South Africa's missing planes found, no survivors

The two planes that went missing after leaving Tzaneen on Sunday afternoon have been found with no survivors. The planes took off from a landing strip in Tzaneen after an air show on Sunday and were headed to the Rand Airport in Germiston.

The aircraft crashed on Mamotswiri Peak, near Tzaneen, Limpopo police spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said.

"We can confirm that the bodies of 13 people, including two children, were found near the wreckage on Tuesday morning. The families of the deceased have been informed and are receiving counselling."

The names and ages of those on board both Albatross planes, would be released in due course.

Search and Rescue SA spokesman Johnny Smith said indications were that both planes flew into the mountain, but this was not confirmed.

Rescue personnel had to be hoisted into the area after the crash site was discovered by a police helicopter at 08:15.

One of the women who died in the crash is Marietjie De Witt (56). Her daughter, Nelri Di Gio Vampaolo, was the marketing manager at the Glen Shopping Centre about seven years ago.

Mulaudzi said police and the Civil Aviation Authority would now take over with investigations.
"We are working together to protect the scene, and process information," he said.