MDC youths thwart CIO abduction attempt

By Tinoonga Mawere

CHIVI – Two MDC youths are lucky to be alive after thwarting an abduction ploy by suspected Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operatives at Ngundu Business Centre on Monday.

The two youths Timothy Matutu (29) who is the MDC youth chairman for Chivi South Constituency and Lovemore Machanja (33) who is the youth vice chairperson for the same constituency were abducted by two men suspected to be intelligence operatives while coming from a local party programme.

According to Machanja, the incident happened around 5pm when the youths boarded a commuter omnibus at Dare Business Centre to Ngundu Business Centre.

“We were coming from ward 28 where we were conducting party business. We were desperate for transport so we decided to go Dare Business Centre since it is situated near the Masvingo –Beitbridge highway.

“As we were looking for transport to travel to Ngundu, a Toyota sprinter vehicle pulled up and we immediately jumped into the vehicle. As we were travelling two men suddenly pulled me to the back seat of the vehicle and demanded to know why I was wearing an MDC shirt.

“One of them produced an identity card with the Zimbabwean flag while the other one produced a cell phone with Robert Mugabe`s picture as the screen saver. The two men said Tsvangirai anokuuraisa and iwe tavakutonokuuraya (Tsvangirai will drive you towards your death and we are going to kill you –they also said tinoda kukusasa petrol (we are going to pour petrol on you),” said Machanja.

He added: “When we arrived at Ngundu Business Centre they began to slap me on the face accusing me of being a sellout. Matutu managed to jump out of the vehicle and he tried to grab the keys .The driver pushed him and the vehicle took off at high speed.

“We beckoned a police officer who was at the scene but he ignored. Everyone at the scene encouraged me to jump out of the vehicle. I managed to jump out of the vehicle but one the men grabbed my legs and my shirt was torn into pieces.

“Although I got injured in the process, I am happy because I am alive. I suspected the two men connived with the commuter omnibus crew in a well calculated move to eliminate us. I have received numerous death threats from Zanu PF supporters in the area-the situation is very tense, “said Machanja.

The youths then made a report at Ngundu Police Camp –case number RR1427855-but the police were deeply reluctant to investigate the matter. The vehicle`s registration number is ABZ 3799.

“We went to Ngundu Police camp to report the matter but a female officer on duty accused me of being provocative by wearing an MDC shirt. The police took too long to react and they seem to be reluctant to investigate the matter.

“They took a long time to record the details-We only identify one burly fellow wearing a blue t-shirt. We hope the police e will quickly act on the matter.

MDC provincial youth chairman Oliver Chirume condemned the incident adding that Zanu PF mandarins were keen to shed blood as a way of intimidating MDC supporters ahead of elections.

“We are dealing with a group of unrepentant people and this shows Zanu PF will use any means at their disposal to crush opposing voices. It all shows panic stations within Zanu PF. The state security agents are still very much determined to eliminate MDC members and supporters,”said Chirume.