SAAF Chief apparently suspended
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2018 11:14 am
From African Pilot:
The officer commanding the South African Air Force (SAAF) Lieutenant General Zakes Msimang is apparently on special leave after being suspended from duty. The three-star general was suspended while at least two allegations against him are being investigated.
The first apparently relates to illegal usage of an official M vehicle (military, in this instance the Mercedes-Benz that Msimang has as an official vehicle). The registration plates were apparently changed to civilian ones. Indications are his driver / bodyguard drove the vehicle while it was using a registration plates that did not belong to it. This was apparently found out when a number of traffic fines were issued for the vehicle. The second allegation concerns funding for a children’s project that Msimang and his wife are said to be involved in.
Msimang was appointed to the position of Officer Commanding the SAAF in September 2012 taking over from Lieutenant General Carlo Gagiano and became the first black officer to head the military aviation service of the SANDF. He previously served as squadron commander, base commander and systems director in the SAAF.