Zanu PF supporters 'kidnapped' Tsvangirai's supporter

FOUR Zanu PF supporters in Makoni have been arrested on allegations of kidnapping an MDC-T supporter before dumping him in a drain.

Lovemore Mutanhaurwa (30), Benedict Kondongwe, (49) Jephita Matanda (44) and Farai Matsika (23), who are being represented by Munyaradzi Manyengavana of Chiwaza Partners, were not asked to plead when they appeared before Rusape magistrate, Patience Ururu Madondo yesterday facing kidnapping charges.

They were remanded out of custody to Monday on $50 bail each.

It is the State's case that on June 18 this year, around 10pm, the quartet arrived at Chiduku Business centre, where the complainant, Stewart Chandimhara (46) was drinking at a bottle store and they introduced themselves as Zanu PF officials, who were on duty.

An hour later, the bar lady asked all patrons to leave, as she was closing the bottle store. Chandimhara went out and as he passed where the accused persons were standing, Kondongwe, Matanda and Matsika grabbed and handcuffed him.

The accused allegedly placed the complainant into Matanda's car boot. Matanda is employed as a youth officer in the youth ministry. They drove for almost 5 kilometres towards Rusape.

Matanda stopped the vehicle after passing Mvuranhema growth point and disembarked from the vehicle, before removing the complainant from the boot and then poked his private parts.

Mutanhaurwa allegedly forced Chandimhara to lie down before assaulting him all over the body.

They uncuffed him before dumping him in a drain at Mavhudzi Business Centre, where the spent the night.

The following morning the complainant woke up and discovered that he no longer had $178 cash, spectacles and a woollen hat.

A police manhunt was launched leading to the arrests of the accused.

The State was represented by Event Dhliwayo.