Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary, Maambo Hamaundu, says investigations are underway to establish what caused the helicopter carrying Republican Vice President Mutale Nalumango to be involved in Thursday’s incident.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Diamond News, Mr. Hamaundu says it would be premature to speculate on the cause of the accident, stressing that it is standard procedure for the Zambia Air Force to institute investigations whenever an aircraft accident occurs.
He has explained that the findings of the investigation will determine what went wrong and whether any measures need to be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Mr. Hamaundu also sought to reassure the public, saying the Zambia Air Force remains committed to ensuring that all aircraft under its operation are safe for use.
He acknowledged that aviation accidents can occur but emphasized that every incident is treated with the utmost seriousness and subjected to thorough investigations.
The Defence Permanent Secretary further noted that Zambia has maintained a relatively strong aviation safety record over the years, with very few military aircraft accidents recorded since independence, despite the inherent risks associated with air operations.
By Victoria Kayeye Yambani
