Poland has stated that racism played no role in its decision to deny entry to South African presidential guards and media for over 24 hours at Warsaw’s Chopin airport.

The aircraft involved will now remain at the airport until Sunday, as confirmed by an airport spokesman. Approximately 120 individuals, en route to a peace summit in Ukraine, were stranded on the plane. Some passengers have since disembarked and are heading to a hotel, BBC reported.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who traveled separately to Ukraine, has been left without a portion of his security detail due to Poland’s actions.

This has evoked a strong reaction from Maj Gen Wally Rhoode, the head of Ramaphosa’s security, who expressed frustration and accused Poland of jeopardizing the president’s life. Rhoode emphasized the perceived racism in Poland’s actions.

However, Poland has categorically dismissed these accusations. Stanisław Żaryn, the director of the National Security Department and spokesman for Poland’s Minister-Special Services Coordinator, labeled the claims of racism as nonsensical.

According to Piotr Rudzki, the spokesman for Warsaw Chopin airport, the South African security guards lacked the necessary permits for their weapons. He clarified that the passengers were given the option to disembark if they left their weapons on the plane, but they refused to comply.

Rudzki emphasized that the firearms would not be confiscated, contrary to some reports in South Africa.

What initially started as an impasse on Thursday afternoon has now escalated into a diplomatic dispute.

Written by staff