Local Government minister, Daniel Garwe, has been sucked into a political storm involving a reign of terror against suspected party members opposed to a controversial plot to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office to 2030.
Mnangagwa is serving his second and last term, which expires in 2028, according to the constitution.
The 82-year-old ruler’s loyalists are pushing for the extension of his term of office despite public opinion, including from Zanu PF structures and war veterans being against the move.
This has not deterred Mnangagwa’s supporters behind the 2030 agenda, including ministers, with some of them resorting to intimidation against suspected opponents.
The intimidation is said to be widespread in Mashonaland East where Garwe is the provincial chairperson.
Garwe has suggested that Mnangagwa must rule beyond 2030
One of the victims of the targeted intimidation is Zanu PF Mashonaland East district secretary for lands, Tinashe Atherners Muzama, who has been confined to a wheelchair since his abduction and attempted murder on charges of rallying support against the 2030 agenda.
Muzama, who resides at Munemo village in Murewa, was left with broken bones and also injected with some unknown substance following his abduction and torture on February 26.
According to a police report, Muzama said his abductors, Benny Wadzanai Chivandire and Zacharia Chaparadza, claimed to have been under instruction to ‘discipline’ him over his alleged anti-2030 stance.
Chivandire is the Zanu PF Mashonaland East provincial deputy secretary for local government.
Chaparadza is the Zanu PF youth chairperson for Rupange district, ward 10, Murewa North constituency.
The two accused persons were last in court facing abductions charges on May 21.
“My biggest challenge is that the police are failing to help me,” Muzama told The Standard.
“The thugs were once arrested, including Benny, but they were later released on bail. I never knew that they were released until when I visited the courts.
“Now they keep on procrastinating, the same is also happening to the doctors; they are afraid of helping me, it seems like they are afraid of Garwe.”
Muzama said he was left hopeless.
“The other challenge is victimisation,” he said.
“Even community members and work colleagues are failing to help or associate with me because of the 2030 agenda politics out of fear.”
On August 19, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) assistant commissioner for chief staff officer (Internal Investigations) one H Dhlakama confirmed receiving a complaint from Muzama over police inaction into his report of abduction and torture.
“We acknowledge receipt of your letter in connection with the above subject,” the letter reads.
“Investigations into the matter are being instituted and you will be advised of the outcome when the inquiries have been finalised.
“Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.”
According to the state outline, the accused persons who were driving a Toyota GD6 vehicle said they were under instruction to abduct Muzama.
“While in the vehicle, the accused persons accused the complainant of insulting Honourable Garwe on social media,” the report reads.
“Accused persons further asked complainant the whereabouts of war veteran Blessed Geza and alleged that the complainant was working in cahoots with Blessed Geza to influence the masses to reject the 2030 agenda.
“Accused persons and other three who are still at large took turns to assault the complainant with switches, logs and empty beer bottles all over his body.
“Accused one (Chivandire) went on to inject the complaint with unknown substances on both legs.”
They dumped him in Marondera near Bernard Mzeki College and his V30 phone was missing.
Muzama has since sought the assistance of Mnangagwa and his two deputies Kembo Mohadi and Constantino Chiwenga over the matter.
“I was a victim of kidnapping, abduction and robbery...” he wrote in a letter allegedly addressed to Mnangagwa’s office dated August 7.
“Despite reporting the case to the authorities, the accused were released on bail, and my case is still pending.
“Unfortunately, since the incident, I have been paralyzed and have suffered greatly.
“I am in dire need of medical attention including a leg bone operation and require financial assistance...”
He added: “As a citizen of Zimbabwe, I believe it is my right to receive support and protection from the government...”
Garwe yesterday denied allegations that he was behind the reign of terror and claimed that his political opponents were using his name to tarnish his image.
The minister insisted that the 2030 agenda was unstoppable.
"Vision 2030 is a national vision. All then ten provinces and everyone in the ten provinces support vision 2030," Garwe told The Standard.
"There are one or two elements who oppose, why should we lose sleep over that?
"Why should I force an individual in a country of 16 million people, where 85% are saying we want 2030 vision?
"Why should I worry about an individual?
"It does not make sense, and why would I need to harass people to support 2030
"It’s by persuasion. We persuade people why we think the president must continue serving Zimbabwe up to 2030 and beyond on the bases that he has demonstrated his capacity towards developing the country, look at informal development, agriculture, local governance, education, tourism, every sector.
"We don’t need to harass anyone for anything. As Zanu-PF, we dont harass people, we persuade people."
Murewa residents last week petitioned Gare demanding answers over Muzama’s case and his attempts to nullify the Murewa Council Town Board.
‘We urge you to refrain from making unilateral decisions and to respect the democratic processes and existing legal frameworks,” the petition dated September 10 reads.
“Politicising government issues for personal gain undermines the integrity of your office.”
For Mnangagwa to remain in power beyond 2030, the constitution must be amended to remove the two term limits for the president.
Ahead of the Zanu PF annual conference set for Mutare next month, the party’s structures have been passing resolutions encouraging their leader to hang on to power.
The 2030 manoeuvres are said to be a ploy to stop Chiwenga from succeeding Mnangagwa by elements who fear that the army general will go after their ill-gotten wealth.