Harare Mayor’s Vintage Rolls-Royce Stall Sparks Social Media Firestorm

Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume’s vintage Rolls-Royce broke down at a Christmas lights event (image source)

HARARE – What was intended to be a grand display of civic pride turned into a viral comedy of errors this week after Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume’s vintage ceremonial Rolls-Royce broke down during the city’s annual Christmas lights switch-on event.

The incident, captured in a widely shared X (formerly Twitter) video captioned simply “Doink 🤡”, ignited a storm of ridicule and civic critique online. As the luxury vehicle overheated and stalled, forcing the mayor to abandon it and continue on foot, many residents drew immediate parallels between the car’s failure and Harare’s long-standing infrastructure challenges.

On X, reactions were swift and unforgiving. While some users treated the episode humorously, joking that the mayor was now “walking like a normal person,” others used the moment to vent deeper frustrations about service delivery. Responses to The Herald Zimbabwe’s coverage were particularly biting, with one user remarking, “Infrastructure issues are everywhere; even the cars can’t cope.”

Facebook commentary followed a similar path. In community groups, the laughter quickly gave way to practical criticism, with residents questioning why proper mechanical checks had not been conducted before such a high-profile event. One widely shared post summed up the mood by calling the incident “Zimbabwe’s energy in a nutshell.” The episode also drew attention from the business community, prompting both rebuke and unexpected support.

Philanthropist and businessman Andrew Makahamadze criticised what he described as poor brand and financial management, warning of reputational and legal risks. “When using brands like Rolls-Royce, make sure you keep standards,” he said. “Broke as you are, if sued, you will definitely be sent to the cleaners.”

In an ironic turn, the public embarrassment and ensuing debate sparked a gesture of corporate social responsibility. Mercpro chief executive Munyaradzi Mukuya offered the City of Harare his company’s high-end specialist diagnostic services free of charge, saying the aim was to ensure the ceremonial vehicle is mechanically sound before any future public appearances.

For many residents in Southerton and across Harare, the image of the mayor walking beside a stalled Rolls-Royce has become a powerful metaphor. While some saw it as a moment of unexpected relatability, the dominant sentiment online centred on priorities and governance. As the festive season unfolds, the city administration now faces the challenge of shifting the narrative from a viral mishap back to the pressing task of delivering reliable services — and proving that the city can function as smoothly as the luxury symbols it puts on display.