- The South Africa minister has declared the country as one of the safest airspace, despite yesterday’s crash of an a passenger aircraft near a road traffic highway.
Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele said gave the assurance that air travel and infrastructure in South Africa was still one of the safest, adding that recent crashes were isolated cases.
"We want to assure all those who make use or intend making use of air travel in South Africa that our planes and airport infrastructure are safe. There have been two isolated incidents of runway excursions in the past weeks, but there is nothing to panic about. South Africa has one of the best air safety records in the world," he said.
The assurances come amidst South Africa’s preparation for the World Cup 2010, which is expected to bring thousands of football supporters and other tourists to the country.
On Monday, a South African Airlink aircraft failed to stop on the runaway while landing at George Airport, only managing to break a few meters from a busy N2 highway.
The aircraft was reportedly arriving from Cape Town in rainy weather when it lost control of the sottopage breaks on the wet runway, breaking through the airport fence.
Reports said 33 people were evacuated from the aeroplane, with five of them having sustained minor injuries.
The South Africa Commissioner for Civil Aviation has also been reported raising a concern by the recent number of accidents or incidents involving SA Airlink. The authority has already instituted a thorough investigation on the maintenance, operating procedures and pilot training for the airline. Recently an Airlink aircraft landed on the school premises flying just over road traffic, where the pilot later lost his life.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.