In his letter Seeking truth of crash (December 27), Farouk Araie states that the "Botha government claimed the aircraft had locked onto a VOR". He also states that "it admitted tracking Machel’s aircraft for hundreds of kilometres, even when it was over Zimbabwe".

To the best of my knowledge the "Botha government" made no such claims. The board of investigation into the tragic accident in which President Samora Machel lost his life was led by Judge Cecil Margo, an experienced and competent authority on air disasters. His board was composed of internationally recognised experts in aviation accident investigations. They were experts beyond any possible criticism for either partiality or prejudice.

In his memoirs, Final Postponement, Judge Margo gives a full account of the investigation and the facts that were put to the board. His explanation of how they came to their findings is a must-read for anyone interested in the events that led to this accident.

May I suggest Mr Araie acquaints himself with the facts of the case by reading Judge Margo’s account of the accident and the board’s findings?

Jan van Loggerenberg

Via e-mail