NEW DETAILS OF KLAAS HELICOPTER CRASH REVEALED
Matenje shies away from interview
DETAILS surrounding the death of rapper, Sarona Motlhagodi (Sasa Klaas), in a fatal helicopter crash have revealed that the pilot had collided with a tree, spun out of control, and plunged to the ground.
Popularly known as MmaMongwato to her legion of fans, the 27-year-old daughter of the Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Annah Mokgethi, died on the way to Sojwe clinic from Xumabee Game Ranch in western Sandvelt where the crash had occurred.
She was with her male friend, Leonard Matenje, a wealthy businessman from Tutume.
Sources close to the couple have told The Voice that had help arrived on time, Klaas could have survived.
Matenje and Klaas left Matsieng Airstrip on Friday late afternoon heading to his game farm, Olefile Moakofi, Director Accident Investigation at the Ministry of Transport and Communication has confirmed.
“The helicopter flew for some distance before impact with the ground. It then continued moving on the ground for approximately 35 metres where the main instrument panel was sheared off the aircraft. It had finally hit a shrub and capsized, facing the direction it had come from,’ Moakofi said in response to The Voice questionnaire.
Moakofi further noted that their investigations have not established ‘any communication whatsoever between the pilot (Matenje) and the control tower on the day of the mishap”
After the crash, Matenje, who escaped with minor injuries, left Klaas at the scene still conscious but visibly hurt to call for help from the neighbouring farm.
The neighbours and Matenje’s friend, who had followed the couple by road, rushed Klaas to the clinic while he remained at the farm.
“Sasa was hurt but her injuries did not seem fatal. On the way, she seemed worried about the long distance to the clinic. At the 30km mark, she expressed worry that she might not make it alive to the clinic,” said a source close to the incident who did not want to be named.
“I don’t think I will make it, guys.” Those were Sasa Klaas’ last words. She was certified dead on arrival,” the source further revealed.
At the time of going to press, the Ministry of Transport had not yet established the type of license and the ratings Matenje possessed as part of that licence, while South Africa, where his license is registered, said they were not at liberty to disclose such information.
Matenje had initially agreed to an exclusive interview with this publication but changed his mind towards the dying minutes of the deadline.
Klaas will be laid to rest today (Friday) in Gaborone.