MBUZINI
The Death of Samora Machel
19 October 1986

Dossier MZ-0017

Accusations of Complicity,
Counter-Accusations and Denials

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The October Crisis Premonitions of Disaster The Crash
Regional Reaction The Funeral of Samora Obituaries and Tributes
The three commissions of investigation The succession and aftermath The Victims of Mbuzini
Blank button The Succession to the Presidency Blank button

Within a few hours of the crash, speculation started up about the possibility – or indeed likelihood – of South African involvement through sabotage. Given the context of the regional crisis and the increasingly belligerent discourse of, especially, the South African military, this was not surprising, but the South African government responded in tones of outraged innocence.

Above: «Death of a President», a twenty-two minute film report by Johann Abrahams. This film is linked from Youtube. Click to view film in fullscreen mode.

As concrete evidence began to emerge, for example with the decoding of the black boxes or flight recorders, journalists and analysts tried to make sense of it all, and to construct a coherent technical and political narrative. Soviet experts concluded that a false decoy VOR beacon had been used, and genuinely believed this to have been the case. But there was and remains no consensus as to the cause, even today.

This page presents over ninety press clippings and other documents regarding the accusations and denials that were made at the time, with one or two items from more recent periods. A complete set of the documents – with the exception of the large «Samora: Why He Died» file – may be downloaded by clicking on the icon at bottom left.

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MHN Resources

1986
Samora: why he died. Maputo: AIM-Mozambique News Agency, 1986. 95 pages, illus. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 9.0 Mb. An extensive collection of AIM reports around the Mbuzini disaster, with photographs.

20 October 1986
Allegations and speculation about Machel crash. Reports dated 20 October 1986 from Capital Radio, Umtata; Shihata-PANA; and SAPA, reprinted in the Summary of World Broadcasts [London]. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 120 kb. These early reports are already speculating about the possible causes of the crash.

21 October 1986-22 October 1986
S African comment on Machel crash and accusations of involvement. Two SABC radio commentaries broadcast on 21 and 22 October 1986 and reprinted in the Summary of World Broadcasts [London]. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 117 kb.

22 October 1986
S African spokesman dismisses accusations of complicity in crash. A SAPA report dated 22 October 1986 and published in the Summary of World Broadcasts [London]. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 43 kb. In an apparent reference to the tripartite board of inquiry, says that the truth about the causes of the crash will be determined by its investigations.

24 October 1986
And the response. Pretoria News [Pretoria] (24 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 233 kb. Argues that South Africa is losing a propaganda or information war because it is old-fashioned in clinging to an outdated book of rules about public relations. The person in the street in, say, Belgium, probably already believes that South Africa was involved in the Mbuzini disaster in some way.

24 October 1986
Claims mount on SA role in Machel’s death. Cape Times [Cape Town] (24 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 250 kb.

24 October 1986
Truth will out. Natal Mercury [Durban] (24 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 255 kb. Mentions that Aquino de Bragança was due to arrive in South Africa to explore the possibility of Pretoria acting as a mediator in talks with Renamo.

24 October 1986
Um minuto de silêncio em Mbuzini. Notícias [Maputo] (24 October 1986). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 254 kb.

24 October 1986-30 October 1986
A plane crashes into the South African veld: innocent or not, the world no longer believes Pretoria’s word. Weekly Mail [Johannesburg] (24 October 1986-30 October 1986), p.6. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 149 kb.

24 October 1986-30 October 1986
Paul Fauvet. On the streets of Maputo, the word is murder. Weekly Mail [Johannesburg] (24 October 1986-30 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 306 kb.

24 October 1986-30 October 1986
Patrick Laurence. No, SA does not stand to gain from death. Weekly Mail [Johannesburg] (24 October 1986-30 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 680 kb.

25 October 1986
Foreign minister blames armed banditry and apartheid for crash. Radio Mozambique broadcast on 25 October 1986 published in the Summary of World Broadcasts [London]. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 31 kb. Remarks by Chissano in presenting his condolences to the family of foreign ministry staff member João Tomás Navesse.

25 October 1986
Mozambican paper links S Africa to Machel crash. Summary of World Broadcasts [London] no.ME/8399 (25 October 1986), p.ii. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 37 kb. Cites an editorial in Notícias which refers to threats made by Magnus Malan against Samora Machel in person.

