Cop killed in Rand Airport crash identified as SAPS sends condolences to families of five deceased

Police management on Wednesday conveyed condolences to the families and friends of the police officer and four others killed when a police fixed-wing aircraft crashed at Rand Airport on Tuesday afternoon.

Six people were on board the Pilatus Porter PC 6 aircraft. 

Police spokesperson Col Athlenda Mathe said four passengers were technicians from a company contracted to service and maintain police helicopters.

Warrant Officer Willem Erasmus, an airborne law enforcement officer with 29 years’ service, was among those who died at the scene, Mathe said 

“As an airborne law enforcement officer, the member was responsible for providing air support during crime prevention as well as search and rescue operations.

“The sole survivor of the crash, a senior pilot with 16 years service, Capt Casper Swanepoel, sustained serious injuries and is receiving medical care in hospital,” Mathe said.

The names of the four technicians have not yet been released. 

Mathe said police managers met the families of the two officers and representatives of the company that employed the four technicians.

Acting national police commissioner Lt-Gen Tebello Mosikili sent her condolences to all affected families and wished the pilot a speedy recovery.

“This tragedy happens on the eve of the SAPS annual national commemoration day as we prepare to honour 33 police officers and reservists who died in the line of duty in the 2021/2022 financial year.

“Let’s allow investigations to unfold to be able to get to the bottom of what led to this tragedy,” Mosikili said.

A board of inquiry has been established to investigate the cause of the accident.

She said an inquest docket has also been opened to determine the cause of death.

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