South Africa: Defence Minister's Salary Slashed For 3 Months Over Misuse Of Air Force Plane

South Africa's President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has cut the salary of the country's defence minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, over the “misuse of air force plane”.

Mapisa-Nqakula's salary will see a three-month cut after giving permission to members of the African National Congress (ANC) - South Africa's ruling party - to use the plane, with her, on a trip to Zimbabwe.

Although she was on official duty when she elected to use the plane, she was accused of allowing members of the ANC to tag along with her as they were also on a trip to the neighbouring country.

Members of the party were to meet with Zimbabwean officials to table the economic and political matters plaguing the country.

According to Ramaphosa, the minister's actions was not “in the best interest of good governance”.

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The Presidency said, in a statement, “The President has further sanctioned the Minister by imposing a salary sacrifice on the Minister’s salary for three months, starting from 1 November 2020. Her salary for the three months should be paid into the Solidarity Fund which was established to support the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The President further directed the Minister to make sure that the ANC reimburses the state for the costs of the flight to Harare and to report to him once that has been done.”