Keeping spellbound transport on the down low

With ever-increasing transport costs, operators are constantly on the lookout for more economic ways to move goods … And, in Swaziland, witches might prove to be the next best thing to workhorses. (As broomsticks are sure to get far more kilometers/litre than vehicles?)

But, as reported in The Star, it will have to be kept on the down low, as anyone caught flying their broomsticks above the 150 m permitted height limit faces being arrested and paying a hefty fine of R500 000, warns the Civil Aviation Authority.

The Statute also forbids toy helicopters and children’s kites from ascending too high into the country’s airspace.

According to Sabelo Dlamini, Civil Aviation Authority marketing and corporate affairs director, no penalties exist for witches flying below 150 m. However, the newspaper states that is was hard to say how serious he was – but witchcraft isn’t a joking matter in Swaziland.

Dlamini’s “bewitching” remarks came after he was asked by the Swazi press to explain the country’s aviation laws following the arrest of a private detective, Hunter Shongwe, for operating a toy helicopter equipped with a video camera – which he used to gather surveillance information.

Unfortunately The Star also reported that Swazi brooms are short bundles of sticks that are tied together, without handles, which the country’s witches use to fling potions about homesteads – but not for transport.

Better luck next time transport operators.