Zimbabwe’s security agencies have launched a probe into an incident in which pilots flying President Emmerson Mnangagwa were allegedly targeted with ground lasers as the plane approached the main airport in Harare last week.
According to reports monitored here on Thursday, the government has launched a multi-agency investigation into the incident that took place at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on July 12 as Mnangagwa returned from a visit to neighbouring Mozambique.
The incident reportedly happened just before 7pm (1700 GMT) when Air Zimbabwe pilots reported being blinded by laser-like lights during approach to the airport.
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba confirmed the incident to ZimLive but declined to discuss further details, saying doing so would “jeopardise investigations currently underway.”
“I can confirm the incident which has affected or menaced many other airports, foremost Gatwick in England. The misdemeanour has to be nipped in the bud,” he said.
The investigations are involving the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, the Air Force of Zimbabwe, police and intelligence services.
Shining a laser at airplanes landing or taking off, known as a laser strike, is widespread in Europe and the United States.
High-powered lasers can interfere with pilots, distracting, disorienting, or even temporarily blinding them during critical phases of flight.
JN/APA