Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has reportedly said that due processes were followed regarding the landing of United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his family’s landing in the Eastern Cape.
Members of the UAE’s royal family discreetly landed at Bulembu Airport, in Bhisho, last week, along with an entourage of 500 people, reports said.
According to News24, Al Nahyan landed on the R20 million runway he built using his own money.
The visitors from the UAE were to stay in the Eastern Cape for two weeks, indicating their intention to celebrate Eid in SA, the report said.
Since their arrival, there have been calls for Ramaphosa and Cabinet ministers to explain special allowance that may have been granted to the UAE president to land a fleet of aircraft at a military airport, reported EWN.
The report said the ATM and the Cope called on the government to explain what special exemptions were made to facilitate the use of the airport, which the UAE ruler reportedly upgraded to accommodate the landing of his aircraft.
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The ATM wrote to the president and five ministers, demanding answers to 21 questions related to the visit of the UAE president, the report said.
Responding to questions from the media on the matter, Ramaphosa said ministers who were part of the process would soon brief the nation on the steps taken before the visit, adding that a “full explanation” was imminent, reported TimesLIVE.
“The relevant ministers are going to explain because there is an explanation that has to be given to the people of South Africa [regarding] the processes that were followed and the various permissions that were given for that visit to be facilitated,” the report quoted Ramapohosa as saying.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
