Empangeni Airfield nosedives to ruin

ONCE a reputable airstrip for medical, security and private use, the Empangeni Airfield has rapidly deteriorated into an abandoned and vandalised facility.

Tenants at the strip told the Zululand Observer this week that the field had worsened during the past year following the exit of several tenants.

According to Gyro-copter pilot and xx-Chairman of the Air Club of Zululand, Mike French, the issues regarding the field arose after the lessees terminated their contract with the municipality.

A dispute then ensued resulting in basic services being disconnected.

‘When the contract ended the services at the strip were also terminated,’ said French.

‘The electricity and water were disconnected. There was no custodian or groundskeeper to maintain the property and, as time went by, the field has become a hotspot for vandals.’

The field is utilised by the Air Ambulance Service transporting mainly pregnant teenagers who experience complications to Ngwelezana Hospital or the Lower Umfolozi War Memorial Regional Hospital.

The agricultural sector also uses it for crop-spraying and firefighting aircraft, while the SAPS utilise the strip for crime prevention initiatives.

In addition, security companies frequently make use of the airfield to track stolen cars, suspects and even cattle.

These valuable services face the risk of being thrown out in the near future.

‘What is exceptionally concerning is that there is an anti-rhino poaching unit which also uses the airstrip for their aerial surveillance aircraft. The airfield is a vital component of the City’s infrastructure, which may not exist in the near future as a result of lack of municipal support.’

Operational

Currently, the Air Club of Zululand is mowing the field and trying to keep it operational at their own expense.

‘The club approached the municipality and offered to look after the strip to help keep it functional, but the lack of response has meant the field just keeps deteriorating with the buildings becoming derelict.’

‘The remaining roof sheeting, which has not yet blown away, is being stolen on a daily basis,’ said French

‘Air conditioning units, aircraft batteries and fuel, electrical cables and even taps and pipes have been removed, leaving severe irreparable damage as a result.’

With no security present or groundskeeper on site, fears are mounting that once the empty structures have been stripped bare, vandalisation of the few remaining hangars, which still house aircraft are going to be next on the list.

The City of uMhlathuze was contacted for comment, but was unable to provide a response at the time of going to print on Wednesday afternoon.

@AndrewCornew