Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Secret paper on presidential transport funds
Document is at core of draft manual
THE RULES governing the use of state funds for presidential transport are set out in a secret document, Annexure A, which is the heart of a confidential draft presidential manual.
This has emerged following a dispute between presidential spokesmen over whether such a document exists.
Questions about the rules governing presidential travel arose this month when it was reported that Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe was flown by an SA Air Force Falcon 900 to and from a Seychelles holiday, at an estimated cost of R1 million, and while on holiday by a chartered private plane at a cost of R83 000.
Motlanthe’s spokesman, Thabo Masebe, has consistently said these flights fell within policy contained in a classified presidential manual, but presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said he had no knowledge of such a document, and that to the best of his knowledge the transport of presidents and deputy presidents was governed by the SA Air Force Manual.
These conflicting statements drew the attention of the DA, prompting MP David Maynier to submit a Promotion of Access to Information Act application to the Presidency for access to the “secret presidential manual”.
This week, Maharaj said: “All I’ve said is that I have not found any record of this manual. The only manual I’m aware of is the Ministerial Handbook.”
But Independent Newspapers has seen the secret document which sets out the state’s responsibility for presidential travel. The document is titled “Annexure A: Policy on admin- istrative, logistical, security and general support services pertaining to serving president, deputy president and their spouses and dependents”. It states that when travelling outside the country, for official or private purposes, the state is responsible for the security and transport of presidents and deputy presidents.
According to the document, while presidential transport overland in foreign countries is the responsibility of the Department of International Relations and Co- operation, flights must be provided, or paid for, by the SAAF.
Yesterday, Maharaj said he would not comment further on this matter.
He said: “I can’t comment… you’ve seen it, I haven’t seen it with my own eyes.”
The Public Protector’s report on an investigation into former deputy president Phumzile Mlambo- Ngcuka’s use of military aircraft on a private visit to the United Arab Emirates in 2005, mentioned a draft “presidential manual” which set out policies and practices relating to the protection of the president and deputy president, including their transport.