Malawian President’s flight delayed in South Africa

The Malawian government has issued a statement, expressing concern about the treatment President Dr Lazarus Chakwera received when leaving the country.
Chakwera’s presidential envoy was subjected to additional security checks and searches which the statement called improper and incongruous with the treatment they received when entering the country.
In a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malawi, President Chakwera was delayed together with the First Lady Madame Monica Chakwera for seven hours despite to have informed the authorities for their departure in advance.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs wishes to inform the general public that the home bound of the plane carrying His Excellency, Dr Lazarus McCathy Chakwera President of the Republic of Malawi and Her Excellency Madame Monica Chakwera, First Lady of the Republic of Malawi was delayed by seven hours on Friday,13 November 2020.
“Chief among the causes of the delay was the South African government refusal to allow Malawi’s advance delegation travel back together with the President and his delegates citing unspecified security reasons”
The Ministry has further added that the advance team was barred from boarding the planes and their passports and luggage were thoroughly checked by uniformed police and their luggage were loaded by soldiers instead of the relevant authorities.
“…secondly, at the time that Malawi’s advance team was barred from boarding the plane, their passports and luggage were thoroughly checked by uniformed police officers instead of South African immigrations officers.
“…thirdly, the entire delegation’s luggage was loaded on the flight by military personnel from South African Defence Force”