Mpumalanga Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Ms. Sibongile Manana has expressed shock at the death of a five members of SAPS National Intervention Unit who died as a result of a helicopter crash that happened this morning at Emalahleni.
The crash took place while the officers were performing their duties around Emalahleni [Witbank] area this morning.
Two crew members' pilots also died during the accident increasing the number for the deceased to seven.
Manana said the officer's death is deeply regrettably as SAPS has always been experiencing problems of shortages of manpower.
Manana has hailed the officers as heroes for dying while on duty especially while attempting to assist good citizens of the province.
The MEC added that the officers' skills in crime fighting would sorely be missed especially by their colleagues.
"We will continue to earnestly and courageously fight against crime so that the souls of these heroes could find eternal peace as they died while responding to a crime scene," said Manana.
Manana has meanwhile sent messages of condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims.