Guptagate, blow by blow

February Tony Gupta approaches Airports Company SA (Acsa) to enquire about the use of OR Tambo Airport. He meets with Koloane, acting CEO of Acsa Bongani Maseko and Martins

FEBRUARY

The Guptas are refused use of the airport. Alternatives such as Lanseria and Pilanesberg are suggested, but these were later found not to be suitable for an Airbus A330-200

Early March

Nqakula is approached by Atul Gupta. The ministers political adviser, Michael Ramagoma, is also approached by Ashu Chawla on behalf of the Gupta family

NOSIVIWE MAPISA-NQAKULA, the minister of defence and military veterans Turned down the Guptas request to land at Waterkloof Air Force Base VIRENDRA GUPTA, the Indian high commissioner Requests for landing at the Waterkloof Air Force Base came from his office under the guise of a diplomatic visit

Late March Ramagoma approaches the chief of the SA Air Force, Lieutenant General Fabian Msimang, to determine regulations governing the landing and taking off of civilian aircraft at Waterkloof. Msimang says it would be irregular for the Gupta guests to land at the base April 2 April 3
Koloane contacts Ramagoma to enquire as to progress with the request. Koloane says he is under pressure from Number One about the matter Ramagoma meets with Chawla to inform him the minister has denied permission for a landing at the base

April 4

The Indian High Commission applies by fax to the Air Command Unit at the Air Force Command Post for overight and landing clearance for a chartered ight at the base. The purpose of the ight is cited as delegation visit Koloane calls Sergeant Major Thabo Ntshisi at Air Force Command as to the progress of the request by the Indian High Commission. He adds that Martins has been given instructions by the president to assist the Gupta family . Ntshisi speaks to Lieutenant Colonel Christine Anderson to enquire about the 217 Indian delegates . She states that in condentiality, I must be very careful now, our Number 1 knows about this. It is political. Allow them. Landing is cleared

BRUCE KOLOANE, the chief of state protocol He supposedly masterminded the Guptas landing at Waterkloof. He claimed he was under pressure from number one . He has been suspended LT CHRISTINE ANDERSON, the officer commanding movement control at the base Gave clearance for the landing of the Airbus at Waterkloof and assisted Koloane. She has been suspended

MARCH

April 9

April 19

Gupta family representative requests protection for the convoys from the SA Police Service (SAPS) North West for the drive from the base to Sun City

April 22 Sun City security applies to the SAPS for an event-risk categorisation. SAPS North West turns down the request for the convoys. A second application that emphasises the attendance of Indian ministers is presented April 23 The base informs numerous individuals and departments by fax of the arrival of the Jet Airways ight

APRIL

BEN MARTINS, Minister of Transport Though not much is said in the report about his involvement, his name was also dropped by Koloane to receive approval for the landing

April 24

Koloane, Anderson and a person from the Indian High Commission meet at the base to discuss arrangements An individual at the Indian High Commission sends the Air Force Command Post a request to land, among others, seven helicopters and two xed-wing aircraft to ferry the delegation to Sun City

April 25

April 26 Anderson briefs SA National Defence Force officials on the arrival of the VIP ight from India on April 30 2013 and that there would be ministers on board
PRES JACOB ZUMA Koloane said that Number One had given permission for the landing. Zuma has denied this and asked for the name dropping to end

JEFF RADEBE, Minister of Justice Revealed the ndings of the government probe into the landing of Gupta guests at the base

April 29 Flight plans are lodged with all air-traffic control authorities that would handle the ight from departure to arrival. The lounges at the base are decorated in preparation for the arrival of the Gupta ight. SAPS activates the event-safety and security-planning committee April 30 Flight JAI 9900 lands at the base between 6.50am and 7am May 1 The Government Communication and Information System coordinates a meeting of departmental communication to manage the media and decided that, among other issues, directors-general (DGs) should advise their ministers against attending the Gupta wedding May 2 May 3
Ministers set up a team of DGs to investigate the incident. The Airbus is moved to OR Tambo International Airport

ATUL GUPTA He approached Nqakula to request landing at Waterkloof Air Force Base

TONY GUPTA Requested the landing and a ceremonial welcome ceremony for guests at OR Tambo International Airport. This was declined

M AY

Gupta wedding guests return to India. Two metro police officials are arrested for using their official rearms during the escort and protection of the Gupta family wedding guests. The SAPS undertakes a criminal investigation
Complied by Athandiwe Saba

Source: Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster Report: Landing at Waterkloof

Graphics24