Pretoria News reports that the two SA National Defence Force (SANDF) pilots injured on Thursday in a helicopter crash near the R101, close to the Zwartkop Golf Estate, are making a speedy recovery. 

SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said there was no cause for concern as the pilots were in stable condition.  “We just need to allow them the space and time to fully recover,” he stated, adding that Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula had visited the pilots and had offered her moral support.  Refuting suggestions that one of our members had passed on, Dlamini indicated:  “Furthermore, we would like to state that at all times when our pilots are assigned to any task, they undergo a pre-flight medical check-up before flying any aircraft, as a strict requirement for all pilots.”  The helicopter was supposed to be flying the national flag during the official opening of the Rand Easter Show when it crashed.  The cause of the crash had not yet been established by Monday.

• Read the full original of Sakhile Ndlazi’s report on this story at Pretoria News

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