Questions swirl around helicopter tragedy
Staff Writer | Thursday April 24, 2014 12:46
Superintendent Keokeditswe Sobatha from Molepolole, Assistant Superintendent Shepherd Ntobedzi from Kalakamati Village as well as Inspector Ricardo Modiri Mabotho from Lekgolobotlo Village lost their lives in the accident.
In a brief media briefing, Police Commissioner, Keabetswe Makgophe confirmed that police helicopter, BPS-02, which had been missing since Sunday evening, was found yesterday.
It is understood the helicopter crashed in the remote settlement of Nokaneng near Gumare. However, alternative reports suggest the crash site is at Xaraga, near Maun.
Police yesterday declined to comment on when it is believed the helicopter crashed, the location of the crash site, the time and circumstances of its discovery and possible causes of the accident.
Although government and police authorities are keeping details of the crash close to their chests, Mmegi is informed that Khama and Kgosi visited the crash site yesterday and went on to Maun Hospital where the remains of the three officers are believed to have been moved.
The president is also understood to have already interacted with some families of the deceased, while Makgophe is also said to have visited each of the bereaved families in turn.
“A pathologist was flown from Gaborone to the crash site to assist with identifying the deceased as the crash was fiery,” said a source close to the latest developments.
Mmegi is informed that the police, Botswana Defence Force and intelligence personnel present in the area, who were previously focussed on tracking the helicopter, have now shifted to investigating the cause of the disaster.
Speculation as to the cause has ranged from mechanical deficiencies to an attack by the sophisticated poachers known to operate in the wildlife rich area. Police on Monday, however, ruled out foul play while declining to state how they were able to arrive at that conclusion.
BPS-02 is one of three helicopters bought by the police in 2009 to establish the Air Support branch. The supplier, Eurocopter, also trained six pilots and three mechanics as part of the deal.