The presidential helicopter crash that nearly killed former CIO Director-General…. Pilots fled the scene after the accident

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In a chilling revelation, former Zimbabwean Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) Director-General Happyton Bonyongwe has recounted how he narrowly escaped death in a helicopter crash in May 2007.

The incident, which occurred during a diplomatic mission with the then-head of the Portuguese External Intelligence Service (SIED), João do Carmo Ataíde da Câmara, left Bonyongwe and his delegation shaken but miraculously unharmed. The crash, involving the late President Robert Mugabe’s presidential helicopter, took a dramatic turn when the pilots fled the scene, leaving the passengers to fend for themselves.

The harrowing ordeal unfolded during a diplomatic visit aimed at lobbying for Portugal’s hosting of the European Union-African Union Summit, which was scheduled for December 2007 in Lisbon. As part of the visit, Bonyongwe accompanied Camara on a tour of Great Zimbabwe and Mutare, offering an aerial view of the Mozambique border from a military helicopter.

A Fateful Flight

The delegation had travelled on Mugabe’s Cougar Presidential helicopter, flying from Harare to Masvingo and then to Mutare. However, heavy rainfall in Mutare delayed their return to the capital. As they approached Harare, approximately 50 kilometres from the airport, the pilot spotted an approaching storm and decided to land in an open field to wait for the weather to clear.

What followed was a terrifying crash that could have ended in tragedy. In his book, One Among Many – My Contribution to the Zimbabwean Story, Bonyongwe vividly describes the moments leading up to the crash:

“I was sitting by the window, as was the Portuguese Director-General. The pilot switched on his floodlights to check the surroundings. We were about 50 metres above the ground when he tried to manoeuvre the helicopter away from some trees but lost control. The helicopter fell from the sky like a stone.”

The aircraft crashed onto its side, a position that, while devastating, prevented the fuel from fully flowing into the engine, averting a potential explosion. Fortunately, all passengers were wearing seat belts, which minimised injuries.

Pilots Flee the Scene

In the chaotic aftermath of the crash, panic set in among the crew. Bonyongwe recalls how the pilots abandoned the aircraft, leaving the passengers behind. “The pilots fled the scene,” he said, leaving him to take charge of the situation.

With quick thinking and determination, Bonyongwe managed to evacuate everyone on board, including Camara and a Portuguese officer on crutches. “I head-butted the emergency exit window with sufficient force to break it,” he recounted. “I got the Director-General of Portugal out first, followed by the other officers. The last person before me was the Portuguese officer on crutches.”

A Journey to Safety

Once outside the wreckage, the group made their way on foot to the highway, where Bonyongwe contacted his driver and wife for assistance. His wife drove him and Camara to a trauma centre in Harare for medical evaluation. Apart from minor bruises, the passengers were largely unharmed, though the Portuguese officer on crutches sustained the worst injuries and was treated before being discharged the same night.

Diplomatic Repercussions

The crash had significant diplomatic implications. Camara returned to Portugal the following day, but the incident forged a lasting bond between the two intelligence chiefs. Bonyongwe later attended Camara’s presentation of credentials as the Portuguese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, an event that Mugabe himself acknowledged as a testament to their shared survival.

The European Union-Africa Summit, held months later in Lisbon, was marked by intense political debates. Bonyongwe notes that Mugabe delivered a strong speech against Western sanctions and colonial injustices. However, his remarks were met with a swift rebuttal from then-European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, who highlighted Zimbabwe’s economic and human rights failures.

The summit underscored the EU’s diplomatic influence over Zimbabwe, with UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown boycotting the event and Baroness Valerie Amos delivering a critical address on Zimbabwe’s governance.

A Bond Forged in Adversity

Reflecting on the crash, Bonyongwe acknowledged how the traumatic experience created an unbreakable connection between him and Camara. “Mugabe was right when he said that the bond should survive against all odds. We survived together, and that created an unbreakable link,” he said.

The incident also revealed that the CIA was aware of the crash, as Camara later informed Bonyongwe. Over the years, their bond strengthened, with Camara returning to Zimbabwe as an ambassador before being reassigned to Angola and later Canada.


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