5 suspended in S. Africa over flight scandal
Source: Agencies |
May 4, 2013, Saturday
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Print Edition
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FIVE South African officials, including police and military commanders, have been suspended after a chartered plane carrying about 200 guests from India to a lavish family wedding was allowed to land at a South African air force base, the government said yesterday.
The scandal, in which the passengers allegedly bypassed customs procedures on their way to a gaudy entertainment complex, has angered many South Africans who see the episode as a case of cronyism linking big business and the highest levels of government officials in the country.
The government sought to stem public outrage over the incident, launching an investigation into how the Airbus A330 was given permission to land on Tuesday at the Waterkloof Air Force Base and ordering it to fly on Thursday to a civilian international airport in Johannesburg.
The guests attended the wedding of Vega Gupta, whose Indian immigrant family has powerful business interests in South Africa, and groom Aakash Jahajgarhia in an extravaganza spanning several days at Sun City, a leisure center northwest of Johannesburg. Some South African current and former officials also attended.
Justice Minister Jeff Radebe said the suspended officials included two brigadier generals and the head of state protocol, Bruce Koloane.
He said the government is "gravely concerned at this violation of the security protocol and total disregard of established practice for clearing the landing of aircraft in a military facility that is of strategic importance to the country. Our particular concern is that the aircraft was carrying international passengers who do not fit the category of government officials or VIPs on official duty."
The scandal, in which the passengers allegedly bypassed customs procedures on their way to a gaudy entertainment complex, has angered many South Africans who see the episode as a case of cronyism linking big business and the highest levels of government officials in the country.
The government sought to stem public outrage over the incident, launching an investigation into how the Airbus A330 was given permission to land on Tuesday at the Waterkloof Air Force Base and ordering it to fly on Thursday to a civilian international airport in Johannesburg.
The guests attended the wedding of Vega Gupta, whose Indian immigrant family has powerful business interests in South Africa, and groom Aakash Jahajgarhia in an extravaganza spanning several days at Sun City, a leisure center northwest of Johannesburg. Some South African current and former officials also attended.
Justice Minister Jeff Radebe said the suspended officials included two brigadier generals and the head of state protocol, Bruce Koloane.
He said the government is "gravely concerned at this violation of the security protocol and total disregard of established practice for clearing the landing of aircraft in a military facility that is of strategic importance to the country. Our particular concern is that the aircraft was carrying international passengers who do not fit the category of government officials or VIPs on official duty."
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