Two senior ZANU PF officials from Mashonaland East Province have been arrested for allegedly kidnapping a fellow party member, assaulting him, and injecting him with an unknown substance. Three other suspects are still on the run.
The incident is said to be linked to accusations that the victim insulted a Cabinet minister and knew the whereabouts of a wanted war veteran, Blessed Geza.
Benny Chivandire, the ZANU PF deputy secretary for Local Government in Mashonaland East’s main wing and from Goromonzi District, appeared at the Murewa Magistrates’ Court, where the State opposed bail due to the seriousness of the charges. He was told to apply for bail at the High Court and is expected back in court on 20 May.
His alleged accomplice, Zacharia Chaparadza, ZANU PF youth chairperson for Rupange District, Ward 10 in Murewa North, was also denied bail and will return to court on 21 May.
The victim, Atheners Muzama, is ZANU PF secretary for lands in the Zihute District, Murewa.
Prosecutor Beatrice Mukaro told the court that on 27 February 2025, Muzama was approached at Meat Centre takeaway in Murewa by Chivandire and several others. He was reportedly forced into a vehicle, where he was assaulted with empty beer bottles and wooden logs.
The group accused him of insulting Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe on social media and of knowing where fugitive war veteran Blessed Geza was hiding.
It’s alleged that during the ordeal, Chivandire injected Muzama with an unknown substance. According to the State, Muzama “immediately felt weak and continues to feel unwell.”
He was then blindfolded with a T-shirt, driven off at speed, and later dumped near Bernard Mzeki College in Marondera. His V30 mobile phone was missing.
Muzama later reported the matter to police. After two months of investigations, Chivandire and Chaparadza were arrested.
A medical report confirmed that Muzama suffered multiple fractures. The case is still under investigation by CID Law and Order.
More: NewsDay
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