Treasury denies request for new staff jet

A request by the department of foreign affairs for an additional 61-point-four million rand on its 2006/2007 budget to buy a ministerial aircraft has been denied by the national treasury. Foreign affairs director-general Ayanda Ntsaluba told a parliamentary portfolio committee that the move to buy the plane was considered necessary, given the large number of trips the minister made in Africa using chartered planes. Ntsaluba said the idea was for the department to have a plane operated by the South African Air Force, and that other departments could also use it. It is reported that although the treasury declined the request, it was following up on the issue.