…By Roland Peterson for TDPel Media.
General Wally Rhoode, head of the Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) responsible for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s security, has expressed strong criticism towards Polish authorities after their plane was denied permission to disembark at Warsaw Airport.
The South African Airways (SAA) chartered plane, organized by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), was carrying President Ramaphosa, journalists, and approximately 120 individuals.
The Polish authorities cited the absence of original permits for weapons as the reason for the denial.
A Diplomatic Mission to End Conflict
President Ramaphosa, accompanied by African counterparts from Senegal, Zambia, and Egypt, had planned to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky to aid in resolving the ongoing conflict.
The conflict originated in February 2022 when the Kremlin invaded Ukraine, and the diplomatic efforts aimed to find a peaceful resolution.
Accusations Against Polish Authorities
General Wally Rhoode, expressing his frustration, accused the Polish authorities of jeopardizing President Ramaphosa’s safety and criticized them for being racist.
Rhoode took issue with the demand for original flyover permits instead of accepting copies.
Rhoode’s Statement
During an interview with SABC News, General Rhoode stated, “They say we can’t bring a copy of the permits, and they want the original.
The embassy here thought it is not necessary to have the originals.
Now all of a sudden, we must have originals, they are delaying us.
They [are] putting the life of our President in jeopardy.
Because we could have been in Kyiv by now, and this is all they are doing.
I want you guys to see how racist they are.”
Conclusion
The incident at Warsaw Airport has caused a diplomatic row between South Africa and Poland, with General Wally Rhoode criticizing Polish authorities for their handling of the situation.
Rhoode’s accusations of racism and claims that President Ramaphosa’s life was put at risk have added to the tensions.
As the diplomatic mission to resolve the conflict continues, the repercussions of this incident may impact the relationship between the two nations.