A DELEGATION of security officials, diplomats, and journalists accompanying South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on his visit to Ukraine and Russia found themselves stranded on a separately chartered plane at Warsaw’s airport for more than 24 hours. Polish authorities stated on Friday that the issue revolved around permissions for firearms, leading to a standoff and delay in their journey.
President Ramaphosa is part of a group of African leaders visiting Kyiv and Moscow with the aim of encouraging a resolution to Russia’s ongoing war on Ukraine. However, the Polish Border Guard agency reported that Ramaphosa’s security detail did not possess the necessary permission for the weapons they were carrying, resulting in the prolonged situation. The president’s office expressed disappointment, describing the incident as ‘very unfortunate and deeply regrettable,’ but assured that the security of President Ramaphosa was not compromised.
The Polish agency tweeted on Friday that, ‘Members of the delegation had weapons which they did not have permission to bring, but they could leave the plane themselves.’ Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa’s spokesman, acknowledged the ongoing efforts to resolve the situation, saying, ‘Our officials remain engaged with their Polish counterparts in trying to resolve the situation.’
Among the delegation was Major General Wally Rhoode, the head of Ramaphosa’s personal protection unit, who claimed that they faced hostile treatment from Polish authorities. Rhoode expressed concern over the treatment of one of their female colleagues, who was subjected to a strip search. Speaking to journalists from the steps of the plane, Rhoode accused Polish officials of deliberate obstruction and attempting to ‘confiscate’ firearms, despite the fact that the arms were securely stored in cases in the plane’s cargo hold.
South African journalists who were stranded on the plane documented the situation on social media, revealing that they were eventually instructed to disembark and proceed to customs. The outcome of their journey to Kyiv, where President Ramaphosa and other African heads of state were scheduled to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, remained uncertain.
The incident has sparked debate in South Africa, with many suggesting that the standoff was a veiled message to the country due to its non-aligned stance on the ongoing war, which has led to diplomatic tensions with the West.