26 October 1986
City Press comment. City Press [Johannesburg] (26 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 480 kb. ‘No matter how much the South African government tries to open all avenues for an independent inquiry into the crash … the finger of accusation remains pointed at Pretoria’.

26 October 1986
D’Oliveira, John. Machel: SA can’t win with the lynch mob. Sunday Star [Review] [Johannesburg] (26 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 536 kb.

27 October 1986
Maputo leaders imply Pretoria, rebels were involved in plane crash. International Herald Tribune [Paris] (27 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 66 kb. Says that the Mozambican leadership has ‘for the first time’ suggested that South Africa was involved in criminal actions that led to the aircraft crashing.

Graça comforts Marcelino, Maputo, 2006

Above: For many people in Mozambique, the raw wounds of Mbuzini are still open, even decades later. At a conference in Maputo to mark the 20th anniversary of the disaster in 2006, Marcelino dos Santos was overcome with emotion when he rose to speak in the opening plenary, and was unable to continue for some minutes. In the moving photograph above, he is comforted by Samora Machel’s widow, Graça Machel.

27 October 1986
Mozambican accusations of S African responsibility for Machel’s death. Summary of World Broadcasts [London] no.ME/8400 (27 October 1986), p.ii. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 26 kb. Quotes the Minister of Information, Teodato Hunguana, as saying that Mozambique does not exclude the possibility of South African involvement.

27 October 1986
Sul-Africanos não socorreram feridos, afirmam três sobreviventes. Notícias [Maputo] (27 October 1986). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 195 kb. A report claiming, on the basis of interviews with three survivors, that the first South Africans to arrive on the scene did not attend to the injured as a priority.

28 October 1986
Further accusations. Summary of World Broadcasts [London] no.ME/8401 (28 October 1986), p.ii. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 47 kb. Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe says in a speech that «the Pretoria assassins have once again done down this son of Africa».

28 October 1986
Samora Machel’s last flight: fake racist beacon downed plane. Herald [Harare] (28 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 1.4 Mb. An early claim that a false VOR signal was involved in the disaster.

29 October 1986
New SA horror. Herald [Harare] (29 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 523 kb. Editorial.

29 October 1986
S African reported offer to mediate between Mozambique and MNR. Summary of World Broadcasts [London] no.ME/8402 (29 October 1986), p.B/1. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 76 kb.

29 October 1986
SA stands accused. Herald [Harare] (29 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 23 kb.

29 October 1986
We found Machel alive, say locals. Herald [Harare] (29 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 478 kb. Quotes the Durban newspaper Ilanga as saying that Machel was still alive four hours after the crash, according to witnesses at the scene.

30 October 1986
South African radio rejects accusations over Machel’s death. SABC broadcast on 30 October 1986, printed in the Summary of World Broadcasts [London]. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 47 kb.

31 October 1986
Machel’s death: everything points to Pretoria’s involvement. Summary of World Broadcasts [London] no.SU/8404/A5 (31 October 1986), p.1-2. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 160 kb. Transcripts of radio broadcasts from Radio Peace and Progress and the Moscow World Service; the latter a text by Viktor Ilichev.

31 October 1986
Patrick Laurence. SA hits back over claims. Guardian [London] (31 October 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 130 kb. Malan warns countries about ‘vicious accusations’.

31 October 1986
Madörin, Mascha. Moçambique: Hintergründe des Todes von Samora Machel. Ein allzu zufölliger Zufall. Wochen Zeitung [Zürich] (31 October 1986), p.9. In German. Click here to download a PDF file, size 604 kb.

November 1986
Paul Fauvet. Samora Machel’s death and South African radar. Mozambique News Agency Features [Maputo] (November 1986), p.1-4. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 406 kb.

November 1986
Abdul Minty. A deliberate aviation disaster? Mozambique News Agency Features [Maputo] (November 1986), p.1-3. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 260 kb.

1 November 1986
Malan says S Africa’s neighbours are playing with fire. Summary of World Broadcasts [London] no.ME/8405 (1 November 1986), p.B/2-B/4. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 171 kb. More belligerence from Magnus Malan in response to accusations of South African involvement in Mbuzini. He says that Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique should stop spreading propaganda before ‘the people of the subcontinent are subjected to greater misery’.

