Published: 11 April 2018

The first of the four Boeing 777 aircraft bought by Zimbabwe from Malaysia has arrived in the country.

The deal for the four continental aircraft is worth $70 million with the other planes set to come into the country soon.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Patrick Chinamasa, who received the plane at the Robert Mugabe International Airport, said the deal was kept a closely guarded secret as the country was under sanctions which could have endangered the transactions.

Speaking at the same occasion, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Dr Joram Gumbo said the planes belong to the nation and not the former first family as previously said in some sections of the media.

Dr Gumbo said former Air Zimbabwe Chief Operations Officer, Simba Chikore assisted with technical expertise while he was still with the organisation.

So far, the country has paid $41 million for the planes with a balance of $29 million remaining.

Each plane is a 282 seater.
- zbc

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