By Political Reporter- The government said six people were in the Presidential military helicopter that crashed in Masvingo last Sunday, and they have launched an internal witch hunt among the crew and technicians responsible for maintaining the chopper.

Air Force of Zimbabwe helicopter that crashed in Masvingo on Sunday. 

Tensions are high, with whispers of sabotage swirling, as sources reveal that the chopper had been reserved for Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and his aides.

Chiwenga, however, reportedly turned down the flight after receiving assassination warnings.

In a terse statement, the Ministry of Defence denied reports that two pilots lost their lives in the crash, but concerns over the helicopter’s safety remain at an all-time high.

“The helicopter had two pilots and four passengers on board when it developed a problem during the transition phase of take-off,” reads the statement.

“Fortunately, there were no fatalities from the crew, passengers, and personnel on the ground.

“An inquiry into the cause of the accident by the Ministry of Defence in conjunction with the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe is underway,” said reads the Defence Ministry statement.

The helicopter in question, a Eurocopter AS332, has been President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s trusted transport for years. 

Shockingly, this is the second time it has crashed. The model, also known as the H225 Super Puma, has one of the worst safety records globally. 

A detailed ZimEye investigation revealed that it holds a chilling 75% probability of fatal incidents—making it the deadliest helicopter on record.

Nicknamed by some as Hlupeko or Dambudzo, meaning “trouble” in Shona, the Eurocopter AS332/H225 Super Puma’shistory is littered with fatal accidents. 

Of the eight major incidents involving this model, six have resulted in deaths. In comparison, other helicopters like the Sikorsky S-92, Bell 412, and AgustaWestland AW139 have far lower fatality risks, ranging from 30% to 50%.

What makes this even more disturbing is the severity of each crash.

On average, a fatal Super Puma incident claims 8.33 lives—significantly higher than its competitors. 

For example, the Sikorsky S-92, with a 40% probability of a fatal incident, averages 5.5 fatalities, while the Bell 412 and AW139 pose even lower risks.

The crash has thrown the Air Force and government into a frenzy, with many questioning how long Mnangagwa will continue to rely on a helicopter model with such a deadly reputation. 

For now, the investigation is ongoing, and no one is taking any chances.