KwaZulu-Natal finance minister Zweli Mkhize escaped unhurt when the aircraft in which he was travelling made an emergency landing at Durban International airport on Thursday night, Premier Sibusiso Ndebele said.
Mkhize was travelling with his wife, May Mashego, and bodyguard Mfihlo Gwala, Ndebele said on Friday.
”It was quite a scary thing,” Ndebele said, adding that nobody was hurt.
”He is fine. We spoke at 12 [midnight] and 1.30am. He was treated for shock,” Ndebele said.
Mkhize, who was on a trip to northern KwaZulu-Natal, flew to Richards Bay from Durban International airport at 8.30pm. He was scheduled to land in Richards Bay at 9.10pm.
The pilot could not land as the aircraft’s wheels would not descend, an African National Congress official said.
Mkhize’s office the aircraft was then diverted to Virginia airport, but could not land there either. It finally flew back to Durban.
”Thank God we landed safely. We understood the problem the pilot was experiencing. All of us remained calm,” Mkhize said in a statement, in which he paid tribute to the pilot for his efforts.
Mkhize said he missed only two meetings, but will continue with the rest.
He flew to the area to attend a series of community roadshows. — Sapa