Johannesburg – Public Protector Thuli Madonsela is assessing a complaint about the landing of an aircraft chartered by the Gupta family at the Waterkloof Air Force Base, her office said on Tuesday.

“The assessment of the complaint is still underway. It includes interviewing identified witnesses,” said spokesperson Oupa Segalwe.

“It is only after this assessment that the public protector will decide whether or not to launch a fully-fledged investigation into the matter.”

Of the three witnesses, two had already been interviewed, Segalwe said.

The aircraft, carrying 270 guests to a Gupta family wedding, landed at the base in April, amid widespread criticism.

A government investigation exonerated President Jacob Zuma and his ministers, and found that the landing was the result of “collusion by officials”.

SAPA