Plane problems delay Motlanthe trip

Problems with his aircraft have delayed Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe's official visit to the Nordic countries, says the Presidency.

"The SA Airforce-operated aircraft which was to transport the deputy president encountered problems on Monday October 17 2011 shortly before its scheduled departure from the Waterkloof Airforce Base," his spokesman, Thabo Masebe, said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The delay resulted in the cancellation of the Finland leg of Deputy President Motlanthe's mission to the Nordic countries."

Motlanthe would now leave South Africa on Tuesday on a commercial airline. He would proceed with the Sweden and Denmark legs of his official visit, said Masebe.

Motlanthe was accompanied by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, Deputy International Relations Minister Marius Fransman, Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Thandi Tobias-Pokolo and Deputy Higher Education Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize.