MNANGAGWA AVOIDS FLIGHT AND HITS THE ROAD AFTER CHIVAYO TRAGEDY
MUTARE: President Emmerson Mnangagwa travelled by road to Mutare on Friday, October 2, choosing a 260km motorcade journey just two days after the helicopter crash that claimed the life of businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
Mnangagwa was guest of honour at the fifth graduation ceremony of Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS), held at its Fernhill Campus outside Mutare, where he capped graduating students.
The President’s decision to travel by road drew attention because he normally uses aircraft for long-distance journeys. Presidential spokesman George Charamba attributed the decision to difficult weather conditions, saying: “The murky weather continues to pose challenges to air travel using anything but fixed-wing craft.”
Witnesses reported clouds and mist in the area, with poor visibility. Air-crash investigators have yet to publish their findings on Chivayo’s fatal helicopter accident.
After the graduation ceremony, Mnangagwa travelled directly to Chivayo’s Gletwin home, where he joined mourners and described the businessman as a friend. He later declared Chivayo a provincial hero, making him eligible for state-funded funeral arrangements.