Zimpapers Logo

Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa’s accident damaged car

Takunda Maodza Assistant News Editor
JUSTICE, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa reported for duty yesterday morning after his doctor gave him a clean bill of health following an accident in Harare on Wednesday.
The minister’s Mercedes was rammed by a staff bus owned by the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals’ Ophthalmic School of Nursing.

The accident occurred along Herbert Chitepo Avenue in Harare.

Yesterday, the Minister Mnangagwa said he was fine.

“I’m fine. I reported for duty at 7.45AM. The doctor came to my house. I’ve no injuries. Nothing,” he said.

Minister Mnangagwa narrated how the accident happened.

“We were driving in the same direction going west. I was in the extreme left lane. Half-way before Takawira, I changed into the inner lane. I was then rammed into,” he said.

Bus driver Muchena Tsikirai, 41, in his recorded statement to the police soon after the accident, claimed Minister Mnangagwa was travelling due east while he was heading west. “I was driving staff bus registration number HCW 1453 along Herbert Chitepo towards the west when a white Mercedes Benz suddenly made a U-turn in front of me. Then as I moved towards the opposite lane of the road so as to avoid it, I crashed into it.”

Tsikirai said he was taking his nine-month pregnant wife, Jemina Mukozho, 40, to the Westend Hospital.

He said he only knew the Mercedes Benz belonged to Minister Mnangagwa after the accident.

The accident left Minister Mnangagwa’s vehicle severely damaged. The front and rear doors were damaged and airbags popped out.

Minister Mnangagwa was on the steering wheel when the accident occurred.

Former Zanu-PF Zvishavane-Runde legislator Cde Larry Mavhima, who was at the accident scene on Wednesday, yesterday said Minister Mnangagwa was in high spirits. “He’s very much ok. He’s in his office right now carrying out his duties. He’s very much active, alive, kicking and raring to go,” said Cde Mavhima.