A joint investigation involving multiple agencies is currently underway following reports that pilots flying President Emmerson Mnangagwa were targeted with ground lasers while approaching Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. Sources indicate the incident occurred shortly before 7 PM on July 12, as the president returned from Mozambique aboard an Air Zimbabwe Boeing 737.
The pilots reported being affected by laser-like lights during their approach to the airport, prompting authorities to treat the matter with utmost seriousness. A comprehensive probe has been initiated, involving the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, the Air Force of Zimbabwe, police, and intelligence services.
George Charamba, spokesman for the presidency, refrained from disclosing specifics about the identified threat, citing ongoing investigations. He emphasized the seriousness of the incident, comparing it to similar occurrences at other airports, notably Gatwick in England.
Investigators are also looking into possible connections with recent unsolved break-ins at the private residences of the president, his son David, and the offices of his nephew Tongai Mnangagwa. Despite these incidents, no valuables were reported missing.
Shining lasers at airplanes during critical phases of flight, known as laser strikes, is a known issue in Europe and the United States but has not previously been reported in Zimbabwe. Such incidents can distract or temporarily blind pilots, posing significant safety risks during take-off and landing procedures.
While no airplane crashes have been attributed to laser strikes, affected pilots often require medical evaluations and may need to take medical leave due to the potential eye damage caused. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported over 9,600 laser incidents below 10,000 feet in 2023, mostly occurring at night and during low-altitude operations.
President Mnangagwa, currently in his second and final term, faces speculation about his future plans beyond 2028. Despite his stated intent to retire at the end of his term, there is uncertainty amid calls from his supporters for him to remain in office until 2030, which legal experts consider unconstitutional. This uncertainty reportedly concerns factions within Zanu PF, particularly supporters of his deputy, Constantino Chiwenga, who is seen as a likely successor.
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