South Africa Denies Role in Plane Crash
South Africa today angrily denied allegations that it was behind the plane crash that killed Mozambican President Samora Machel and warned its accusers that they are playing “a dangerous game.”
Machel’s death 11 days ago, amid rising tensions between his civil-war-torn nation and the Pretoria regime, aroused immediate speculation among Pretoria’s opponents that South Africa was responsible for bringing down the Soviet-built plane.
But Defense Minister Magnus Malan denounced the allegations as propaganda today.
“South Africa was not involved in the crash--in no way. Let this be clear to everyone now,” he said.
“The whole matter is going too far. Leaders like President (Kenneth) Kaunda (of Zambia) and (Prime Minister Robert) Mugabe (of Zimbabwe) and others who are spreading propaganda, or allow it to happen, must look a few truths in the face.
“I say to them . . . they are playing a dangerous game. What they are trying to do to South Africa is not child’s play.”
Zimbabwe’s Herald newspaper said this week that members of the Soviet crew on Machel’s plane were “lured from their destination by a powerful portable beacon placed on the South African side of the border.”
Malan said that allegation is “a transparent attempt to blame South Africa and its army and air force for the crash.”
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