its defense purposes and were re-equipped with Mohawks and Kittyhawks. There are several incidents of Kittyhawk crashes near Isipingo: 5009 - crashed near Isipingo on 19 June 1944, 2Lt C. V. J. Giddey survived 5010 - crashed near Isipingo on 7 December 1943 5013 - caught fire in flight and crashed near Umbilo on 1 November 1943, 2Lt F. E. Hamm survived 5014 - stalled after takeoff and crashed near Isipingo on 2 October 1943, 2Lt K. L. Clur survived 5021 - crashed near Isipingo on 4 October 1943, 2Lt R. A. Hamlyn killed 5027 - crashed near Isipingo on 22 December 1943, 2Lt A. N. Blake killed 5082 - crashed near Isipingo on 18 December 1944 Geography Isipingo is surrounded by Reunion and the defunct Durban International Airport to the north, the Indian Ocean to the east, Athlone Park and Umbogintwini to the south and Umlazi to the west. Isipingo is divided into seven neighbourhoods, the most established and notable ones being Isipingo Rail (inland alongside the railway) and Isipingo Beach (on a high ridge of sand at the mouth of the Siphingo River) which are separated by the flat industrial area of Prospecton. Isipingo Hills and Malaba Hills are built on the hilly inland area north of the Siphingo River around Isipingo Rail and Lotus Park, Orient Hills and Malukazi are located on the hilly inland area south of the Siphingo River. Isipingo Rail, the commercial and retail hub of Isipingo serves as the area's Central Business District. Economy The Isipingo Central Business District is an important retail and transport hub, with many national retailers present. Significant wholesale stores also exist in the Isipingo area. The adjoining major industrial area of Prospecton is the location of one of South Africa's largest automobile assembly plants, that of Toyota. The facility, covering almost , is a place of employment for many Isipingo residents. Amenities The amenities of Isipingo include a police station, a SASSA office, two libraries which are the Provincial Isipingo Civic Library in Orient Hills and the Isipingo Beach Library, a private hospital named Isipingo Hospital in Isipingo Hills and three shopping centres which are all in Isipingo Rail namely Isipingo Main, Isipingo Junction and the Isipingo Retail Development (a new retail development on the railway station completed in 2020). The area has access to fine beaches, Reunion Park Beach, Isipingo Beach River Mouth, Tiger Rocks Beach and