Johannesburg – Authorities on Tuesday denied reports that two journalists were arrested at the scene of a military plane crash near Lydenburg, Mpumalanga.

SA National Defence Force (SANDF) spokesperson Xolani Mabanga said he was not in a position to comment because he was not aware of the arrests.

“I am not aware of any journalist trying to access the scene of the accident.”

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Selvy Mohlala said he did not know anything about the arrests.

“When were they arrested, by who? I don’t know anything about it,” he said.

SABC news reported on Tuesday that the SANDF had detained two journalists at the scene of the plane crash.

According to the report, the media was denied permission to film the wreckage.

Three people died and two were injured when a military plane crashed in Blystaanhoogte.

The aircraft, which took off from Waterkloof, Pretoria, had five people on board, including two pilots.

Both pilots and one of the passengers were killed.

The injured were airlifted to Nelspruit Medi-Clinic.

The SANDF said the aircraft was stationed at a training camp in the Lydenburg area.

SAPA