SA crew stranded in Equatorial Guinea
GunsssR4ever
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The amount needed to secure the freedom of two South African air crew being held in Equatorial Guinea was still under discussion on Thursday.
"It is certainly less than the $285 000 that has been spoken about," said Mike Commarmond, director of Venatto Trading, which had a contract with the airline Getra, partly owned by the West African state's finance minister.
The amount demanded involved the cost of flying hours lost after Venatto sub-contractor, Global Aviation Leasing (GAL) - the employer of the aircrew - apparently withdrew an aircraft from service on realising Getra was breaking air safety rules.
"We are moving forward every day on the commercial side," said Commarmond.
The passports of air crew Sechan Pillay and Ruwayda Kalbine, have twice been confiscated as they tried to leave via the airport in Malabo, capital of Equatorial Guinea.
Other agenda?
GAL chief executive officer Daniel Rosenzweig, who recently consulted Amnesty International in London, was beginning to doubt whether the agenda of Equatorial Guinea's finance minister was money.
"I am wondering what really is going on," he said.
Foreign affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said earlier this week the department was doing everything in its power to bring them back.
It was in constant touch with the Pillay and Kalbine families on all development.
Foreign affairs director general Ayanda Ntsaluba invited Equatorial Guinea's ambassador to South Africa Juan Nchuchuma to the Union Buildings last week for talks.
Nchuchuma left for his country soon afterwards with an "urgent message" to authorities in Malabo, aimed at securing the release of the aircrew.
Foreign affairs could not be reached for comment on Thursday.
"It is certainly less than the $285 000 that has been spoken about," said Mike Commarmond, director of Venatto Trading, which had a contract with the airline Getra, partly owned by the West African state's finance minister.
The amount demanded involved the cost of flying hours lost after Venatto sub-contractor, Global Aviation Leasing (GAL) - the employer of the aircrew - apparently withdrew an aircraft from service on realising Getra was breaking air safety rules.
"We are moving forward every day on the commercial side," said Commarmond.
The passports of air crew Sechan Pillay and Ruwayda Kalbine, have twice been confiscated as they tried to leave via the airport in Malabo, capital of Equatorial Guinea.
Other agenda?
GAL chief executive officer Daniel Rosenzweig, who recently consulted Amnesty International in London, was beginning to doubt whether the agenda of Equatorial Guinea's finance minister was money.
"I am wondering what really is going on," he said.
Foreign affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said earlier this week the department was doing everything in its power to bring them back.
It was in constant touch with the Pillay and Kalbine families on all development.
Foreign affairs director general Ayanda Ntsaluba invited Equatorial Guinea's ambassador to South Africa Juan Nchuchuma to the Union Buildings last week for talks.
Nchuchuma left for his country soon afterwards with an "urgent message" to authorities in Malabo, aimed at securing the release of the aircrew.
Foreign affairs could not be reached for comment on Thursday.
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The capitol moved off-shore to Santa Isabel, not Bata anymore.....hey getting old here...anyway, running will be done, one day covers mainland, half a day, the offshore, depending who's causing the excercises....Baas, jy nog hier?
GunsssR4ever
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RELEASED !
RELEASED !
Welcome home guys ...
FULL STORY
Welcome home guys ...
Two South African air crew held captive in Equatorial Guinea for 35 days have started the last leg of their journey back to Johannesburg, the foreign affairs department said.
"The plane has taken off and the two are on their way home from Libreville. We expect them home tonight," spokesperson Nomfanelo Kota said
"The plane has taken off and the two are on their way home from Libreville. We expect them home tonight," spokesperson Nomfanelo Kota said
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They are home. Heard on the 702 talk radio midnight news that they arrived earlier on tonight. They even had a short interview with one of the cabin attendants as well. talk of "human rights, frightening experience etc", I can well believe this. Welcome back!!!! and merry xmas to them and their families. I suppose also a bit of a congrats to the SA govt for the diplomatic work done to get these pawns away from this bussiness deal and back to their families esspecially for the xmas season.
my 1c worth
my 1c worth
