SA Pilots Held in Namibia

[LazyLion]

Twelve South African pilots on a trip to raise awareness for cancer were arrested in Namibia at the weekend, it was reported on Monday.

The Cape Times reported that the group was arrested at Ondangwa Airport on Saturday, apparently because its flight documents were not in order.

The pilots were released early on Sunday morning after a court found their arrest to be unlawful.

However, police refused to allow them to leave the country in their light aircraft, which had been "quarantined" until their flight papers were rectified.

According to the newspaper, the group left South Africa on April 27 on a 16-day flight trip across Botswana and Namibia.

The trip was partly a holiday and partly to raise awareness and fund for the Cancer Association of SA, which endorsed the trip.

"It's a complete mess. We still have no permission to fly and may not fly until there is some sort of communication between the police and the Civil Aviation Authority," trip organiser Larry McGillewie told The Cape Times.

The pilots' lawyer, Farieda Kishi, said there had been a "procedural error" when the pilots were issued with a certificate of competency, but not a permit for landing.


Source : Sapa /je/gq/clh
Date : 06 May 2013 08:31

 

[Hobbs zn]

" but not a permit for landing." :wtf:

 

[F1 Fan]

Trying to pull a Gupta?

 

[LazyLion]

Fresh Charges brought against SA Pilots

Namibian police have brought fresh charges against 12 South African pilots, it was reported on Tuesday.

The pilots were charged on Monday with violating Namibian airspace and illegal entry into the country, The Cape Times reported.

They were arrested at Ondangwa Airport on Saturday, apparently because their flight documents were not in order. They were released early on Sunday morning.

Police spokesman deputy commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi told the newspaper the first case was declared null and void because of loopholes in an affidavit by the Civil Aviation Authority.

"So now there are new charges. The men are not in custody. The case will be heard maybe tonight or early tomorrow [Wednesday] and we hope the whole issue will be resolved," he said.

According to the newspaper, the group left South Africa on April 27 on a 16-day flight trip across Botswana and Namibia.

The trip was partly a holiday and partly to raise awareness and funds for the Cancer Association of SA, which endorsed the trip.

The pilots got their papers before the trip from the Namibian Microlight Association, as many of the aircraft were light enough to be classed as microlights.

They believed they had the necessary documentation, but the documents reportedly did not include permits to overfly the country or to land.

Kanguatjivi told the newspaper that the penalties the pilots possibly faced rested with the courts.

"I am not expecting the worst. There are no hostilities between our countries".


Source : Sapa /je/gq/clh
Date : 07 May 2013 08:31

 

[LazyLion]

SA Pilots Fly Home

The 12 South African pilots arrested in Namibia for not having the correct flight documents have paid admission-of-guilt fines and were being allowed to leave the airport, it was reported on Thursday.

"Five of the 12 are in the air and the rest will be airborne before lunchtime. Everyone is safe and in better spirits. We've got the papers we requested," pilot Ron Weissenberg told the Cape Times.

The group of 20, including passengers, left South Africa on April 27 on a 16-day trip across Botswana and Namibia.

It was partly a holiday and partly to raise awareness and funds for the Cancer Association of SA, which endorsed the trip.

The pilots were arrested at Ondangwa Airport on Saturday, apparently because their flight documents were not in order. They were released early on Sunday morning.

Fresh charges were then laid against them, but they were not re-arrested.

They each paid a R400 fine, acquired the correct documentation and were give permission to leave.

The pilots reportedly got their papers from the Namibian Microlight Association, as many of the aircraft were light enough to be classed as microlights.

They believed they had the necessary documentation, but the documents did not include permits to overfly the country or to land.

According to The Cape Times, the Namibian Civil Aviation Authority said it intended simplifying the process for foreign private aircraft to enter the country.


Source : Sapa /je/gq/clh
Date : 09 May 2013 08:55

 

[LazyLion]

Pilots may sue for false arrest

Twelve South African pilots who were detained in Namibia are considering suing the country's government for unlawful arrest, it was reported on Tuesday.

"The group believe the harsh and vindictive treatment experienced over several days was unwarranted. The group were denied due process, were unlawfully arrested and regarded as criminals," their spokesman Ron Weissenberg told The Cape Times.

He told the newspaper the group would report the incident to the United Nations Economic and Social Council, which administers the International Civil Aviation Organisation and international aviation treaties.

The pilots and eight passengers left South Africa on April 27 on a 16-day trip across Botswana and Namibia.

The pilots were arrested at Ondangwa Airport on May 4, apparently because their flight documents were not in order. They were released early the next morning.

Fresh charges were then laid against them, but they were not re-arrested.

They each paid a R400 fine, acquired the correct documentation and returned home on Thursday.


Source : Sapa /je/fg/clh
Date : 14 May 2013 08:33