Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Jenfan Muswere, said that the helicopter that crashed on Sunday in Masvingo experienced a technical fault.
The aircraft, a Mil Mi-8 helicopter, was taking off from Masvingo Airport just after 3 PM on a short flight to Bikita to pick up President Emmerson Mnangagwa when it crashed.
In a statement on Monday, 16 September, Muswere said the incident occurred after a successful ground-breaking ceremony of the Munhumutapa National Youth Housing Programme and the Munhumutapa Day celebrations attended by President Mnangagwa.
He said President Mnangagwa was accompanied by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, Vice President Kembo Mohadi, ZANU PF chairperson and Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and other senior Government and party officials.
Muswere said the helicopter was intended to transport President Mnangagwa, but he was not aboard at the time of the crash. Said Muswere:
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 said the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) is carrying out investigations and a statement will be issued in due course.
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