Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has urged aviators, particularly drone owners, to comply with the regulations and directions of the Disaster Management Act aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19.
The Minister’s plea follows reports of a surge in the number of applications for permission to fly remotely-piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), commonly referred to as drones.
Mbalula says the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) had also received a handful of requests from small private aircraft owners, requesting permission to fly their aircraft for various business-related activities, including farm owners wanting to fly into various provinces to check on operations.
He says the applications are being reviewed on a case-by-case basis but stressed that the country was under lockdown for a reason.
“We cannot put lives at risk to rescue unessential business operations. If it is not deemed urgent, it must wait. We simply cannot put a price tag on human lives,” he said.
Mbalula commended cargo operators, the national Department of Health's Port Health Services, the Department of Transport’s aviation agencies, as well as many other role players, for not only ensuring smooth operations but also for their adherence to outlined regulations and directions.
