A helicopter belonging to Zimbabwe’s Air Force, intended to transport President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has crashed during take-off at Masvingo Airport, officials say.

Information Minister Jenfan Muswere told state broadcaster ZBC that the aircraft only had crew members on board and there were no fatalities.

“The helicopter which was supposed to fly the president crash landed after experiencing a technical fault, but the president was not on board,” Mr Muswere said.

The Mil Mi-8 helicopter was preparing for a short flight to Bikita to collect President Mnangagwa when the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon.

Images from the scene show the aircraft lying on its right side with broken rotors. The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe has launched an investigation into the crash.

President Mnangagwa had earlier attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a housing development in the area, accompanied by his wife, Vice President Kembo Mohadi, and Defence Minister Opah Muchinguri-Kashiri.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the ageing fleet of Zimbabwe’s Air Force. In recent years, several aircraft have been lost due to accidents, often attributed to poor maintenance.

In July 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin gifted Mnangagwa a new VIP transport helicopter, a Mil Mi-38. However, this aircraft has not yet entered service as pilots are still undergoing training.

The crash comes at a time when Zimbabwe faces significant economic challenges, which have impacted various sectors including defence and aviation.

The government has not yet commented on how this incident might affect presidential travel arrangements or if it will expedite the introduction of the new Russian helicopter into service.