Days 6 and 7

Rest days at Kasane.  Vic falls for some of the group, which included 2 Bungee jumps, various helicopter flips etc!!

Second day entailed a very early morning game drive into Chobe national Park – a bit disappointing, with not much game to be seen.  The evening boat cruise was a lot more enjoyable, with close up views of lots of game and birds!

Day 9

On arrival in Ondangwa, were met by a large force of police and caa officials. We never figured out why or how they were waiting for us, but drama ensued.  We originally applied for all permits for flying in Namibia with the kind help of the Namibia Microlight association, but it seems the one of the required permits – a landing and overflight authority was never issued.  To cut a long story short, all 12 pilots were arrested, and thrown into jail, to spend a night in a very dirty, smelly cell with an open grate roof, with 2 blankets on a concrete floor!!!  Fortunately all together.  As only a group of guys can, a lot of joking and laughing made light of a serious situation.  In the meantime, those with freedom, contacted a lawyer, got to the high court in Oshakati – about 30 km away, got a judge out of bed at 3 am, and got a court order for our release at about 5 am!! No sleep or rest at all for Sharon and Riaan, and little more for those inside!!

Day 10

A very long frustrating day started by being fetched from the hotel, where we had gone to shower and clean up after the nights ordeal.  Our aircraft were all searched in detail, watched by the local news and TV reporters.  Nothing found.  Further waiting – the whole day – for the required permit, which is normally issued with an hour, in other cases like this!!!

Eventually at 4 pm, we gave up on our very expensive booked and paid accommodation at Epupa Falls, and went dejectedly back to the hotel.  The District Commissioner of Police came to the hotel to tell us that the Director of CAA Namibia would be flying in from Windhoek to have a meeting with the group of us.  Our lawyer, Frieda Chinki will be on hand and tells us they are now violating a court order in holding us against our will.  We believe that this story has now reached the news in South Africa, has been main headlines on NBC news in Namibia!!

Day 11

Well true to form the head of Namibia CAA flew in and did not meet with us.  Our lawyer, Frieda, whisked us away to her office saying she was very afraid that we were all going to be arrested again!!  Her words were that we must not trust them as they have not been honest!!  So another day spent at the offices in a small board room, lots of people panicking and nervous chatter, eventually at about 4pm, the time that the documents were supposed to be delivered to court the Prosecutor General of Namibia phoned to say that this matter must be sorted out and if the pilots are prepared to pay a N$400 fine overflight authority will be issued!!  After much debating it was agreed that we would do this but did not want to appear in court, another call to the PG and she the Regional Chief Inspector is was agreed that it would all be done at the Ondangwa Police station.  This was a case of admitting defeat only to secure our release. 

At the police station we were meet by Angalina (head of the NCAA) where she agreed that they have received the documents and that she had spoken to Hanno Snyman (a member  of the Namibia Microlight Association), this could not be possible as he is out of the country and not taking calls!!  The long and the short of the whole debacle is that the document that we were given by CAA and told that we would be able to fly by CAA is not sufficient. 

The N$400was paid as an admission of guilt and we will see tomorrow if these government officials are true to their words and process the overflight authority!!  Tensions have been running high within the group but hopefully will calm down once we are back on track. 

Day 12

Another day wasted, still waiting for clearance, with apparent issues between Military and Police.  Late in the day, we were told we were free to go - - to late to fly.  BUT – only vis the shortest route out, even though fuel was going to be an issue for the slow group.

Day 13 – Ondangwa - Windhoek

289 nm – 2hr 54 min

Continued negotiating for a route home, but settled on what suited the officials only – straight out via Windhoek and Keetmanshoop.  A pleasant flight, over Etosha Pans.  Lots of Confusion on arrival at Eros airport in Windhoek.  Met by various officials,including the assistant to the ambassador, Gareth Rees, who had helped in negotiating our release.  Night spent at an airport hotel.  Everybody hugely relieved to be out of Ondangwa, and on our way home.

Day 14 Winhoek – Keetmanshoop – Upington

443 nm – 4.5 hr

A long day, with many frustrations, particularly with officials at airports!!  Unfriendly officials and extra payments to get of Namibia.   Customs started searching all the planes  again and then got tired half way through and gave that up!!  After Windhoek this was an unpleasant stop over.  We eventually managed to get the police bakkie to take some of the guys to town to get fuel.  Light was starting to run out and we had to get off the ground for our flight back to South Africa via Upinton.  Lots of flat country and eventually Upington in sight.  Nice to hear the South African on the radio again.  We spent the night at a lodge just outside Upington, lots of laughter and fun, just releasing some tensions.   We were very frustrated when we cleared immigration we had to pay to get back into South Africa!!  Immigration works strange hours there and we cleared just before 5pm .            

Ron put together a press statement and we will post this on the blog. 

Day 15

258nm – 2.5hrs

A very uneventful flight to Gariep until Ron landed and he had a flat tyre, took awhile to change that and then we were picked up by Hanno, the manager of the de Stijl Hotel.  Very pleasant and good service.  We will start the last leg of our journey to Grahamstown today.