Forced landing for student pilots

Young pilot cadets from disadvantaged backgrounds who were recruited for the Vukani Aviation Programme at SAFTA, has now been told to pack their bags and go home, putting an end to their training to become pilots. On Monday morning, most of the students packed their bags and left while the few who wanted to protest, were locked out of their rooms and told to leave today before 10:00.
The government funded trainee cadets’ dreams are grounded after they were ordered to vacate their rooms at the dormitory in Strydom Street on October 5. This follows after numerous allegations came to light and an investigation was launched.

At the forefront of the controversy is Nhlanhla Dube, who bought SAFTA last year. One of the students told HERAUT about Dube owing a private helicopter, but sold it a few months ago after the allegations started.

The cadets claim that they where forced to fly in bad weather, aeroplane parts were stuck together with tape, broken axles and brakes were the order of the day and they were told not to fill out any official forms regarding any “mishaps”.

The cadets claim that Dube has close connections within the government and that nothing has been done to investigate these allegations.

“When we demanded to see the reports that the Department of Higher Education had conducted, we were told that it is none of our business. We are told to go home for three months, but we know that the government’s contract with SAFTA is expiring in three months.”

Dube dismissed all allegations by saying that those who complained were disgruntled black students who are aggrieved because they failed.

A couple of cadets have decided that they will not vacate the premises. They were however locked out of their rooms on Monday afternoon when they returned from shopping. The caretaker told them their rooms would be locked with bullet keys if they refuse to vacate the premises by 10:00 today.
Belinda Bozzoli (shadow minister of Higher Education and spokesperson for the DA’s higher education and training) said the students have suffered a great injustice. “Their treatment may constitute a breach of the department’s implicit contract with them.”

“Minister Blade Nzimande must urgently account for how this was allowed to happen and what will be done to ensure the students are able to pursue their pilot training,” Bozzoli stated.
“The DA will fight for the future of these students and those who have been let down by the department.”

View the full article on the front page of tomorrow’s HERAUT (7 October).