Makandiwa hands over house to murderous chief

Notorious Zanu PF thug, Chief Kasekete of Muzarabani was yesterday officially handed over a three bedroomed (six roomed) house built by United Family International Church leader Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa.

The main bedroom is en suite. The house also has a spacious lounge, a dining room, a kitchen and a garage. The house has been furnished with a plasma television, sofas, luxury beds and dressing tables and a kitchen unit at a cost of over US$25 000. The house was built in 26 days.

Chief Kasekete, whose full name is Faxwell Mutinhima, had his homestead electrified and now has tap water. Acting President Joice Mujuru officially handed over the house at a colourful ceremony attended by senior Government officials, legislators, traditional leaders and UFIC followers among others.

Mujuru lauded Prophet Makandiwa, saying what he has done complemented Government programmes and objectives of restoring the dignity of traditional leaders.

“It is the responsibility of Government, through the Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development to build decent homesteads for traditional leaders, but because of the challenges facing the Government, we are failing to do this,” said Acting President Mujuru.

She said Prophet Makandiwa had demonstrated that he was a responsible son by making efforts to improve his community and its leaders. “Even if you have money and begin to drive three cars, you should always remember where you came from. This is the lesson that we learnt from Prophet Makandiwa,” she said.

UFIC spokesperson Reverend Prime Kufakunesu claimed Prophet Makandiwa used his personal money to build the house.

“I am the treasurer of the church and at no time did Prophet Makandiwa come to me saying I should release money to build the house. It was his own initiative we are just here to give our support,” he said.

A representative of Chief Kasekete’s family, Mr Wilson Mutinhima, said the fact that Prophet Makandiwa was still to build a house for his own parents or relatives, showed how much respect he had for his traditional leader.

“He has not yet done this to any of his family but his family would come to plough for the Chief. That shows how much love and respect they have for their traditional leader,” he said.

Among those who witnessed the event were Mashonaland Central Provincial Governor and Resident Minister Martin Dinha, provincial administrator Mr Joseph Jaji and Muzarabani MP Edward Raradza.

Makandiwa however might need to look at the people he is associating with. A recent series by London based SW Radio Africa journalist Lance Guma exposed the brutal role Chief Kasekete and MP Raradza played in the violence and murder in Muzarabani in the run up to the one man presidential run off in 2008.

Chief Changara Kasekete, a traditional leader in the Dande area of Muzarabani District, led a brutal campaign of political violence that resulted in the death of more than 22 MDC-T officials and supporters in 2008.

Kasekete and Raradza were in command of a group of over 400 ZANU PF militia and armed soldiers. They were responsible for the abductions and murder of MDC-T ward officials such as: Tennyson Manyimo, Titus Goho, Canaan Dzamwarira, Clemence Chirozva, Learnmore Chingani, Muzumbe, Taurai Chamboko, Ratidzayi Dzenga , Freddy Macheka and Biggie Zhuwawo.

On the 3rd June 2008, Kasekete addressed a rally at Hoya Primary School and ordered all ZANU PF supporters and militia to burn down all MDC-T supporters’ homes that night. The militants went on a rampage and “homes went up in flames, men, women and children were ruthlessly assaulted and tortured.”

In June last year SW Radio Africa posted new and shocking video footage online exposing MP Raradza. In the video Raradza could be seen and heard threatening villagers with violence if they support the MDC-T. He warned people at the meeting that those who support the MDC-T will be beaten by war vets and youth militias, or denied food as punishment.

Some of those who assisted Raradza as ‘terror commanders’ included, Bitu Mazhuwana, Proud Photso (police), Diamond Tapana, Owen Sonono, Yahwe (Central Intelligence Organisation), Charles Chiringa, Muzanenhamo Kamusengezi (soldier), Jenia Manyeruke (Senator) and Luckson Bumhira.

In April 2010 Raradza showed his disregard for the coalition government when his gangs hounded 58 MDC-T supporters out of their homes. The victims went to camp at Muzarabani Police station with their children hoping for protection but the officer in charge, a known ZANU PF activist, refused to act.