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The Democratic Alliance extends our condolences to the families and friends of the five people who died in the helicopter crash in the Kruger National Park over the weekend.

We welcome the announcement by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, that this crash of the Agusta 109 light utility helicopter in the Kruger National Park will be investigated.
 
It is imperative that:

• the findings of the investigation be made public; and that
• the Joint Standing Committee on Defence be briefed on the findings once the Board of Inquiry has been completed.

The recent crash will inevitably raise questions about the Agusta 109 helicopter which has experienced major problems in the past.

These problems reportedly include software integration challenges and the fact that the helicopter is reportedly underpowered.

In the end, we need to get to the bottom of why the the Agusta 109 helicopter crashed and ensure that it never happens again.