Zimbabwe rally blast injured 41: minister

A blast that rocked a rally in which Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa narrowly escaped unscathed injured at least 41 people, including his two deputies, the health minister told a state Sunday paper.

Health Minister David Parirenyatwa, said wounded rallygoers had been treated at three main hospitals across the city and "a total of 41... have so far approached our health institutions complaining of injuries".

Footage circulating on social media showed an explosion and plumes of smoke around the president as he descended stairs from the podium at the city's White City stadium.

Mnangagwa said he was the target of the attack, which also injured Vice-Presidents Kembo Mohadi and Constantino Chiwenga.

The device "exploded a few inches away from me -- but it is not my time", the president told state broadcaster on Saturday night, blaming the attack on his "mortal enemies".

"These are my mortal enemies and the attempts have been so many.

"It's not the first attempt (on) my life. I'm used to it. Six times my office has been broken into; cyanide was put in my offices so many times. I will continue."