COPE yesterday reiterated its opposition to the purchase of a new executive jet for President Jacob Zuma, claiming a deal was at an advanced stage."Zuma will not blink at the price tag of R4-billion. He has customarily placed his interests ahead of all other considerations," said COPE spokesman Dennis Bloem.The Sunday Times reports that the defence force has argued that the procurement of a new presidential jet be made a priority on the grounds that Zuma was stranded overnight in Burundi's capital, Bujumbura, on Friday.Bloem said South Africa was in a difficult economic situation and that the government should put the needs of the people first."The pressure for free university education is mounting. Communities and farmers, severely hit by the terrible drought, are waiting for assistance."Poor people are unable to put food on the table. The need to address food security is urgent."The jobless, 56% of whom are youths, have dismal prospects of landing a job."Job creation has to be stimulated."Our all-important healthcare facilities are collapsing. This needs to be addressed urgently."The purchasing of an executive jet cannot and must never be a priority," Bloem said."COPE urges the minister of finance not to budge on this issue."He must not succumb to pressure to borrow even more money to purchase a new executive jet for Zuma."..