Question NW1627 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
18 July 2023 - NW1627
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) Whether any airplanes landed at the Air Force Base Waterkloof upon request from (a) countries, (b) institutions and/or (c) individuals in the past five financial years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) on which dates, (ii) what were the reasons for this and (iii) who requested the specified landings; (2) Whether all the correct procedures were followed when permission was granted; if not, (a) in which instances were the correct procedures not followed and (b) what were the reasons for this; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) Whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
1) Airplanes have landed at the Air Force Base Waterkloof during the past five financial years. Please see the attached appendix detailing the authorised landings. The information is summarised as follows:
Year 2018/19 over the period 19 July 2018 to 28 March 2019
a. Countries/Institutions: BRICS countries, including Namibia, Angola, Rwanda, Zimbabwe Air Force, USA, Algeria, Botswana and Togo landed at AFB Waterkloof over the said period.
b. Reasons: Government to government, BRICS, MD2018 and SADC Summit.
Year 2019/20 over the period 02 October 2019 to 09 March 2020
a. Countries/Institutions: Nigeria, Germany, Kenya, Angola, Lybia and CAR landed at AFB Waterkloof.
b. Reasons: Government to government, Kenya Aviation engagement with SANDF, Defence Sub- Committee meetings and High Commission visit.
Year 2020/21 over the period 26 April 2020 to 19 March 2021
a. Countries/Institutions: Cuba, Angola Air Force, Botswana landed at AFB Waterkloof.
b. Reasons: Transporting Cuban doctors, transporting SADC goods, repatriation of human remains and government to government.
Year 2021/22 over the period 03 August 2021 to 11 March 2022
a. Countries/Institutions: Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Kenya landed at AFB Waterkloof.
b. Reasons: SAMIM deployment, SADC Summit and government to government.
Year 2022/23 over the period 18 April 2022 to 28 March 2023
a. Countries/Institutions: Botswana, Ukraine, Zambia, Ivory Coast, Saharawi Republic, US Embassy, Spain, Namibia, Ethiopia, Angola, Kenya, Lesotho, Algeria, Tanzania, Belgium and Uganda landed at AFB Waterkloof.
b. Reasons: Government to government, cargo flight in support of SANDF Personnel in deployment, repatriation of human remains & patient from Mozambique, transporting cargo and Pax from USA, UN troop rotation and transportation of SAMIM/SADC goods. ·
2) All the above-mentioned landings at Air Force Base Waterkloof followed the correct approval processes and as such, were actioned by the South African Air Force Command Post.