ANC Statement on the landing at Waterkloof

The African National Congress has learnt that guests of a family hosting some wedding at Sun City landed at the Waterkloof Airforce Base today. Waterkloof is one of our country's National Key Points. A National Key Point is declared on the basis of being "so important that its loss, damage, disruption or immobilization may prejudice the Republic". National Key Points are further designated as such on the understanding that the safeguarding  of their sanctity is integral to the protection and upholding of the safety and sovereignty of the Republic.

The African National Congress waited patiently for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the body delegated with authority over the Waterkloof Airforce Base, to explain to the nation how these private individuals managed to land aircraft at Waterkloof. Up until now, no explanation has been forthcoming. The African National Congress, driven by the concern for the safety and sovereignty of South Africa, shall never allow a situation where our ports of entry and National Key Points are penetrated with impunity. 

We demand that those who are responsible for granting access to land aircraft in our country also explain the basis upon which such permission was granted, particularly to land at Waterkloof Airforce Base. Those who cannot account must be brought to book. The African National Congress will never rest where there is any indication that all and sundry may be permitted to undermine the Republic, it's citizens and its borders. We again make the call, even at this late hour, to the SANDF to explain how this private aircraft landed at Waterkloof Airforce Base; our National Key Point.

Statement issued by Gwede Mantashe, Secretary General of the African National Congress, April 30 2013

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter