CAA not there to blame

2003-08-04 15:31

Cape Town - The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Monday said media reports alluding to sabotage in the plane crash that killed Hansie Cronje, were incorrect.

The CAA "distanced" itself from an unnamed investigator involved in the crash inquiry.

Acting CAA CEO Seboseso Machobane said in a statement: "The CAA distances itself from any reports or allegations of criminal wrongdoing made by the 'investigator' referred to in the media ...".

Machobane said any investigator, or anyone who had information about this type of thing, was obliged to report it to the police.

'Professionally reckless'

"The CAA specifically does not engage in criminal investigations, but investigates accidents for the purpose of preventing similar accidents and not to apportion blame."

Machobane said until the official report on an aircraft accident had been released, it was "professionally reckless" for any investigator to refer to any part of the investigation or information as holding or playing any key or critical role in an aircraft accident.

This would not only prejudice the investigation, but subvert the steps, including internal report reviews, to be undertaken before anything can be given special status in an investigation.

"In order to avoid further confusion, the public is advised to contact the police regarding alleged issues of 'foul play' or any matter of criminal nature."

Sabotage

The CAA was responding to a story featured in local newspapers in which an unnamed investigator alleges that the plane crash was a result of an act of sabotage.

According to the English newspaper The Observer's insert, Observer Sports Monthly, the unnamed investigator said "a lot of people wanted Cronje dead" and that "police have found evidence of sabotage, but were reluctant to go public on this".

The unnamed source also said that "the full cost of a follow-up investigation would be too great in a country that is already riven by crime. It suits the police to have a closed case."

- SAPA