Zimbabwe President Mnangagwa appeals for unity amid attack

Injured people lie on the ground after an explosion at the stadium in Bulawayo where Zimbabwe President just addressed a rally on June 23, 2018. PHOTO | KEN MAUR | AFP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Mnangagwa said he was ‘inches’ from the explosion that rocked his public rally in Bulawayo just as he was leaving the podium.

  • No arrests have yet been reported following the attack that left a vice president injured.

A defiant Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the attempt on his life at Bulawayo will not deter the country from holding nationwide elections slated for July 30 this year.

Mr Mnangagwa called the assassination attempt a cowardly act, urging Zimbabweans to remain united and address their differences peacefully.

The ZANU-PF leader said he was ‘inches’ from the explosion that rocked his public rally just as he was leaving the podium.

“While we await further information, my thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this senseless act of violence,” tweeted Mr Mnangagwa on Saturday.

The Zimbabwean leader was in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second city and opposition stronghold, to drum up support for the ruling ZANU-PF ahead of elections slated for July 30, this year.

At least 15 people were injured, including Vice President Kembo Mohadi and Zanu-PF chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri.

Mr Mnangagwa, who ousted long-time leader Robert Mugabe from power in November 2017 in a bloodless coup staged by the military, said campaigns have been conducted in a free and peaceful environment and he will not allow the “cowardly act to get in our way as we move towards elections.”