Government dismisses dramatised media reports

03 Oct 2013

Government has noted misleading versions of media reports that President Jacob Zuma was involved in the unauthorised landing of a private plane at the Waterkloof Air Force Base on 3 May 2013. Government dismisses these allegations as false and unfounded (see here).

The media reports do not reflect any new evidence; instead report on information that is already in the public domain. Government has investigated the violations of the security protocol and disregard of established practice for clearing the landing of an aircraft in a military facility.

GCIS CEO, Phumla Williams said, "The team of Directors-General who probed the incident had considered all aspects and had communicated that President Jacob Zuma was not in any way linked to the unauthorized landing of the aircraft. The investigation revealed that influential names were deceptively used in order to allow the plane to land at Waterkloof Air Force Base. This is not new information as portrayed by the media."

The findings of the investigation on the incident clearly revealed that members of the National Executive did not issue any instructions, and did not create the impression that they ought to have issued any instructions.

Government reiterates that the determinations made by the high-level investigating team were based on facts and not hearsay information. All South Africans are assured that security protocols are continuously strengthened to avoid a similar incident," said Williams.

Statement issued by Phumla Williams, Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), October 3 2013

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