A Zimbabwean government minister survived a near-fatal crash when one of the wheels of his car came off, causing the vehicle to roll on Sunday.
Midlands provincial affairs minister Jason Machaya had to be rushed to a Harare private clinic after he sustained a deep cut on his head.
The African News Agency understands the accident occurred just after Chegutu, a town 110km south-west of Harare, as he was driving to his farm in Kwekwe, 210km away. It was said he was driving a Land Rover Discovery 4 when the accident occurred.
“He is in a critical condition,” a source said.
Police national spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba was yet to get the details of the accident. “Let me check for you,” she said.
Last year, Machaya survived a cabinet chop due to his suspected links to former vice-president Joice Mujuru’s camp. Lately, he is said to be aligned to the G40 faction alleged to be fronted by first lady Grace Mugabe. The faction is said to be tussling to succeed President Robert Mugabe.
In past years, a number of Zanu PF ministers have died in suspicious road accidents. Among them is former defence minister Moven Mahachi, who died in 2001 after his large car was said to have collided with a smaller car as he travelled from Mutare to Nyanga from a Zanu PF provincial meeting during his time as the party’s national commissar.
Also, Elliot Manyika, another Zanu PF political commissar, died at a time he was minister without portfolio in 2008 near Mbalabala, a small town 470km south-west of Harare.
In 2013, Edward Chindori Chininga died in mysterious circumstances near Raffingora, about 140km north-west of Harare, after he had whistle-blown over some missing monies from diamond, gem, and mining sales.