Helicopter crashes, farmer buries wreck

ZIMBABWE'S security agencies were facing uncomfortable questions yesterday as it was revealed that a helicopter crash near West Nicholson went undetected for TWO WEEKS.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Central Intelligence Organisation, the army's bomb disposal unit and the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe yesterday swarmed Doddieburn Ranch near West Nicholson - the scene of the May 5 chopper crash.

Authorities believe the helicopter flew low and undetected, from South Africa but crashed on landing at the Gwanda Town Council-owned farm which is leased by a Lawrence Botha.

The 34km farm access off ramp - a stretch of gravel road - is about 20km out of West Nicholson towards Beitbridge.

The wreckage of the crash had been buried - apparently to conceal the accident.

A news crew witnessed nearly two dozen officials working away at the scene - but two reporters and a photographer were told to leave by a high-ranking police officer who gave his name as Assistant Commissioner Mandizha.

He claimed the investigation was a "national security issue", while ordering his juniors to frisk reporters and ensure no pictures were taken.

After the army's bomb disposal unit used metal detectors to find the wreckage, farm workers dug up the chopper with shovels. The outline of a blue-gray helicopter could be seen.

Botha, a tall white man who greeted the crew warmly, quietly watched the excavation - but it was unclear if he was under arrest.

Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) chief executive officer, David Chawota, said yesterday: "I can confirm that a helicopter crashed near Gwanda, and our experts are on the ground.

"Investigations are underway but for more information call the Minister of Transport."

Transport Minister Obert Mpofu told Chronicle last night that suspicions were that the South Africa-registered helicopter was being used for illegal activities - potentially the smuggling of minerals or ivory into South Africa.

Doddieburn Ranch is a sprawling conservancy.

"I've been told that this helicopter had flown several times between Zimbabwe and South Africa, without CAAZ knowing. It's mind-boggling," the minister said.

Farm workers told our news crew that on the day of the crash, they were assigned duties away from the farm house. When they returned, they were given two days off.

The workers said the helicopter was being piloted by a man only named Frisk, whom they referred to as "the boss".

Frisk, they said, lives in South Africa but flies in several times with "mostly white visitors" who go on safari, and then leave.

On the day of the crash, they said he flew in with his wife.

A second helicopter arrived a day later - it is believed also undetected - and whisked the couple out of the country.

But soon, word of the crash spread and the workers became aware of the crash site, some three kilometres from the farm house.

"We don't know why they buried the wreckage," one worker said, asking not to be named.

Villagers who live near the farm said they were used to seeing the helicopter flying around the area, but had been told it was being used to "chase away elephants". Some locals told our news crew they believed there was "something sinister".

In January, a prominent Beitbridge businessman, Christian Ndou Malila, was killed after his private helicopter crashed in a mountainous area in Maphani, about 6km out of Gwanda Town.

Revelations that helicopters are flying into the country undetected will alarm the security services and outrage President Robert Mugabe, who has for a while been concerned with the smuggling of the country's mineral resources out of the country.

"Most of our gold is finding its way to South Africa," President Mugabe said last December, as he warned of a need to "strengthen security in the mining sector".

Only last week, a Zimbabwean couple, Peter Spies, 39, and wife Elizabeth, 37, were intercepted by South African immigration officials carrying six gold bricks valued at R6 million. They had already made it past Zimbabwean immigration.