Saturday, June 30, 2012

come fly with me

Just days after his ruling African National Congress party discussed ways to alleviate the growing gap between rich and poor people in South Africa, President Jacob Zuma is on the verge of purchasing a $230-million presidential jet. The Boeing 777 aircraft, seating about 300 people, will cost $150 million to purchase and another $80 million to customize.

South Africa’s Defense Department, which supervises the transport of senior government officials, may also purchase a second private plane -- a Global Express 600 -- for Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe at a cost of $28 million.

Opposition politicians are outraged over the proposed lavish expenditures in a country where at least one-quarter of the population is unemployed and 40 percent live on less than $49 per month.

No comments: