By Zuko Komisa
President Cyril Ramaphosa has been the subject of a fourth serious public protector (PP) allegation, this one regarding his use of a SANDF helicopter to travel to an ANC gathering.
The visit to Welkom in the Free State goes against the findings made against the former defense minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula for abusing a SANDF aircraft in September 2020 by acting public protector Kholeka Gcaleka.
Last month, Mapisa-Nqakula was penalised three months’ pay by Ramaphosa for using a SANDF plane to travel to Zimbabwe with six other ANC leaders, including Ace Magashule.
NEW: On the heels of the DA victory over Ramaphosa’s abuse of public resources in the Min Handbook, DA’s George Michalakis reveals that Ramaphosa abused taxpayer-funded SANDF helicopter to attend ANC branch meetings in Welkom. We have lodged an urgent Public Protector complaint. pic.twitter.com/vaOVpvY7In
— Leon Schreiber (@Leon_Schreib) October 18, 2022
The DA, which filed a PP case against him, claims it will continue to pursue the matter.
In a letter to the PP’s office on Tuesday, DA’s spokesperson on security and justice in the NCOP, George Michalakis expressed displeasure with Ramaphosa’s use of a SANDF Oryx chopper “as a taxi” to tour the ANC’s Letsema campaign and interact with regional ANC branches in the Free State.
Speaking to IOLNews Michalakis said:
“I don’t quite buy the argument that it was necessary for his safety. First, members of the Cabinet use commercial airlines with VIP protection all the time. We must also remember that this is not an official state event, but an ANC event. Why should taxpayers pay towards an ANC event?”
Also Read: Linda Mtoba adorably struggles through the Cuff It challenge
Ramaphosa was seen landing on the military chopper while wearing party colours of green, black, and gold.
This, according to Michalakis, was Ramaphosa’s second offence in the region. He said that in July, Ramaphosa and Sisi Ntombela, the premier of the Free State, donated a state-funded home as part of the ANC’s Letsema campaign, which has since been the subject of a complaint to the public protector.
READ NEXT: “To God be the glory,” Boohle celebrates buying a R2 million Merc



