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Car dealer storms Mnangagwa's State House
6 hrs ago |
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A Harare car dealer has appeared in court after allegedly forcing his way into the State House precincts in the early hours of the morning, claiming he wanted President Emmerson Mnangagwa to protect him from people he believed were trying to kill him.
Isaac Mugwagwa, an employee of Rhodes Car Sale located at the corner of Ninth Street and Central Avenue in Harare, appeared before a Harare magistrate facing a charge of trespassing.
The State did not oppose bail, and the matter has been remanded for further proceedings.
According to court papers, the incident occurred on March 28 at approximately 3:30am when Mugwagwa allegedly entered a restricted area within the State House complex and approached the guardroom.
Prosecutors allege that Mugwagwa became aggressive after gaining access to the area and confronted a soldier on duty, identified as Anthony Ngovera.
He allegedly grabbed the soldier and demanded to see the President, claiming he needed protection because unknown individuals were pursuing him and wanted to kill him.
The court heard that security personnel ordered Mugwagwa to leave the premises, but he allegedly refused and continued insisting on meeting the President.
His refusal to leave reportedly prompted security officials to summon police, leading to his arrest on allegations of trespassing.
Mugwagwa remains in custody and is expected to return to court on Monday.
The incident adds to a growing list of security breaches and attempted intrusions at State House, one of the country's most heavily guarded and sensitive government facilities.
Over the years, both under former president Robert Mugabe and the current administration, State House has witnessed several unusual attempts by individuals seeking access to the President.
In 2017, South African professional hunter Adriaan Olivier was arrested after driving through a restricted section of State House at around 3am. He was later fined US$150.
More recently, Harare resident Felix Togaraseyi Magureyi was arrested twice in 2024 after attempting to gain access to the presidential residence.
In one incident, Magureyi allegedly demanded to see Mnangagwa, claiming the President was his father. Security officials reportedly found a sjambok and a toy firearm in his vehicle during the arrest.
He later returned and allegedly attempted another intrusion at State House later that same year.
In January 2025, a police officer believed to have been experiencing mental health challenges drove into the State House grounds and reportedly refused to leave until he had met the President.
The latest case is expected to renew discussions around security measures at State House, where authorities continue to face the challenge of balancing public access concerns with the need to safeguard the country's highest office.
Isaac Mugwagwa, an employee of Rhodes Car Sale located at the corner of Ninth Street and Central Avenue in Harare, appeared before a Harare magistrate facing a charge of trespassing.
The State did not oppose bail, and the matter has been remanded for further proceedings.
According to court papers, the incident occurred on March 28 at approximately 3:30am when Mugwagwa allegedly entered a restricted area within the State House complex and approached the guardroom.
Prosecutors allege that Mugwagwa became aggressive after gaining access to the area and confronted a soldier on duty, identified as Anthony Ngovera.
He allegedly grabbed the soldier and demanded to see the President, claiming he needed protection because unknown individuals were pursuing him and wanted to kill him.
The court heard that security personnel ordered Mugwagwa to leave the premises, but he allegedly refused and continued insisting on meeting the President.
His refusal to leave reportedly prompted security officials to summon police, leading to his arrest on allegations of trespassing.
Mugwagwa remains in custody and is expected to return to court on Monday.
The incident adds to a growing list of security breaches and attempted intrusions at State House, one of the country's most heavily guarded and sensitive government facilities.
Over the years, both under former president Robert Mugabe and the current administration, State House has witnessed several unusual attempts by individuals seeking access to the President.
In 2017, South African professional hunter Adriaan Olivier was arrested after driving through a restricted section of State House at around 3am. He was later fined US$150.
More recently, Harare resident Felix Togaraseyi Magureyi was arrested twice in 2024 after attempting to gain access to the presidential residence.
In one incident, Magureyi allegedly demanded to see Mnangagwa, claiming the President was his father. Security officials reportedly found a sjambok and a toy firearm in his vehicle during the arrest.
He later returned and allegedly attempted another intrusion at State House later that same year.
In January 2025, a police officer believed to have been experiencing mental health challenges drove into the State House grounds and reportedly refused to leave until he had met the President.
The latest case is expected to renew discussions around security measures at State House, where authorities continue to face the challenge of balancing public access concerns with the need to safeguard the country's highest office.
Source - The Standard
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