Steelpoort businessman dies in Mbombela plane crash

Known and loved by many, the death of Steelpoort businessman Jeff Mabuza (44) has sent shockwaves through the local aviation fraternity.

Mabuza was the single occupant of his Beachcraft Bonanza aircraft when it crashed near the old Nelspruit Airfield on Monday January 30 at about 15:00. It is believed that he died as a result of the impact.

Lowvelder was on the scene, along with the Nelspruit police, emergency medical services and members of the Mbombela aviation community. The scene, a heap of crushed metal, could only be described as harrowing.

ALSO READ: Missing Marloth Park man found dead, community to cease search

The wreckage lay atop a gentle slope on a private farm and was quickly cordoned off by the police. Mbombela resident and long-time pilot Toit du Toit said he had been doing work on his property outside of town at about 15:10 when he heard what sounded like a plane going into a spin and then crashing.

“I called Kruger’s air traffic control and asked if they had a plane missing and that I had heard what I thought was a crash. They said they would check and get back to me. They called back a few minutes later and confirmed that a plane had been missing and that it would be investigated,” he said.

As a pilot, Du Toit had made news in 2005 when the plane he was flying which carried several passengers hit an air pocket and he had to make an emergency landing on the R40 between White River and Mbombela during peak traffic.

ALSO READ: Body of man found after shack burned down in Mashishing

Du Toit said the area where Mabuza’s plane had crashed is a very popular air space for trainee pilots and it had been a nightmare of his for a long time now that there would be a fatality from a crash.

He sent his condolences to the family and friends of Mabuza. It is still unclear from where Mabuza was flying.

The South African Civil Aviation Authority later arrived at the scene to begin an investigation. A preliminary report on the crash will be released within the next 30 days.

A statement by a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, said the police have opened an inquest docket on the matter and a preliminary probe revealed that Mabuza was the owner of the plane he had been flying when it went down.

“He and his family, including his departed father, George Mabuza, would have done anything to assist the needy and vulnerable,” said a source close to Mabuza, who wished to remain anonymous.

“His business, Mbonjomane Construction and Plant Hire, is a source of income for most people in the Tubatse area. His death is a shock to the locals and those of us who knew him as a philanthropist, great friend and family man.”

Friend and fellow aviator Phillip Cope said Mabuza was one of the most passionate aviators he had ever come across.

“Jeff had been sponsoring a young man from KaBokweni for helicopter lessons and paying the majority of the hefty fee it costs to fly one,” said Cope. He said the youngster is 19 and that Mabuza had been helping to pay for the majority of his lessons, exams and licences, solely out of his love of flying and wanting to share his passion for aviation with others. Cope has been the pilot teaching the man to fly, all thanks to Mabuza.

“His death is a massive loss to aviation and has been difficult for everyone who knew him in the Mpumalanga aviation community. He was a good man and will be missed,” he said.