Topzle Topzle

List of accidents and incidents involving Robert Mugabe's motorcade

Updated: Wikipedia source

List of accidents and incidents involving Robert Mugabe's motorcade

Robert Mugabe, the president of Zimbabwe from 1987 to 2017, and the prime minister from 1980 to 1987, often travelled via motorcade. His motorcade was known for its high speeds and involvement in numerous fatal accidents. It was often nicknamed "Bob Mugabe and the Wailers", a reference to Bob Marley and the Wailers, for blasting loud sirens and flashing bright lights upon approach.

Tables

Accidents and incidents resulting in injury or death · List of accidents and incidents resulting in injury or death
1980
1980
Year
1980
Date
February 10
Location
Fort Victoria
Description
An unknown party detonated 80 pounds (35 kg) of remote-controlled explosives under then-guerilla leader Robert Mugabe's convoy in Southern Rhodesia. Mugabe was unharmed, though five members of the convoy were taken to hospital for "minor injuries and shock." The explosion carved out a large crater. It was the second attempt on Mugabe's life within
c. 2003
c. 2003
Year
c. 2003
Date
"recently" as of January 16
Location
unspecified, near a fuel queue
Description
Motorists "hooted and jeered" at Mugabe's passing motorcade, and were subsequently beaten by a truckload of troopers.
2005
2005
Year
2005
Date
unspecified, before June 25
Location
near "the palace"
Description
During a state visit by Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa, a motorist got too close to Mugabe's motorcade, which was hosting Mkapa. Although the motorist was not interfering with the operation of the motorcade, he was beaten by police and dragged away.
2007
2007
Year
2007
Date
c. December 2
Location
Harare
Description
A Mazda 323 weaved between guards and struck a security vehicle in Mugabe's motorcade. Both men in the vehicle died at the scene. Mugabe himself was unhurt and proceeded on his journey to the airport. Journalist Moses Moyo contacted a source, who informed him that many within the Central Intelligence Organisation believed that it was a vehicular ra
2012
2012
Year
2012
Date
June 6
Location
Zvimba District
Description
A homeless man was struck and killed by a speeding outrider in Mugabe's motorcade. The outrider himself was launched into the air, according to an eyewitness. Despite containing an ambulance, the motorcade did not pause. Press reports indicated that the homeless man had been left to die of his injuries. Presidential spokesperson George Charamba den
Later on June 6, a Land Cruiser's tire exploded. The Guardian reported that it killed two troopers in Mugabe's motorcade and injured another two. BBC reported two deaths and seven injuries. The International Business Times and The New York Times only reported one death and did not mention any injuries.
Later on June 6, a Land Cruiser's tire exploded. The Guardian reported that it killed two troopers in Mugabe's motorcade and injured another two. BBC reported two deaths and seven injuries. The International Business Times and The New York Times only reported one death and did not mention any injuries.
Year
Later on June 6, a Land Cruiser's tire exploded. The Guardian reported that it killed two troopers in Mugabe's motorcade and injured another two. BBC reported two deaths and seven injuries. The International Business Times and The New York Times only reported one death and did not mention any injuries.
June 17
June 17
Year
June 17
Date
The lead car in Mugabe's motorcade struck a passenger bus, killing one passenger and injuring a total of fifteen people. National police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena blamed the driver of the minibus, stating that he failed to heed the motorcade's sirens. Another police spokesman specializing in VIP protection, Martin Mbokochena, blamed the incident o
October 3
October 3
Year
October 3
Date
Borrowdale, Harare
Location
A motorcade outrider hit a truck and was burned to death. Cell phone footage showed passersby unsuccessfully attempting to save him using fire extinguishers. Mugabe's motorcade sped away but left behind the ambulance that was part of the motorcade. Eyewitnesses reported that the ambulance driver did not help with the rescue efforts in any way. The
2013
2013
Year
2013
Date
March 1
Location
Harare
Description
A Red Cross vehicle collided with a motorcade outrider, injuring two. A witness reported that the Red Cross vehicle did not see the motorcade coming.
2017
2017
Year
2017
Date
July 15
Location
Harare International Airport
Description
First Lady Grace Mugabe injured her ankle when climbing into a waiting car; the driver accelerated before she was fully in the vehicle and dragged her for a few metres. She was taken to a hospital and discharged the same day.
near Harare International Airport
near Harare International Airport
Year
near Harare International Airport
Date
Shortly after the previous incident, a motorcade outrider was seriously injured. An anonymous source reported that he was seriously bruised and had likely rolled over several times. The circumstances were not clear. He was abandoned by the motorcade. Spokesperson Charamba stated that he did not know whether he survived or not, and segued into Grace
Year
Date
Location
Description
1980
February 10
Fort Victoria
An unknown party detonated 80 pounds (35 kg) of remote-controlled explosives under then-guerilla leader Robert Mugabe's convoy in Southern Rhodesia. Mugabe was unharmed, though five members of the convoy were taken to hospital for "minor injuries and shock." The explosion carved out a large crater. It was the second attempt on Mugabe's life within
c. 2003
"recently" as of January 16
unspecified, near a fuel queue
Motorists "hooted and jeered" at Mugabe's passing motorcade, and were subsequently beaten by a truckload of troopers.
2005
unspecified, before June 25
near "the palace"
During a state visit by Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa, a motorist got too close to Mugabe's motorcade, which was hosting Mkapa. Although the motorist was not interfering with the operation of the motorcade, he was beaten by police and dragged away.
2007
c. December 2
Harare
A Mazda 323 weaved between guards and struck a security vehicle in Mugabe's motorcade. Both men in the vehicle died at the scene. Mugabe himself was unhurt and proceeded on his journey to the airport. Journalist Moses Moyo contacted a source, who informed him that many within the Central Intelligence Organisation believed that it was a vehicular ra
2012
June 6
Zvimba District
A homeless man was struck and killed by a speeding outrider in Mugabe's motorcade. The outrider himself was launched into the air, according to an eyewitness. Despite containing an ambulance, the motorcade did not pause. Press reports indicated that the homeless man had been left to die of his injuries. Presidential spokesperson George Charamba den
Later on June 6, a Land Cruiser's tire exploded. The Guardian reported that it killed two troopers in Mugabe's motorcade and injured another two. BBC reported two deaths and seven injuries. The International Business Times and The New York Times only reported one death and did not mention any injuries.
June 17
The lead car in Mugabe's motorcade struck a passenger bus, killing one passenger and injuring a total of fifteen people. National police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena blamed the driver of the minibus, stating that he failed to heed the motorcade's sirens. Another police spokesman specializing in VIP protection, Martin Mbokochena, blamed the incident o
October 3
Borrowdale, Harare
A motorcade outrider hit a truck and was burned to death. Cell phone footage showed passersby unsuccessfully attempting to save him using fire extinguishers. Mugabe's motorcade sped away but left behind the ambulance that was part of the motorcade. Eyewitnesses reported that the ambulance driver did not help with the rescue efforts in any way. The
2013
March 1
Harare
A Red Cross vehicle collided with a motorcade outrider, injuring two. A witness reported that the Red Cross vehicle did not see the motorcade coming.
2017
July 15
Harare International Airport
First Lady Grace Mugabe injured her ankle when climbing into a waiting car; the driver accelerated before she was fully in the vehicle and dragged her for a few metres. She was taken to a hospital and discharged the same day.
near Harare International Airport
Shortly after the previous incident, a motorcade outrider was seriously injured. An anonymous source reported that he was seriously bruised and had likely rolled over several times. The circumstances were not clear. He was abandoned by the motorcade. Spokesperson Charamba stated that he did not know whether he survived or not, and segued into Grace

