|
Who was responsible? |
Contents « Prev Next » Back to area index Who was responsible?
- MANICALAND Buhera North Kainos ‘Kitsiyatota’ Zimunya and Joseph Mwale Kainos Zimunya was an election agent for Zanu (PF) Buhera North MP Kenneth Manyonda. In the Buhera North election petition, Sanderson Makombe named Zimunya and Joseph Mwale as being responsible for the deaths of MDC campaign workers Talent Mabika and Tichaona Chiminya. Mr Makombe alleges that he was in the twin cab with Ms. Mabika and Mr Chiminya when a Zanu (PF) labelled vehicle stopped them and began to beat them while he and his colleagues were still in the twin cab. According to his testimony, he escaped out of the back of the vehicle while the others tried to hide in the front seat. He then heard Ms. Mabika screaming and also heard someone call for petrol bombs to be brought from the Zanu (PF) vehicle. Petrol was poured on Mr Chiminya and Ms. Mabika and then poured under the hood of the vehicle. A bomb was thrown and the vehicle caught fire. Mr Makombe alleges that he ran back to the vehicle to pull his two colleagues out. When he did, their skin was flaking off from the burns and their clothes were still alight. Mr Chiminya was pronounced dead at the scene and Ms. Mabika died after being taken to the hospital. Despite numerous witnesses implicating Mwale in the murders he has not yet been detained. The docket in which Mwale and Zimunya are cited as prime suspects in the murders of Chiminya and Mabika was sent by Mutare Police to Police General Headquarters in Harare for them to forward to the Attorney General’s Office. Police sources say the police chiefs are still holding the file. Mwale and Zimunya were summoned to testify in the Buhera North petition but disappeared before they could be brought to court. After the trial Justice James Devittie cited section 137 of the Electoral Act that allows him to forward any illegal act discovered in the course of court proceedings to the Attorney General for prosecution. He forwarded information to Attorney General Andrew Chigovera but as yet no action has been taken. Case 14: D.M. (Male) — 15 April 2000 At Murambinda Growth Point after an MDC executive meeting he was approached by Joseph Mwale, a CIO agent and assaulted with an empty beer bottle. Case 15: B.M. (Female) 15 April 2000 Approached by a CIO agent, Joseph Mwale. She was assaulted in the face as a reprisal for chanting MDC slogans. She was further assaulted all over the body with booted feet and clenched fists. Makoni East Erengwe, Happymore Dafi, Ndongwe and Revai Nyamombe Case 16: T. C (Male) — 14 June 2000 Attended Zanu (PF) rally addressed by Minister of Defense and Makoni West MP Moven Mahachi. He was identified as an MDC supporter and therefore an infiltrator. Attacked with machetes, logs and sjamboks by Erengwe, Happymore Dafi, Ndongwe and Revai Nyamombe. Sustained injuries on back. Shadreck Chipanga Zanu PF Makoni East MP Shadreck Chipanga, who is also a former director of the CIO, is alleged to have set up a base in Nyazura from which Zanu (PF) youths launched their operations. Case 17: T.B.M. (Male) — 9 April 2000 I was wearing an MDC t-shirt and going to an MDC rally at Mabvazuva in Rusape in the company of J.M. Six people alighted from a white defender and kidnapped us. Shadreck Chipanga was with them. We were taken along Wedza Road and assaulted with sticks and iron bars. I sustained injuries to my back and currently experiences problems with my spinal cord. There were 12 people in the vehicle. We were threatened with death and being buried alive. We were told to remove our t-shirts and support Zanu (PF) if we wanted to survive. They took us to Mucheke River and threatened to throw us into it. Chipanga then gave the order for us to be spared. We were dumped at Mucheke River about 23kms from Rusape. Case 18: Amos Kutiya — April 2000 Mr Amos Kutiya testified that he witnessed Shadreck Chipanga assault MDC supporter David Sundai. Chipanga then allegedly stood by as Zanu (PF) youth tortured Mr Sundai. Mr Kutiya was at his homestead when he saw a blue Nissan twin-cab arrive. He recognized the car because he had seen Zanu (PF) supporters using it on party business in the area. He recognized Chipanga immediately because the respondent had once given him a ride to Rusape. Mr Kutiya stated that Chipanga hit Mr Sundai with an open hand and also identified Lloyd Chipunza as an assailant. He also was able to identify William Venge as a member of a Zanu (PF) gang known to assault MDC supporters in the area. After the assault, Mr Kutiya went to help Mr Sundai up but the victim could not stand. His face was swollen and bloody and he could not see properly. Makoni North Case 19: C.J. (Male) — 7 June 2000 About 30 MDC supporters attacked C.J. after dragging him from his house with a sisol rope tied around his neck. He was beaten with motorcycle chains on the head and iron bars on the legs. C.J. sustained serious injuries on the head. He also broke his arm and right leg. His assailants left him for dead when he fell unconscious. C.J. dragged himself to a neighbor’s house after regaining consciousness where he was assisted by John Chokono, who took him to Rusape General Hospital. The incident was reported to Rusape Police. C.J. identified Robert Tauro among his assailants. Tauro is a well-known MDC supporter.
|