Vapedza ka kuchekeresa hanzvadzi yangu, havasisina kana basa naye. Varikundinyima futi fuel…” – after assassinating my brother they no longer care for him they are even denying me fuel, she said...
By A Correspondent | There is no food at all at Emmerson Mnangagwa’s top pilot’s funeral, it has emerged, sparking murmurings that the late Wing Commander was assassinated.
Thomas Manyowa (in the picture with his junior Lt Mapiye), who has been Mnangagwa’s most trusted helicopter pilot, is the most senior Airforce official of the crew who died in last week’s chopper accident in Arcturus. He is also the one who flew the presidential team to Karanda mid April when Mnangagwa opened a 160 metre footbridge.
I am deeply pained by the passing on of these two fine AFZ officers in a helicopter crash which also claimed a kid while injuring the mother and one other child. Barely two weeks ago, I tweeted on the two, highlighting late Flt-Lt Mapiye as a symbol of possibilities for the pic.twitter.com/1gf9iezpZi
— Jamwanda (@Jamwanda2) April 24, 2021

There have been loud complaints since Monday after the state provided only 12 loaves of bread and a small packet of mealie meal. This is all the government has provided for the funeral since Monday, several family sources told ZimEye.
On Monday, a group of soldiers dispatched by the state arrived at the property in Avondale carrying a paltry 12 loaves of bread and a 10kg packet of mealie meal for Emmerson Mnangagwa’s own pilot. The development led to the late’s sister, Rutendo screaming alleging her brother was killed. Speaking just as the loaves of bread were delivered, she rushed to say: “Vapedza ka kuchekeresa hanzvadzi yangu, havasisina kana basa naye. Varikundinyima futi fuel…” – after assassinating my brother they no longer care for him they are even denying me fuel, she said.
While efforts to get a comment from the Airforce were fruitless, ZimEye found the fmaily struggling for sustenance late Wednesday.
Another source complained saying, “how can they do this to the man they hae given state assistance who was doing all this work?”
They continued saying, “Even the defence minister Oppah Muchinguri came here with a convoy of 22 cars, but despite that large number they did not leave a penny, despite Mai Muchinguri describing Thomas as the most reliable pilot.”
ZimEye was at the time of writing reaching out to Minister Muchinguri and the Airforce of Zimbabwe spokesperson.
This AirForce of Zimbabwe Lady helicopter pilot is Flight-Lieutenant Mapiye. She flew us to Karanda yesterday. We celebrate this Officer who is the first Lady helicopter pilot of AFZ. Yes, they can. pic.twitter.com/iwOJFikHXF
— Jamwanda (@Jamwanda2) April 16, 2021