TWO people were injured yesterday afternoon when a police outrider in President Robert Mugabe’s motorcade collided with a Peugeot 206 at the intersection of Prince Edward Street and Josiah Tongogara Avenue in Harare. REPORT BY PHILLIP CHIDAVAENZI
The Peugeot belongs to the International Committee of the Red Cross (Geneva).
Witnesses said the driver of the Red Cross vehicle failed to realise that the motorcade, which has the right of way on all the country’s roads, was passing. He allegedly drove into the intersection where he crashed against the police bike.
When NewsDay arrived at the scene, the bike had just been loaded into a police truck and some police officers could be seen assessing and recording statements. The Red Cross vehicle, whose front was destroyed, was still parked at the spot.
“The car was heading towards the CBD (central business district) along Prince Edward Street while the motorcade was driving along Josiah Tongogara Avenue,” said one witness.
“I think the driver did not realise the motorcade was passing so he drove into the intersection where he rammed into the third bike.”
A source at the Red Cross said the make of the vehicle involved in the accident was usually used by visiting delegates from other countries.
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said she was not aware of the accident as she was out of office.
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Last year, four accidents involving the presidential motorcade were recorded, the last of which involved an outrider who was burnt beyond recognition after his bike exploded on impact on October 3.
In June, one person was killed and 15 others were injured by the motorcade in Zvimba, the President’s home area.
Earlier in the same month, another motorbike in the Presidential cavalcade hit and killed a mentally ill man. Within the same month, a member of the Presidential Guard died and seven others were injured when a truck in the motorcade overturned after one of its tyres burst.Mugabe travels under heavy guard, with an escort of over 15 vehicles, including the Presidential limousine, a Mercedes Benz, motorcycles and army vehicles.
