Mystery shrouds MPs assault by CIO

Mystery continues to surround the alleged assault of two opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) by suspected Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives at the Rekai Tangwena Government Complex in Mutare last week, with conflicting versions emerging over what triggered the confrontation.

The legislators, Donald Mavhudzi (Highfield) and Goodrich Chimbaira (Zengeza East), allege they were physically assaulted by a group of CIO operatives while attending official parliamentary business in the city.

Sources at the government complex claimed Chiredzi Central MP Ropa Makumire escaped unharmed because he complied with instructions from the operatives.

According to security sources, the confrontation began after the MPs parked in a parking bay reserved for Manicaland provincial intelligence officer Innocent Ncube.

"One of the MPs openly told an alleged CIO operative that they serve a big master and wanted to meet Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Misheck Mugadza," a security source alleged.

"One of the MPs was arrogant and clearly stated that they could not do anything to them."

Mavhudzi, however, rejected those claims, insisting that he and his colleagues complied with all instructions given to them.

He said the confrontation only began after they returned from their meeting and allegedly found someone deflating the tyres of his vehicle and that of Chimbaira.

"When I asked them what they were doing, they started assaulting me," Mavhudzi said.

"When Chimbaira tried to intervene, they started assaulting him as well."

Mavhudzi said the incident was reported to Mutare Central Police Station under reference number RRB 6744208 and confirmed that both MPs received treatment at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital.

He further claimed that one of the alleged operatives linked the assault to their opposition to Constitutional Amendment No. 3 (CAB3).

"I believe we were assaulted for not supporting Constitutional Amendment Number 3 Bill (CAB3), because one of the alleged operatives said that," he said.

Makumire said the three MPs had travelled to Mutare as members of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.

"Our programme was amended to include a courtesy call on the Minister of State for Manicaland Province, Misheck Mugadza," Makumire said.

"Upon arriving at the Government Complex, we parked our vehicles in what appeared to be vacant parking bays."

He said a CIO operative informed him that his parking bay was reserved and instructed him to move his vehicle, which he did immediately.

Makumire said Chimbaira also complied before they proceeded to the minister's office.

"When we returned, Mavhudzi and Chimbaira found someone deflating the tyres of their vehicle," he said.

"As they questioned why this was being done, CIO officers confronted them and physically assaulted the two MPs."

Makumire said he was called back to the government complex shortly after leaving for another meeting at the Civic Centre and returned to assist his colleagues.

Acting Manicaland police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said he had been out of the office and was unable to comment on the matter.