National police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena blamed the Sunday accident on a commuter bus that did not make way fast enough for the passing motorcade. One of the cars leading the motorcade then rammed into the bus.

"The driver of a commuter minibus failed to heed the siren and beacon of the escort vehicle resulting in a head-on collision between the minibus and the police vehicle," Bvudzijena told AFP.

"One passenger in the commuter bus died on the spot while 15 passengers from both vehicles were injured in the accident."

The crash happened on the Robert Mugabe highway just outside the president's home town of Zvimba.

Police VIP protection spokesman Martin Mbokochena blasted "some unruly elements in society who want to disturb."

This was the third incident and third death in two weeks involving Mugabe's motorcade.

Two weeks ago a motorbike in the presidental cavalcade hit and killed a mentally disabled man, while a member of the presidential guard died and seven others were injured when a truck in the motorcade overturned after one of its tyres burst.

Mugabe typically travels with an escort of around 10 vehicles, including the presidential limousine, a Mercedes Benz, motorcycles and army vehicles.

Bvudzijena urged motorists to "pull off the road when they hear a siren or see a red or blue beacon."