News / National
Tsvangirai could be arrested
09 Dec 2011 at 08:05hrs | Views
Mazowe North MP Retired Major Cairo Philbert Mhandu (Zanu PF) has warned Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai could be arrested if he fails to attend Chief Negomo's traditional court on Saturday to answer charges of allegedly paying lobola/roora during the "sacred month of November" in contravention of traditional customs, NewsDay reported.
Mhandu is an aide of the chief who, together with a fellow aide, Watson Baziwell, accompanied Chief Negomo, Luscious Chitsinde, to serve the summons at Tsvangirai's offices at Charter House on Wednesday.
Last month, the MDC-T leader is alleged to have paid bride price for Lorcadia Karimatsenga Tembo at her parents' plot in Christon Bank, Mazowe.
The area falls under Chief Negomo.
Traditionalists have accused Tsvangirai of breaching traditional norms, saying traditional marriages are forbidden in November.
But MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora dismissed the move as "awkward and legally foolish behaviour of Chief Negomo."
Mwonzora said it was well known that acts of rape, arson and destruction, among others, were committed by Zanu PF activists, but Chief Negomo had not summoned anyone of them to his court.
The MDC-T claimed Mhandu was involved in the murder of eight of its supporters in the bloody 2008 presidential run-off election in Chiweshe, Mashonaland Central.
The party said Mhandu led a "ruthless" campaign for President Robert Mugabe in the run-up to the June 2008 presidential poll.
However, Mhandu dismissed the allegations as baseless and challenged the MDC-T to report the matter to the police so that they investigate and establish if he had a case to answer.
Mhandu is an aide of the chief who, together with a fellow aide, Watson Baziwell, accompanied Chief Negomo, Luscious Chitsinde, to serve the summons at Tsvangirai's offices at Charter House on Wednesday.
Last month, the MDC-T leader is alleged to have paid bride price for Lorcadia Karimatsenga Tembo at her parents' plot in Christon Bank, Mazowe.
The area falls under Chief Negomo.
Traditionalists have accused Tsvangirai of breaching traditional norms, saying traditional marriages are forbidden in November.
Mwonzora said it was well known that acts of rape, arson and destruction, among others, were committed by Zanu PF activists, but Chief Negomo had not summoned anyone of them to his court.
The MDC-T claimed Mhandu was involved in the murder of eight of its supporters in the bloody 2008 presidential run-off election in Chiweshe, Mashonaland Central.
The party said Mhandu led a "ruthless" campaign for President Robert Mugabe in the run-up to the June 2008 presidential poll.
However, Mhandu dismissed the allegations as baseless and challenged the MDC-T to report the matter to the police so that they investigate and establish if he had a case to answer.
Source - NewsDay
