An eye in the sky in the form of a light aircraft is a proposed solution to alleviate crime and can also be used for general community services.

A comprehensive working document has been compiled and presented to the Municipal Manager of Makhado Municipality and the response of the municipality is being awaited. In a letter dated February 13, the Soutpansberg Ratepayers Association (SRPA) reminded the municipal manager of the request for a response and of the fact that the document had been submitted in November last year. The project needs to be included in the municipal budget.

Millions of rand are being lost due to vandalism and theft of electricity infrastructure. The material loss, according to the IDP Draft Analysis document, was a staggering R4.5 million for the 2005/6 financial year and figures for July 2006 to February 2007 already add up to R800 000.

"The aircraft project will save the Makhado and Vhembe municipalities millions of rand in the prevention of crime and if community benefits are added, it can become a huge asset to the inhabitants of the Vhembe/Makhado municipalities," says Mr Herman Smith, chairperson of the SRPA. Smith is on the task team, together with Insp Joshua Nethavha of the Makhado Municipality.

Four aircrafts were investigated: the GYRO Sycamore MK2000 (with a purchase price of R499 000), the Bantam B22-6 (R353 000), the Cheetah XLS 912 (R362 000) and the Apollo, a closed aircraft (R345 000). The Gyro Sycamore is more expensive but adaptable "to overcome adverse flying conditions … A pilot is immediately available and willing to move to Makhado," says Stefan Grové from Chayair in Musina. The three lighter aircrafts have cheaper flying costs per hour.

A summary of the average financial implications shows that R815 000 capital is required, including the purchase of the aircraft, two ground vehicles and hangars/airstrips. The running cost per annum is an estimated R384 000, including salaries and wages, flying costs and services.

Benefits of the Light Aircraft Security Project will be that potential perpetrators will be deterred by the fact that an aircraft is monitoring the area. If a crime does take place, it will be easy for an aircraft to monitor escape routes for perpetrators.

"There will be continuous contact between the aircraft and the town watch, farm watch, police and other emergency services… In Musina, where they phased in a monitoring system through an aircraft during December, crime has dropped to nearly zero percent, which shows that monitoring through an aircraft is absolutely affective," says Mr André Naudé, of the Chairpersons Association.

Combating crime is not the only purpose of the aircraft. Smith of the SPRA identified 14 purposes. These include reporting accidents and to direct ground personnel to hot spots, to give an early warning of veldt fires, to patrol water pipelines, telephone- and power lines and cables on a regular basis, to use for border security, anti-poaching and game counting, and evacuation in emergencies.

"It is easier to see events involving people or vehicles from the sky and land-based personnel can be directed to the event with speed and accuracy," says Smith.

An important point made by Col L Greeff of Airforce Base Makhado is that the control of such an aerial vehicle should not be seated in governmental agencies but in an agency like the Makhado Metro Police or something similar.

"One should not let the use of the aerial vehicle become a political issue by allowing abuse … and subsequent wasting of funds," said Col Greeff, who is willing to assist in the project in an advisory capacity

A number of flying schools are situated in the vicinity, in Musina, Alldays, Hoedspruit, Tzaneen and Nelspruit. Part of the activities of the task team was to fly in aircrafts, like the Bantam B22J in the Kruger National Park, where Mr Steven Whitfield shared his knowledge.