Zimbabwe: Zanu PF bigwig arrested over Mutare bus stand violence

ZANU PF central committee member and businessman Esau Mpfumi was arrested following violent clashes over a bus stand in Mutare which left a number of civilians injured.

Members of the Zumbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) had to be called in and fire warning shots to quell a clash between rival touts from two major bus operators.

While Mpufumi has been arrested for financing the skirmish, police have launched a manhunt for another ZANU PF politician and Inter Africa bus owner, Leonard Mukumba, for his alleged complicity over the nasty clashes.

This came after violence broke out in Harare Mutare Old Rank and Mzbiti Rank and fights broke out between Mpufumi and Mkumba bus services.

Police had to fire warning shots to make arrests as gang members fought and tussled with machetes, stones, iron bars and other weapons. Some civilians were caught in the crossfire and injured.

ZRP national spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi, confirmed that several people, including bus drivers, touts and gang members, were arrested following the mayhem on 23rd and 24th May 2024.

Police have appealed for information that could lead to the arrest of Mukumba, the owner of Mukumba Buses, trading under the name Inter Africa Bus Services, in connection with the orgy violence incident.

The suspects arrested are Mpfumi (62), Jerus Mukorela (36), Michael Chigalo (37), Tatenda Chamsingarevi (22), Cassidy Chabuta (33), Clayton Muchinelipi (24), Kudzanai Nesili (24), Donemoa Dube (44), Taurai Gumende (36), Constantine Makombe (21), Tawanda Matala (42), Liberty Simoni (28), Rodrick Chiutsi (32), James Bekete (35), Daniel Kaibo (35), Daniel Edmore Shupai (25) and Noah Mabota (26).

The others are Wayne Mahuta (21), Blessing Chikwa (30), Donald Matakure (23), Horacio Migayo (18) and Luckmore Shamukh (30).

“Some of the suspects were hired and paid to carry out acts of violence in public places using vehicles and in possession of weapons, including machetes,” Nyathi said.

“In one incident, police had to fire warning shots to make arrests after gang members were fighting and slapping each other with weapons including machetes, stones and iron bars. Some civilians were caught in the crossfire and injured,” Nyathi added.

“Police recovered a white Toyota Hiace (registration number ABF 2518), a white Toyota Belta (registration number AFA 6517), a white Mazda 323 (registration number ABM 8801), a silver Toyota Wish (registration number AEP 6689), a white Honda Fit (registration number AFM 1550), a white Toyota Aqua (registration number AGG 0083), a knife, a hoe handle, an iron bar, a stone, two slashes, a red and black sjambok and a 1.5 metre odd-shaped bar.”

Nyathi added: “Several victims have reported the assaults to the police. Initial police investigations indicate that there appears to be a dispute between Mpufumi Bus and Mukumba Bus over loading and boarding points at Harare-Mutare Old and Mzbiti stations in the Mutare Central Business District.”

“Police are seeking information that may lead to the arrest of Leonard Mukumba, owner of Mukumba Buses, trading under the name Inter Africa Bus Services, in connection with the violent acts.”

Police warned that bus operators and their criminal gangs who seek to cause chaos and violence at bus stops and terminals will face the full force of the law.

“In this regard, bus operators are requested to lead by example and contribute to maintaining law and order in the country,” Nyathi added.