SA plane grounded in Zambia
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SA plane grounded in Zambia
News24:
SA plane grounded in Zambia
07/12/2004 22:21 - (SA)
Christel Raubenheimer
Pretoria - An aircraft full of South African soldiers, among them high-ranking defence force officers, was delayed for a long time at a base in Zambia on Tuesday.
Apparently, officials at the airport were sceptical about why the soldiers were visiting their country.
The aircraft's flight schedule was apparently classified as a business visit, and officials at the airport in Lusaka, probably were suspicious when they found uniformed soldiers, not business people, on the plane.
The aircraft, which touched down in Lusaka only to refuel, apparently was prohibited summarily from taking off again.
The charter flight was taking a delegation of high-ranking army officials under the command of surgeon-general Lieutenant-General Rinus van Rensburg on their annual goodwill visit to soldiers in other African countries.
Army spokesperson Colonel John Rolt said the flight was delayed for some time, but the misunderstanding was sorted out, and the plane was given the go-ahead to proceed.
Delivering Christmas packages
The group was on its way to the Democratic Republic of Congo and later to Burundi.
Rolt said: "There were obviously a few uniformed people on the flight, and they (the officials at the airport) drew all kinds of conclusions."
The visit to soldiers working in other African countries is an annual institution.
High-ranking officers deliver Christmas packages containing South African delicacies to soldiers stationed in foreign countries as tangible proof of support from home.
07/12/2004 22:21 - (SA)
Christel Raubenheimer
Pretoria - An aircraft full of South African soldiers, among them high-ranking defence force officers, was delayed for a long time at a base in Zambia on Tuesday.
Apparently, officials at the airport were sceptical about why the soldiers were visiting their country.
The aircraft's flight schedule was apparently classified as a business visit, and officials at the airport in Lusaka, probably were suspicious when they found uniformed soldiers, not business people, on the plane.
The aircraft, which touched down in Lusaka only to refuel, apparently was prohibited summarily from taking off again.
The charter flight was taking a delegation of high-ranking army officials under the command of surgeon-general Lieutenant-General Rinus van Rensburg on their annual goodwill visit to soldiers in other African countries.
Army spokesperson Colonel John Rolt said the flight was delayed for some time, but the misunderstanding was sorted out, and the plane was given the go-ahead to proceed.
Delivering Christmas packages
The group was on its way to the Democratic Republic of Congo and later to Burundi.
Rolt said: "There were obviously a few uniformed people on the flight, and they (the officials at the airport) drew all kinds of conclusions."
The visit to soldiers working in other African countries is an annual institution.
High-ranking officers deliver Christmas packages containing South African delicacies to soldiers stationed in foreign countries as tangible proof of support from home.
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What type of aircraft was it and who was doing the charter? Anybody know?
If you're carrying military, shouldn't you go through the correct channels when obtaining your overflight and landing clearance? Protocol......
If you're carrying military, shouldn't you go through the correct channels when obtaining your overflight and landing clearance? Protocol......
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Considering my comments on SA and the Prez and the Prezjet (ABJ airport thread)...maybe somebody did not do the homework on this one...or maybe it's not all what it seems to be. Maybe the X-mas parcels needs to be delivered by the Prezjet...?
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The aircraft was a DC-9-32 Piloted by one Murad Ismael owner of Interlink. One wonders if the RSA Govt has no disrespect for other countries sovereignty or they are ignorant of the correct protocols involved for flying uniformed military personel through anothers airspace. Its the first time there has been an incident but its not the first time armed uniformed soldiers have been flown from RSA without the correct protocols being in place. Ask any of the IL76 crews that do the SANDF crews that do the military flights if they have been given any diplomatic clearance number for the over flights. They will answer a resounding NIET!!!!!
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Just Curious but why do "Christmas Parcels" need to be delievered by "Armed Uniformed Troops" (Article did not mention Armed, Napolean broght that up) Whats the matter with Air Cargo, seems a bit cheaper.
I know things are different on the Dark Continent, but isnt this a bit unusual. Im wondering what would have happened had they landed in Harare for fuel other than there probably isnt any....
I know things are different on the Dark Continent, but isnt this a bit unusual. Im wondering what would have happened had they landed in Harare for fuel other than there probably isnt any....
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Hell never thought of that! the mind boggles to think what could have happened at HRE! I can see the headlines as I write: Top RSA genrals arrested at Harare!!! blah Blah Blah!!! Mind you not many would have lamented the incarceration of Murad Ishmael for sure as he made a few enemies during his reign of terror with the CAA.
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Dodge
I have to agree that something doesnt seem right with the whole deal. We all know that there is a correct protocol when it comes to flying any form of military personel or aircraft over other countries. Why wasnt it adhered to?
Three conclusions can be drawn. Either the research done by the flight crew was very poor and they have a very inadequate knowledge of the law, or south africans thing too highly of themselves and feel they are better than the rest of us, or, and in my opinion the most likely is that something dodge is afoot.
American Military aircraft often frequent Zambia with no trouble at all, why should it be any different for South Afircans. They are trying to hide something.
This raises all kind of questions about the Harare incident! Think about it..
I am a Zambian and sick and tired of being patronised and used as a safe haven for others illegal and questionable activities.
We are supposedly Darkest Africa, but maybe it is other countries south of us who make as such.
Zedd
Three conclusions can be drawn. Either the research done by the flight crew was very poor and they have a very inadequate knowledge of the law, or south africans thing too highly of themselves and feel they are better than the rest of us, or, and in my opinion the most likely is that something dodge is afoot.
American Military aircraft often frequent Zambia with no trouble at all, why should it be any different for South Afircans. They are trying to hide something.
This raises all kind of questions about the Harare incident! Think about it..
I am a Zambian and sick and tired of being patronised and used as a safe haven for others illegal and questionable activities.
We are supposedly Darkest Africa, but maybe it is other countries south of us who make as such.
Zedd
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Zedd,
Very interesting indeed...
Napoleon, very interesting as well. I'm sure very few will disagree with you. I'm sure the individual concerned can be glad he did not land in the States as I've heard rumours that at one stage he was refused entry into the US of A.
Napoleon, very interesting as well. I'm sure very few will disagree with you. I'm sure the individual concerned can be glad he did not land in the States as I've heard rumours that at one stage he was refused entry into the US of A.
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Why the special treatment who knows!! Me and my crew were arrested at Ndola in 1998 and taken to the cop shop. All of us were fined for a breach of Zambian air Nav regs as I had no over flight clearance. Explaining we were fleeing the DRC and ubuse by the DCR military made no difference.
