Bullet scare - police launch investigation

POLICE have launched an investigation following a report by Sport and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane that he found a live bullet in his hotel room.

National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba yesterday said police attended to the scene and investigations were underway.

"I can confirm that the Minister found a bullet at Crowne Plaza Monomotapa Hotel in Harare on Monday evening. The scene was attended by the police and it was discovered that the bullet was real. The bullet has since been taken as an exhibit and investigations are underway," said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.

On Monday night, Hlongwane told The Chronicle that he found the bullet in his 16th floor room as he returned from work at around 6PM.

The minister said he could not speculate on the issue.

"The facts are as they are. I can't speculate. I find a bullet in my room, I see it as I come from work. Other than that, I can't speculate," said Hlongwane.

The incident comes at a time when Zanu-PF Midlands province is set to conduct hearings against party provincial leaders who have been accused of threatening him and two other Ministers.

The Midlands province has since set up a five member disciplinary committee led by the provincial deputy chairman, McKenzie Ncube and John Holder to look into the matter.

Meanwhile, the Midlands provincial disciplinary committee presiding over claims that three ministers have been receiving threats from party members in the province met on Monday and resolved to start hearings on Saturday.

The chairperson of the five member disciplinary committee, Daniel Mckenzie Ncube, said the committee held a preliminary meeting to go through reports written by Sport and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane; Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Anastasia Ndhlovu as well as the Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Tapiwa Matangaidze.

Cdes Hlongwane, Ndhlovu and Matangaidze recently wrote to Zanu-PF national commissar Saviour Kasukuwere and Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko seeking protection from party members who are allegedly victimising them on claims that their appointments were G40 (Generation 40) motivated.

"We only started yesterday (Monday) with a preliminary meeting where we were looking at the threat reports. As members of the disciplinary committee we needed to understand issues, some of which are very serious, before we start calling people to testify," said Ncube.

He said they had lined up several people to testify starting on Saturday.

Ncube could not release the names of people who will testify.

John Holder, who is a member of the disciplinary committee said they will also call the three Ministers who claim that they are being victimised.

Last week, Kasukuwere ordered Zanu-PF Midlands province to investigate the alleged threats allegedly made by the Midlands provincial secretary for security, Owen Ncube; the provincial youth league secretary for administration, Justice Mayor Wadyajena; the youth provincial chairman, Edmore Samambwa, among others.

A letter of complaint that the three Ministers wrote to Mphoko and Kasukuwere was read at a provincial meeting held last Friday.

In the letter, the trio accused Owen Ncube and Wadyajena of also denigrating other party leaders such as Kasukuwere, Patrick Zhuwao and Professor Jonathan Moyo. Wadyajena was alleged to have accused Matangaidze and his colleagues of being part of the "G40 cabal" accused of plotting against Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa's ascent to power.