MP Accuses Ministers, Politicians of Protecting Machete Wielding Gangs in Mining communities
Mbizo Member of Parliament Corban Madzivanyika has sensationally claimed that politicians, including some ministers, are protecting machete-wielding gangs in mining communities who are wreaking havoc in fights for control of mining claims.
His claims, however, attracted the wrath of Zanu PF lawmakers who accused him of making baseless claims and accusing politicians without validating them.
Madzivanyika was contributing to a motion on Adequate Support for State witnesses in Machete-related cases where the country has witnessed horrific terror unleashed by machete-wielding gangs
“The major issue I want to highlight is that these machete-wielding gangs also frighten police officers who are unable to protect themselves from them,” Madzivanyika said.
”I once witnessed a case where a grown-up person was being murdered by these machete- wielding gangs. They even frighten a person with a gun. They are very
ruthless. Has our law failed to deal or apprehend such culprits?” he asked rhetorically.
He said that due to protection by politicians, those caught on the wrong side of the law are immediately granted bail when they go to court and come back to haunt communities.
“They are allowed to walk scot-free to go and kill more people. The issue of bail allows this person to go and commit further offenses. So you see this person granted bail. They will then evade arrest and flight. We must capacitate our police officers for them to be able to apprehend such culprits,” Madzivanyika added.
He said politicians are “the ones who are protecting these criminals.”
“Because you see what, these thugs
know that if they murder a person, they then run to a certain minister, and they will be protected and saved. You then see the minister calling the police officers to stop them from arresting such a person, and this person walks scot-free in our country,” he said.
However, Madzivanyika was cautioned by the temporary Speaker Tsitsi Zhou against accusing ministers.
“It was good that you highlighted that ‘we as politicians’. You must not then accuse ministers. You must continue with your debate without mentioning people who cannot defend themselves at this time,” she said.
Madzivanyika continued saying the machete-wielding gangs are also being used by politicians in their campaigns.
“These people who use machetes, we use them as politicians during our campaigns. There are people whom we know. There were seven of them, and they struck a person whom I know. Up until now, there has been no justice, which was done in the courts of law. We followed up on the case, and I was there during those times when they struck this person, but even up to now, the matter has not been tried.”
Zvimba South MP, Dexter Malinganiso, challenged Madzivanyika to withdraw his claims, to which he obliged.
