CRI听力:Zimbabwean President survives bomb attack

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has survived a bomb attack at a political rally.

This comes amid rising uncertainties as the southern African country is preparing for the first national elections without long time leader Robert Mugabe.

Our correspondent Gao Junya has the details from Harare Zimbabwe.

The attack took place when Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa was attending a political rally to garner support for his party in the upcoming national elections in Bulawayo, the country’s second largest city.

Video footage from the scene shows an explosion took place right close to Mnangagwa as he was leaving the stage after addressing thousands of supporters.

Mnangagwa is unhurt and has been evacuated successfully.

The country’s second Vice President Kembo Mohadi has suffered a leg injury.

Marry Chiwenga, wife of Zimbabwe's First Vice-President, Constantino Chiwenga, as well as several seniors officials are also among those injured.

Speaking to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation after the attack, Mnangagwa says the blast which happened inches away from him is not the first attempted murder of him.

“It exploded a few inches away from me - but it is not my time. People outside Bulawayo, outside Bulawayo, I can assure you. These are my normal enemies.  There are attempts of so many. This is not the first attempt on my life.”

Mnangagwa has described the attack as a cowardly act, saying it will not derail the country’s upcoming elections.

“It suggested the elements of the defeatists in the struggle of our freedom, independence and democracy. The country is peaceful. And I’m happy with the free democratic campaign throughout the country.”

In a message posted on his Facebook page after the blast, Mnangagwa has also urged Zimbabweans to remain united and solve their political differences peacefully.

The incident comes as Zimbabwe is preparing to hold its first post-Mugabe presidential election on July 30.

Shen Xiaolei, assistant researcher with the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, suggests the incident will not affect the election.

“I don’t think the attack will influence the upcoming election drastically. It will neither disturb the set schedule for the election nor put off it. To some extent, I think it’s not bad news for Mnangagwa. With the election coming after one month, it gives him enough time to deal with the exposed problems within his party and among different political parties.”

It’s being suggested explosives have been placed under the stage close to the exit for the president and officials seated on the high table.

There’s no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast and investigations are still underway.