The Sunday Mail
++ Govt urged to speed up drone technology regulations
The latest spate of elephant killings in Hwange National Park has led to calls for the speedy introduction of laws governing drone technology amid reports that there has been an increase in the number of both individuals and organisations leveraging on this technology in Zimbabwe’s airspace.
Technically known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS’), the use of drones is becoming widespread in Southern Africa.
South Africa has already passed laws to govern operation of drones.
A drone is an aircraft without a human pilot on board. Its flight is directed either by computers or remote control.
Drones are known to be very effective when used for anti-poaching activities.
They can also be used for surveillance and reconnaissance by military and law enforcement agencies, as well as in search and rescue missions.
However, they can also be used by criminals to monitor movements by security personnel and wildlife, in the case of poaching.
Zimbabwe has draft regulations that are yet to be made into law.
Sources in the aviation and technology sector indicate that the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe has received numerous enquiries from individuals and organisations eager to import and manufacture drones, both for recreational and commercial purposes.
Players in the aviation sector say CAAZ should take a leaf from South Africa’s Civil Aviation Authority, which recently passed a law regulating drone technology.
Authorities in South Africa have incorporated some of the aspects contained in the existing Civil Aviation Act into the new law.
CAAZ recently called on owners of drones to come forward and register their devices, saying: “Pursuant of the Civil Aviation Act Chapter 13:16 7/1998 as amended and the Civil Aviation (Air Navigations) (Amendment) Regulations, 2010 (No 1), Part 7, 8 and 9, the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe hereby notifies Zimbabwean citizens and residents to immediately register all UAVs in Zimbabwe.
“Operations of all UAVs in Zimbabwe shall be conducted only after registration and getting a requisite approval from the authority.”
Those in the technology sector argue that drafting of regulations governing drones must be taken as a matter of urgency especially after the killing of dozens of elephants and other animals by poachers.
The general view is that drones could have been effective in monitoring the situation.
In a contribution on TechZim, a local news blog, Mr Auther Shoko – a technology and aviation enthusiast – said CAAZ seemed hesitant to quickly come up with a regulatory framework.
“As an avid aviation enthusiast for many years, I found myself within CAAZ corridors in an effort to be on the favourable side of the law as I worked on finalising my importation of a fairly advanced drone for private use.
“As it stands, the CAAZ is fully aware that some individuals have been importing this equipment for some time. CAAZ, however, fears the complications that would arise should things go wrong while operating this technology,” Mr Shoko wrote.
Mr Shoko said drone technology was changing fast and Government should be abreast with trends.
Current civil aviation laws say for one to conduct any aviation activity, including operation of a drone, prior approval must be obtained from CAAZ.
Drones have also been viewed as a security risk.
The new regulations are likely to cover such areas as equipment registration and the zoning of areas in which drones are to be operated.
Mr George Mashababe, a senior airworthiness inspector with CAAZ, said the law governing operation of drones would be in place “any day soon”.
“The regulatory draft is there and the principals are currently working on the promulgation. As to when the draft will go through I don’t know. The promulgations involves the State system and that is now beyond the CAAZ. What I can only say is that the regulations might be enforced any day soon,” Mr Mashababe said.
He called on drone owners to register them with CAAZ.
Professor Levy Nyagura, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe, is ecstatic about the achievements the institution has so far made in drone technology.
“Due to cutting-edge research, we are the first institution in the country to construct a real drone. Some of the drones will in future be used to monitor elephants at the Hwange National Park and we will be doing it from here,” Prof Nyagura said.
Drones are in extensive use around Zimbabwe.
A student at Falcon College in Esigodini was recently reported to have been using a drone to take pictures during sporting activities.
A local church also uses drones to take pictures and videos during its services. Drones are readily available for purchase online.
Saith Technologies recently held an open day at which the company’s director, Mr Sungulani Chikumbutso, announced he had successfully manufactured (not assembled) a drone.
Although Mr Chikumbutso’s declaration aroused mixed feelings, it was applauded by many in the technology industry, who hailed the achievement as a step in the right direction.
In the past, CAAZ has encouraged the use of cameras mounted on drones to capture images required for marketing as a way of positioning the country as a top-notch tourism destination.
CAAZ public relations manager Ms Annajulia Hungwe is on record saying it is an international practice to embrace use of drone cameras to capture images for destination marketing.
“The traditional method has been the use of camera persons to capture various photos and video presentations.
“The limitation has always been that the traditional method invariably involved a human being (camera person) interfacing with flora, fauna and other geographical features. That interface posed a risk to the camera person and other crew, for example, when filming elephants or lions.
“The use of cameras mounted on UAVs affords a much closer, life edge exciting and quality images that are second to none. The standard, level, resolution and near touching proximity afforded by use of cameras mounted on UAVs can only add immense value to images and videos used to market Zimbabwe as a destination,” Ms Hungwe was quoted saying by a local weekly.
Drones have often been treated with suspicion by both governments and communities since they have been associated with military operations. Rockets can be mounted on drones, causing death and serious harm.
Drones can, however, be used for humanitarian purposes during national disasters like floods.
