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One of the United Arab Emirates planes that landed in the Eastern Cape.
- The South African government said there was nothing wrong with the extensive time it spent preparing for the landing of the UAE president and his entourage at Bulembu airport in the Eastern Cape province.
- The royal’s landing sparked outrage after the airport was turned into a temporary port of entry for Emirati tourists.
- The government said this was in line with the courtesy offered to heads of state.
The South African government has said there was nothing suspicious about the disputed landing at Bulembu Airport in the Eastern Cape last week by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ruler of Abu Dhabi, and his entourage place.
At an interministerial news conference in Pretoria on Friday, Presidential Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni poured cold water on concerns over the visit, saying everything was above board and in line with the Courtesy offered by the Head of State.
Ntshavheni was joined by a panel of ministers including Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza, Police Minister Bheki Cele, Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga and Defense Minister Thandi Modise.
Ntshavheni said there had been “a series of insinuations” that there had been wrongdoing in the Eastern Cape’s preparations for this visit by “a distinguished guest to our country”.
Ntshavheni added that the UAE sent an official diplomatic letter to the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation ahead of the leader’s visit.
“This official letter sets out the UAE’s intentions [Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan’s] He intends to visit South Africa in a private capacity and has indicated that he will be bringing a large entourage and will be staying at a game reserve he owns in the Eastern Cape,” Ntshaveni said.
A storm erupted after Emirates Boeings, C-17 military cargo planes and the presidential jumbo jet landed at the government-owned Bulembu airport in Bissau from April 16 to 19.
The planes were carrying Emirati troops, a fleet of limousines, a helicopter, supplies and furniture.
There are concerns over whether the UAE president and his entourage of 500, including guests and staff, declared what they brought into the country and violated the country’s laws to house them.
The minister said the letter reflects the respect and care shown by the UAE President in informing South Africa of his planned visit, allowing the government to prepare in time.
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“The formal communication sets in motion South Africa’s readiness to provide the President and his entourage with the courtesy and services that are provided by countries on a reciprocal basis to Heads of State and other dignitaries, in accordance with internationally customary reception regulations,” Ntshaveni said.
Explaining why the Home Office processed and issued visas for only 60 of the 500 people, she said most tourists flew using visas from countries with which South Africa had visa-free travel arrangements.
“South Africans are right to be vigilant about issues like this, but our vigilance should not lead us to jump to assumptions and conclusions about the worst for our country or this government,” Ntshavheni stressed.
She said it was common for heads of state and government officials to visit South Africa privately, including to seek medical treatment.
With the South African government’s silence on the UAE president’s visit, Ntshaveni said there was no reason to publicly announce the head of state’s entry for private reasons.
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