Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday afternoon survived a blast at a ruling ZANU-PF party rally.
According to reports, an explosion rocked White City Stadium in Bulawayo where Mnangagwa was addressing thousands of people at a campaign rally.
“We suspect it’s an explosion, certainly it was close to the VVIP stage.The president was evacuated successfully. He is at state house in Bulawayo,” said Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba.
“Investigations are underway and more details will be given to the public. There have been multiple attempts on the President’s life over the past five years.”
Unconfirmed reports indicate that Vice President Kembo Mohadi suffered leg injuries in the bomb blast whereas the Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri was also injured.
The second Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga is reported to be safe after the explosion but several security personnel attached to VIPs are reported injured in the blast.
The area around the VIP stage has been cordoned off and security personnel are collecting evidence.
This is the second attempt on an African president in just hours after another blast exploded in Addis Ababa Ethiopia where new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was addressing a public rally.
Abiy had just ended his speech when the explosion went off, sending the crowds towards the stage as the prime minister left hurriedly, apparently safe and sound.
The cause of the blast was unknown and it was not immediately clear if there were any casualties.
