Researcher arrested over poll violence probe

By Tatenda Chitagu

GUTU- An MDC-T researcher, Shepherd Mazorodze, has been arrested for interviewing victims of the 2008 election violence in Gutu district. Mazorodze was arrested last Sunday in Gutu while compiling a list of army generals accused of terrorising villagers before and after the 2008 disputed polls.

Mazorodze appeared in court yesterday facing charges of contravening the Criminal Law (Reform and Codification) Act, specifically publishing falsehoods likely to undermine public confidence in the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA).

Masvingo magistrate Learnmore Mapiye granted him $20 bail and remanded the case to April 30.

State counsel Sivaziso Mupome told the court that on March 11, Mazorodze went on a fact-finding mission in Gutu where he compiled the lists of army officers and the alleged violent operations they undertook in the run-up to the bloody presidential run-off election, which MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai boycotted citing persecution of his supporters.

The court further heard that Mazorodze intended to expose the ZNA officers who allegedly set up bases in various parts of the country. But Mazorodzes lawyer Collin Maboke told the court his client just wanted the information for documentation purposes and did not intend to publish the reports.

Among the names of top army officials which Mazorodze allegedly documented include Major General Engelbert Rugeje, Colonel Roger Magumise, a Colonel Masanganise, Captain Ezra Gono and a sergeant only identified as Nkomo. NewsDay