SOUTH AFRICA-based Beitbridge business tycoon Christian Malila Ndou was killed yesterday morning when his Robson R44 helicopter crashed at the mountainous Mapane area, 6km outside Gwanda town.
Albert Ncube Own Correspondent
Relatives identified the deceased and wept uncontrollably when they got to the scene of the horrific crash.
A man believed to be his son went berserk and ran away from the crash site before being apprehended by police.
Police were not readily available to comment.
Malila is suspected to have been thrown out of the helicopter when it developed a fault and overturned mid-air before it crashed and caught fire.
The helicopter’s propellers cut his body into pieces and his disembodied body was found almost 30 metres away from where the helicopter was, while one leg and a hand were cut into pieces.
Some remains were found from up to 50 metres away from the crash site.
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Malila, who ran a thriving security company in South Africa, was flying alone at the time the accident occurred.
When our sister paper Southern Eye arrived at the scene, police were seen gathering his remains from the bushy area on a hilltop.
Eyewitness who saw the helicopter fly above Gwanda town moments before it crashed in Mapane area said the pilot had circled above the town as if he wanted some landing place.
“The helicopter circled for some moments and I thought it was going to land somewhere in town before it headed southwards, it could have developed a mechanical fault,” said Thembinkosi Moyo of Jahunda township.
Unconfirmed reports indicated that Ndou wanted to land at Gwanda High grounds to see a relative, but the helicopter developed a fault and he decided to proceed to Beitbridge.
“The helicopter was flying so low and it made some terrible sound, I think something was faulty with it,” Moyo added.
Some suggested the helicopter had tried to land at Gwanda police camp.
Residents of Mapane area said they heard a loud bang before seeing smoke rising.
“The sight was traumatising when we got there. I have never experienced this before. Pieces of human flesh were strewn all over the place and it will take time to forget this,” Nomsa Sibanda said.
Henry Raymond Hollins of Gwanda, who also owns helicopters, said it was strange that the helicopter had crashed.
“A Robson R44 rarely crashes and I really wonder what could have happened,” Hollins said.
Civil Aviation officials were expected to arrive yesterday to investigate the crash.
