Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 26-05-2017
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane will address the media this morning to explain what happened when he was barred from entering Zambia.
Maimane landed at OR Tambo International Airport last night.
He was barred by Zambian immigration officials at Lusaka Airport and denied entry into the country.
Maimane was on his way to attend the treason trial of Hakainde Hichilema, the detained president of Zambia’s largest opposition party, the United Party for National Development.
No reasons have been given by Zambian authorities as to why Maimane could not enter the country.
Maimane’sacting spokesperson Graham Charters says Zambian police boarded his arriving SAA flight upon touchdown.
“They stormed the plane. Then things got a bit physical when they tried to remove Mr Maimane from the plane. When Mr Maimane tried to reach for his phone, his phone was confiscated by the legal authorities.”
Charters says there was a stalemate between Maimane and authorities for about half an hour, while Maimane demanded to know why he was not allowed into the country.
“He was then ordered to take the next flight back to South Africa.”
The DA says it has taken this matter up with the ministry of international relations.
DIRCO’s Clayson Monyela said on Twitter: “We’ll call in the Zambian High Commissioner to come and explain this whole thing to us.”
Later Maimane tweeted: Democracy is something we all should fight for in our continent. What I experienced today in Zambia violates Democracy.”
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