Johannesburg - Copies of an SA Air Force document granting a jet chartered by the Gupta family permission to land at the Waterkloof Air Force Base were sent to various departments weeks before, it was reported on Wednesday.
The document was sent to the departments of home affairs and transport, and the SA Civil Aviation Authority, The Times newspaper reported.
The document, titled “RSA 05 External Clearance” and dated April 9, was also addressed to the SA National Defence Force chief of joint operations Lieutenant-General Derrick Mgwebi.
It reportedly cited a clearance code for the jet to land at Waterkloof on April 29 and authorised the jet to refuel at the base.
The jet arrived in the country last Tuesday. On board were more than 200 guests headed to a Gupta family wedding being held at Sun City, in North West.
Last week, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said the department had not granted the permission and ordered the aircraft removed from the military base.
The SACAA fined the jet R80 000, spokeswoman Phindiwe Gwebu told the newspaper, and said it would explain its role to government investigators.
Justice Minister Jeff Radebe announced that five high-ranking officials and military personnel had been suspended over the unauthorised landing.
The Times reported that the permission document was signed by Lieutenant-Colonel SJ van Zyl. He was not one of the people suspended.
Defence department spokesman Siphiwe Dlamini told the newspaper the air force had admitted that flight clearance was granted and wanted to know how it had happened.
“How does a Lieutenant-Colonel sign a letter that goes to the joint operations? It's unheard of,” he said. - Sapa