Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
south african air forcelatest news & developments
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has financially backed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Sona. (GCIS)
BORDER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

Godongwana financially backs Ramaphosa’s tough talk on crime

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has signalled increased spending on peace and security in his budget speech from R268.2 billion in 2025/26 to R291.2 billion in 2028/29. The…

  • Nkateko Joseph Mabasa
2 min read
Take flight: The Wonderboom Airshow on Friday, promises stunts, formation flying, and tactical manoeuvres. Photo: Supplied
AIRLINK

Diary: Wonderboom Airshow; Music and Lifestyle Expo; Mandisi Dyantyis in Cape Town

Your essential dose of art and culture

  • Kibo Ngowi
  • Busi Lethole
2 min read
Pressure: One of two South African Oryx helicopters are in Mozambique. (SAMIM)
CORPORAL TEBOGO RADEBE

Soldiers plead for more air support in Mozambique’s battle against insurgents

Budget deficits limit the South African National Defence Force’s ability to supply more aircraft for logistical support, attacks and evacuation

  • Erika Gibson
7 min read
Unhygienic: Air force students in Cuba have shared screenshots of the starch-heavy and unpalatable food they are served and the cockroaches that infest their food and living space
ASIEL KUBU

The situation in Cuba: ‘Prisoners in South Africa live in better conditions’

South African student pilots training in Cuba complain of slave-like conditions

  • Erika Gibson
6 min read
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has shown its first public and maritime presence in Pemba in northern Mozambique this weekend, with the arrival of the navy’s SAS Makhanda strike craft.
ANGOLA

SANDF sends ‘Goats’ to Mozambique to fight insurgents

South Africa’s new military weapon takes a leaf out of the Libyan rebel forces’ handbook as it lands in Mozambique to fight insurgents

  • Erika Gibson
5 min read
Inadequate: The air force could not support firefighters battling the recent blaze on Table Mountain because its helicopters needed servicing. Photo: Mujahid Safodien/AFP
DENEL

Denel money woes clip air force’s wings

A senior officer says the shortage of spares and and ability to service aircraft and vehicles has a negative effect on the SANDF’s operational ability

  • Erika Gibson
6 min read
Opportunity: Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula let an ANC delegation travel in a defence force plane to Harare. Photo: Spotlight Zimbabwe @revelatorspi
ACE MAGASHULE

Citizens tired of being played for a fool

The use of a South African Air Force jet by ANC officials without the minister following the required procedures is one such case — and more questions arise on examination of…

  • Craig Moffat
8 min read
The SANDF has withdrawn all charges against Lieutenant Colonel Christine Anderson and the co-accused who were indicted for colluding in the landing of a private jet at a Gupta family wedding in 2013.
GUPTA WEDDING

Charges against two Guptagate accused dropped

The SANDF has dropped all charges against the Air Force officers indicted for their involvement in the landing of the Gupta family private jet.

  • Sapaxxxx
2 min read
In his judgment last year, Judge Piet Bezuidenhout said Lindiwe Sisulu’s actions were “procedurally unfair” and “not in terms of the constitution”.
GLYNNIS UNDERHILL

Lindiwe Sisulu’s fancy flights pure indulgence

The South African Air Force thought nothing of ferrying the minister around at enormous cost to the taxpayer.

  • Glynnis Underhill
6 min read
Opposition parties slate Zuma’s SONA
BOMBARDIER GLOBAL EXPRESS

Shadow plane followed Zuma to the US

The South African Air Force has admitted that a plane that shadowed President Jacob Zuma on his recent visit to the US did so all the way to New York.

  • Staff Reporter
2 min read
Denel to probe Cheetah in-flight incident
DENEL

Denel to probe Cheetah in-flight incident

One of 12 former South African Air Force fighter aircraft, sold to Ecuador has been quarantined following an unspecified "in-flight" incident.

  • Tshwarelo Eseng Mogakane
3 min read
CHRIS BOTHA

At least 30 die in KwaZulu-Natal bus crash

At least 30 people are believed to have died when their bus left the road and went over a cliff into a river near Cedarville in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday. Netcare 911 spokesperson…

  • Staff Reporter
1 min read
CHRIS MEIRING

Air force grounds fleet after plane crash

The South African Air Force has grounded its fleet of Pilatus Astra PC-7 MkII aircraft following the death of a pilot in a plane crash on Tuesday. The fleet would remain grounded…

  • Staff Reporter
1 min read
CHARLES NORVAL

Search continues for missing aircraft

Rescue services are still searching for the Cessna 210 light aircraft that went missing on Wednesday, said South African Search and Rescue Organisation head Charles Norval on…

  • Staff Reporter
1 min read
AARON HARRY

Durban police work to ensure a safe festive season

Helicopters, horse patrols, closed-circuit television and police reservists have been roped in to boost security in Durban during the festive season, police said on Thursday. The…

  • Staff Reporter
3 min read
BLOEMFONTEIN

Police officer dies in Free State helicopter crash

A police officer was killed and eight others seriously injured in a South African Air Force helicopter crash in the Free State on Wednesday, the military said. Seven other people…

  • Staff Reporter
1 min read
GODFREY NGWENYA

Female officer tried to stop deadly cannon

A female artillery officer risked her life at Lohatlha on Friday in a desperate bid to prevent members of her battery being killed by their own anti-aircraft gun. By the time the…

  • Staff Reporter
1 min read
ATLANTIC OCEAN

Nato, SA in naval-warfare exercise

Forget the blazing guns of yesteryear — these days naval warfare is a high-tech and sophisticated operation. This became clear on Monday as an exercise involving Nato warships…

  • Louis Oelofse
3 min read