1 November 1986
Mozambican newspaper again questions South African role in Machel’s death. ZBC radio broadcast from Harare on 1 November 1986 published in the Summary of World Broadcasts [London]. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 40 kb.

2 November 1986
Mozambican reaction to Pik Botha’s remarks on causes of Machel plane crash. AIM-PANA dispatch dated 2 November 1986 reprinted in the Summary of World Broadcasts [London]. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 85 kb.

3 November 1986
Avião presidencial era moderno: foi fabricado em 1980 sob encomenda de Moçambique. Notícias [Maputo] (3 November 1986). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 138 kb.

3 November 1986
Pik Botha on Machel plane crash: crew displayed lack of professionalism. Summary of World Broadcasts [London] no.ME/8406 (3 November 1986), p.B/5-B/9. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 370 kb. Collection of radio and television interviews with Pik Botha.

4 November 1986
Ronald Smothers. Jackson sees signs of sabotage in Machel’s death. New York Times [New York] (4 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 133 kb. US politician Jesse Jackson says there are indications of South African involvement in the Mbuzini disaster.

5 November 1986
Editorial: ser vigilante. Notícias [Maputo] (5 November 1986). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 73 kb.

8 November 1986
No dia do despenhamento: tropas sul-africanas em estado de alerta total junto à fronteira. Notícias [Maputo] (8 November 1986). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 38 kb.

8 November 1986
Prétoria tenta desviar atenções do assunto principal. Notícias [Maputo] (8 November 1986). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 117 kb.

8 November 1986
S Africa says Zimbabwe and Mozambique planned to attack Malawi. Summary of World Broadcasts [London] no.ME/8411 (8 November 1986), p.B/8-B/11. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 526 kb. South Africa’s propaganda counter-attack – that Mozambique and Zimbabwe were planning an attack on Malawi.

10 November 1986
Defection push. Independent [London] (10 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 17 kb. A survivor (unidentified) of Mbuzini claims that South African officials attempted to persuade him to defect while he was still in hospital.

10 November 1986
Militares sul-africanos sabiam ser avião presidencial: mais revelações sobre a morte do Presidente Samora Machel. Notícias [Maputo] (10 November 1986). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 360 kb.

10 November 1986
Pretoria tried to recruit survivor. Guardian [London] (10 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 503 kb.

11 November 1986
Machel crash survivor says RSA tried to recruit him to MNR. Summary of World Broadcasts [London] no.ME/8413 (11 November 1986), p.B/1. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 93 kb. Vasco Langa, a survivor of Mbuzini and a protocol officer in the Mozambican Foreign Ministry, is identified as the person who was the target of an attempt to persuade him to defect to the MNR. Langa is quoted as saying he was interviewed every day from 20 October, the day after the crash, until 24 October, and it was suggested to him that defection would speed up the medical treatment he was receiving.

12 November 1986
Dr. Vaz confirma diálogo com Langa. Notícias [Maputo] (12 November 1986). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 54 kb.

12 November 1986
S. Africa charged at NYC memorial for Machel. Guardian [New York] (12 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 65 kb. Abridged clipping reporting Jesse Jackson’s remarks.

12 November 1986
S Africa denies knowledge of attempt to recruit crash survivor for MNR. SABC radio report on 12 November 1986 summarised in the Summary of World Broadcasts [London]. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 16 kb.

12 November 1986
Carlos Cardoso. Malan prepara a sua Nó Górdio. Notícias [Maputo] (12 November 1986). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 130 kb.

13 November 1986
Roubo de documentos é pirataria internacional, denunciam juristas sul-africanos. Notícias [Maputo] (13 November 1986). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 116 kb.

14 November 1986
Não houve nenhuma detenção. Notícias [Maputo] (14 November 1986). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 46 kb.

14 November 1986
S African foreign minister denies Soviet charges over Machel crash. Summary of World Broadcasts [London] (14 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 27 kb. Responding to a Soviet press conference, Botha is quoted as saying that ‘the Russians are obviously hiding behind the inadequacy of their obsolete equipment’.

14 November 1986
Sergei Kulik. Alleged anti-Malawi plot: RSA’s attempt to hide responsibility for Machel’s death. Summary of World Broadcasts [London] no.SU/8416/A5 (14 November 1986), p.2-3. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 140 kb. Two commentaries from Soviet radio broadcasts, one of them by Kulik.

