The South African Air Force (SAAF), specifically its VVIP transport unit 21 Squadron, was exonerated of financial mismanagement and improper conduct as regards catering onboard the Presidential Boeing 737-7ED by Public Protector (PP) Kholeka Gcaleka.
The allegation was made by Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen after the aircraft – ZS-RSA Inkwazi – carried an 18-strong official delegation to and from the State funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
Steenhuisen, now agriculture minister in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Government of National Unity (GNU), told the Chapter Nine institution catering costs for the flight amounted to over R600 000, including “expensive liquor, chocolates and biltong” according to a 31 December PP statement.
Evidence showed that catering costs for the London flight totalled R139 319.73, significantly less than alleged. The procurement process adhered to the Presidential Handbook and SAAF guidelines and no alcohol or luxury items were included in the catering orders, the statement reads on the United Kingdom flight.
On a cancelled flight to Turkey, reportedly for a South African government presence at a presidential inauguration the PP found that while the situation had resulted in additional costs due to the cancellation, the evidence suggests that reasonable care was exercised, and mitigation steps were taken, such as some of the catering being utilised on two aircraft returning to Pretoria, and non-perishable items being stored for future use to avoid complete wastage, the Public Protector added.
Cancellation of the Turkey flight saw payment of R82 037.84 for catering services – “in line with the supplier’s cancellation policy”.
The Public Protector concluded both The Presidency and the Department of Defence (DoD) “acted within legal and policy frameworks and their conduct did not amount to maladministration or improper behaviour”.
The Inkwazi complaint was one of 768 PP investigation outcomes made public on the last day of 2025. All were finalised in the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year with by far the majority – 638 – relating to service delivery. A hundred and seven concerned what is termed “good governance and integrity matters” with the balance of 23 being early resolution cases.
