Police pilot allegedly intoxicated at the time of a helicopter crash

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

A judicial inquiry in the eMalahleni Magistrate's Court has heard allegations that the police pilot of a helicopter that crashed in July 2010, leaving seven people dead, was intoxicated.

Beeld reports on Monday that pilot, captain Wickus Zaayman, and his colleagues were flying to a crime in progress in eMalahleni when their helicopter crashed.

Proscutor Tom Clemens argued that Zaayman and his co-pilot, Thinus Gouws, had post mortem blood alcohol levels of 0.08 grams per 100 milimetres of blood, while Gouws's levels were tested at 0.02 grams per 100 mills of blood.

However, police lawyer, Malose Monene, argued that the evidence was "overwhelmingly clear" that Zaayman had been sober when he was required to fly.

Magistrate Ernst Du Plooy will deliver judgment in November.