airline’s mismanagement. Nonetheless, she has been re-appointed as SAA chairwoman, along with 11 other board members. Last week Zuma expressed confidence in Myeni’s ability to turn SAA around.
Controversy has surrounded the acquisition of a new presidential jet. The DA has sought to block Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe MapisaNqakula’s plan to commit R100m to a VIP jet for the 2016-17 financial year for the president.