HARARE, June 24 (Reuters) - Zimbabwean Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said on Sunday an explosion that narrowly missed harming the president after a rally on Saturday was "an act of terrorism" that would not stop an election due on July 30.

Chiwenga, whose wife was among those injured in the blast in the second city of Bulawayo, said those behind the incident were criminals who will be hunted down by the police and brought before the courts. (Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Toby Chopra)</s>A bomb attack in the city of Bulawayo on Saturday has left 15 injured, including Zimbabwe's Vice President Kembo Mohadi. The explosion occurred 'inches away' from President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as he was leaving the stage after addressing a rally in the city.

The rally, at White City Stadium, was ahead of the upcoming elections on July 30. President Mnangagwa was campaigning for the Zanu-PF party in Bulawayo, the second largest city in the country which also happens to be an opposition stronghold.

As soon as the bomb went off, people started running in all directions as the President was rushed to his vehicle, and the motorcade left at a very high speed.

As per the BBC, the President has escaped unhurt, but Mohadi was left injured in the leg. As per official sources, the number injured is currently at 15 but is expected to rise. Mnangagwa, who visited the injured in the hospital, spoke to the local media, condemning the violence and pleaded for unity.

Mnangagwa came to power last November, ousting his former mentor Robert Mugabe, who ruled the country for 37 years. The upcoming elections are to be the first in Zimbabwe since Mugabe was ousted and hence of critical importance to the African nation.

Presidential spokesman George Charamba told the Zimbabwe Herald newspaper, "Vice-President Mohadi is nursing some leg injuries but he is in good spirit."

Marry Chiwenga, the wife of Zimbabwe's First Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga, was also injured and pictures on social media showed the president visiting her in hospital. State broadcaster ZBC reported that Zanu PF national chairman Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, political commissar Engelbert Rugeje and a few ZBC crew members too were injured.

The US Embassy in Harare condemned the attack following which the Egyptian foreign ministry issued a statement along the same lines. So far no one has claimed responsibility for the attack.</s>The President and Deputy Chairperson of SADC, H.E Dr. Hage Geingob on Monday condemned the bomb blast that occurred in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on Saturday.

The incident occured at a ZANU PF rally that was being addressed by the Zimbabwean President H.E Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Recalling and lauding progress made by Zimbabwe over the past few months, Geingob called for calm, informed that political violence would not be tolerated in the SADC region, and perpetrators should be brought to justice.

“The only legitimate path towards forming a government in the African Union is by wining peaceful, free and fair elections, and such a process should be respected in Zimbabwe where elections are due on 30 July this year,” Geingob added.

Furthermore Geingob also condemned the deadly attack at which two people died at a public rally addressed by the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed on 23 June in Addis Ababa. “The rule of law should prevail,” he added.

Meanwhile Geingob expressed sincere condolences to those who lost loved ones in Addis Ababa, and wished the injured in both attacks a speedy recovery.</s>HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwean Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said on Sunday an explosion that narrowly missed harming the president after a rally on Saturday was “an act of terrorism” that would not stop an election due on July 30.

Chiwenga, whose wife was among those injured in the blast in the second city of Bulawayo, said those behind the incident were criminals who will be hunted down by the police and brought before the courts.</s>Image copyright Reuters Image caption Emmerson Mnangagwa has vowed that the attack would not derail the election

Two people injured in Saturday's explosion at a campaign rally in Zimbabwe's second city of Bulawayo have died, a medical official has said.

Solwayo Ngwenya, clinical director of the city's Mpilo hospital in the city, told AFP other victims had life-threatening injuries.

At least 49 people, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa's two deputies, were injured in the blast.

He said it was an attempt on his life ahead of the 30 July election.

This is the first poll since long-time leader Robert Mugabe was forced from power last year.

Mr Mnangagwa has vowed that the attack would not derail the election.

He is favourite to win the poll, but analysts say he also has enemies - both for overthrowing his former mentor, and for being a previous enforcer of Mr Mugabe's government.

