The safety of South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has had to travel to Ukraine without some of his security detail as they are stuck on a plane in Poland, has not been compromised, his spokesperson says.
But Vincent Magwenya said the row was “regrettable” and efforts were being made to ensure those on the aircraft could proceed “to cover at least the Russian leg” of the trip.
“The president arrived in Kyiv safely by train along with other heads of state and government who are part of the Africa leaders’ peace emission to Ukraine and Russia,” he said in a video posted on Twitter.
“I would like to assure all South Africans that there has been no compromise whatsoever to the president’s safety as a result of the impasse that involved the charter flight with the presidential protection services team and the media.”
More than 100 people are on the flight that landed in the Polish capital, Warsaw, on Thursday afternoon.
Head of the presidential security team Maj Gen Wally Rhoode accused Poland of sabotaging Mr Ramaphosa’s security by not allowing them to disembark and proceed to Ukraine.
According to the Polish Border Guard, the South Africans did not have the correct paperwork for their weapons.
“Members of the delegation had weapons for which they did not have permission to bring in, but they could leave the plane themselves,” the agency wrote on Twitter.
“The passengers decided to stay on board the aircraft until the flight continued. The flight crew was briefed by border guards and managed to rest,” it added.
Warsaw Chopin Airport told the BBC in a statement that it had also been a voluntary decision.
“Airport services are in contact with passengers and are ready to provide any support. Soon the plane with its passengers is scheduled to depart.”
Source: BBC