Presidential helicopter crashes in Masvingo; Mnangagwa NOT on board aged aircraft

By Political Correspondent

AN Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) VIP helicopter crashed in Masvingo Sunday where President Emmerson Mnangagwa attended celebrations for his birthday dubbed Munhumutapa Day.

The Zanu PF leader was not on board the aged aircraft – one of two acquired in 1995 – when it crashed shortly after take-off at Masvingo airport.

According to media reports, the AS332L Cougar VIP helicopter aborted a take-off and suffered a hard crash landing. The crew of three on board survived the crash with one reportedly sustaining unspecified injuries.

A statement by government spokesperson and information ministry permanent secretary Nick Mangwana did not reveal much, merely noting that; “There was an aviation incident involving one of the Airforce of Zimbabwe Helicopters that travelled to Masvingo today (Sunday).

“Thankfully there were no casualties. Civil Aviation Authorities are investigating, and their findings will be shared with the Nation when they become available.”

Some media reports suggested the aircraft may have been due to pick up Mnangagwa who had visited family in Bikita after attending the birthday celebrations at the Great Zimbabwe monuments.

The event was organised by the Zanu PF youth league.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga was notably absent from the event where controversial calls were repeated for Mnangagwa to remain in power beyond his current and (constitutionally final) term which ends 2028.

In April 2021, the Harare government acquired a refurbished Airbus H215 helicopter in 2021 to add to its VIP fleet amid security concerns over the aged Cougar aircraft.

“There have been security concerns about the safety of the Cougar helicopter currently in service,” the state-owned Herald newspaper reported at the time.

“President Mnangagwa will be doing a lot of domestic travel to remote parts of the country in the run up to the presidential and parliamentary elections set for (August) 2023. That is why this acquisition was approved.”

The AFZ has lost several aerial defence assets and aircraft to crashes and obsolescence in the past 22 years.

Under economic sanctions and a United States (US) and European Union (EU) enforced arms embargo, Zimbabwe has struggled to maintain its fleet of old Western-made military aircraft.

There was an aviation incident involving one of the Airforce of Zimbabwe Helicopters that traveled to Masvingo today. Thankfully there were no casualties. Civil Aviation Authorities are investigating and their findings will be shared with the Nation when they become available.

— Nick Mangwana (@nickmangwana) September 15, 2024