Mugabe survives assassination plot

Two men die in a crash involving the President's motorcade, in what security forces believe was an attempted assassination

President Robert Mugabe's motorcade - notorious for its strict security procedures and high-speed travel - came to a sudden halt in Harare today when a mystery vehicle evaded outriders and guards before smashing into a security vehicle. Both drivers died at the scene.

The incident happened on Harare's Seventh Street, only a few hundred metres from the official residence of the Zimbabwean President. Mugabe was unhurt, and continued his journey to the airport, where he left for a diplomatic visit to Mozambique.

Officers of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and the Presidential Guards, Mugabe's personal security men, remained at the scene and cordoned off the area. Tipped off by a CIO source, I arrived minutes later, and was able to see the two body bags and the damaged vehicles.

My source told me that many CIO operatives are convinced that this was a deliberate attempt to kill Mugabe by crashing his vehicle - a method of assassination not unknown in Southern Africa.

He pointed out: "No motorist in his right mind would get mixed up with the Mugabe motorcade. It has happened in the past, and each time the driver was caught and beaten up by our guys. In any case, a squad of four motorcycle outriders lead the way, each driving a distance of 30 to 45 seconds apart. You might miss one, but not all of them. To say nothing of the wailing sirens. Then there are three security vehicles before you get to Mugabe himself."

The rogue vehicle - a Mazda 323 - evaded all the riders and the first guard car, before smashing into the second. The identity of the dead driver is being kept a strict secret.

There is also a black-out on any news here about the incident. When I called the Minister of Information, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, he disconnected without a comment. Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga just said: "I don't know anything about that," before ringing off.

Remarkably, in a country where road wrecks can lie around on the sides of the road for weeks, all evidence that the crash had occurred was removed from the scene within one hour.

Posted on Tuesday, 27 November 2007 at 17:43 | Permalink
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Comments
Now what is mugabe and his angels of doom up to now? They planned all these assassination attempts. You can fool most of the people all of the time but you cannot fool all the people all of the time.

Posted by: Chinotimba | Wednesday, 28 November 2007 at 01:52

Keep a watch out mugabe, this is only the beginning. You can sit in your ivory, air-conditioned tower with its' one light bulb, at the end of the dirt road behind the first mud puddle on the left, but you can't hide forever. We'll get you buddy. (the forces of good are looking for a way and itching to get it on!!!) You are evil and the world will be a better place when one of its poor, downtrodden miserable sods blows your dumbass to kingdom come AND 'm looking for the line that forms so I can contribute to what I'm sure is a growing pile of money for the sole purpose of.... Killin' yo dumb ass!!! Keep up the good work, your are soley responsible for making the rest of the despotic dumbasses look good!!!

Posted by: Master Blaster | Wednesday, 28 November 2007 at 02:17

Re: master blaster - WOW!!! Where is that line?

Posted by: Rain maker | Wednesday, 28 November 2007 at 02:19

Sounds very interesting. But unfortunately its not the truth, you got it all wrong and yet went on to publish the false story. Noone died on the spot. Be factual and not sway readers with falsehoods. Maybe you are doing it for....

Posted by: Morgan Danga | Wednesday, 28 November 2007 at 22:13

Please be factual. Don't be dramatic for the headlines.

Posted by: Cde Nyikayedu | Thursday, 29 November 2007 at 00:56

The people have suffered. If Mugabe's assassination assists with the way out, so be it!

Rev Mufaro Stig Hove.

www.zimfinalpush.blogspot.com

Posted by: Rev Mufaro Stig Hove | Thursday, 29 November 2007 at 07:41

LINK!!!