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The pilot of this helicopter Mr Christian Ndou Malila died on the spot when it crashed in Gwanda yesterday morning and burst into flames

Bulawayo Bureau
PROMINENT Beitbridge businessman Mr Christian Ndou Malila was yesterday killed and had his body parts scattered all over after his private helicopter crashed in a mountainous area in Maphani, about 6km out of Gwanda.The US-built Robinson R44 helicopter crashed and caught fire between 7am and 7:30am in the bushy area near a stamp mill in Maphani.

The South Africa-based tycoon, (55), was flying his four-seater plane alone from Bulawayo on his way to Beitbridge when his plane developed a mechanical fault and nosedived.

Poor visibility may also have contributed to the accident .

Relatives identified Ndou Malila of Tshamnanga Village under Chief Sitaudze in Beitbridge District.

He took off from Bulawayo at around 7:45 am on Saturday and landed at a farm in Esigodini at around 9:26am before proceeding to Gwanda yesterday morning.

While the helicopter was not completely burnt, fragments of its wreckage were strewn all over the area while some of Malila’s clothes were seen hanging on trees.

When The Chronicle visited the scene yesterday morning, police had already collected Malila’s remains, which were about 30 metres from the crash scene.

Maphani residents who witnessed the smash told The Chronicle that before the crash, the helicopter was spotted hovering above tree tops and believed that the crash could have been caused by a mechanical problem.

An eyewitness Tinashe Zhou said they suspected that Malila threw his luggage out first before jumping off to his death.

“We suspect that he started throwing out his bags and other belongings before jumping out of the helicopter because we picked up his passport and bank cards in the bush,” said Zhou.

Others said they believed the engine could have developed a fault as its sound was unusual.

“That attracted our attention and we kept starring in the sky. At some point we could hardly see it due to limited visibility since it was misty,” said another resident.

The residents said the helicopter suddenly shot up and produced a loud sound before being engulfed in smoke.

“That is when we realised that the helicopter had crashed and we rushed to the scene,” said another resident.

The residents said they quickly reported the incident to the police who attended the scene. They, however, said it took the police officers a while to locate some of his missing body parts.

“The police had to move around collecting his body parts. It was such a horrifying scene and I have never seen anything like that. We have seen such incidents happening in other countries on television not here,” said another resident, Ms Sarah Zuze.

By yesterday afternoon, Gwanda residents were still trooping to the scene while police remained on guard awaiting arrival of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe officials.

Gwanda North MP Cde Madodana Sibanda also visited the crash site and expressed shock over the incident.

“Lathi sinje sithithibele. Okwenzakeleyo kubuhlungu kakhulu. (We are shocked, what happened is very painful). We thank God that no one on the ground was injured. Our condolences go out to his family,” he said.

It was a touching moment when some of the relatives arrived at the scene and broke down.

They could not speak to the Press. Matabeleland South police confirmed the incident but could not comment, referring questions to police headquarters in Harare.

National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba could not comment when contacted on her mobile phone late yesterday.