President Cyril Ramaphosa‘s diplomatic efforts were met with significant obstacles as his peace mission encountered a series of setbacks allegedly orchestrated by the government of Poland.
Ramaphosa safety at risk after Poland alleged ‘sabotage’
The incident, which took place in Kyiv, Ukraine, put the president’s safety at risk and raised concerns about the deliberate sabotage of his initiatives.
Maj-Gen Wally Rhoode, the head of the Presidential Protection Services (PPS), expressed strong accusations against the Polish authorities, accusing them of intentionally obstructing Ramaphosa’s peace initiative.
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The troubles began when a chartered plane carrying approximately 120 special force members and journalists, en route to Kyiv, was detained in Poland due to aviation regulations and bureaucratic hurdles.
Tensions escalated on the tarmac of the Warsaw Chopin Airport after Ramaphosa’s meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda.
Maj-Gen Rhoode, addressing the media, highlighted an incident involving a senior female PPS official who had entered the plane to arrange accommodation for the police and media.
However, she did not return to collect the female journalists after informing them about the available lodging.
Rhoode accused the Polish government of subjecting her to a strip search, stating that such treatment had never been imposed on someone with a diplomatic passport.
The situation further deteriorated as the Polish authorities demanded original permits for the special force members and their equipment, despite having printed permits issued by the South African embassy in Poland.
Rhoode expressed concerns that the delay in securing permits jeopardised the safety of President Ramaphosa, who could have already arrived in Kyiv.
The incident intensified when the South African delegation’s firearms were nearly confiscated, leading to a standoff between the PPS and the Polish authorities.
WATCH: SA journalist gives update on the situation
President Ramaphosa’s journey to foster peace between Russia and Ukraine has been fraught with technical challenges, bureaucratic red tape, and logistical issues from the outset.
The media contingent, comprising specialised police officers, members of the army, the PPS, and the counter-assault team, faced significant delays and was not allowed to disembark when the plane landed in Poland.
As tensions continued to mount, Ramaphosa, accompanied by a reduced delegation, left for Rzeszów on his Inkwazi Jet, en route to Kyiv. However, it remained unclear whether his counterparts from Egypt, Senegal, Uganda, Zambia, and Congo Brazzaville had arrived in the region.
The remaining members of the special forces and media personnel found themselves stranded on the plane, awaiting clearance and resolution of the logistical challenges.
The SAA crew decided to remain onboard with the passengers while the pilots adhered to the legally required minimum rest time. However, the situation became further complicated by disagreements within the crew regarding compliance with aviation rules.
Alternative options were explored, including procuring a Russian plane to transport the team to the Ukrainian border, from where they would continue their journey to Kyiv by bus.
Eventually, President Ramaphosa proceeded to Kyiv while the security personnel and media team remained behind on the tarmac, having spent more than 20 hours inside the plane.
This is a developing story.