References

  1. The Economist
    https://www.economist.com/baobab/2012/04/06/you-got-a-fast-car
  2. The Scotsman
    https://www.scotsman.com/news/world/death-toll-mounts-as-mugabes-motorcade-claims-a-third-victim-1621228
  3. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jun/08/robert-mugabe-motorcade-homeless-man
  4. "Zimbabwe after Mugabe: What happens next?"
    https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-42099186
  5. TIME
    https://time.com/archive/6647115/a-revolution-betrayed/
  6. The Mail & Guardian
    https://mg.co.za/article/2004-03-12-when-mugabe-travels-in-zim/
  7. NBC News
    https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna29585929
  8. Arab News
    https://www.arabnews.com/node/944401/ajax/aggregate
  9. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/nov/19/1
  10. The Economist
    https://web.archive.org/web/20201129201932/https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2003/01/16/the-whiff-of-rotting-tyranny
  11. The Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2002/12/27/mugabes-surreal-policies-ravage-zimbabwe-economy/2e584301-cf60-411e-8eef-f38621d82351/
  12. The Saturday Weekend Argus
    https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/weekend-argus-saturday-edition/20100220/283403417918513?srsltid=AfmBOoq7U8H9agjP02FPFdnC9-LmtpV2GxfuE5IB_ghhOTBDp740RqPN
  13. New Statesman
    https://www.newstatesman.com/world/2017/01/last-days-robert-mugabe
  14. The Zimbabwean
    https://www.thezimbabwean.co/2006/07/us66400-for-new-wailers/
  15. Irish Independent
    https://www.independent.ie/world-news/africa/despised-mugabe-bans-gesture-politics/26027757.html
  16. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/21/world/africa/mugabe-motorcade-in-accidents.html
  17. The Times
    https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/africa-travel/south-africa/diplomats-watch-to-see-if-robert-mugabe-dare-go-on-holiday-9lc0n09jbdp?region=global
  18. GOV
    https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe/safety-and-security
  19. VICE
    https://www.vice.com/en/article/zimbabwe-has-217-in-the-bank/
Image
Source:
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.