Baba Jukwa to expose more evil

Despite the alleged person behind Facebook character Baba Jukwa being in jail, Sunday the page had a fresh posting promising to expose more evil, giving credence to claims by the state that the clique could be bigger.

Edmund Kudzayi, The Sunday Mail editor, alleged to be Baba Jukwa and  facing charges of plotting insurgence against a constitutional government  using social media, is behind bars but the page was active seeking prayers from well wishers.

Baba Jukwa pleaded with Zimbabweans to say a short prayer in their respective mother language "so our nation can be blessed."

"Good morning Zimbabwe. Please say a short simple prayer to God in your own mother tongue, so our nation can be blessed and there can be more exposures of evils and all hidden treacheries, we are now almost there now, just one small step left!!!!! Asijiki! Ndatenda Baba Jukwa," read the posting.

National police spokesperson Charity Charamba late Sunday said investigations had been cast wide as they were looking for other people who could be linked to the case.

"We are definitely taking this issue seriously and investigations have been cast wide. People should not think that the arrest of Kudzayi marks the end of the case, no we are looking at every aspect and anyone found wanting or linked would be held accountable," she said.

According to charges levelled against Kudzayi, through the creation of Baba Jukwa and posting statements that whipped emotions against the state, he allegedly plotted an act of insurgency, banditry, sabotage or terrorism.

The state claims Kudzayi was not doing all this alone but in cahoots with some people who are still at large.

"The accused planned and organised with other accused persons calling themselves;  The Gunda Nleya Brigade and Zimbabwe Revolutionary Army, to overthrow the Zimbabwe Government through waging war and urged people to join the Zimbabwe Revolutionary army," the state claimed in court on Saturday when Kudzayi appeared for his initial appearance.

Kudzayi is today expected to apply for bail.

According to police sources, the hunt for Kudzayi's accomplices was now cast wide with anyone implicated likely to face the wrath of law.

"As the president said, there are weevils who want to destroy our country. This is a matter of national security and we are leaving no stone unturned in searching of the other people who allegedly worked with Kudzayi. We are not targeting anyone but casting the net wide," a top police source said.

"We took our time investigating this case, we watched it all as it unfolded, the alleged exposure of Baba Jukwa by The Sunday Mail," the source said.

"It was a well calculated move which we are aware of and watched while the country was being taken for a ride".

The Sunday Mail last month carried a story claiming that unknown hackers had unmasked the people behind Baba Jukwa. The two were identified as South African-based journalists Mxolisi Ncube and Mkhululi Chimoio. The duo denied any links to the Facebook character.