BURS Fines SA Air Company
Innocent Selatlhwa | Monday April 29, 2019 14:06
The penalty is for allegedly breach of some customs regulations.
Last Wednesday BURS detained the two airplanes, an Agusta 119 and a Beech 190, under the suspicion that the pilots failed to comply with customs procedures.
UDC president, Duma Boko said the pilots provided a declaration concerning the aircraft, its itinerary, the goods on board, any passenger and crew on board and the destination of the aircraft upon arrival in the country as specified by law.
The Leader of Opposition confirmed at a press conference on Sunday that the company was fined P15,000 for the helicopter and P35,000 for the Jet aircraft bringing the total to P50, 000.
“They argued that we did not provide the itinerary after satisfying themselves with everything that they had requested. The helicopter pilot had declared in writing while the Jet pilot declared orally, which the law allows,” he said.
“They were paid for and we sent them back to South Africa for technical assessment as well as to ensure that we tick all the items on the checklist so we can continue with he campaign.”
Boko said the detention was all political as they had been told that there was an instruction from the ‘top’ to detain the aircraft to hinder them from campaigning.
“We were told that it would happen by informants and it did. We are going to write to the Independent Electoral Commission as well as other stakeholders to sensitise them on what is happening. This is all political. They use State resources and they are now afraid that we are also advanced and can reach every corner of the country,” he said.
Boko added that they would not be hindered, as they will bring the aircraft back as soon as they have been assessed and also they ensured that they comply with all requirements to enable a smooth campaign.
He said it was important to do technical assessment before using the aircraft as he does not trust the Masisi administration.
Boko said he was surprised that the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) officers were part of those following the issue and said he could not trust them.
He further said going forward, they would have K9 dogs to inspect whenever they host rallies to ensure that they were safe.Yesterday BURS spokesperson, Mable Bolele said that she was travelling hence she could not field questions from The Monitor.
Still at the media briefing, Boko refuted claims that he was sidelining other UDC members in the campaign.
“Dumelang Saleshando is currently busy leading the team of experts working on the UDC manifesto.
We tour with those who are available and again it is not safe to use one aircraft with him. When the time allows, he will also be flying in his own helicopter,” he said.
Nkululeko Fuzwayo from Henry van Niekerk Attorneys represented the South African company during its negotiations (to secure the release of the two aircraft) with BURS. The aircraft were released on Friday last week.
Fuzwayo maintained that he would not be drawn into discussing issues surrounding the two airplanes. He told The Monitor that the matter was very confidential and he has not been instructed to speak to the media about it by his clients.