Staff Reporter
Kwekwe-Five of the 16 suspects arrested in connection with the violent attacks of supporters at the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) by-election rally held on February 27 in Kwekwe were on March 1 remanded in custody to March 15 2022.
The suspects reportedly attacked a number of the CCC supporters with machetes and spears during CCC party leader Nelson Chamisa’s address of the gathering.
The quintet of Edmore Shoshera, Albert Maketo Tembo, Percy Mukwaturi, Talent Imbayago and Panashe Makuvaza initially appeared before magistrate Florence Nago who remanded them in custody to March 15.
The other 11 suspects were discharged as investigations continue.
According to a memo which was released by the police, the attacks were perpetrated by some alleged Zanu PF activists. Circumstances given reveal that the gang stormed the rally armed with spears and machetes before attacking supporters while Chamisa was addressing.
Following a police report, 16 suspects were arrested while alleged ring leader Kennedy Simbi is said to be at large and several machetes were recovered in the cars of the suspects.
Among those arrested were Takunda Chivenyengwa (21), Isaac Tapfumaneyi (37), James Jere (28), Musa Matingwende (32), Shepard Mbewu (44), Progress Munyuki (30, Amon Kwachata (50), Edmore Shoshera [Alias Masparrow] (30), Edmore Shoshera [Alias Masparrow] (30), Albert Maketo Tembo (29), Fraud Munyuki (29), Blessing Tomu (18), Perscy Mukwaturi (38), Sydney Samanyayi (29), Valentine Mandizvidza (21), Mischeck Mutetwa (32) and Talent Imbayago (28).
The suspects were accused of murdering 30-year old Mbizo man Mboneni Ncube who was part of the CCC supporters.
Shoshera, Tembo, Mukwaturi and Shamanyayi have since been identified as Zanu PF card carrying members and police investigations were underway to ascertain the owners of vehicles which were used to ferry them to the venue.
“One of the now deceased, Mboneni Ncube was stabbed thrice with a sharp object on the back and died upon admission at Kwekwe General Hospital,” the memo read.
The party has since confirmed that 22 of its members were admitted at Kwekwe General and Topomasi hospitals.
The Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) in a statement said it noted with grave concern, gross incidents of political violence and the use of state security agents to suppress and violently disrupt opposition political campaigns.
“ZPP is disturbed by the growing incidents and notes with regret the loss of life and about seven citizens who have been seriously injured.
“These incidents have a serious bearing on the credibility of not just this year’s by-elections, but on the entire electoral environment. During the weekend there were various bloody attacks against Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporters in the Midlands province,” read the statement.
In his condolence message to the Ncube family, Chamisa said no life was meant to be lost on accounts of political differences.
“No life should be lost on account of political differences. We stand in solidarity with the Ncube family. Mboneni was attacked with a spear. He was just trying to start a life.
“Why? Because of politics, because of impunity, because certain political leaders in Zanu PF are being allowed to turn Kwekwe into a terror zone,” said Chamisa.
He further urged his supporters not to be provoked saying the CCC party had chosen the highway to freedom on a platform of peace.
However, the number of deaths from the attacks has reportedly risen to two after the other victim of the attacks is reported to have died in hospital.
