The South African government has sent back a chartered aircraft from Zimbabwe for landing on one of its airport without approval, in direct contravention with the current lockdown protocols.
According information releasesd by the Ministry of Transport yesterday, at around 12:30 on Wednesday 1 April 2020 a private aircraft landed without approval at Oliver Tambo International Airport from Harare, Zimbabwe with one passenger on board.
The ministry said the aircraft was not cleared by the Department of Transport as required in terms of the current protocols in force during the lockdown. The passenger and the crew were then held at the airport while the airport authorities sought guidance on how to handle the flight.
The ministry added that a decision was made that the passenger who is an Italian national holding a South African passport would not be allowed to enter the country. However, it is alleged the passenger tried to resist being sent back until police had to be called to assist.
“At first the passenger resisted to leave, but the with the intervention of the South African Police Service, the flight left South African airspace at around 19:50 returning to Harare, Zimbabwe,” said the ministry in a statement.
Apparently, it was noted that the department working closely with the aviation entities is reviewing the applicable protocols to ensure that only flights with approval are allowed into South African airspace.
The ministry added that such scenarios require seamless coordination between the Department of Transport, air Traffic navigation authority and the Airports Company South Africa.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has called for a full investigation into the incident and consequences management should wrongdoing be found to have taken place.