By Paul Nyathi|An over excited ZANU PF member who made his way to President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the podium at a rally in Gweru and attempted taking a selfie with him was arrested and fined for his action.

The incident that was caught on video, which has since gone viral, also landed three members of Mnangagwa’s close security unit in trouble.

The Zanu PF councillor from Masvingo, identified as Moses Mavusa, attempted to get a picture with the president after sneaking through barricades to reach the main stage at an open space in Gweru.

Sources said the incident left three officials including one Makuyana, the president’s  aide-de-camp (ADC), and the acting head of close security Charles Mupanduki in deep trouble for security lapse.

“These guys seem to be relaxing and this is the second time that the president has been left exposed,” the source said.

“They seem to be taking it easy and in the process causing unnecessary security breaches. So, the entire commandant is not happy with that.

“The ADC works closely with the presidential close security unit and the escort unit commander, the man directly in charge of Mnangagwa’s personal security and that of close family members.”

Mavusa’s lawyer, Collin Maboke, confirmed that his client was arrested and spent the night in custody before being fined $20 for criminal nuisance.

“For convenience purposes, I advised him to pay the fine to avoid unnecessary movements from Masvingo to Gweru since he is resident in Masvingo,” he said.

“But there was nothing criminal in his conduct, as he did that out of excitement and is a Zanu PF member who lost in the council primaries,” Maboke said.

However, sources said Mavusa’s admission of guilt had caused problems for security details as they now have to explain how they were cheated and exposed Mnangagwa to possible attacks.

Questions are being raised on how the ADC allowed the “overzealous Mavusa ” to get close to the president without alerting  fellow details.

“Imagine if that guy was armed with anything, he could have injured the president and what would they have said?

“So the issue is about failing to command their troops to be vigilant,” another security source said. 

Mavusa lost the Zanu PF primary polls to represent Ward 9 to businessman Takachida Mudekunye.

He was arrested after he went to the podium where Mnangagwa was and attempted to greet him while his other hand was signalling to a colleague who was on the ground to take a picture.

Mnangagwa had to push him away and the act was recorded on video which has gone viral on social media.