His main rival, Nelson Chamisa, has also condemned the attack, for which there has been no claim of responsibility.

The president told state media that an object "exploded a few inches away from me - but it is not my time". "I am used to these attempts," he added.

The names of the dead have not been released but one is reported to work for Vice-President Constatino Chiwenga.

Eight senior officials suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Video footage from White City Stadium, where the campaign event was being held, shows an explosion happening close to the president as he leaves the stage after addressing supporters.

Police have now offered a reward for information about the suspects.

Sources close to the investigation say they believe a grenade was hurled at the event, the BBC's Shingai Nyoka reports from Harare.

His spokesman said that while the president was unhurt, Vice-President Kembo Mohadi suffered a leg injury, while Mr Vice-President Chiwenga received bruises to his face.

The campaign rally in Bulawayo was Mr Mnangagwa's first in the city, which is an opposition stronghold.</s>President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the bomb blast at a stadium in Bulawayo‚ Zimbabwe‚ during a ZANU-PF rally on Saturday.

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa was addressing an election rally at White City Stadium when the incident happened‚ but he managed to escape unharmed.

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga was also reported to be safe. It was reported that several people had been injured but the extent of the injuries had not yet been established.</s>The recent explosion that occurred at a stadium in the Zimbabwean city of Bulawayo on Saturday during a campaign rally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa was an act of terrorism, Zimbabwean Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said.

"That act of terrorism which happened in Bulawayo is nothing, it does not deter us. But if the colleagues running for harmonised elections on the 30th of July are afraid and scared, they will be given security," Chiwenga said Sunday, as quoted by the Herald newspaper.

The Russian Embassy in Zimbabwe has issued a statement condemning the recent assassination attempt on Zimbabwe's president Emmerson Mnangagwa. The statement said that the Russian side wished speedy recovery to everyone wounded in the attack.

On July 30, the Zimbabweans will elect new president. The vote will take place for the first time since end of rule of ousted Robert Mugabe. Mnangagwa, who previously served as vice president, was sworn in as Mugabe's successor.</s>Two victims of the bomb attack at a Zanu-PF rally in Bulawayo on Saturday have died. The attack saw President Emmerson Mnangagwa escaping unharmed but 49 people who include Vice President Kembo Mohadi, Zanu-PF chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s wife Mrs Marry Chiwenga, the ruling party’s national political commissar, Lieutenant-General Engelbert Rugeje (Retired) and Zanu-PF Women’s League secretary Mabel Chinomona, being injured.

Mpilo Central Hospital clinical director Dr Solwayo Ngwenya said two people, both men, who sustained life threatening injuries in the attack had died.

‘’It is with sadness that despite our efforts to save lives, we have lost two of our patients whom we admitted after the Saturday incident. The first one died at night on Sunday and had suffered serious abdominal and leg injuries,” said Dr Ngwenya.

“The second man died today (yesterday) in the afternoon after surgery. I am not at liberty to give you their names as we are yet to communicate with the affected families.”

He said three patients were in the intensive care unit while three others had been transferred to Harare after their relatives made the request.

Dr Ngwenya said 29 people were brought to the hospital including a 14-year-old. Thirteen were treated and discharged on the same day, leaving 16 admitted.

“We are now left with nine patients of which three of them are critical in the intensive care unit. Some of them are currently undergoing surgery and blood transfusion and we hope they will survive,” said Dr Ngwenya.

Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa said relevant authorities were working on notifying the relatives of the deceased persons.

United Bulawayo Hospitals chief executive officer Mrs Nonhlanhla Ndlovu said they only have two patients who are in a stable condition. Others were taken to Mater Dei Hospital.

National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba yesterday confirmed the death of the two people.

“The ZRP wishes to inform the nation that investigations into the White City Stadium bombing incident still continue.

“However it’s with great sadness and grief that two people succumbed to injuries sustained during the bombing. May their souls rest in eternal peace. The ZRP also extends sincere condolences to bereaved families,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

She appealed for more information from the public that will aid in their investigations.

