A GUPTA family chartered jet was moved off the Waterkloof Air Force Base yesterday afternoon after widespread outrage over the private use of a military facility.
The SA National Defence Force (SANDF) said the plane flew to nearby commercial OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
The wealthy and politically-connected Gupta family landed wedding guests at the Waterkoof Air Force Base – a national key point – on Tuesday morning.
News of the aircraft landing angered political parties and organisations including the ANC, DA, IFP, Cosatu, and the SA Communist Party.
The Gupta family yesterday bemoaned what it described as “negative reporting” around the wedding.
“For the record, the family has obtained each and every permission for any and every part of the event.”
The family said it had not been directly involved in the Waterkloof incident, but had been assured by the Indian High Commission that proper processes were followed and agreements reached with the appropriate officials.
Yesterday, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula ordered that the jet be removed from the air force base.
The minister further called for an investigation on why the air force was approached with a request to use the base.
She said the international relations and co-operation department agreed to an Indian High Commission’s request for the use of it.
On Tuesday, SANDF spokesman Siphiwe Dlamini said the force was not aware of any permission granted for the Gupta family to use the air force base.
But Gupta family spokesman Gary Naidoo insisted in a brief statement that permission was obtained from the SANDF to use the base.
Yesterday, both the department of international relations and SA Revenue Service (SARS) said they would be investigating how the jet was allowed to land at Waterkloof.
International relations spokesman Clayson Monyela said neither the department nor the presidency granted executive authority for the aircraft to land at the base.
Monyela said the Chief of State Protocol, ambassador Bruce Koloane, had been suspended while it conducted its investigation.
International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane had placed him on compulsory leave with immediate effect.
Cabinet said government remained in the dark over who had allowed the private aeroplane to land at the air force base.
Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane said high-level investigations into the matter were underway.
He also confirmed that President Jacob Zuma, said to be a close ally of the Guptas, was not attending the wedding.
United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa criticised Zuma’s association with the Gupta family yesterday, saying it compromised both the ANC and the country.
In an interview, Holomisa said in Sterkspruit the whole Zuma family appeared appeared to be employed by the Guptas.
“The Guptas have the protection of the highest office in the country, and do as they please. How on earth can you have a civilian plane on a national key point?” Holomisa said asked.
The Centre of Constitutional Rights of the FW de Klerk Foundation said it was concerned that public resources were being used for the benefit of private associates and that permission must have been given by the respective minister.
“B earing in mind the co-ordinated effort, it can probably be assumed that the matter was at least co-ordinated at Cabinet cluster committee level, if not by the presidency itself,” the centre’s director Johan Kruger said in a statement.
If this was the case heads needed to roll, he said.
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said that national police commissioner Riah Phiyega had launched an internal investigation into the wedding saga.
He said he was expecting a preliminary report by the end of yesterday.
Gupta jet flies off Waterkloof
The SA National Defence Force (SANDF) said the plane flew to nearby commercial OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
The wealthy and politically-connected Gupta family landed wedding guests at the Waterkoof Air Force Base – a national key point – on Tuesday morning.
News of the aircraft landing angered political parties and organisations including the ANC, DA, IFP, Cosatu, and the SA Communist Party.
The Gupta family yesterday bemoaned what it described as “negative reporting” around the wedding.
“For the record, the family has obtained each and every permission for any and every part of the event.”
The family said it had not been directly involved in the Waterkloof incident, but had been assured by the Indian High Commission that proper processes were followed and agreements reached with the appropriate officials.
Yesterday, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula ordered that the jet be removed from the air force base.
The minister further called for an investigation on why the air force was approached with a request to use the base.
She said the international relations and co-operation department agreed to an Indian High Commission’s request for the use of it.
On Tuesday, SANDF spokesman Siphiwe Dlamini said the force was not aware of any permission granted for the Gupta family to use the air force base.
But Gupta family spokesman Gary Naidoo insisted in a brief statement that permission was obtained from the SANDF to use the base.
Yesterday, both the department of international relations and SA Revenue Service (SARS) said they would be investigating how the jet was allowed to land at Waterkloof.
International relations spokesman Clayson Monyela said neither the department nor the presidency granted executive authority for the aircraft to land at the base.
Monyela said the Chief of State Protocol, ambassador Bruce Koloane, had been suspended while it conducted its investigation.
International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane had placed him on compulsory leave with immediate effect.
Cabinet said government remained in the dark over who had allowed the private aeroplane to land at the air force base.
Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane said high-level investigations into the matter were underway.
He also confirmed that President Jacob Zuma, said to be a close ally of the Guptas, was not attending the wedding.
United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa criticised Zuma’s association with the Gupta family yesterday, saying it compromised both the ANC and the country.
In an interview, Holomisa said in Sterkspruit the whole Zuma family appeared appeared to be employed by the Guptas.
“The Guptas have the protection of the highest office in the country, and do as they please. How on earth can you have a civilian plane on a national key point?” Holomisa said asked.
The Centre of Constitutional Rights of the FW de Klerk Foundation said it was concerned that public resources were being used for the benefit of private associates and that permission must have been given by the respective minister.
“B earing in mind the co-ordinated effort, it can probably be assumed that the matter was at least co-ordinated at Cabinet cluster committee level, if not by the presidency itself,” the centre’s director Johan Kruger said in a statement.
If this was the case heads needed to roll, he said.
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said that national police commissioner Riah Phiyega had launched an internal investigation into the wedding saga.
He said he was expecting a preliminary report by the end of yesterday.
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