The arrival of the UAE president and his huge entourage for holiday in the Eastern came after weeks p remier Oscar Mabuyane's visit to the UAE.
“When you invoke it, you’ve to first look at the safety and security of the country. Two, you look at the developmental needs of your country. I took the decision on those grounds," said Motsoaledi. Motsoaledi said it was not necessary for the some of the guests to apply for visas because the UAE was one of the countries whose citizens enjoy a visa-free status when they come to SA. European countries also enjoy the same benefits.
He said this was not the first time his department declared a place a port of entry as they have do so in 2015 for a German army which wanted to land in Overberg. Motsoaledi lashed at those who compared the incident where the Guptas illegally landed a plane full of wedding guest at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in 2013.He said before he approved the airport in Eastern Cape as a port of entry he warned Mabuyane that this should not turn into another Gupta scandal.