
EU EOM – Chief Observer Brok: “the 2018 harmonised Elections are a Critical test of Zimbabwe’s reform process” (06.07.2018)















On Mugabe at White City Stadium: “He said no no I didn’t fire you, he even offered me residence in his house but I told him that the people surrounding him wanted me dead.” – President Emmerson Mnangagwa (23.06.2018)
At the White City Stadium in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) held a rally ahead of the July 30th Elections, as the President Emmerson Mnangagwa had addressed the public. There was a blast of bomb near the VIP Part of the Stage, the President was able to get whisked away. Some are even contending that people threw a grenade towards the President. The last part hasn’t been verified.
There been several politicians and officials who has gotten hurt. Including 2nd Vice President Kembo Mohadi, retired General Englebert Rugeje and others was hurt by the bombs and grenades. There has even been reports of gunshots immediately happening after the bomb. As Mnangagwa was whisked away, also that two of the Presidential Aides died in the blast. Clearly, someone had planned this and wanted to secure his fate.
However, he came unscratched from it and was whisked away, while others has been hit by the violence hitting the VIP Stage of the Stadium. The President has later visited the ones hurt by the bomb at the Hospital in Bulawayo. Therefore, the hurt is there after the plot to kill the President. This is only hurting the cause of a peaceful transition, as he has himself been victimized by the attack on him. It is terrible sign of the days and a month ahead of the elections.
We can wonder whose behind this and who thinks this is a good idea, the coup to bring down Mugabe wasn’t without bloodshed and a peaceful transition should be like that. Even as the ZANU-PF is infused and controlled partly by the army. Therefore, you can wonder who has the capacity to aim at the king in Zimbabwe. Who knew and could stage this bomb close to the President. This has been prepared the VIP stage. The group who did this, knew exactly where and at what time the bomb should go off. Even if it didn’t hit the President, close allies and aides gotten hurt.
Therefore, this is just sad for Zimbabwe. This is going back in time and assassination plots is never positive, it is deliberate action of retribution towards the ones the other party wants dead. This is either revenge or a plot for political change through a fatal outcome. That is not mere foul play, but high risk gamble for supremacy.
Whoever behind this should be afraid of what the ZANU-PF would cook-up, as this will not create a better political space in the days ahead. Unless, the President will be the bigger man and let the Security Organization handle investigations and find the culprits. However, this is a sad day for Zimbabwe.
Assassination plots is never good news, it is sad news. Nothing good has ever come out of assassinations, usually more bloodshed and death of innocent people. That is not needed or something that should be promoted. Peace.
