Denied VIP Treatment, Clinton Clears Metal Dectector at South African Airport

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton had to walk through a metal detector just like an ordinary person before he could board a private jet in South Africa.

The Cape Argus reported that Clinton, who had been making a brief visit to the country to give birthday good wishes to Nelson Mandela, was denied VIP treatment on departure because of a miscommunication between his staff, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the security staff at Lanseria International Airport.

Lize Nel, a spokeswoman for the airport, said that the check-in procedure, which also included stamping Clinton's passport, took four to five minutes at the most. She said that the metal detector and immigration checkpoint was next door to the Execujet South Africa lounge.

"We do whatever the government tells us to do," Nel said. "There was a little conflict and he had to go through a normal procedure."

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