Gukurahundi arrest riles cabinet

Comment & Analysis
BY OUR STAFF THE unity government principals will soon meet with senior police officers in an effort to stem what the two factions of the MDC claim are partisan arrests.

Recently, National Healing Minister, Moses Mzila-Ndlovu was arrested for allegedly addressing unsanctioned meetings, while Elton Mangoma was incarcerated on allegations of fraud.

The MDCs claim the arrests are one sided with Zanu PF ministers being left untouched. Others claim the arrests are deliberately meant to whittle down the MDCs’ numbers ahead of crucial votes in parliament.

An insider revealed that Eric Matinenga raised the issue at the last cabinet meeting about a fortnight ago, saying the government ought to do something.

“The main issue was that police were now being viewed as a law unto themselves,” the source revealed.

Ministers from the two MDCs warned that the actions of the police could be undermining the inclusive government, with one minister describing the law enforcement agents’ actions as provocative.

During the discussions, MDC leader Welshman Ncube narrated the events that led to the arrest of Mzila-Ndlovu, while Mangoma’s arrest was also discussed.

The source said President Robert Mugabe had gone out during the discussions, and when he returned he advised that a meeting between the police and GPA leaders was in the offing.

“He said the meeting with the police should have taken place earlier and there was no reason why it was being delayed,” the source said.

Mugabe is reported to have said the meetings with the police were also meant to give context to the arrest of the ministers and other politicians.

Zanu PF ministers, the source said, were quiet during the meeting, but a heated debate ensued, when Tourism Minister, Walter Mzembi claimed that Mzila-Ndlovu had crossed a “red line”.

However, the source said, Mzembi did not elaborate on what he meant, as ministers from the MDCs debated fiercely.

“It was an emotional meeting, that’s what I can say,” the source said.

Webster Shamu, the Minister of Information was not available for comment. Initially he set an appointment at his Munhumutapa offices, but did not honour it.

Later he claimed he was at a function and could not take calls. Efforts to contact him later were futile as his phone went unanswered.

Since the formation of the inclusive government, two years ago, a number of politicians from the MDCs have been arrested but none from Zanu PF.

MDC-T has retaliated by calling for the arrest of Ignatious Chombo, the Local Government Minister, but so far these calls have not been heeded.