Drone courts controversy

Bulawayo Bureau

A LOCAL private school, Falcon College, has been using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, to take pictures during sporting activities without the necessary security clearance.

The drone, a quadcopter, has been a prominent feature during the school’s recent sporting events, with the pictures taken being used on the school’s official Facebook page.

A quadcopter is an unmanned aerial vehicle which is used for surveillance and reconnaissance by military and law enforcement agencies, as well as search and rescue missions.

The phantom one camera drone — similar to the one used at the school — is a remote-controlled five kilogramme quadcopter that flies at a speed of 10 metres per second and can take long range pictures and videos.

Falcon College headmaster Mr Reginald Querl denied knowledge of the drone adding that; “We actually used a helicopter to take those pictures (on Facebook), no one owns a drone at the school.”

However, his secretary, Mrs Rosy Shearing, said the machine belonged to a student.

“The drone does not belong to the school. It belongs to one of our students who uses it to take photographs during the school’s sporting events and his own entertainment. I believe it cost something above $500.”

Matabeleland South spokesperson, Sergeant Thabani Mkhwananzi declined to comment, referring all question to the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ).

CAAZ spokesperson Ms Anna Julia Hungwe said all drones need to be registered.

“It is a requirement for a drone operator to register with the Authority. Due to technological advancement and the diverse operations of the drones, it is now necessary for the Authority to directly control the operations of the drones. This is consistent with the international practice currently prevailing,” she said.

Late last year, there was an uproar in Victoria Falls after some tour operators began using drones to take pictures and videos amid concerns the gadgets could be used for espionage and invasion of privacy.

The use of drones is currently illegal in neighbouring South Africa.