Pretoria - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe left South Africa to Sweden and Denmark yesterday following the cancelation of his flight on Monday due to technical problems with the aircraft.
Motlanthe, who was initially meant to leave on Monday, is expected to arrive in Stockholm, Sweden, today. The South African Air Force-operated aircraft encountered problems shortly before its scheduled departure from the Waterkloof Air Force Base.
Defence and Military Veterans Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has received a report from the Acting Chief of the SANDF, Lt General Shilubane on the technical challenges experienced by the aircraft.
She said the SANDF was embarking on a process to secure two new reliable planes for use by the President, Deputy President and former Presidents.
This process started in February 2011 and is to be concluded as soon as possible in line with government procurement processes.
"Yesterday's failure of the Deputy President to depart to Finland is very unacceptable. This is also an indication of the challenges we have with our old fleet of planes we inherited from the pre-1994 government," Sisulu said.
"They are now old and unreliable, as a result we must rent. As demonstrated in this case, even those we are renting can also not be reliable. This leaves us with no option but to own our planes that are reliable and secure."
Sisulu added that the age of the fleet of planes responsible for transporting the President, Deputy President and former Presidents had been a concern since she took office in 2009 and was receiving the highest attention from the Council on Defence.
"We need to have our own reliable fleet that will allow the President, Deputy President and other dignitaries to be transported by us to travel in safe and reliable planes at all times. The SAAF must guarantee the safety of our leaders at all times, there is no room for mistakes."
The delay resulted in the cancellation of the Finland leg of Motlanthe's mission to the Nordic countries.
While in Sweden and Denmark, the Deputy President will further strengthen political and economic relations, promote the African Agenda, share views on the reform of global governance institutions and exchange notes of preparations for COP17.
The visit takes place within the framework of the Declaration of Intent signed in 2008 between South Africa and Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden concerning partnerships in Africa.
As a result of South Africa's growing regional and international stature, the Nordic countries have been keen to explore ways to expand the existing relationship.
The Nordic countries also see South Africa as playing a key role in the development of relations with sub-Saharan Africa.
Deputy President Motlanthe is accompanied by the Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga, the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Fransman, the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry T Tobias Pokolo and the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Professor H Mkhize.
