MASVINGO – A Zimbabwe Air Force (AFZ) helicopter, intended to transport President Emmerson Mnangagwa, crash landed at Masvingo Airport on Sunday afternoon after experiencing a technical fault. While the incident caused alarm, thankfully, there were no fatalities.
The helicopter, a Mil Mi-8, was preparing for a short flight to Bikita to pick up the President, who had earlier been in the area for a groundbreaking ceremony for a housing development. Mnangagwa had been accompanied by First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa, Vice President Kembo Mohadi, and Defence Minister Opah Muchinguri-Kashiri.
President Mnangagwa had reportedly gone for a visit to Bikita, where his father Mafidi is buried. Bikita is Mnangagwa’s original home before they moved to the Mapanzure area in Zvishavane. However, there are several versions of where Mnangagwa is originally from.
The incident, which occurred just after 3PM, has prompted investigations by both the Ministry of Defence and the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ).
“The helicopter was supposed to fly the President, Dr ED Mnangagwa but experienced a technical fault and crash landed. The President, Dr ED Mnangagwa was not on board. The helicopter had crew members only on board and there were no fatalities. CAAZ is carrying out investigations and a statement will be issued at the appropriate time,” said Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere while addressing journalists yesterday.
“The helicopter which was supposed to fly the president crash landed after experiencing a technical fault, but the president was not on board. The helicopter only had crew members on board, and there were no fatalities,” Muswere told the ZBC on Monday.
The Ministry of Defence, in a statement, also confirmed the commencement of investigations into the cause of the accident.
A source told The NewsHawks: “The helicopter was supposed to take off at Masvingo Airport late today afternoon and go to Bikita to fetch the President back to Harare. There were actually two helicopters.
“Upon take-off, the presidential helicopter suddenly developed a technical failure and crashed to the ground, with big impact. There were three crew members and one was injured. There were no fatalities.”
The airport, located three kilometres east of Masvingo town, typically caters for small chartered and military aircraft. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of Zimbabwe’s ageing aircraft fleet. In August 2021, Mnangagwa’s presidential helicopter was forced into an emergency landing due to technical failures, leading to a security overhaul.
On a trip to Russia in July 2023, Mnangagwa was gifted a VIP transport helicopter – a Mil Mi-38 – but the aircraft has not yet entered service as pilots are still undergoing training.
The helicopter crash in Masvingo is the latest in a series of incidents involving Zimbabwe’s Air Force, highlighting the need for urgent attention to aircraft maintenance and safety protocols. The incident has also sparked debate about the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its officials and the public.
It is important to note that the Vice-Presidents were not in the helicopter as reported by some media outlets. Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga did not even attend Mnangagwa’s birthday event and celebrations at the launch of Munhumutapa Day at Great Zimbabwe, located 30km southeast of Masvingo town. Vice-President Kembo Mohadi attended, but was also not in the helicopter.
