The Democratic Alliance says it will write to Minister of Higher Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande and Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters to request that urgent action be taken to suspend all flights at the South African Flight Training Academy (SAFTA)‚ where it claims evidence is mounting of unsafe practices. DA spokesperson on higher education and training Belinda Bozzoli said on Sunday she would also request that they investigate the possibility of suspending the school’s licence.According to Professor Bozzoli‚ one student recently got lost while flying alone‚ and for two-and-a-half hours she could not be found by flight controllers because her navigation equipment was not working. Students have also been forced to fly in unsafe aircraft against their own wishes‚ Bozzoli asserted.“After the DA brought these and other practices at the school to its attention‚ the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) recently told the school to suspend flights‚ but only those for the students it is funding through the R77m Vukani project. It has also sent an assessor to the school.“But this week clear evidence has emerged that the Head of the School‚ ‘Colonel’ Nhlanhla Dube‚ who is known for his extravagant claims about his own role in flying President Zuma's jet‚ is defiant‚” Bozzoli charged.She said that Dube had reportedly: • On one occasion refused to allow the DHET evaluator onto the campus; • Continued to allow certain DHET funded students to fly in spite of the ban on flights; and • Forced students to sign a petition asking for flights to be resumed.“It is unacceptable that in a dangerous profession such as flying‚ our young students lives are being put at risk and those precious educational funds are being wasted‚” Bozzoli asserted.“Further interventions are needed now by both Departments‚ so that we can ensure the safety of these particular young Vukani pilots as well as all the others who are being trained in this scarce skill at the school.“These students should be the focus of professionally managed skills development and training‚ and not reckless and dangerous practices which put their lives at risk‚” Bozzoli added...