Sources within State House speaking with Zambia Reports have complained over increased instances of President Michael Sata’s family improperly using government helicopters for personal travel.
The abuse of transportation facilities, which has caused some ire among the president’s advisors, also entails a high costs to the taxpayer.
According to sources, on Sunday May 5, 2013, President Sata’s son, Gerald Sata, commandeered two Zambia Air Force helicopters to go to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport for personal travel.
Highly placed sources at State House have told Zambia Reports that if not checked, the abuse of such facilities by the head of state and the first family will get completely out of hand.
“Can you imagine that the president ordered his aide-de-camp Mr. Shula, an assistant commissioner, to personally escort Gerald to the airport, something which should ordinarily be done by junior officers?” the source said.
According to official protocol, the use of the presidential helicopter and the second ZAF escort helicopter is meant to be preserved for the head of state on official government business. However, according to the source at State House, President Sata appears to be signalling that exceptions should be granted for his children to use these aircraft and other vehicles, including police escort throughout the streets of Lusaka in presidential motorcades.
Though only a short drive away, President Sata generally avoids being driven to the airport for his travels, preferring instead to use the helicopter, posing unnecessary costs to the taxpayer, the sources complain.
The post President Sata’s Personal Helicopter Use appeared first on Zambia Reports.