By Takudziridzwa Nyama
An Air force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) Helicopter crashed during takeoff yesterday afternoon at Masvingo Airport.
The aircraft was said to have been carrying VIPs from Masvingo to Harare after the celebrations to mark President Mnangagwa’s 82nd birthday and inaugural Munhumutapa day launched on the same day.
Fortunately no casualties were reported in the incident and the President of Zimbabwe was not part to the Helicopter.
The incident was confirmed by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Nick Mangwana at his X account.
“There was an aviation incident involving one of the Airforce of Zimbabwe Helicopters that traveled to Masvingo today(yesterday). Thankfully there were no casualties. Civil Aviation Authorities are investigating and their findings will be shared with the Nation when they become available,” wrote Mangwana.
The latest incident adds to the list recent aircraft crashes in the country which have raised questions about the state of our planes. Four Helicopters have crashed in the past three years and the latest crash adds to the list.
One of the helicopter crashed into a house in Arcturus 32 km east of the Capital Harare in 2021 , the second helicopter crashed in Hukuru area in Arcturus the same year. Another did so in Mhondoro near Chibhero Agricultural college in 2022, and the recent one at Mlezu college general area near Gweru last year.