MDC founding member killed in Glen View

By Thelma Chikwanha

HARARE – An MDC founding member died in Harare on Wednesday after being found with wounds on his face and body but it could not be established at the time of going to press if the incident was politically motivated.

Albert Vhiriri (believed to be in his 60s), a well-known MDC activist in Glen View, who was known to move around preaching the gospel of his party was found dead in his room and family and MDC officials in the area immediately suspected political violence.

Vhiriri’s death comes at a time when the principals to the Global Political Agreement (GPA) last week appealed to their members to desist from violence during an indaba organised as a result of a spike in politically-motivated violence.

President Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai and Welshman Ncube all sang from the same book while calling for peace.

Vhiriri, a pensioner, was discovered on Wednesday by neighbours unconscious, naked and lying on the floor in his room with injuries all over the body. He was then taken to a private doctor who referred him to Harare Central Hospital where he died soon after arrival.

A family member who spoke to the Daily News on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said the family was still trying to come to terms with the death.

“We know that death is a part of lifeand when it comes one must accept it but what we cannot figure out is why he has so many scars all over his body. The last time I saw him, he did not even have a single scar. He had only come to Harare to collect his pension,” he said.

The family member said they were anxiously awaiting the results of the post mortem which they hoped would bring closure on the matter.

“His teeth were actually displaced he had bruises on his head, feet, hands and under his armpits,” he said adding that the family had since reported the incident to the police who were now investigating the matter.

The emotional family member, who openly wept while he narrated the details, said he was particularly touched by the fact that some of Vhiriri’s neighbours had not even attended the funeral.

“There is so much fear and intimidation; everyone knows that my father did not die in a good way that is why they are afraid of attending the funeral. It really pains me because my father was a very peaceful man who enjoyed good relations with his neighbours,” he said.

“The only thing that has killed my father is hatred; he openly supported MDC everyone knew who he was and the values that he stood for, if there was no hatred, my father could have still been here with us.”

Police spokesperson assistant inspector Dube said she had not been briefed on the incident but promised to give the Daily News details today.

MDC branch secretary for Glen View 8, Hardlife Mudzingwa confirmed the incident saying they suspected foul play.

“Something sinister definitely happened to the old man. People saw him entering his house on Tuesday evening without any problems only to be discovered the following day at 2pm lying on the floor naked with bruises all over his body.

“We need to know what happened in the 20 hours when he entered his house and when he was initially discovered lying unconscious,” Mudzingwa said.

Residents of Glen View who had come to commiserate with the Vhiriris told the Daily News tales of intimidation and violence in the suburb.

“We are living in virtual terror since officer Mutedzi was killed early this year. None of us are still living in our homes since the incident took place because some people hound us day and night.

“We also have to contend with Zanu PF youths who are a law unto themselves, who claim they can get away with anything,” a female member of the MDC, who also preferred anonymity, said.

The family of the deceased suspect the pensioner was murdered for purely political reasons. They ruled out theft because nothing was stolen from the house. Daily News