Families demand answers

The apparent closing of ranks on a high-level police investigation into the police's worst aviation disaster, which claimed the lives of seven officers, has left the families of the dead demanding answers.

The police have refused to reveal the exact cause of the 2010 Witbank crash, saying that the case docket is being considered by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. However, the directorate said it had no knowledge of the matter.

The families are claiming that their husbands and their service to the police are being dishonoured.

The seven, who included five members of the Pretoria National Intervention Unit, were responding to an armed robbery when their BK117 helicopter crashed in thick mist, killing everyone on board.

"We just want answers. Our husbands loved the police. They gave their lives for the service. We as families, we were told everything would be done to find out what happened," said Dianne Gouws, wife of the helicopter's co-pilot, Warrant Officer Thinus Gouws.

"We were told it was human error but when we asked whose error it was we were told nothing. We want to know what happened. We want to know so that we can get closure. Something is not right and I will not rest until we have answers."

Gouws' demands are made as Elizabeth de Bruin, wife of NIU member Sergeant Daniel "Kraai" de Bruin, said suspended national police commissioner Bheki Cele told them last year that the crash had occurred because of human error.

"When we asked about the helicopter we were told it was fine. When we asked them to explain the human error, the police said they would get back to us. That was a year ago," said De Bruin.

"I just want the truth."

National police spokesman Lindela Mashigo said: "The matter is still with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for a decision".

"Due to a decision enforced by the court, neither the police nor any other person may communicate on the developments of the investigation . until otherwise instructed by the court."

Told that the directorate had no knowledge of the case, Mashigo said: "It is with the [directorate] and the police are waiting to see whether it will be a formal or informal inquest.

"When the DPP needs to release the outcome of the inquest it will be done via the court. This was the agreement between investigators, families and all the role players."

North Gauteng DPP regional spokesman Medupe Simasiku said: "The docket is not with the NPA as yet but with the police. We only knew of the matter through a letter written to the Witbank senior public prosecutor informing him about the accident and the investigation under way.

"Until he NPA receives the docket, we cannot say [what] decision will be taken by the DPP."

- Times Live