On 15 October 1951 the lives of 17 people were claimed when a South African Airways (SAA) Dakota, named the Paardeberg, crashed into a ridge near Settler’s Hill in the Ingeli Mountains during a flight from Port Elizabeth to Durban.
The flight left Port Elizabeth at 3pm and was due in Durban at 5.35pm. The last communication received from the plane was at 5pm, indicating an expected arrival time of 5.35pm at Stamford Hill, Durban. When the flight did not arrive, a search operation was initiated.
Emergency services were alerted including ships at sea, with, according to an article written by journalist, Penny Swift, the well-known mail ship, Cape Town Castle being on the look-out, using its radar equipment. Other South African Airways planes were put on standby while some flew along the likely route in hopes of finding the missing plane. The wreckage was spotted the next day, 16 October 1951, by another Dakota passenger plane – the Paardeberg’s sister aircraft, flying a regular service to Johannesburg.
The Kokstad Advertiser reported that the accident site was a wide, burnt-out area with debris strewn across a large area. It was also determined that all victims died on impact. The location of the accident later became known as Dakota Kop.
Reports from the time indicate that rescue teams hiked almost two hours through the treacherous mountainous terrain to reach the crash site as no roads or tracks into the higher reaches of the Ingeli existed. An ambulance allegedly waited in Weza. There is mention of use of horses and a Jeep, especially with regard to the recovery of the bodies of the victims.
Kokstad Advertiser reported that a Jeep driven by Mr Boet Whittle, assisted by Mr JB Mundell was responsible for bringing the bodies down from the mountain. The article notes the difficulty of the task over the treacherous terrain in heavy mist. All bodies were taken to Mr Wilmot’s mortuary.
Of the 17 occupants, thirteen were passengers (including two children) and four crew. According to reports in the Kokstad Advertiser, the weather conditions were extremely misty with ‘blinding rain’.
The exact cause of the accident was never determined however according the article by Swift, ‘a board of enquiry said that one of the contributing factors to the crash was the “unserviceability” of ground-based radio navigational aids along the route’. This finding indicates that the pilot and crew did not have navigational information for the entire flight, possibly ‘flying blind’ in adverse weather conditions.
According to Swift, and verified by reports in the Kokstad Advertiser, the victims were identified as: Mr. O. Deminerbi (described as an Italian Count); Mr. W. J. Robinson; Mr. H. Fraser-Watson; Mr. G. Phillips; Mr. E. J. Martin; Mrs. Dulcie M. James and her two children, Deborah, 6, and Meyrick, 2. Mr. H. Flegg; Mr. D. R. Pocock; Dr. Ostovat; Mr. M. Christensen (U.S.A.); Mr. Archibald Cramer (maternal grandfather to Penny Swift). Captain of the ill-fated flight, Commander Douglas. W. Ellis. (mid thirties); First Officer Fred Joubert (32); Radio Officer Petrus (Pietie) le Roux (was set to celebrate his 31st birthday on the 24th October) and Air Hostess Miss Mary Bondietti.
It is believed that the accident was the first major air crash for South African Airways and also the first with fatalities.
According to families of the victims, commemoration events were hosted regularly to honour those lost in the tragedy. This years marks 75 years since the accident.
Marashene (Le Roux) Lewis, daughter of Radio Officer Petrus (Pietie) le Roux, celebrated her 75th birthday on 9 April 2026. She was only six months old when her father died in the plane crash, however she says the incident affected her deeply. Pietie survived World War 2, only to die six years later in this horrific air crash. He left behind a beautiful young wife, Ricky and a 6 month old firstborn child, daughter Marashene.
“Although I never knew my father, I grew up surrounded by the loving stories told about him
and happy photographs. My name, Marashene, is special to me, as my father derived the name from Marachino. He had good war time experiences working as a prisoner of war on an Italian Cherry farm. I was his ‘cherry’.”
Marashene says her birthdays were particularly difficult: “My birthdays were always a sad day for me, as my father never lived to share my first birthday. However, once I passed 70, I was able to put that behind me.”
She says she and her husband were fortunate enough to have visited the actual crash site in 2011.
“Bonnie Auret from the Manor Guest House co-ordinated the site visit. This was led by Jeremy Brownrigg and Lorraine Lyle. This was a very emotional and deep experience. On 16th December 2016, Dave Groom invited myself and my husband to join the Kokstad
4×4 club on a trip to the crash site to lay a memorial stone. I have two small pieces of aircraft wreckage that I treasure,” says Marashene.
She says that despite the sadness, she has had a blessed life: “My mother remarried a Paarl farmer when I was two and a half years old. I was blessed to grow up in a good home with six siblings. All parents have passed on, but we siblings remain in very close contact.”
Son of First Officer Fred Joubert, Andre (81) says the upcoming anniversary of the tragic crash, brings back deeply personal memories for him and his family.
“My father was a pilot and the First Officer on that flight, and sadly all those on board
lost their lives. I was only six years old at the time. My older brother and I were left
without our father, while my mother was left without a husband and was expecting
my younger sister.”
He says the loss had a profound effect on their family.
“Yet, looking back 75 years later, I believe it is important that this anniversary is remembered not only for the tragedy itself, but also for the lives of those who were lost and the families they left behind. I would like to see my father, together with all the other passengers and crew who died that day, remembered with dignity and affection. Each had a life, a family and a story, and their memory deserves to remain part of our history.”
Andre says that for his family, the years following the accident were shaped by the remarkable strength of his mother.
“A deeply devoted Christian, she never failed in her faith, despite the enormous challenge of bringing up three children as a single parent. She devoted herself to her family and, through courage, love and determination, moved us forward. My mother’s sister also played an invaluable role. She provided both financial and emotional support and became an important part of our upbringing. Her generosity and commitment helped our family through difficult years and contributed greatly to the lives we were able to build.”
Much like Marashene, Andre says despite the loss of his father, he was well loved.
“Although the loss of our father inevitably affected us, we were fortunate to be surrounded by love, faith and family support. Those qualities enabled us to move forward positively and to build our own lives while carrying the memory of our father with us.”
Andre hopes that the 75 commemoration of the Paardeberg accident will be an occasion of
remembrance, but also one of gratitude.
“Gratitude for the lives of those who were lost, for the families who kept their memories alive, and for the strength of those who had to carry on after such a devastating loss. May all those who lost their lives in the Paardeberg tragedy continue to be remembered with respect and dignity, and may their families and descendants take comfort in knowing that their lives and legacies have not been forgotten.”
- A photo published in the Kokstad Advertiser of 18 October 1951 showing two investigation officials looking at the ill-fated Dakota, the Paardeberg of S.A. Airways which crashed on Settler’s Hill on 15 October 1951.
2-4. Photos of the tragedy published in the Kokstad Advertiser of 18 October 1951. Kokstad Studio is credited for some of the photos.
