This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/15/cargo-jet-impounded-zimbabwe-body-south-african-rand

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Jet impounded after body and millions in cash reportedly found on board Zimbabwe impounds US-registered jet after body and cash found on board
(about 1 hour later)
Zimbabwe aviation authorities have impounded a US-registered cargo jet with a dead body and millions of South African rand reportedly on board. Zimbabwe aviation authorities have impounded a US-registered cargo jet after a dead body believed to be a stowaway and millions of South African rand were found on board.
David Chawota, the general manager of Zimbabwe’s Civil Aviation Authority, said a plane registered with Western Global Airlines was impounded at Harare international airport on Sunday. Western Global Airlines appears to be based in Estero, Florida. The Herald, a state-run newspaper, reported that the MD-11 trijet was travelling from Germany to South Africa “with millions of rands”. At the current exchange rate, 1m rand is worth £43,866.
“The case is now in the hands of the state. It involves nationals and property of other countries so I am no longer qualified to give much detail, but yes we impounded the plane on Sunday,” Chawota said. Officials learned the money belonged to the South Africa Reserve Bank. Police planned to issue a statement later on Monday.
“The crew requested to land for refuelling but our ground-handling personnel discovered blood leaks and became suspicious. Talk to the police for more details,” he said. David Chawota, the general manager of Zimbabwe’s Civil Aviation Authority, said the plane had landed in Harare for refuelling. He said the jet, registered with Western Global Airlines, was impounded at Harare international airport on Sunday. Western Global Airlines is reportedly based in Estero, Florida.
A police spokeswoman, Charity Charamba, said she did not have the facts of the case yet. The crew did not know there was someone else on the plane, according to a police officer. It appears from photos on social media that the person found dead had sneaked into the plane’s landing gear. The Herald said the crew included two Americans, a South African and a Pakistani.
The state-run Herald newspaper, quoting unnamed sources, reported on Monday that the MD-11 trijet was travelling from Germany to South Africa “stashed with millions of rands”. At Monday’s exchange rate, 1 million rand is worth £43,866.
The crew, according to the Herald, includes two Americans, a South African and a Pakistani. The US embassy said it does not yet have a comment on the matter. Several US embassy vehicles were seen at the airport Monday morning.
In 2004, Harare airport authorities impounded a plane with 64 people on board, who were arrested on accusations that they had been on their way to stage a coup in Equatorial Guinea.In 2004, Harare airport authorities impounded a plane with 64 people on board, who were arrested on accusations that they had been on their way to stage a coup in Equatorial Guinea.