|
Back to Index
Arson
in Muzarabani, as ZANU PF youth burn down church, MDC supporters
house
Crisis
in Zimbabwe Coalition
March 31, 2010
ZANU PF youths in Charunda
village, Hoya ward 17, Muzarabani burnt down an Apostolic Faith
Mission (AFM) church and a house belonging to the Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC) councilor, Mr. Wirimayi Gono on the 29th of March 2010
and vowed to impede attempts by MDC supporters to participate in
the constitution making process.
According to the MDC
District Chairperson for Muzarabani South, Mr. Freddy Matonhidze,
on the 29th of March, Paradzai Chabayanzara and a group of ZANU
PF youths from the area went to the AFM church where they accused
church leaders for supporting the MDC. The accusations arose from
the fact that, one of the parish members, Mr. Willium Gono is as
an MDC councilor. During the run-up to the 2008 Presidential run-off,
the church was burnt down for the same reasons by ZANU PF youths.
Following the incident,
the youths proceeded to set ablaze a house belonging to MDC supporter
Mr. Karima Matowa. Residents of the area, who were present during
the arson, allegedly apprehended Chabayanzara and took him to Muzarabani
Police Station where they filed a complaint but nothing was done.
On the 30th of March,
a meeting was convened in the ward where the ZANU PF District Chairperson
for Hoya Mr. Tapana Diamond, launched what he termed 'Operation
Hapana Anotaura' (Operation no-one will speak). ZANU PF supporters
were allegedly told to stifle any attempts by MDC supporters to
participate in the constitution outreach meetings scheduled to commence
on the 10th of April 2010. Chiefs and headmen have been instructed
to speak on behalf of the villagers.
After the meeting, Diamond
allegedly went ahead to bus party youths from Chiwenga area, Muzarabani
North to victimize and intimidate the people of Charunda village.
55 people have since
fled from the area to St Albert's, Centenary owing to fears
of further victimization. The matter was reported to the Bindura
Police Station and police have promised to provide security for
the 55 when they return to their village.
Free
Lance journalist questioned
Freelance journalist,
Mr. Stanley Gama was questioned by notorious Harare Central law
and order section Senior Police Officer, Chief Superintendent Chrispen
Makedenge on the 30th of March 2010 following the publishing of
an article in the Sunday Times of 28 march entitled "Borrowdale
land grab"
The article unearthed
corrupt acquisition of land from the Harare municipality by the
Minister of Local Government and Public Works and Urban Development,
Ignatius Chombo and Harare land developer, Phillip Chiyangwa. A
City Council Investigation Committee issued a report which covered
the period January 2009 to December 2009 allegedly naming Chombo
and Chiyangwa a month other senior officials as beneficiaries of
the land acquired corruptly from the Harare City Council.
During questioning, Makedenge
demanded to know why Gama had published the report and where he
had solicited the information from. He was freed after a statement
was recorded.
Makedenge is notorious
for terrorizing and assaulting progressive members of society. On
the 18th of march 2010 he allegedly phoned the Director of the Artists
for democracy in Zimbabwe Trust (ADZT) and journalist, Stan Mwenda
and threatened him with unspecified action for publishing an article
accusing the Senior Police Officer of assaulting his wife to death.
Makedenge ranks among the top most human rights abusers in Zimbabwe.
The summoning of Gama
is in contradiction with statements made by The Minister of Information
and Publicity, Webster Shamu on the 28th of March 2010 calling for
freedom of the media to allow journalists to practice their profession
without any hindrances.
Visit the Crisis
in Zimbabwe fact
sheet
Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
TOP
|
