A well-known state security agent in Chimanimani
allegedly beat to death a Christmas reveller, after accusing him
of showing off with 'MDC money.'
Brighton Mashopeka Muchuwa, a sidekick of wanted
murderer and fellow CIO Joseph Mwale, assaulted Charles Sigauke
and his father at their home on Christmas Eve. Sigauke worked in
South Africa and had come back to spend the holidays with his dad.
He died the day after the beating, on Christmas day. Muchuwa accused
Sigauke of being an MDC member and was spending money given to him
by the MDC.
MDC Manicaland spokesman Pishai Muchauraya confirmed
to Newsreel that one of their members was beaten to death in Chimanimani.
He says Sigauke was brutally assaulted. Witnesses say at one point
Muchuwa lifted Sigauke and slammed him onto the bonnet of a nearby
vehicle. Some reports say Muchuwa was arrested, detained by police,
but then released. Muchaurayi says the police are reluctant to pursue
the matter further given the accused is from the CIO.
Both Sigauke and his father were hospitalized in
Chimanimani before the son succumbed to his injuries. Post-mortem
results confirm he died from internal bleeding. He was buried in
the Birchenough Bridge area on New Years day. MDC officials have
accused Muchuwa of trying to buy his way out of the crime by paying
for the funeral expenses. The same strategy was used by the family
of Finance Minister Samuel Mumbengegwi after his wife Selina hired
soldiers that beat to death a villager in Mupandawana who supported
the MDC. Vice President Joseph Msika negotiated an out of court
settlement between the two families.
Rogue state agent Joseph Mwale remains accused of
murdering MDC activists Talent Mabika and Tichaona Chiminya in the
run up to the 2000 parliamentary election. Police have continued
to ignore demands by prosecutors for him to be brought to justice.
For his troubles Mwale was promoted within the CIO and given a posh
car to use. He has virtual freedom to do as he pleases in areas
like Chimanimani, with the police clearly aware of his status as
an 'untouchable.'