14 November 1986
A. Sturua. Machel plane crash: accusations against RSA at foreign ministry briefing. Summary of World Broadcasts [London] no.SU/8416/A5 (14 November 1986), p.1. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 100 kb. Two reports, one on television by Sturua about a press conference held in Moscow.

15 November 1986
Não foi simples acidente, segundo vice-ministro soviético da aviação civil. Notícias [Maputo] (15 November 1986). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 89 kb. Report of remarks by Ivan Vasin.

16 November 1986
Abdul Minty. Um desastre de aviação provocado? Domingo [Maputo] (16 November 1986), p.3. In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 74 kb.

20 November 1986
Paul Fauvet. A morte de Samora Machel e o sistema de radares sul-africano. Notícias [Maputo] (20 November 1986). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 416 kb.

23 November 1986
SA answerable for Machel’s death – Ramphal. Sunday Mail [Harare] (23 November 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 492 kb. The Commonwealth secretary-general, Shridath Ramphal, says that South African destabilisation policies helped to produce the Mbuzini disaster.

30 November 1986
Do TU-134-A, RAS tenta esconder causas do despenhamento, afirma movimento britânico anti-apartheid. Domingo [Maputo] (30 November 1986). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 53 kb.

December 1986
Mozambique. South [London] (December 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 111 kb. Very brief news item with a photograph of the plane wreckage. Says that seven of the bodies of the victims bore signs of an incision near the collar bone, that has been stitched up.

December 1986
George Alagiah and Cameron Duodu. Assault on the frontline. South [London] (December 1986). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 633 kb. Includes a second, shorter article entitled «A Motive for Foul Play».

1 December 1986
Na região de Mbuzini, movimentação militar no dia da morte do Presidente Samora. Notícias [Maputo] (1 December 1986). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 106 kb.

1 December 1986
Paul Fauvet. Ainda o despenhamento do TU-134A: sistema de radares da África do Sul. Notícias [Maputo] (1 December 1986). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 152 kb.

4 December 1986
Paul Fauvet. Mozambique disputes S African claim on Machel flight. Summary of World Broadcasts [London] no.ME/8433 (4 December 1986), p.B/5-B/7. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 176 kb. On the capacity of the South African radar system to detect aircraft flying at low altitude.

15 December 1986
Morte de Samora provocação da RAS, considera jornal «Izvestia». Notícias [Maputo] (15 December 1986). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 39 kb. Refers to an article published in the Soviet newspaper Izvestiia on the previous Tuesday – 9 December 1986 – and describing Samora’s death as a provocation by South Africa.

MAGIC flyer

1987
Gennady Maksimovich. Who killed Samora Machel? Those who operated a decoy beacon, Soviet experts say. New Times [Moscow] no.25 (1987), p.27-28. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 580 kb. Journalist Maksimovich interviews Boris Ryzhenkov, described as the executive secretary of the Soviet Commission for ICAO Affairs, about the causes of the crash.

23 January 1987
Carlos Cardoso. Mozambique agency director on discrepancies in Machel crash evidence. Radio Mozambique broadcast on 23 January 1987 printed in the Summary of World Broadcasts [London]. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 98 kb. Reports for the first time on the navigator’s remark about the VOR pointing «that way», only detected in the recording in January.

24 January 1987
Coetzee e Botha não cumprem o que prometeram, acusa Sérgio Vieira. Notícias [Maputo] (24 January 1987). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 349 kb.

26 January 1987
Queda do avião presidencial: sobre os últimos dez minutos. Notícias [Maputo] (26 January 1987). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 361 kb. The article is missing concluding text that appeared on page 4 of the newspaper.

26 January 1987
Carlos Cardoso. Tragédia de Mbuzini: incisões no pescoço de seis das vítimas, os golpes foram feitos depois da queda do avião. Notícias [Maputo] (26 January 1987). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 85 kb. More on the misterious incisions on the bodies of six of the deceased.

27 January 1987
Serge Schmemann. Mozambique jet crash still a mystery. New York Times [New York] (27 January 1987). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 146 kb.

28 January 1987
Editorial: quem o fez? Notícias [Maputo] (28 January 1987). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 312 kb.

28 January 1987
Machel plane crash questions remain. Herald [Harare] (28 January 1987). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 39 kb.

