Gupta media boss slams Ramaphosa jet reports

The CEO of a media firm, owned by the government connected Gupta family, has branded the coverage given to the controversy surrounding the hiring of a plane for Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, as unfair.

Last week, the Department of Defence confirmed it had authorised the renting of a Bombardier Global Express 6000 business jet for Ramaphosa’s state visit to Japan two week. Eyewitness News later revealed that the plane, with the registration number ZS-OAK, belonged to an investment firm headed by the family, and featured President Jacob Zuma’s son, Duduzane, as a director.

“If anything, the constant attacks by the media on them and their business activities border on the criminal. The glee with which certain sections of the media reported on the matter left a lot to be desired,” TNA Media boss Nazeem Howa said in a statement.

Speaking during a questions and answer session in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Wednesday, Rampahosa stated he was unaware of whom the plane belonged to, and that the decision to hire it from private carrier, ExecuJet, went ahead due to the unavailability of the remaining two VVIP aircraft.

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