Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa canceled a scheduled trip to Victoria Falls on Friday in response to an anonymous threat against the country’s airports, as confirmed by his spokesperson.
Early that morning, authorities at Zimbabwe airports were alerted to an email received via Fastjet Airline, indicating a “credible bomb/firearm threat” targeting Zimbabwean airports, stated George Charamba, the presidential spokesperson.
In an official statement, Charamba emphasized that security measures across the country have been elevated as a precautionary measure, and an investigation is underway to determine the source and credibility of the message.
Mnangagwa, who was set to address a gathering in the resort town, decided to postpone his trip to facilitate the ongoing investigations. The public was urged to remain calm amid the heightened security posture.
“While our nation is known for its tranquility and our entry points are adequately safeguarded, any indications of potential terrorist threats are treated with the utmost seriousness,” the statement emphasized.
Earlier reports from local media detailed Mnangagwa’s private plane executing a U-turn shortly before landing at Victoria Falls airport, redirecting back to the capital, Harare. Meanwhile, an Air Zimbabwe aircraft with passengers aboard was held at Victoria Falls, and a Kenyan Airways flight altered its course to land in Livingstone, Zambia, according to local news sources.