28 January 1987
Maputo casts further doubts on radio signal evidence in Machel crash. Summary of World Broadcasts [London] (28 January 1987). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 80 kb. Radio broadcast in English from Maputo on ...., reported in the ....

28 January 1987
Maputo radio on Pik Botha’s false statements to Machel inquiry. Radio broadcast from Maputo on 28 January 1987, reported in the Summary of World Broadcasts [London]. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 107 kb.

29 January 1987
Mozambique foreign minister on Machel crash inquiry. Radio broadcast in Luanda, Angola, on 29 January 1987, quoted in the Summary of World Broadcasts [London]. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 17 kb.

29 January 1987
Soviets on plane crash. Herald [Harare] (29 January 1987). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 25 kb. Quoting deputy minister Ivan Vasin.

30 January 1987
Despenhamento do avião presidencial: Botha criou mais suspeitas da responsibilidade de Pretória. Notícias [Maputo] (30 January 1987). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 143 kb.

31 January 1987
Deliberate false radio beacon caused Machel plane crash. Summary of World Broadcasts [London] no.SU/8480/A5 (31 January 1987), p.1. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 85 kb. Reports from Soviet television on 22 January and from TASS dated 27 and 28 January 1987. They quote Ivan Vasin to the effect that a powerful radio beacon was used to lure the plane off course.

11 February 1987
Machel death: Soviets accuse SA of sabotage. Herald [Harare] (11 February 1987). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 524 kb.

6 March 1987
Samora Machel foi assassinado? Jornalista soviético diz que sim, mas não revela o autor do crime. Diário de Moçambique [Beira] (6 March 1987). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 74 kb. Citing an article by L. Chinkarov in Literaturnaia Gazeta, published on 4 March 1987.

11 April 1987
Machel’s death still mystery. Herald [Harare] (11 April 1987). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 37 kb. Quoting a speech by President Joaquim Chissano.

19 June 1987
Samora foi assassinado pelos nossos inimigos: Presidente Chissano, falando em Mueda. Notícias [Maputo] (19 June 1987). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 109 kb.

19 June 1987
Samora Machel foi assassinado, diz Joaquim Chissano no comício de Mueda. Diário de Moçambique [Beira] (19 June 1987). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 67 kb.

15 August 1987
Chissano blames enemies for Machel’s death. Herald [Harare] (15 August 1987). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 492 kb.

15 August 1987
Machel crash: SA is accused again. Star [Johannesburg] (15 August 1987). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 41 kb.

6 October 1987
Editorial: consciência pesada? Notícias [Maputo] (6 October 1987). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 134 kb.

16 October 1987
Novas ameaças do General Malan: comentário da AIM. Notícias [Maputo] (16 October 1987). In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 76 kb.

19 October 1987
[Transcript of radio broadcast]. Radio Truth [Phalaborwa] (19 October 1987). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 370 kb. Transcript of radio broadcast by South African propaganda station aimed at Zimbabwe, on the anniversary of the disaster.

12 February 1988
Official says RSA murdered Samora Machel. Foreign Broadcast Information Service [FBIS] [Reston VA] no.FBIS-AFR-88-029 (12 February 1988), p.6. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 290 kb.

25 October 1988
Mugabe blames Pretoria regime for Machel’s death. Foreign Broadcast Information Service [FBIS] [Reston VA] no.FBIS-AFR-88-206 (25 October 1988). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 60 kb.

27 October 1988
Late Mozambican president’s brothers deny Pik Botha’s statement on his death. Maputo radio report on 27 October 1988 reprinted in the Summary of World Broadcasts [London]. In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 25 kb.

20 October 1998
Mozambique remembers Samora Machel. PANA [Dakar] (20 October 1998). In English. Click here to download a PDF file, size 155 kb.

19 October 2011
Morte de Samora em Mbuzini, 25 anos depois. Canal de Moçambique [Maputo] no.118 (19 October 2011), p.16-18. In Portuguese. Click here to download a PDF file, size 1.3 Mb. Articles include: «VOR falso: uma tese assente na ficção»; «O VOR e as suas funções»; «Telefonema a Paulo de Oliveira»; «Mais tonelada, menos tonelada» [with picture of Leonid Seliakov]; «Relatório da Comissão de Inquérito»; and «Samora relembrado em Mbuzine».

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