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Cde Obert Mpofu

Sifundiso Ndlovu Chronicle Reporter.
THERE were more questions than answers yesterday as investigations to establish what really transpired at Doddieburn Farm near West Nicholson where a helicopter was buried after crashing, continued.The helicopter crashed on May 5 and was immediately buried and the state suspects the individuals involved were engaged in criminal activities.

The Minister of State for Matabeland South Province who is also the local Member of Parliament, Cde Abedinico Ncube yesterday said he was, like everybody else, in the dark as to what happened leading to the burying of the helicopter wreckage.

He however, said Doddieburn Farm was owned by government after it bought it from its previous owners and was allocated to Gwanda Rural District Council.

“I am anxious like everybody to discover what exactly transpired as the incident raises more questions than answers. We hope to get a comprehensive report from the police as soon as possible because the incident seems suspicious,” he said.

In a separate interview, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Dr Obert Mpofu said it was clear that the chopper came into the country without clearance from Zimbabwean or South African authorities.

“The investigating team on the ground is continuing with its work to determine the cause of the accident and the motive behind the secret burial of the wreckage,” said Dr Mpofu.

He said that government was going to closely monitor all airstrips as it strongly suspects some were being used for hostile activities that could undermine national interests.

“All air strips especially those on former white commercial farms are going to be closely monitored henceforth as they can be used for criminal activities  that could harm national interests,” said Dr Mpofu.

He promised that as soon as the report on the outcome of the investigation is completed, it would be made public.

A South African registered chopper flew undetected into the country and crashed two weeks ago. It was then secretly buried at Doddieburn farm about 36 kilometres off Gwanda -Beitbridge road.

The motive of keeping the accident secret is not yet known but the state suspects foul play.