News / National
MDC-T wars spread to Mutare
02 May 2014 at 04:54hrs | Views
MDC-T Manicaland provincial offices were left virtually empty after some pro-Tsvangirai party officials broke into the premises on Monday evening and removed office equipment. Graffiti on the office walls showed that those in charge were supporting the Biti-Mangoma faction
FACTIONAL wars rocking the MDC-T at national level have spread into the party's Manicaland provincial structures following Monday's arrest of three pro-Morgan Tsvangirai senior party members on allegations of breaking into the party's office in Mutare and stealing various wares.
The three - former Mutasa South legislator and Mutare executive mayor Misheck Kagurabadza (who is also the Manicaland provincial secretary), Knowledge Nyamhoka (national secretary for home affairs) and Allen Mukodzani (Manicaland security officer) - appeared before senior Mutare magistrate Mrs Sekai Chiundura on Wednesday for breaching Section 131 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
They were asked not to plead and were granted $150 bail each.
However, the three struggled to raise the bail and members had to make contributions.
Allegations are that Kagurabadza, who belongs to suspended party leader Mr Tsvangirai's camp, which is failing to take control or even access the party's provincial office at Number 26B, Carrington Road in Darlington, is alleged to have teamed up with Nyamhoka and Mukodzani to break into the office.
They allegedly stole office furniture, computers and party membership cards. The burglary occurred on Monday evening at around 6pm.
Public prosecutor Mrs Tinashe Magwagwa told the court that Brian James (Manicaland MDC-T treasurer) is the complainant.
"On the said date and at MDC-T party offices, the three accused persons acting in connivance broke into the office by using an iron hoe to break the locker that was secured by a padlock to gain entry.
"While inside, they stole a Dell computer monitor, one Dell CPU, a Tech-com CPU, an Omega fan, photocopier, two computer keyboards, power adaptor, computer mouse and a power pack. They packed the stolen loot in a blue Madza BT50 twin cab (ABK 4588) which belongs to Kagurabadza."
Mrs Magwagwa said when the suspects got information that the police were looking for them, they surrendered themselves at Mutare Central Police Station leading to their arrest and recovery of the stolen property.
A security guard who was on duty, Walter Mutyayo, witnessed the break-in and contacted Brian James who in turn made a report to the police.
The stolen property is valued at $2 000.
The suspects are being represented by Mr Chris Ndlovu of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners and their defence is that they cannot steal property which is rightfully in their custody.
As part of their defence they will produce correspondence from the party's acting secretary-general, Mr Tapiwa Mashakada, which gave Kagurabadza, as the provincial secretary, the power to safeguard and protect party properties.
A copy of the said letter dated April 27, 2014 that will be produced in court as evidence reads: "All provincial secretaries are instructed to take all necessary steps to safeguard and protect all party properties in their provinces."
They will be back in court on May 14.
Currently, the party's Manicaland office is controlled by those aligned to Tendai Biti's faction that bars those siding with Mr Tsvangirai access to the office.
Those who have attempted to do so in the past have been severely assaulted.
The three - former Mutasa South legislator and Mutare executive mayor Misheck Kagurabadza (who is also the Manicaland provincial secretary), Knowledge Nyamhoka (national secretary for home affairs) and Allen Mukodzani (Manicaland security officer) - appeared before senior Mutare magistrate Mrs Sekai Chiundura on Wednesday for breaching Section 131 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
They were asked not to plead and were granted $150 bail each.
However, the three struggled to raise the bail and members had to make contributions.
Allegations are that Kagurabadza, who belongs to suspended party leader Mr Tsvangirai's camp, which is failing to take control or even access the party's provincial office at Number 26B, Carrington Road in Darlington, is alleged to have teamed up with Nyamhoka and Mukodzani to break into the office.
They allegedly stole office furniture, computers and party membership cards. The burglary occurred on Monday evening at around 6pm.
Public prosecutor Mrs Tinashe Magwagwa told the court that Brian James (Manicaland MDC-T treasurer) is the complainant.
"On the said date and at MDC-T party offices, the three accused persons acting in connivance broke into the office by using an iron hoe to break the locker that was secured by a padlock to gain entry.
Mrs Magwagwa said when the suspects got information that the police were looking for them, they surrendered themselves at Mutare Central Police Station leading to their arrest and recovery of the stolen property.
A security guard who was on duty, Walter Mutyayo, witnessed the break-in and contacted Brian James who in turn made a report to the police.
The stolen property is valued at $2 000.
The suspects are being represented by Mr Chris Ndlovu of Gonese and Ndlovu Legal Practitioners and their defence is that they cannot steal property which is rightfully in their custody.
As part of their defence they will produce correspondence from the party's acting secretary-general, Mr Tapiwa Mashakada, which gave Kagurabadza, as the provincial secretary, the power to safeguard and protect party properties.
A copy of the said letter dated April 27, 2014 that will be produced in court as evidence reads: "All provincial secretaries are instructed to take all necessary steps to safeguard and protect all party properties in their provinces."
They will be back in court on May 14.
Currently, the party's Manicaland office is controlled by those aligned to Tendai Biti's faction that bars those siding with Mr Tsvangirai access to the office.
Those who have attempted to do so in the past have been severely assaulted.
Source - Manicapost
