Gupta jet leaves air force base

02/05/2013 The Jet Airways Airbus A330-200 that brought the Gupta family members and guests at Waterkloof Air Force Base is seen moments before taking off. Picture: Phill Magakoe

02/05/2013 The Jet Airways Airbus A330-200 that brought the Gupta family members and guests at Waterkloof Air Force Base is seen moments before taking off. Picture: Phill Magakoe

Published May 3, 2013

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Pretoria - The Jet Airways aircraft that controversially landed at Waterkloof Air Force Base on Tuesday was removed on Thursdayand sent to OR Tambo International Airport, where many believe it should have landed in the first place.

This took place as the controversy around its landing at Watekloof Air Force Base escalated.

At least four government departments have instituted investigations into how an aircraft carrying about 200 civilians was allowed to land at the base, a national key point reserved exclusively for the military and dignitaries.

The Airbus 300-200, which arrived with about 185 family members and guests of the politically connected Gupta family this week, left the air base at 3pm yesterday.

It arrived at OR Tambo shortly afterwards, where it will remain until it leaves with the passengers it arrived with after the wedding spectacle at Sun City.

Government spokeswoman Phumla Williams confirmed the aircraft had left the air force base and was being accommodated at OR Tambo. “I can confirm that the aircraft has landed at OR Tambo. Tomorrow (Friday) it will be moved where the commercial aircraft park. It will be subjected to all the normal checks and processes that commercial flights are subjected to when they are at the airport,” she said.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said on Thursday he had instructed national police commissioner General Riah Phiyega to investigate any transgressions by police.

He said the police had been informed that the wedding would be attended by “high-level dignitaries from the (Indian) government”, and as such it fell within the prescribes of the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act, which would allow the organisers to apply for VIP security from the SAPS.

“I have further instructed that in the event that such transgressions occurred, that the law must take its course with any person found to be responsible.

“The investigation is under way and I am expecting a preliminary report by the end of today (yester-day),” said Mthethwa.

The investigation would look at possible transgressions and violations by SAPS officials and the deployment of SAPS resources, including vehicles, to the event.

It would also look into allegations of possible abuse of SAPS blue lights, as unconfirmed reports indicated some of the vehicles used in transporting the guests were not SAPS vehicles but private vehicles fitted with police blue lights.

The Guptas said on Thursday they were “saddened” by the reports that have engulfed the wedding. It was meant to be an event that would attract other Indian families to host their weddings here instead of going to venues in Mauritius and Thailand, said family spokesman Haranath Ghosh.

“Our genuine attempts to do everything to give Vega and Aakash a dream wedding have led to a slew of negative reports. For the record, the family have obtained each and every permission for any and every part of the event.

“The family were not directly involved in the Waterkloof incident, but have been assured by the Indian High Commission that proper process was followed and agreements reached with the appropriate officials in Dirco as would happen with any visit by high-profile ministers and dignitaries. This has been confirmed by the government,” he said.

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