Motlanthe's airplane did not crash

Pretoria - Rumours that Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe's airplane crash landed on its way from Tripoli, Libya, are incorrect, said the Presidency on Tuesday.

"The Presidency would like to put it on record that these rumours are not correct. The plane was due to land in Bangui in the Central Africa Republic for refueling. Due to bad weather, the plane was unable to land and was diverted to Gbadolite in the DRC," said the Presidency.

The Deputy President was in Libya to attend a Special Session of the African Union. He was accompanied by International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Sue van der Merwe and Deputy Defence Minister Thabang Makwetla.

He was expected to return to South Africa this afternoon.