By Thabo Mosia
A helicopter carrying high-ranking officials, which was en route to Harare from Masvingo, crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday. The helicopter, belonging to the Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ), was scheduled to pick up President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who had attended a major event in Masvingo earlier in the day. The President, however, was not on board, and no casualties have been reported.
The incident has prompted an urgent investigation by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), with early reports attributing the crash to a possible technical malfunction. As authorities work to uncover the cause, this event has drawn attention to Zimbabwe’s aviation safety standards and raised concerns about the maintenance of official aircraft fleets.
Details of the Incident
The helicopter, identified as an AS-332 “Cougar” VIP model, crashed soon after takeoff from Masvingo Airport, where it had just departed following an event celebrating President Mnangagwa’s 82nd birthday and the inauguration of the Munhumutapa National Youth Housing Programme, which was organised by the Zanu PF Youth League. The helicopter was headed to Bikita, a town located further north of Masvingo, to collect the President before continuing the journey to Harare.
Eyewitnesses near the airport described hearing a loud bang moments after the helicopter left the ground. One witness commented, “It seemed like everything was normal, but then suddenly we heard the helicopter make an unusual noise. Within seconds, it began to descend rapidly and crash-landed near the runway.”
Nick Mangwana, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, confirmed the crash on social media:
“There was an aviation incident involving one of the Air Force 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” .
President Mnangagwa’s Safe Return
President Mnangagwa had attended the day’s event as part of his ongoing public engagements ahead of the upcoming elections. His spokesperson later confirmed that the President was safe, having returned to Harare aboard a different aircraft. The President was reportedly informed of the crash after arriving back in the capital, and his office has expressed relief that no lives were lost.
The Munhumutapa National Youth Housing Programme, which was launched in Masvingo, aims to provide affordable housing for the country’s youth, a key campaign promise of the Zanu PF-led government. During the event, President Mnangagwa addressed the crowd, emphasizing the importance of economic reforms and youth empowerment in his administration’s future plans.
Initial Speculations on the Crash
Early reports suggest that a technical malfunction may have caused the crash, although adverse weather conditions have been ruled out, as clear skies were reported at the time. The incident has once again raised concerns about the safety of government and military aircraft in Zimbabwe, particularly in light of previous aviation mishaps involving official aircraft .
In 2018, another Air Force of Zimbabwe helicopter crash-landed in Gutu, Masvingo Province, when a mechanical fault forced the aircraft to make an emergency landing. Thankfully, no one was injured in that incident either, but it raised alarms over the aging fleet used by the government and military officials. The helicopter involved in this latest crash was part of the presidential fleet, which is tasked with transporting the President and other high-ranking officials around the country.
According to an unnamed government source, the helicopter was well-maintained, and it had undergone routine checks prior to the flight. “This is an unfortunate event, and we are conducting a thorough investigation to understand the root cause of the crash. Our aviation safety standards are strict, but incidents like these remind us that constant vigilance is necessary,” the source stated .
Investigation Underway
As of now, the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) has taken charge of the investigation, working closely with the Air Force of Zimbabwe. Investigators are analyzing flight data and examining the wreckage to determine what went wrong during takeoff. The helicopter’s black box recorder will be crucial in providing insights into the series of events that led to the crash .
The CAAZ is expected to release preliminary findings within the coming days. Aviation experts are already speculating that mechanical failure is likely, given the short duration between takeoff and the crash. A spokesperson from CAAZ assured the public, stating, “We are working tirelessly to ensure that we can provide an accurate report on the cause of this crash. In the meantime, we would like to assure the public that this appears to be an isolated incident, and air travel remains safe across Zimbabwe” .
Public Reactions and Political Implications
The news of the crash has generated significant attention both domestically and internationally. Social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) have been flooded with messages of concern for the safety of President Mnangagwa and other government officials. The hashtag #ZimbabweHelicopterCrash quickly began trending, with many users expressing relief that no lives were lost, while others took the opportunity to criticize the state of Zimbabwe’s aviation infrastructure .
One post read, “Grateful that no one was hurt, but this is a wake-up call for our government. Our fleet needs urgent upgrades to avoid a tragedy next time.” Another user pointed out, “This is the second time we’re hearing of issues with presidential helicopters. We must invest in safety and new aircraft if we want to prevent these accidents” .
Opposition parties have also weighed in on the incident, with some questioning the government’s preparedness and ability to secure the President and other high-profile officials. Nelson Chamisa, leader of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), called for an immediate inquiry into Zimbabwe’s aviation safety standards, stating, “The security of our leaders is non-negotiable. We need transparency in this investigation and decisive action to prevent future incidents” .
The History of Aviation Incidents in Zimbabwe
This incident is not the first aviation accident involving the Air Force of Zimbabwe in recent years. In 2018, an Air Force helicopter carrying then Secretary for Defence Martin Rushwaya crash-landed near Ranga School in Masvingo. Rushwaya, a relative of President Mnangagwa, survived the incident, but it highlighted the challenges faced by the Air Force in maintaining its aging fleet .
A more tragic event occurred in August 2024, just weeks before this crash, when a Cessna 182 aircraft carrying Finnish tourists crashed in the Tokwane-Ngundu area near Renco Mine, killing all five people on board. These incidents have prompted calls for stricter regulations and better maintenance of government and civilian aircraft in the country.
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