Published by the government of Zimbabwe
1 May 2008
Harare — POLICE have arrested 10 MDC-T activists in Harare and Bindura on allegations of public violence, kidnapping, attempted murder and resisting arrest.
In Harare, six more opposition activists were arrested in connection with the burning of a bus during the flopped stay-away two weeks ago.
This brings to 13 the total number of suspects arrested in connection with the burning of the Mandaza bus in Warren Park.
Josiah Nyapfumbi (36), Stephen Nemaungwe (35), Temba Chigodora (22), Denford Martin (22) Crispen Tsuro (32) and Shorai Godknows Chindoko (34) appeared before magistrate Mrs Doris Shomwe facing public violence charges.
They are being accused of teaming up with seven others including journalists Luke Tamborinyoka and Frank Chikowore of burning the bus which was carrying mostly cross border traders from Botswana.
It is alleged the gang-stoned the bus damaging the windows before they threw a burning tyre underneath it.
Prosecutor Mr Public Mpofu alleges that the bus crew and the passengers escaped unhurt as the bus went up in flames.
Nyapfumbi, Nemaungwe, Chigodora and Martin were yesterday granted $500 million bail each but remain in custody after the State invoked Section 121 of the Criminal Evidence and Procedure Act, which gives it seven days to lodge an appeal.
However, the State did not oppose bail for Tsuro and Chindoko.
The High Court will rule tomorrow on the bail application for other seven accused. In a related matter, the High Court has granted six of the 25 suspects who were denied bail by the Harare Magistrates' Courts on public violence $200 million bail each.
Tawanda Kalonga, an employee of Itachi Plastics in Willowvale, Rangarirai Dzinchito, Tinashe Muzanenhamo, Mudzingwa Gandi and two others were set free while a bail application for two juveniles was thrown out.
The 25 were arrested on allegations of public violence also linked to the flopped stayaway.
In Bindura, police arrested four MDC-T activists on allegations of kidnapping, attempted murder and resisting arrest on Tuesday.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Andrew Phiri said the four MDC-T activists were driving in Chipadze suburb in Bindura between 8pm and 9pm when they allegedly kidnapped a soldier.
It is alleged the four met the soldier and bundled him into their white Isuzu pickup truck with a party logo before driving towards an unknown destination.
"On the way, the soldier managed to jump out of the vehicle and was critically injured," Supt Phiri said.
The soldier is recuperating at Bindura Hospital.
Supt Phiri said police made a follow-up and arrested the driver of the truck Jack Tongai (32), who initially resisted arrest and impounded the vehicle.
Incidentally, Tongai was on the police wanted list on allegations of attempted murder.
It is alleged that on Saturday last week Tongai and other activists were driving the same vehicle to Mvurwi when they were stopped at a police roadblock.
"Tongai stopped the vehicle but all of a sudden drove on at high speed towards the police officers intending to run over them," Supt Phiri said.
He said the police officers had to jump out of the way to save their lives.
They regrouped and gave chase leading to the arrest of three of the passengers but Tongai escaped.
Supt Phiri said Tongai is now facing three charges of kidnapping, attempted murder and resisting arrest while his three accomplices are facing charges of kidnapping.
Police in Masvingo have launched a manhunt for suspected MDC activists who allegedly painted graffiti on several cars in the city in cases of suspected political provocation.
Among the cars that were spray-painted at night by the unidentified suspects was a Zanu-PF vehicle that was parked outside a house in Pangolin suburb.
Masvingo town clerk Mr Adolph Gusha's official car was also spray-painted by the suspects who targeted commuter omnibuses as well.
Acting Officer Commanding Police in Masvingo Assistant Commissioner Mekia Tanyanyiwa on Tuesday confirmed they were looking for the suspects.
"At the moment no one has been arrested but we suspect MDC elements were behind the act," said Asst Comm Tanyanyiwa.
The suspects also wrote graffiti on the security walls of houses of known Zanu-PF supporters in the city.
In a related matter, police in Harare on Tuesday freed 182 more MDC-T supporters arrested last week during a raid of the party's Harvest House headquarters on suspicion of committing political violence.
On Monday police released 29 of the 215 MDC-T supporters arrested during the raid. MDC-T lawyer Mr Alec Muchadehama confirmed the release but said three remained in police custody.
"I can confirm that about 182 people have been freed after getting an order for their release in the High Court yesterday. The order was granted by consent. I understand the police took back three of the 185 people back to the cells. They are suspecting that they are facing allegations for offences committed in Mashonaland East," Mr Muchadehama said. Following their arrest last Friday, Mr Muchadehama said the State failed to take the suspects to court within reasonable time compelling them to seek an order for their release.
Police had kept the 182 in custody and invited victims of political violence to positively identify the perpetrators.
Chief police spokesman Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena also confirmed that police had cleared all the 182 suspects except three who were positively identified for alleged violence in Manicaland.
Meanwhile, traditional leaders on Tuesday strongly condemned the use of violence against political opponents.
In an interview, president of the Chiefs Council Chief Fortune Charumbira urged Zimbabwean to shun violence.
"As chiefs we do not want violence in our country at all. If there is democracy people should live peacefully with one another. People need food because there is currently a drought, not violence. Whoever is doing it should stop it immediately."
Chief Charumbira said violence would attract unnecessary interference from outsiders.
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