News24.com | Acting Public Protector, ATM to discuss complaint regarding UAE president's landing in Eastern Cape

ATM president Vuyolwethu Zungula.

• Vuyo Zungula will meet Kholeka Gcaleka to discuss the landing of the UAE president in the Eastern Cape last month.
• Zungula had filed a complaint to request that Gcaleka's office investigate the incident.
• The SA government has already said everything was done lawfully.  

ATM President Vuyo Zungula and the acting Public Protector, advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, are set to meet to discuss a complaint related to the controversial landing of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan, at the Bulembu Airport in the Eastern Cape nearly a month ago. 

Zungula wants Gcaleka to investigate whether Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane's preparations for the landing were above board. 

The South African government has already dismissed concerns surrounding the controversial landing of the president and his 500-strong entourage. 

The government said everything was above board and in line with courtesies offered to heads of state.

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The government said the leader's visit was preceded by formal diplomatic correspondence from the UAE to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.  

Many raised questions regarding the speed in which the airport was quickly turned into a port of entry for the visit, while others questioned whether Border Control Management Authority laws were adhered to. 

In his 25 April letter, Zungula raised the question as to whether goods and foreign currency brought into the country by the royals were declared to authorities. 

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Zayed al Nahyan landed with C-17 military cargo aircrafts, carrying a string of choppers, a fleet of luxury cars, furniture and supplies.

It triggered confusion and outrage as the government had failed to announce the visit. 

The government later revealed that it did not need to announce Zayed al Nahyan's visit because he was on a private visit to his resort.

In a letter to Zungula, dated Tuesday, Gcaleka's office wrote: "Accordingly, you are hereby requested to avail yourself for a consultation to confirm the issues you would like this office to investigate.

"Kindly indicate if you will be amendable to a virtual meeting on 19 May 2023 at 10:00."