Latest news with #SisaMajola
The Citizen
10-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
AIID probes cause of two plane crashes that claimed three lives
The aircraft had formed a part of a loose formation that departed from the Virgina Airport in Durban to Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria. The Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) has been tasked with investigating two aircraft crashes that claimed the lives of three people in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). On Sunday night, a light aircraft with three people onboard went missing and was recovered on Monday. Plane crash The three aircraft had formed a part of a loose formation that departed from the Virginia Airport in Durban to Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria, with the intent of refuelling at the Ladysmith Airport in northern KZN. AIID spokesperson Sisa Majola said that since the Ladysmith Airport did not have night facilities, the three aircraft diverted to nearby Greytown Airport. 'The first accident occurred when a Piper Cherokee (Registration: ZS-CZU) crashed into bushy terrain on approach to the Greytown Airport. The two pilots on board were not injured, but the aircraft was damaged. A second aircraft landed safely'. ALSO READ: UPDATE: Tragic turn after missing aircraft disappears in KZN Midlands Third aircraft crash Majola said on Monday morning, 9 June 2025, there was an official search for the third aircraft, a ZS-KF. 'That concluded with the wreckage being located in Greytown by the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre team. The three occupants on board were declared dead by the South African Police Services. 'The AIID investigators have been dispatched to both sites to collate evidence, where a preliminary report will be published on the SACAA website in 30 days from the day of the accident,' Majola said. The AIID extended its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased. Joburg aircraft crash Last week, a pilot was killed and a passenger injured in a light aircraft crash in Johannesburg. The accident occurred in Lanseria at about 10 am. Majola stated that the aircraft departed from Lanseria International Airport (FALA) and crashed moments after takeoff. Majola said the aircraft crashed within the perimeter of the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve. 'There were two on board the aircraft (pilot and passenger), with the pilot fatally injured. The passenger was seriously injured and airlifted to a hospital. 'AIID has dispatched investigators to the site. A preliminary report will be published on the SACAA website in 30 days from the date of this accident,' Majola said. The AIID extended its condolences to the family and loved ones of the pilot and the injured passenger. ALSO READ: Creecy steps in to resolve dispute over Acsa baggage screening services
IOL News
05-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Court ruling secures baggage screening units for passengers at OR Tambo and King Shaka
Airline passengers can thank the courts for the replacement of four critical Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) units at OR Tambo and King Shaka International Airports. Image: Supplied Airline passengers can thank the courts for the replacement of four critical Hold Baggage Screening (HBS) units at OR Tambo and King Shaka International Airports. This is as a protracted legal dispute continues involving - the Aviation Co-ordination Services (ACS), Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) and the South African Civil Aviation Authority (Sacaa) - over who holds the mandate to provide check-in hold baggage screening (HBS) services at South African airports. The ACS said it had launched the legal action given the risk of service breakdown due to ageing screening infrastructure and manufacturer support withdrawal, which compelled it to seek urgent court relief in 2024 to allow it to replace four back-up Level 3 HBS units at OR Tambo and King Shaka. ACS in November obtained an order barring Acsa from implementing its insourcing decision or awarding any contracts under its tender that directed Acsa to allow ACS to replace the equipment; and ordered Sacaa to approve the replacement within five days. ACS CEO Duke Phahla said, 'We commend Sacaa's recognition of the urgency in replacing aged HBS equipment to ensure uninterrupted security operations at airports. We have always maintained that passenger safety and continuity must come first, and this step reflects that shared concern.' The matter stems from May 2023 when Acsa announced its intention to terminate ACS's long-standing role as the provider of HBS services and to insource the function and subsequently issued a R3.15 billion tender for the procurement of new baggage screening equipment opening the floodgate of legal suits amongst the parties. Following the Gauteng High Court granting for the replacement, Acsa said it contested the ACS's handling of baggage as it was in contravention of the Constitution (which states that all organs of state must engage in procurement that is fair and transparent), the ACSA Act, the Public Finance Management Act, which requires that all airport charges levied to passengers must be approved by a Regulating Committee. Acsa's manager for Communications, Sisa Majola, said in response to enquiries, "The charges currently being levied by ACS are not regulated. The next development in the proceedings will be the hearing of the appeal against the court's order to interdict Acsa from implementing its insourcing of Hold Baggage Screening and the procurement of the screening." Majola said it was crucial that the ACS has challenged Acsa's decision to insource/perform Hold Baggage Screening Services, and a court of law has not heard this matter, nor has ACS been confirmed as the entity entitled to render Hold Baggage Screening Services. Acsa confirmed it would comply with the back-up replacement court order and continue with the appeal, as it was granted leave to appeal by the High Court and would continue to defend the review proceedings. ACS's Phala said, 'While the legal process runs its course, our focus remains on ensuring uninterrupted, world-class baggage screening services for passengers and airlines. We remain committed to working co-operatively with Acsa, Sacaa and all stakeholders to safeguard operational integrity and uphold aviation security standards." In its response, Sacaa said there are no ongoing discussions between the Sacaa and ACS and that further determinations would have to be from court pronouncements.
