Question NW2929 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
27 November 2017 - NW2929
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) Whether her department gave permission for the removal of a MiG-21 jet fighter from the Air Force Museum and donating it to Angola; if so, (a) what is the reason for that, (b) whether all legal requirements were met and (c) whether the SA Heritage Resources Agency (i) was consulted regarding the donation and (ii) gave its consent; (2) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
(1) Yes the Department gave permission for the removal of a Mig-21 jet fighter from the Air Force Museum. The aircraft was not donated but returned back to its original owners since it belongs to the Angolans.
(a) The Aircraft was not donated but returned back to the Angolans, this is evident in the history of the Aircraft.
(b) Yes all legal requirements were met since all necessary documentation including necessary authority for the movement of Arms across the boarders was acquired from the Arms Control Board as regulated.
(c) There was no need to contact the SA Heritage Resource Agency for equipment that does not belong to the country since the aircraft belongs to the Angolans and was just returned back to its original owners.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE AIRCRAFT
On 14 December 1989 a Mig-21 Bis Fishbed serial number C340 of the Angolan Air Force flown by Lieutenant Domingos José de Almeida Vinez took off from the airfield at Lubango on a routine ferry flight from Lubango to the airfield at Menogue. The aircraft climbed to altitude on a general heading of 90 degrees magnetic.
On a number of occasions, the aircraft entered clouds and upon regaining visual contact with the ground, the Pilot was no longer able to orientate himself as to his position. After a while he elected to divert to Cuito Cuanavale. Continuing on his present course, the aircraft began giving the pilot a low fuel warning at which time, he elected to attempt an emergency landing.
After preparing the aircraft for the forced landing, he selected an open field and executed a near perfect “normal” landing near Otjiwarongo in South West Africa (Namibia) and the aircraft sustained only minor damage. The Mig-21 bis was then taken by the South African government and is presently at the SAAF Museum.
The Apartheid South Africa cannot claim any historical war significance to this Air Craft for the following reason: (1) The Air Craft was not captured during the border War between South Africa and Angola, as this was during the UN resolution 435 of Namibia which was adopted on 01 April 1989, with called for the withdrawal of South African forces from Namibia, the cease fire agreement and the establishment of the UN supervised elections, i.e. United Nations Transitional Assistance Group (UNTAG).