Dozens of their own special forces were supposed to arrive in Kyiv with the president of the South African Republic for security and mass media but this plane was forced to get stuck in Poland, causing a scandal.

According to Sowetanlive, in addition to the delegation itself, Cyril Ramaphosa's personal security team with weapons and equipment was supposed to arrive in Kyiv separately by plane. The crew and media which were meant to take another flight to Rzeszów airport, to drop off an advance team and some media who were expected to join Ramaphosa on the Kyiv leg of the trip.

Problems arose on their way to Europe – the flight was flagged in Mediterranean waters after it failed to get clearance to fly over Italian airspace. The plane flew in circles about six times before resuming its route to Warsaw.

On our way to Poland, earlier, the flight we are on was flagged by the Italian government. We flew around Mediterranean waters about six times before we went back on the route to Warsaw. We were told that SA "did not have clearance" to fly over Italian airspace. @SundayTimesZA pic.twitter.com/ilIkfMPT0P

— Amanda Khoza – The Journalist (@MandaKhoza) June 15, 2023

At Warsaw Airport, it turned out that the Polish side demanded certain permits for the 12 containers of weapons and equipment and insisted on seeing their originals, which were not brought on board. Then confusion arose regarding which plane should transport everyone to Rzeszów.

The media was informed there were "issues" with the plane that was meant to transport them to Rzeszów as the "chartered flight had not arrived."

After waiting an hour, the media was informed Ramaphosa had departed in his Nkwazi jet to Rzeszów to make his way to Kyiv, Ukraine.

Members of the special forces were still in the plane when Ramaphosa started his arduous journey to Kyiv.

According to Presidential Protection Services head Maj-Gen Wally Rhood, Ramaphosa's life was on Thursday "put in jeopardy" after highly trained members of his protection team meant to provide critical security to the president in Kyiv, Ukraine, remained stuck in the plane in Poland due to aviation regulations and bureaucracy.

[BREAKING] Head of the Presidencial Protection Service Maj-Gen Wally Rhoode has described the behavior of the Polish government as "surprising and racist". @TimesLIVE pic.twitter.com/FZtpTaepn5

— Amanda Khoza – The Journalist (@MandaKhoza) June 15, 2023

He has accused the Polish government of "deliberately sabotaging" Ramaphosa's peace initiative after a SAA chartered plane ferrying about 120 special force members and journalists was detained on Thursday.

As it is known, on June 16, presidents of South Africa, Zambia, Senegal, Comoros, the Prime Minister of Egypt, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uganda arrived in Kyiv on a visit. The delegation also visited Bucha.