Eyewitness News
05-06-2025
- General
- Eyewitness News
Pilot killed after an aircraft crashed at Lanseria International Airport shortly after takeoff
JOHANNESBURG - A pilot has been killed after an aircraft crashed on Thursday, shortly after takeoff at the Lanseria International Airport north-west of Johannesburg. The South African Civil Aviation Authority's (SACCA) accident and incident division confirmed the crash involving a Cessna 210 aircraft. The aircraft went down within the perimeter of the rhino and lion nature reserve. It's unclear at this stage where it was headed. SACCA spokesperson Sisa Majola says one other person was on board. 'The passenger was seriously injured and airlifted to a hospital. AID has dispatched investigators to the site. A preliminary report will be published on the SACAA website in 30 days from the date of this accident. The aid extends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased and injured.'
The Citizen
05-06-2025
- The Citizen
Pilot killed, passenger injured in aircraft crash in Lanseria
The aircraft crashed within the perimeter of the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve. A pilot has been killed and a passenger injured in a light aircraft crash in Johannesburg. The accident occurred in Lanseria at about 10 am on Thursday. The Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) is investigating the cause of the Cessna 210 crash. AIID spokesperson Sisa Majola said the aircraft departed from Lanseria International Airport (FALA) and crashed moments after takeoff. Crash Majola said the aircraft crashed within the perimeter of the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve. 'There were two on board the aircraft (pilot and passenger), with the pilot fatally injured. The passenger was seriously injured and airlifted to a hospital. 'AIID has dispatched investigators to the site. A preliminary report will be published on the SACAA website in 30 days from the date of this accident,' Majola said. The AIID has extended its condolences to the family and loved ones of the pilot and the injured passenger. ALSO READ: Creecy steps in to resolve dispute over Acsa baggage screening services Husband and wife killed Last month, the AIID launched an investigation into the cause of a light aircraft crash that claimed the lives of a husband and wife. According to police, 39-year-old Quinton Steyn and his wife, 38-year-old Lizette Steyn, tragically lost their lives in a light aircraft crash near Botshabelo Airfield in Middelburg. The couple was reportedly travelling from Nelspruit to Middelburg, where they resided at the time of the crash. Light aircraft Majola confirmed the accident that involved a Rans Aircraft S10 Sakota (Registration ZS-WXE). 'The aircraft departed from Middleburg Airfield before crashing shortly after take-off within the boundary of the airfield. 'The pilot and passenger on board were declared dead by Emergency Services on arrival. The aircraft was destroyed by the post-impact fire,' said Majola. Majola said the site was secured on Sunday evening and guarded by the South African Police Service (Saps). The AIID extended its condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased. ALSO READ: Pilot tragically killed in crash at West Coast Airshow in Western Cape [VIDEO]
