South Africa tops Africa in safety oversight as general aviation fatalities rise

South Africa achieved a 94.99% score in the ICAO safety oversight assessment, placing it first on the continent, and has kept a record of no fatal scheduled commercial aircraft accidents for nearly four decades.

In the 2025-26 financial year, fatal general aviation accidents increased from four to 17 and deaths rose from seven to 24, while the SACAA announced amendments to the Civil Aviation Act that were gazetted on Monday, separating aircraft accident investigations from the agency and expanding its environmental oversight responsibilities.