Farm invading Zanu-PF youths arrested

SCORES of Zanu-PF youths who had gone on the rampage invading farms owned by perceived allies of former Presidential Affairs Minister Didymus Mutasa have been arrested.

The youths were rounded up on Wednesday by police in Headlands after they had invaded four farms.

The properties are Musuwo Farm, Chadwick Farm, Sturbs Farm and Mutasa Farm belonging to Rungutai Mutasa, a nephew to the former Zanu-PF national secretary for administration and Manicaland political godfather.

Zanu-PF sources in Headlands yesterday told NewsDay that efforts to invade the farms were being coordinated by the local councillor Taurai Chiripamberi who was said to be eyeing the Headlands parliamentary seat in the event that Mutasa is recalled by the ruling party.

The invasions began on Monday as the youths occupied the farms arguing that the owners did not deserve them as they belonged to a Zanu-PF faction led by ousted Vice-President Joice Mujuru and Mutasa.

The youths, whose number could not be immediately established, were expected to appear in court soon on charges of criminal trespassing.

Contacted for comment, Rusape police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa referred questions to Manicaland provincial police spokesperson Inspector Enoch Chishiri.

"You can contact Inspector Chishiri, he is the one who has more information on that story," Kakohwa said.

Chishiri's phone was not being answered yesterday.