President Mnangagwa’s plane diverted amid bomb threat

VICTORIA FALLS — A scheduled landing at Victoria Falls International Airport turned into a tense situation on Friday as President Emmerson Mnangagwa‘s private jet was ordered to return to Harare following a credible bomb or firearm threat.

The warning, received via email by Fastjet at 8.10AM, prompted authorities to shut down the airport and initiate security protocols.

According to reports, the airport closure occurred shortly after an Air Zimbabwe Boeing 737 landed from Bulawayo, causing panic among passengers as they were kept on board while security agencies conducted thorough searches of the terminal and runway.

Kenya Airways flight KQ792, which was due to land at 9.40AM, was forced to divert to Livingstone Airport after circling over Victoria Falls for several minutes.

President Mnangagwa, en route to the resort town from Harare, was instructed to turn back mid-flight, with his Dassault Falcon X7 presidential jet rerouted to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.

Addressing the incident, presidency spokesman George Charamba emphasized that the precautionary measure was taken as authorities investigated the credibility of the threat.

“While our country is peaceful, and all our ports of entry are well secured, such alerts on possible terrorist attacks are taken and treated very seriously as nothing should be left to chance,” Charamba stated, reassuring Zimbabweans of ongoing investigations and transparency in disclosing findings.

The warning email, sent from anonmilitiazw@gmail.com under the subject ‘Threat BUQ VFA!!!!!!’, detailed a “credible bomb/firearms threat” targeting flights and a conference in Victoria Falls.

Despite an intensive sweep of the Air Zimbabwe plane and the airport premises, no evidence of a bomb was found.

Criticism of the handling of the situation emerged from former foreign minister Walter Mzembi, who expressed concern over the potential impact on Zimbabwe’s reputation.

“This alleged threat could have been handled quietly without ringing these unnecessary alarm bells,” Mzembi wrote on X, questioning the necessity of public disclosure and its implications for the safety perception of Victoria Falls, a renowned tourist destination.

As investigations continue into the source and validity of the threat, Zimbabwe braces for heightened security measures amid ongoing regional and international scrutiny.

The incident underscores the delicate balance between maintaining security vigilance and minimizing public alarm, particularly in light of Zimbabwe’s hosting of a forthcoming SADC summit in August.