Staff ReporterZimbabwe’s president narrowly survived an attempt on his life this afternoon after a blast at a party rally.
Two of his vice-presidents and several party officials were injured in the blast, however president Emmerson Mnangagwa avoided injury.
He later visited his two injured vice presidents and declared the ‘cowardly act’ will not disrupt elections.
Footage showed the smiling president walking off the stage and into a crowded tent when the blast occurred, sending up smoke as people screamed and ran for cover.
Officials said Mr Mnangagwa was whisked from the stadium rally to a nearby government building in Bulawayo, a traditional opposition stronghold.
Woman’s fury after Ryanair cancel flight and rearrange it leaving her 25 minutes in Lisbon The explosion went off ‘a few inches away from me, but it is not my time’, the president told state broadcaster ZBC. Mr Mnangagwa, who has joked about multiple attempts on his life, said he was used to them by now.
At least 15 people were injured in the blast. Vice President Kembo Mohadi had leg injuries, while Constantino Chiwenga, a second vice president and the former military commander, had facial bruises. Most of the injured were discharged from a hospital after treatment, presidential spokesman George Charamba said. However three were seriously injured.
