Zanu-PF militia 'godfather' dies

ZANU-PF central committee member and suspected godfather of the Mbare-based Chipangano militia, Edward Chataika has died.

Chataika — a former sergeant in the Harare City Council fire brigade — died at his home in the early hours of yesterday after a battle with diabetes.

Chataika's daughter Shamiso confirmed the death.

"My father passed on early around 2am from diabetes. He had been at home for the past week after he was discharged from hospital," Shamiso said.

At the funeral wake yesterday, there were local Zanu-PF Mbare leaders, including the area's MP Tendai Savanhu and the Mbare Chimurenga Choir.

Chipangano was an infamous violent group of youth who were Zanu-PF enforcers at the public markets, particularly the Mbare bus terminus, Carter House, Mupedzanhamo flea-market and the vegetable market.

They allocated selling space and chucked out suspected opposition supporters from vending sites.

Among its known leaders was Jim Kunaka, who has since joined the Zimbabwe People First party led by former vice-president Joice Mujuru.

Kunaka was not immediately available for comment as his mobile phone went unanswered.