The armed forces are not joking: if you value your drone, don’t fly it over the “parliamentary precinct”.
The 3 km radius over the Cape Town City Hall is strictly a no fly zone this Thursday (as well some other days in February while President Cyril Ramaphosa’s in town).
That’s because that evening, the president will deliver his State of the Nation Address.
Brigadier Athlenda Mathe of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure says the airspace restrictions will also be in place during the Parliamentary Debate and Presidential Reply session from 14 to 16 February as well as during the Budget Speech on 22 February.
“In relation to aviation security, a Notice to all Airmen has been issued by the Civil Aviation Authority which restricts the airspace between 13:00 up until 00:00,” reads a statement.
“Only the South African Air Force will have flexible use of airspace during this period. Please note that this is strictly a NO FLY ZONE FOR DRONES.”
Modern drones are known to be used for spying, executing terror attacks and delivering packages in biochemical warfare.
While the rest of the country will be battling with stage 3 and 4 load shedding, there will be no load shedding for the honorable members.
Secretary to Parliament Xolile George said: “Part of our engagement with the City in collaboration with Eskom, there will be measures taken to ensure there is no load shedding that will impact on the delivery of Sona, including related precincts.
“That work is ongoing, including alternative measures to mitigate the likelihood of load shedding impacting the delivery on the Sona.”
He had no idea how much the Sona and its festivities will cost the taxpayer but around R8 billion has been budgeted.
