South Africa’s ruling party to reimburse state for Zimbabwe trip

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South Africa’s ruling party to reimburse state for Zimbabwe trip

11:16 CAT | 16 Sep 2020

Photo: Twitter

South Africa’s ruling African National Congress will reimburse the government for a trip that members of the party took on an air force jet to Zimbabwe last week.

ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule led the 10-member delegation to Zimbabwe to discuss what could be done to resolve that country’s economic and political crisis. The opposition Democratic Alliance said the use of the military plane constituted an abuse of taxpayer funds.

“We travelled in an unusual manner and profusely humble ourselves where we went wrong,” Magashule said in a statement on Tuesday. The officials will reimburse the government “for the costs incurred on behalf of our delegation,” he said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday ordered a report about the flight. The delegation traveled with Defense Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who had permission to travel to Zimbabwe for talks with her counterpart.

Magashule also said the members of the ANC have been placed under quarantine, in line with South African lockdown regulations. The Johannesburg-based Sunday Times reported that some of the party officials failed to self-isolate themselves when they returned from the trip.

ANC Spokesperson Pule Mabe spoke to Clement Manyathela about the report that the ANC will pay back the money. This is for costs incurred in ferrying the party’s delegation to Zimbabwe on an airforce jet. He was unable to clarify what the ANC is taking responsibility for. pic.twitter.com/ZDxdV3DZCR

— eNCA (@eNCA) September 15, 2020

ANC SG Ace Magashule on ANC delegation using SANDF plane to Zimbabwe… pic.twitter.com/aqJc3ss0cY

— Aldrin Sampear (@AldrinSampear) September 9, 2020

@MyANC welcomes the constructive approach by ZANU PF with regards to engaging with opposition parties and other stakeholders. pic.twitter.com/pKK9sNUYKa

— African National Congress (@MYANC) September 15, 2020