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Cougar: He was one of few pilots to fly and captain the Cougar helicopter, which is used for VVIP transportation.

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HARARE - Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's personal helicopter pilot, Wing Commander Edwin Tanyanyiwa who was the son of Zanu-PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa, has died.

He was 49.

Edwin, who was a Wing Commander in the Air Force of Zimbabwe, died after a long battle with kidney problems.

AFZ public relations officer Flight-Lieutenant Don Muroyiwa yesterday said Mutasa would be buried tomorrow at his rural home in Rusape.

AFZ Commander, Air Marshal Perrance Shiri, described Mutasa as a proficient pilot and a dedicated senior officer who had loyally served the force and the nation for 24 years.

"It is with heavy hearts that we have learnt of the death of a dedicated, loyal senior officer and veteran pilot and we express our condolences to the Mutasa family," he said.

Mutasa joined the AFZ in 1985 as a trainee pilot after nine years in the United Kingdom.

During this time he also obtained a Higher National Diploma in Physics. In July 1985, he started training at the School of Flying Training at Thornhill Air Base in Gweru.

After completing training in May 1986, he was posted to Number 8 Squadron for helicopter training.

He excelled and later became one of the pilots to fly and captain the Cougar helicopter, which is used for VVIP transportation. He was seconded for a Flying Instructor’s Course in 1988 and on completion was posted to Number 6 Squadron to train pilots.

Wing Commander Mutasa was President Mugabe's helicopter's pilot and he is credited for transporting him across the country during elections.

His mother, Didymus Mutasa’s wife is a Senior officer in the army's medical corps.

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