Assassination attempt on Zimbabwe president

The President escaped injuries, but others were injured and hospitalized. The blast occurred at White City Stadium in Bulawayo.

“Investigations are underway and more details will be given to the public,” presidential spokesman George Charamba said, according to the state-run newspaper The Herald. “There have been multiple attempts on the President’s life over the past five years.”

The country’s two vice presidents were among at least eight people injured, The Herald reported. Kembo Mohadi suffered leg injuries, and Constantino Chiwenga had slight facial bruises, state media said.

Other injured officials included Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, minister of water, environment and climate, and Engelbert Rugeje, party secretary of the ruling ZANU-PF.

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corp. said three of its crew members were hurt and taken to Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo

The US Embassy in Harare condemned the attack.

“Political violence in any form is unacceptable & contrary (to the) positive progress required (to) move Zim forward as it seeks (to) take its place on the global stage,” the embassy said on Twitter. ” Our thoughts & prayers go out (to the) victims & their families.”

Nelson Chamisa, an opposition leader in Zimbabwe, denounced the stadium explosion. Chamisa heads the Movement for Democratic Change and is a contender for president in elections next month.

“Our prayers go out to the injured and we hope no lives have be lost,” Chamisa said. “Violence must have no place in our politics. May God bless and protect the country we all love.”

The presidential elections will be the first since the country’s military forced Robert Mugabe out of office in an apparent coup in November.