“On the same note we want to thank those patriotic Zimbabweans who have so far provided valuable information,” said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

The attack at the Zanu-PF rally has been condemned by the United Nations, the African Union, SADC and several countries that include the United Kingdom, the United States and South Africa.

In a statement, UN secretary general Antonio Guterres said he was disturbed by reports of the attack and urged relevant authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“I was disturbed when I received the reports about the attack. Such acts of violence are unacceptable and I call for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

“The country’s two Vice Presidents were among the 49 people reportedly hurt by the blast, as well as some Zanu-PF senior officials, members of a television crew from the state broadcasting network and security personnel,” said the UN secretary general.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said violence and criminality had no place in democratic processes in the region while the chairperson of the AU Commission, Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat said he strongly condemns the cowardly bomb attack.

President Ramaphosa said Zimbabwe was ready for elections and Sadc will provide all necessary support.

President Mnangagwa has since challenged the nation to remain united saying those with intentions to kill the “people’s dream” of a prosperous Zimbabwe will not succeed.

In an audio message posted on his Facebook page, President Mnangagwa said a united Zimbabwe will prevail against any destructive forces.

“My fellow Zimbabweans, in November we all came together motivated by a dream. A free, democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe. A peaceful Zimbabwe.

Though it has not been easy over the past seven months, we have marched together step by step, towards this dream,” he said.

“While the majority of the nation is united behind this dream, there are those who feel threatened by the steps we are taking, they do not want an open and progressive Zimbabwe we are striving for. Now some people are trying to kill our dream, while we have all chosen the path of peace.”

He said the enemies of the people who resort to using violence will not succeed.

“Others unfortunately still cling to the tools of violence. However, I can assure you, they will not succeed. We will not turn back. The forces of progress cannot be stopped. Now, we as a people must unite, with one destiny and one dream. Together we will prevail,” he said.

Police have said investigations are in progress and have since offered a “substantial reward” for information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects. The Chronicle</s>HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Several Zimbabwean presidential candidates and political parties condemned the assassination attempt over the weekend on Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa and signed an agreement to have a peaceful campaign ahead of elections at the end of July.

Neither Mnangagwa nor Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the biggest opposition party, the MDC, attended the meeting but their representatives signed the agreement, which was drafted by the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission.

There are 23 candidates standing for president in the July 30 elections, the first without former president Robert Mugabe since independence in 1980.

The explosion at the end of Mnangagwa’s rally in Zimbabwe’s second largest city, Bulawayo, on Saturday killed two of the president’s aides and was the first serious violence in the current election campaign.</s>Several Zimbabwean presidential candidates and political parties condemned the explosion over the weekend that narrowly missed Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa and signed an agreement to have a peaceful campaign ahead of elections at the end of July.

Neither Mnangagwa nor Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the biggest opposition party, the MDC, attended the meeting but their representatives signed the agreement, which was drafted by the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission.

Police arrested a man for heckling and accusing Priscilla Chigumba, the chairwoman of the National Electoral Commission of bias in favor of the ruling party, ZANU-PF.

There are 23 candidates standing for president in the July 30 elections, the first without former president Robert Mugabe since independence in 1980.

The attack at the end of Mnangagwa's rally in Zimbabwe's second largest city, Bulawayo, on Saturday killed two of the president's security officers and was the first serious violence in the current election campaign.

No group has claimed responsibility for the explosion, which came immediately after Mnangagwa addressed a campaign rally, but there has been speculation that it could have been carried out by several different groups or individuals including the president's rivals within ZANU-PF or disgruntled supporters of former President Robert Mugabe.

The leader of the ZANU-PF Youth League Tuesday pledged Tuesday that the group would protect Mnangagwa.

"From now onwards we offer ourselves as a human shield to our president, to the leadership and to the people of Zimbabwe," said Pupurai Togarepi.

Several of Zimbabwe's previous election campaigns have been marked by violence, particularly against the opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Zimbabwean authorities report two people have died following Saturday's bomb attack on President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Bulawayo, with several others in critical condition.