This article is from the source 'bbc' 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 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-44586218
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Zimbabwe President Mnangagwa says he was 'inches' from Bulawayo explosion | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has survived an apparent bomb attack at a rally in the city of Bulawayo. | |
Mr Mnangagwa said an object "exploded a few inches away from me - but it is not my time". | |
Video footage from White City Stadium shows an explosion happening close to Mr Mnangagwa as he was leaving the stage having addressed supporters. | |
While the president was unhurt, state TV reports that Vice-President Kembo Mohadi has suffered a leg injury. | While the president was unhurt, state TV reports that Vice-President Kembo Mohadi has suffered a leg injury. |
Mr Mnangagwa says he has visited the injured in hospital. He condemned the violence as senseless and pleaded for unity. | |
Mr Mnangagwa came to power last November, ousting his former mentor Robert Mugabe. | |
The president was in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city and an opposition stronghold, to campaign for his Zanu-PF party ahead of nationwide elections taking place on 30 July. | |
"People started running in all directions and then immediately the president's motorcade left at a very high speed," an AFP correspondent at the scene reported. | |
The elections are the first in Zimbabwe since Mr Mugabe was ousted after 37 years in power. | The elections are the first in Zimbabwe since Mr Mugabe was ousted after 37 years in power. |
Presidential spokesman George Charamba issued a statement confirming Mr Mnangagwa was safe and recalling: "There have been multiple attempts on the president's life over the past five years." | Presidential spokesman George Charamba issued a statement confirming Mr Mnangagwa was safe and recalling: "There have been multiple attempts on the president's life over the past five years." |
It is not clear how severe the injuries to Second Vice-President Kembo Mohadi are. | It is not clear how severe the injuries to Second Vice-President Kembo Mohadi are. |
Zimbabwe's First Vice-President, Constantino Chiwenga suffered minor injuries, Reuters news agency reports. | |
His wife, Marry, was also injured and pictures on social media showed the president visiting her in hospital. | |
The Zimbabwe Herald newspaper described the explosion as an assassination attempt on the president. | The Zimbabwe Herald newspaper described the explosion as an assassination attempt on the president. |
State broadcaster ZBC also reported that Zanu PF national chairman Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, political commissar Engelbert Rugeje and some ZBC crew members were also injured. | |
The US Embassy in Harare condemned the attack. | |
More on Zimbabwe: | More on Zimbabwe: |
Who is Emmerson Mnangagwa? | Who is Emmerson Mnangagwa? |
The 'crocodile' who snapped back | The 'crocodile' who snapped back |