Transport Minister, Joe Maswanganyi, said he would be meeting all aviation entities of the Department of Transport to discuss the grounding of the Air Zimbabwe aircraft at OR Tambo International Airport.
He said in a statement on Saturday that the aircraft was grounded allegedly due to non-compliance with the SA civil aviation regulations, particularly the requirement of an operator to be in possession of a Foreign Operators Permit.
“As a result, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has instructed the operator not to take off until such time that there is full compliance with the applicable South African civil aviation regulations and the requisite international aviation standards as set by the International Civil Aviation Organization,” he said.
Minister Maswanganyi had apologises “for all the inconveniences that might have been caused to passengers.”
He emphasised that “civil aviation safety and security is critical, and all licence and permit holders operating into and within the South African airspace need to comply with the applicable international standards, and the South African civil aviation regulations.”
However, DA MP, Alfe Lees, said that situation seemed to be “due to the diplomatic impasse over the assault charges against Zimbabwean First Lady, Grace Mugabe.
“Now, it seems that tensions between Zimbabwe and South Africa are mounting, leading to airlines being grounded,” Less said.
He said the silence from the South African government on the Grace Mugabe matter has been deafening.
“The reality is that the South African government has completely mishandled this situation, which is now affecting the operations of the national airline,” Lee said.
“Minister Gigaba has a duty to urgently see that the operations of the already desperately compromised SAA are allowed to continue without hindrance,” he said.
