Johannesburg - The defence department has chartered a private jet for President Jacob Zuma to attend the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, a report said.
According to Eyewitness News, American plane spotters say the aircraft, which is being leased to the government, had arrived there this week.
It was not clear why the government-owned presidential jet has not been used for the trip.
The report says the president also used the privately charted Boeing 727-200 for a trip to New York in September 2011 at a cost of more than R6 million.
The charter company is reportedly owned by businessman and ANC backer Ivor Ichikowitz.
The Defence Department has not yet commented on EWN’s report. - IOL