Light aircraft crashes prompt call for stricter control

Government has called on the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) to urgently implement stricter control measures to ensure accidents are prevented. This follows a spate of light aircraft accidents recently which claimed the lives of up to 34 people. According to government spokesman Themba Maseko, cabinet expressed grave concern about the accidents at last week’s cabinet meeting. “Whilst we regret the loss of lives, government is satisfied that our aviation industry, especially the commercial airlines, has one of the best safety records in the world,” he said at a post-Cabinet briefing at the Union Buildings in Pretoria recently. He said the Department of Transport was already interacting with the aviation authorities to address the causes of these accidents.