DA says SAAF is in a crisis

Loyiso Langeni

25 June 2013

The Democratic Alliance has called on the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to explain why things have been allowed to deteriorate to the extent that the South African Air Force’s Augusta 109 light utility helicopters have effectively been grounded. 

DA MP of Defence and Military Veterans David Maynier said the South African Air Force is in a crisis. 

Maynier said the operating budget of South African Air Force has been cut to the bone.

“There is apparently no money for the Augusta 109 light utility helicopters to operate but there is money for VIP helicopter flight.” Maynier added.

Maynier further added that the SAAF are in danger of being reduced to an air bone taxi services for VIP’s like President Jacob Zuma.