The women were carefully selected to join UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his entourage in the Eastern Cape
The president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reportedly flew in a group of Russian and Asian women into the Eastern Cape during his controversial trip to the country just recently. According to Rapport, the 30 women were kept in special tents, away from the dignitaries’ partners and spouses.
MOUNTING ANGER OVER UAE PRESIDENT’S TRIP
The Eastern Cape government has been on the receiving end of criticism after it was learnt that the UAE president arrived with 500 guests, including other members of the royal family, to mark the end of Ramadaan. Al Nahyan’s private jet landed at the Bulembu Airport – on a R20 million runway he built with his own money. As if that wasn’t enough, Al Nahyan also forked out a whopping R320 million for the farm, where all his guests – including the women – were housed during that period.
Questions surrounding the legality of the visit, including travel procedure, have been raised, however Minister in the presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni revealed that the hosting of the UAE president conforms to international diplomatic standards and was fully compliant with South African laws.
WOMEN TO KEEP UAE AND FRIENDS ‘COMPANY’
The women flown in were “some of the most beautiful and best,” according to Rapport. Their job was to basically to keep the UAE president and some of his diginataries company during that trip to the South African twon – but the extent of their “duties” isn’t clear at this point.
Whatever “keeping them company” means, the women were in the lap of luxury as Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed spared no expense in making sure they were comfortable. The women stayed on the farm – but 8km away from the royals’ accommodation.
According to Rapport, this is nothing out of the ordinary as women are often carefully selected for royal hunting expeditions – and no South African women were included during this visit.
News Agencies
