Airfield’s stolen fence – danger lurks

However, it was said at a ward 2 committee meeting yesterday that the airfield maybe closed as cattle and children are wandering onto the runway in the face of oncoming aeroplanes.

It is not clear when the fence was stolen.  However, it was said that traffic had been diverted down the runway during the Dundee July which saw hundreds of people crossing the airfield.

Councillor Anthon Raubenheimer said that urgent action was needed to either close the airfield or repair the fence or the Municipality could find itself liable for any deaths or injuries caused by people and/or cattle straying onto the runway.

“If we repair the fence it could easily be stolen again… what we should consider is a precast wall to keep cattle and people off the runway,” he told the meeting.

However, local pilot Paul Coetser, told the Courier that the fence ‘has always been stolen’ and the situation is not new.

“Only potholes were fixed for the airshow and a temporary fence put up during the show that was taken down again.  We have always had a situation like this with the fencing being non-existent.  The cost to repair, we were told, is R3-million.  That is an extraordinary amount – and something which we as local enthusiasts have urged the authorities to take note of.”

Mark Donaldson, acting technical services manager, said he would urgently follow up and see what could be done.

As the airfield is used extensively by the Health Department for mercy flights, the tourism industry and business – and serves the entire Umzinyathi district – the feeling of the meeting was that either the Provincial government or the District Municipality assist with the cost of the repairs.