Desire ‘Moyoxide’ Moyo has died after a car crash (Picture: Facebook)

An African MP has died after the car he was riding in crashed into an elephant.

Desire ‘Moyoxide’ Moyo,who was member of parliament for Nkulumane in Zimbabwe,died early on Friday morning local time.

The car,which was carrying five people,crashed into an elephant near Shangani,a small farming settlement.

The four other passengers – Honourables Madalaboy Ndebele,Senator Rittah Ndlovu,Sethulo Ndebele and Libion Sibanda – are being treated in hospital for injuries sustained in the crash.

All five were returning to Bulawayo from parliament in Harare when the crash occurred,local news site CITE reports.

The City of Bulawayo described Desire as ‘an iconic leader’. He was about to celebrate his 46th birthday.

Desire was a poet and activist before being elected in 2023 (Picture: Cite)

Paying their condolences in a public statement,they said: ‘His Worship Senator David Coltart,the mayor of the city of Bulawayo,councillors,the Town Clerk,Mr Christopher Dube,Heads of Council Departments,staff and residents have learnt with sadness of the untimely passing on of Honourable Desire “Moyoxide” Moyo.

‘Moyo positively impacted the city through his various roles as a leader,Member of Parliament for the Nkulumane constituency and above all a poet who protested against injustices and challenged all for the development of the city and the country.’

Before beginning his political career,Desire worked as a teacher and was an acclaimed performance poet.

He blended art and activism and was involved in civic projects to promote youth empowerment.

Desire was elected MP for Nkulumane for the first time in 2023.

Discent Bajila,MP for Luveve,told ZimLive he had spoken with some of the injured lawmakers.

He said: ‘I spoke to Honourable Ndebele,who was in the front passenger seat. His recollection is that they hit the elephant on its backside.

‘After the impact,he remembers the elephant turning round and fighting the vehicle.

‘This,he believes,is what did the most damage on the top right side of the vehicle and ultimately led to Honourable Moyo’s fatal injuries.’