HARARE — Zanu PF Central Committee member and businessman, Isau Mupfumi, has been arrested following violent clashes over bus loading bays in chaotic confrontation over bus loading bays in Mutare, which led to civilian injuries and necessitated police firing warning shots.
Concurrently, Leonard Mukumba, another Zanu PF politician, is being sought by police for his involvement in the same incident.
This comes after violence erupted at the Harare-Mutare Old Rank and Mudzviti Rank, leading to a confrontation between Mupfumi’s and Mukumba’s bus services.
Police had to fire warning shots to effect arrests as the gangs were fighting and striking one another with machetes, stones, iron bars and other weapons. Some members of the public were caught in crossfire and sustained injuries.
Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the police spokesperson, confirmed the arrests of multiple individuals, including bus operators, touts, and gang members, after the disturbances on May 23 and May 24, 2024.
Nyathi appealed for information which may lead to the arrest of Mukumba, the owner of Mukumba Buses trading under the name Inter-Africa Bus Services in connection with the orgy of violence.
The arrested suspects include Mupfumi (62), Jelous Mukorera (36), Michael Chigaro (37), Tatenda Chamusingarevi (22), Cassidy Chabvuta (33), Clayton Muchineripi (24), Kudzanai Neshiri (24), Donemore Dube (44), Taurai Gumende (36), Constantine Makombe (21), Tawanda Matara (42), Liberty Simonyi (28), Rodrick Chiutsi (32), James Bhekete (35), Daniel Kaibo (35), Daniel Edmore Shupai (25) and Noah Mabota (26).
Others are Wayne Mafuta (21), Blessing Chikukwa (30), Donald Matakure (23), Oracio Migayo (18) and Luckmore Shamhu (30).
“Some of the suspects were hired and paid to engage in public violence using vehicles whilst carrying machetes and other weapons,” Nyathi said.
“In one of the incidents, Police had to fire warning shots to effect arrests as the gangs were fighting and striking one another with machetes, stones, iron bars and other weapons. Some members of the public were caught in crossfire and sustained injuries,” Nyathi continued.
“The Police has recovered a white Toyota Hiace vehicle registration number ABF 2518, a white Toyota Belta vehicle registration number AFA 6517, a White Mazda 323 vehicle registration number ABM 8801, a silver Toyota Wish vehicle registration number AEP 6689, a white Honda Fit vehicle registration number AFM 1550, a white Toyota Aqua vehicle registration number AGG 0083, knives, hoe handles, iron bars, stones, two slushiers, a red and black sjambok and a 1,5 metres deformed bar. Several complainants have made reports of assault to the Police. Initial Police investigations indicate that there is a fight over loading bays and ranks at Harare-Mutare Old Rank in the Mutare Central Business District and Mudzviti Rank pitting Mupfumi buses and Mukumba buses.
“The Police is appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of Leonard Mukumba, the owner of Mukumba Buses trading under the name Inter-Africa Bus Services in connection with the orgy of violence.
“Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that any bus operator and their criminal gangs who try to cause chaos or violence at commuter ranks or bus termini will face the full wrath of the law. In this regard, bus operators are implored to lead by example and contribute towards the maintenance of law and order in the country,” Nyathi added.
Mutare Mayhem
