Like with the Lady R, government is not playing open cards regarding the Russian freight plane landing at Waterkloof

19 July 2023

The ANC has not been playing open cards with South Africa regarding the freight plane of a private Russian company, Aviacon Zitotrans, which landed at the Waterkloof Air Force Base on 24 April this year.

In reply to written questions by the FF Plus about the matter, the Minister of Defence, Thandi Modise, said that the flights from other countries that landed at Waterkloof in the last five financial years were all "government to government".

From the reply it can also be gleaned that up until 28 March this year, no Russian aircraft had landed at Waterkloof during the past five financial years.

The first Russian aircraft – this one from the commercial aircraft company Aviacon Zitotrans – landed there on 24 April 2023.

According to media reports, this company is subject to sanctions by both America and Britain because it transported arms for the Russian army.

The FF Plus demanded answers from government about the landing by enquiring why Waterkloof was used and not an ordinary airport. In response, Minister Modise said that the plane was delivering diplomatic mail and it, therefore, had permission to land there.

A spokesperson of the SANDF, Brigadier General Andries Mahapa, confirmed that the plane was granted "diplomatic status" so it was allowed to land.

I will pose follow-up questions about this to the Minister. Including how it is possible that a private company subjected to international sanctions could be granted diplomatic status in South Africa.

This matter must be considered alongside the secrecy surrounding the Russian freight ship, the Lady R. America openly accused South Africa by claiming that arms had been loaded onto the ship when it docked at Simon's Town on 8 December last year.

But like with Aviacon Zitotrans, all irregularities were denied.

Concerning the Lady R matter, former Judge Phineas Mojapelo and his panel have concluded their investigation into the incident and they now have two weeks to compile a report.

The FF Plus will insist that the report be made public.

Issued by Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus leader, 19 July 2023