Zimbabwe’s Air Force is in mourning once again following the death of Squadron Leader Chidyausiku, an instructor pilot, who perished in a fighter jet crash earlier this week during what was meant to be a routine training exercise at Josiah Magama Tongogara Airbase in Gweru. The tragedy deepened when the trainee pilot on board succumbed to injuries a few hours later, bringing the death toll to two and reigniting national debate over the state of the country’s military aircraft.
According to a statement from the Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ), the ill-fated jet went down shortly after take-off during a training sortie. Emergency teams rushed to the scene, but the aircraft was already engulfed in flames, leaving little hope for survival. The AFZ has since launched a board of inquiry to establish the cause of the accident. However, no details have been released about the model of the aircraft involved, nor has there been an early indication of what might have gone wrong.
Another Air Force Disaster in the Skies
This is not the first time the AFZ has been hit by such a calamity. In recent years, a number of crashes have claimed the lives of highly trained pilots, raising questions about maintenance practices, training safety, and the viability of continuing to rely on ageing jets inherited from the Rhodesian era. The latest incident has intensified calls for urgent investment in the modernization of the Air Force fleet.
Public reaction to the tragedy has been swift, with grief and outrage pouring across social media platforms. Many Zimbabweans have expressed sympathy for the families of the deceased while questioning why the military continues to deploy what they believe to be obsolete and unsafe machines.
On Facebook, Malvern Mukuya posted: “Those jets should be grounded. Ngatimbosiyana nendege dza Ian Smith.” His sentiment was echoed by dozens of others who argued that the lives of young pilots were being needlessly put at risk in jets that should have been retired decades ago.
Eyewitness accounts added further weight to suspicions of mechanical failure. Lovejoy Raymond Gibby Mandaza, who was in Lalapanzi when the jet flew overhead, described how it appeared to be struggling before the crash. “The one that crashed passed overhead producing a queer sound and everyone commented that the aircraft had a mechanical fault. Within minutes we heard a loud bang and we knew it had gone down. RIP,” he said.
The AFZ, while expressing deep sorrow at the loss of its personnel, has appealed for patience as investigators piece together what led to the disaster. Senior officers have emphasized that military flying is inherently risky, but that every effort is made to minimize dangers through rigorous training and regular aircraft checks.
Nevertheless, aviation experts have long warned that Zimbabwe’s Air Force faces serious challenges. Many of its fighter jets date back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, making maintenance costly and sourcing spare parts increasingly difficult. A lack of foreign currency, coupled with international sanctions, has hampered efforts to acquire new equipment or refurbish existing fleets. This has left the AFZ in a precarious position—tasked with safeguarding national airspace while operating aircraft some analysts consider museum pieces.
The deaths of Squadron Leader Chidyausiku and his trainee have also reignited discussions about morale within the military. Pilots invest years in training, often abroad, and their expertise represents a significant national asset. Each loss not only devastates families and comrades but also diminishes the Air Force’s already stretched pool of experienced personnel.
Funeral arrangements for the two airmen are expected to be announced in the coming days. Meanwhile, tributes have poured in from across the defence forces and the wider public. Many have hailed the fallen instructor as a dedicated professional who sacrificed his life in service to his country.
For ordinary Zimbabweans, however, the crash is more than a personal tragedy for the AFZ—it is a sobering reminder of broader systemic issues. The calls for the government to prioritize investment in aviation safety and military modernization are growing louder. Citizens argue that in a country already facing economic hardship, it is unacceptable to lose lives in avoidable accidents linked to outdated technology.
As the official investigation proceeds, families of the deceased, colleagues, and a grieving nation wait anxiously for answers. Whether this latest disaster will finally trigger meaningful reforms in Zimbabwe’s military aviation sector remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the loss of Squadron Leader Chidyausiku and his trainee has once again cast a long shadow over the skies of Zimbabwe, leaving behind unanswered questions, deep sorrow, and renewed urgency for change.
Source- zimeye
