PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe and his entourage yesterday failed to land at Harare International Airport because of fog, forcing authorities to divert the plane to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport in Bulawayo for safe landing.
REPORT BY MOSES MATENGA
STAFF REPORTER
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba confirmed yesterday that the plane that arrived at the airport yesterday morning could not land because of the fog.
As a result, the Air Zimbabwe plane carrying the veteran leader was diverted to Bulawayo where it remained for nearly 20 minutes before flying back to Harare, finally landing after 10am.
“The President arrived this morning (yesterday), but the plane was diverted to Bulawayo after failing to land because of the fog. We arrived at 10am,” Charamba said.
Sources who were in the plane said the fog was so bad the plane could not land hence the decision to fly on to Bulawayo. They said several planes, including a South African Airways flight, were delayed due to the foggy weather.
Mugabe — a Roman Catholic — and his entourage, including First Lady Grace Mugabe, had flown to the Vatican in Italy on Friday for the ceremony to make saints of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II on Sunday.
While there, Mugabe met Pope Francis I and chatted briefly with him.
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| Mugabe plane fails to land in Harare |
STAFF REPORTER
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba confirmed yesterday that the plane that arrived at the airport yesterday morning could not land because of the fog.
As a result, the Air Zimbabwe plane carrying the veteran leader was diverted to Bulawayo where it remained for nearly 20 minutes before flying back to Harare, finally landing after 10am.
“The President arrived this morning (yesterday), but the plane was diverted to Bulawayo after failing to land because of the fog. We arrived at 10am,” Charamba said.
Sources who were in the plane said the fog was so bad the plane could not land hence the decision to fly on to Bulawayo. They said several planes, including a South African Airways flight, were delayed due to the foggy weather.
Mugabe — a Roman Catholic — and his entourage, including First Lady Grace Mugabe, had flown to the Vatican in Italy on Friday for the ceremony to make saints of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II on Sunday.
While there, Mugabe met Pope Francis I and chatted briefly with him.
