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The mysterious death of Samora Machel

Many suspected foul play when Mozambique's socialist leader was killed in a plane crash in October 1986. His jet came down just the other side of the border with South Africa.

When the socialist leader of Mozambique and some of his senior advisers were killed in a plane crash on the border with South Africa, many were suspicious. It was 19 October 1986 and the two countries were divided over Apartheid. The plane made a sudden direct turn straight into a range of mountains, and one of the air crash investigators at the scene, Dr Alan Diehl, told Rebecca Kesby there are reasons to suspect the plane was deliberately diverted off course.

(Photo: The socialist leader of Mozambique Samora Machel delivers a speech. Credit: Getty Images.)

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