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DATE=3/23/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-247031
TITLE=SAF / ANGOLA (L ONLY)
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE HAVE CONCLUDED THEIR INVESTIGATION 
INTO THE MISUSE OF SOUTH AFRICAN AIRFIELDS FOR ILLEGAL SUPPLY 
SHIPMENTS TO ANGOLA'S UNITA REBEL MOVEMENT.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT 
ALEX BELIDA REPORTS FROM JOHANNESBURG.
TEXT:  A POLICE SPOKESMAN TELLS V-O-A THE INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED 
A YEAR AGO HAS LED TO THE EXPULSION OF 43 FOREIGN AIR CREW 
MEMBERS AND 23 FOREIGN-REGISTERED AIRCRAFT THAT HAD MADE 
UNAUTHORIZED USE OF SOUTH AFRICAN AIRFIELDS TO FLY EQUIPMENT TO 
THE UNITA REBELS.
POLICE SUPERINTENDENT FAIZEL KADER DECLINES TO IDENTIFY THE 
NATIONALITIES OF THE EXPELLED FOREIGNERS OR THE REGISTRY OF THE 
AIRCRAFT FORCED TO LEAVE SOUTH AFRICA.
BUT HE SAYS THE PLANES AND THEIR CREWS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR ABOUT
200 VIOLATIONS OF SOUTH AFRICAN CIVIL AVIATION REGULATIONS, 
INCLUDING UNAUTHORIZED TAKE-OFFS AND LANDINGS.  MOST OF THESE 
OCCURRED AT PIETERSBURG AIRPORT, ABOUT 250 KILOMETERS NORTH OF 
JOHANNESBURG.
HE SAYS INVESTIGATORS HEARD ALLEGATIONS THAT THE ILLEGAL FLIGHTS 
TRANSPORTED MILITARY EQUIPMENT.  BUT HE SAYS THE POLICE 
DISCOVERED ONLY BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE PLANES THEY INSPECTED.
SUPERINTENDENT KADER SAYS THE POLICE TURNED THEIR FINDINGS OVER 
TO JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AUTHORITIES.  BUT HE SAYS THEY DECLINED TO 
PROSECUTE ANY OF THOSE INVOLVED.
///  OPT  ///   HE SAYS  NO  FURTHER POLICE INVESTIGATIONS INTO 
ILLEGAL SUPPLY SHIPMENTS TO ANGOLA ARE UNDER WAY AT THE PRESENT 
TIME.   ///  END OPT  ///
THE DISCLOSURE COMES AS THE SPECIAL SOUTH AFRICAN UNIT PROBING 
CORRUPTION CASES IS STILL AWAITING FORMAL APPROVAL FROM PRESIDENT
NELSON MANDELA'S OFFICE BEFORE LAUNCHING ITS OWN PROBE OF ILLEGAL
ARMS TRANSFERS FROM SOUTH AFRICA TO ANGOLA.
///  OPT  ///   WORD OF THE ANTI-CORRUPTION UNIT'S INTEREST IN 
SUCH TRANSACTIONS WAS FIRST REPORTED BY THE VOICE OF AMERICA 
EARLIER THIS MONTH.   ///  END OPT  ///
THE UNIT HAS RECOVERED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN STATE ASSETS LOST 
THROUGH FRAUD AND OTHER CORRUPT PRACTICES SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT
THREE YEARS AGO.  SOURCES CLOSE TO THE UNIT, SPEAKING TO V-O-A ON
CONDITION OF ANONYMITY, SAY THEIR INVESTIGATION WILL BE TARGETED 
AT THE POSSIBLE RECOVERY OF UNPAID DUTIES ON ANY MILITARY OR 
OTHER EQUIPMENT BROUGHT INTO SOUTH AFRICA FROM ABROAD AND THEN 
SHIPPED TO UNITA.  
                     ///  REST OPTIONAL  ///
ANGOLAN AUTHORITIES HAVE FREQUENTLY EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT SOUTH
AFRICAN INVOLVEMENT IN ILLEGAL TRANSFERS OF WEAPONS AND OTHER 
MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO THE UNITA REBEL MOVEMENT.  SOUTH AFRICAN 
OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THEY FULLY SUPPORT ALL UNITED NATIONS 
SANCTIONS AGAINST UNITA, BUT CONCEDE ENFORCEMENT IS DIFFICULT 
BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY UNCONTROLLED AIRFIELDS IN THE COUNTRY.  
(SIGNED)
NEB/BEL/JWH
23-Mar-99 10:44 AM EST (1544 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.