Zuma's 1-minute flypast cost R200 000

Cape Town - It was over in less than a minute, yet the flypast by a SAA Airbus A340-600 during President Jacob Zuma's inauguration in Pretoria earlier this year cost taxpayers well over R200 000.

In a written reply to a parliamentary question, tabled on Thursday, Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown said the total cost of the 24 May flight over the Union Buildings, including a practice flight the day before, was $20 102.

At the current rate of exchange, this is the equivalent of about R215 000.

A breakdown of this figure, given in the reply, reveals the crew performed for free, with "no meal allowance paid on both days", that air traffic and navigation charges were waived, and a 90% discount was granted on parking and landing fees.

The bulk of the money spent went on fuel ($13 000). The balance went on maintenance and operating costs.

The question was posed by Democratic Alliance MP David Maynier.