Air Zimbabwe Under Fire Over Missing Aircraft Records, Tax Irregularities

Zimbabwe’s embattled national airline, Air Zimbabwe, is facing renewed scrutiny from Parliament over alleged corruption, missing aircraft records, and failure to comply with tax obligations, issues lawmakers warn could expose the airline to asset seizure and further financial distress.

The concerns are contained in a report by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the airline’s 2020 audited accounts, presented before the National Assembly by Wilson Maposa.

According to the report, Air Zimbabwe has been operating several aircraft that are not recorded in its financial statements, raising serious questions about ownership, accountability, and asset control.

“The Committee also noted the use of several aircraft by the airline which were not recognised as assets in its financial statements,” Maposa told Parliament. “The ownership status of some of these aircraft remains unclear.”

One of the most contentious assets is an Airbus A320 aircraft, registration Z-WPM, which has been grounded in South Africa since 2014. Lawmakers warned that the aircraft’s prolonged storage poses legal and financial risks.

“The A320 Z-WPM ownership ambiguity creates potential liability exposure under the Chicago Convention,” Maposa said.

The PAC further cautioned that continued grounding at OR Tambo International Airport could result in seizure under local aviation regulations if parking, maintenance, or compliance issues remain unresolved.

Air Zimbabwe officials, however, told Parliament they had engaged South African Airways Technical to clarify the aircraft’s status, adding that no parking fees are currently owed. They said only future maintenance costs would arise if the aircraft were returned to service.

Beyond fleet concerns, lawmakers raised alarm over the airline’s failure to meet basic financial reporting standards. The PAC report noted that Air Zimbabwe did not carry out tax computations for both income tax and deferred tax obligations during the 2019 financial year.

“The audit noted that Air Zimbabwe did not do any tax computation for both income tax and deferred tax. Quarterly returns were not being done,” Maposa said.

The committee has since recommended that the airline submit all outstanding financial statements to the Auditor-General by August 31, 2026, while also calling for stricter accountability measures for senior management through performance contracts.

Adding to the criticism, Edwin Mushoriwa described the airline’s situation as dire, citing weak oversight, minimal staffing, and a lack of transparency.

“There are allegations that Air Zimbabwe is using aircraft not reflected in official records, some possibly sourced from government or the Air Force, although these claims remain unverified,” Mushoriwa said.

He further claimed that the airline is operating with extremely limited human resources. “Currently, only three individuals are employed at Air Zimbabwe, and they are not actively contributing to the necessary improvements,” he said.

Once a dominant player in regional aviation, Air Zimbabwe has struggled with debt, fleet shortages, and operational challenges over the past decade. Its diminished presence at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, where foreign airlines now dominate, has underscored its decline. Mushoriwa expressed cautious optimism over the airline’s placement under the Mutapa Investment Fund, saying it could pave the way for restructuring and recovery.

However, he stressed that urgent reforms are needed to restore accountability, rebuild fleet capacity, and ensure transparency in asset management. Analysts say without immediate intervention, the airline risks further reputational damage and potential loss of strategic assets abroad, complicating any future revival efforts.

Air Zimbabwe corruption allegations