Home Drama at OR Tambo: SAPS force private plane to leave South Africa

Drama at OR Tambo: SAPS force private plane to leave South Africa

Lockdown means lockdown, guys. Whether you’re working class, or someone who’s wealthy enough to fly on your own private plane, the rules are the same for us all. One chancer learned that the hard way this week, when the police were called to OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg.

Private plane fiasco unravels in Johannesburg

An Italian national – also an SA passport holder – was the sole passenger on board the plane. It’s landing sparked confusion on the tarmac at OR Tambo, as there was no authorisation for the jet-setter and his crew to make a landing. The aircraft spent seven hours on the ground before SAPS officers got involved.

Lockdown for who? Oblivious traveller sent back from OR Tambo

A spokesperson for the Transport Ministry – Ayanda Allie Paine – says the flight from Harare, Zimbabwe landed mid-afternoon on Wednesday, and was forced by the police to return north of the border just before 20:00. Fikile Mbalula has also got wind of the fiasco, and vowed to follow-up with the relevant authorities:

“A private plane landed at OR Tambo from Harare, Zimbabwe with one passenger on board. The flight was not cleared in accordance with our current lockdown protocols. A decision was made that the passenger – an Italian nation with a South African passport – would not be allowed to enter the country.”

“The passenger initially refused to leave, but with the intervention of SAPS, the flight left South African airspace and returned to Harare. We are now reviewing the necessary protocols to ensure that only authorised flights are allowed into the country. Minister Fikile Mbalula has called for a full investigation.”

Ayanda Allie Paine
  • You can read the full statement here:


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