Zimbabwe News

Gonyeti Blocks President Mnangagwa’s Motorcade Near Southerton Post Office

HARARE – Presidential spokesperson Mr. George Charamba has confirmed a minor traffic incident involving President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s motorcade near the Southerton Post Office, clarifying that the disruption was unintentional and handled without incident.

In a statement to the media, Charamba said the truck driver involved in the brief obstruction was unaware he had momentarily blocked the presidential convoy, as the security team had deliberately maintained a discreet presence. “The truck driver did not realize who he had delayed, as the Presidential Security Team kept a low but vigilant profile,” said Charamba.

He stressed that there was no escalation during the incident and that the President’s convoy remained fully compliant with road regulations throughout the journey. “The motorcade obeyed all traffic rules. There were no police outriders escorting the convoy, and security remained unobtrusive during the entire unscheduled visit,” he added.

Sources close to the matter indicated that President Mnangagwa was en route to a local hospital in the area, possibly for a routine check-up or a private engagement. However, officials declined to confirm the purpose of the visit, citing privacy considerations.

“The nature of the hospital visit remains a private matter,” said a senior official in the Office of the President, declining to elaborate further.

The truck driver, who reportedly appeared stunned upon learning he had temporarily obstructed the President’s convoy, has not been charged or reprimanded. According to early reports, authorities treated the matter as a genuine misunderstanding, and the driver was released after a brief interview.

Mnangagwa Confirms Brief Motorcade Obstruction in Southerton, No Charges for Truck Driver

The incident has since triggered discussion on social media, with many Zimbabweans noting what they described as a more subdued and less intrusive approach by the Mnangagwa’s security during some recent outings. Some praised the Presidency’s effort to minimize public disruption during such movements, contrasting it with past administrations where heavily armed escorts and loud sirens often signaled the motorcade’s presence well in advance.

Commentators pointed out that the low-profile strategy may be part of a broader effort to humanize Mnangagwa’s engagements and reduce the perception of detachment from ordinary citizens. Others, however, raised questions about the balance between security and accessibility, particularly in high-traffic zones where confusion can arise without clear signals of a VVIP presence.

Still, government insiders say such discreet travel methods will likely continue in select circumstances, especially for private or low-risk engagements. The Southerton incident, while unusual, is now seen as a case study in how the presidency is evolving its public-facing image in an increasingly scrutinized political environment.

As of Wednesday, traffic in the Southerton area had returned to normal, and no further disruptions related to the President’s movements were reported.

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