Threats to ‘murder’ Geoff Nyarota

By Tichaona Sibanda

MAKONI – The MDC-T spokesman for Manicaland province Pishai Muchauraya was on Tuesday charged by the police with two counts of threats to ‘murder’ his party’s political rival Geoff Nyarota. 

The two are expected to square off in the party primaries for the Makoni South constituency due at the end of April or early May. One of those who allegedly received death threats from Muchauraya is Sophia Chibayambuya, Nyarota’s aunt and an MDC-T aspiring councilor in the same constituency.

Nyarota, a seasoned journalist and former editor of the Daily News before it was banned a decade ago, is challenging Muchauraya for the right to represent the MDC-T in the parliamentary elections due anytime between now and September this year.

Muchauraya however denies the charges and is expected to appear in court on Wednesday for a bail hearing. His lawyer Tonderai Bhatasara told SW Radio Africa that the alleged threats are said to have been issued between the 25th and 28th of February this year.

“The MP signed a warned and cautioned statement at the Harare central police station today (Wednesday) but he vehemently denies the charges. This is political mud-slinging aimed at tarnishing my client’s stature and reputation,” Bhatasara said.

Nyarota said he could not comment on a matter that is now a police case, but confirmed he generated an affidavit that is being used against Muchauraya.

“After I received the threats I notified the relevant authorities in the MDC but getting no response I went to the police afraid I would be killed,” Nyarota said.

In his affidavit, Nyarota claims that on the morning of Thursday, February 28th 2013, he received a telephone call from a private number, with the caller telling him in Shona: “Uri benzi. Uri zibenzi.” (You are a fool. You are a big fool.)

“He (the caller) then hung up the phone. He immediately called again. This time he said: ‘Uri zibenzi. Uri kutuma anhu ako kwendiri, Asi uchafa. Ndinokuuraya. Ndinouraya inini. Anondiziya anoziya kuti ndinouraya’. (You are a big fool. You are sending your people to me. But you are going to die. I am going to kill you. I am a killer. Those who know me are aware that I am a killer),” Nyarota said.

“The accused was speaking in pure Chindau. I recognized the voice of Muchauraya. He comes from Chipinge and normally speaks in unadulterated Chindau,” claimed Nyarota. A senior party official called for restraint from both parties, urging the two protagonists to allow democracy to take its course.

But party spokesman Douglas Mwonzora told said they will not interfere with the police investigations or the court case, but will take retrospective action based on their own investigations.

“The party does not have any information on the veracity of the allegations. The party is careful not to intervene lest it be seen to be obstructing justice. We will wait to know from the court what really transpired,” Mwonzora said.

He added: “However, the party will do its own investigations to see if there’s any substance in the allegations. If it is true the party will take action and if it not, then the party will also take action. We want to know the motivation of this whole matter.” SW Radio Africa.

Below is Geoff Nyarota’s affidavit:

Rhodesville CR 05/03/2013

AFFIDAVIT

I, Geoffrey Nyarota, NR 08-536377 V 42, do hereby make oath and swear that: I am a male adult, who is the complainant in this case. I am member of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) led by Mr Morgan Tsvangirai. I am currently campaigning for election to Parliament on an MDC-T ticket in Makoni South Constituency. My main rival is Honourable Pishai Muchauraya, sitting MP for Makoni South Constituency, who is the accused in this case. The accused is personally known to me. I have previously spoken to him both personally and on the phone.

This morning, Thursday, February 28, 2013, at 0655 Hours I received a telephone call from a Private Number. The caller, who did not identify himself, said in Shona: “Uri benzi. Uri zibenzi.” In English this means: “You are a fool; you are a big fool.”

He then hung up the phone. He immediately called again. This time he said: “Uri zibenzi. Uri kutuma anhu ako kwendiri, Asi uchafa. Ndinokuuraya. Ndinouraya inini. Anondiziya anoziya kuti ndinouraya.”

The he hung up. The accused was speaking in pure Chndau. I recognised the voice of Mr Muchauraya. He comes from Chipinge and normally speaks in unadulterated Chindau..

The meaning of this statement in English is: “You are a big fool. You are sending your people to me. But you are going to die. I am going to kill you. I am a killer. Those who know me are aware that I am a killer.”

Then he hung up the phone. I was shocked that a person could threaten to kill me like that. I have received warnings from people that I should be careful and be wary of Honourable Pishai Muchauraya.

I quickly overcame my shock and called Mr Muchauraya back on his number as recorded in my mobile phone – 0772 924 189. He did not respond. I called again and this time he switched off his phone.

I then sent the following text message to him: “Honourable Pishai, you have just called and threatened to kill me. On Monday you called aspiring Councillor Chibayambuya of Ward 27, Rukweza Village, in Makoni South and threatened to kill someone. You told her that you killed the John Nyamande, late MP of Makoni South Constituency and others’ Cllr Chibayambuya reported the matter at Nyazura Police Station on Wednesday. I am not scared of you. I am prepared to die for the people of Makoni’”

On Monday, February 25 the accused call Mrs Sophia Chibayambuya of Rukweza Village, Ward 27, Makoni South in Nyazura. This is what Honourable Muchauraya said to her: “Mava kuda kutanga hondo. Munoziva here kuti ndisu takauraya John Nyamande? Ndinoda kukuyambirai kuti vamwe vanhu vachatsvira mudzimba. Ndinoda kuti mutsvage kuti ndiani akaparadzira mapepa akanyorwa naNyarota kuWard 27. Ini ndinobva kuChipinge. Kune mishonga, ndichaisevenzesa mishonga yacho.”

10. In English this means: You want to start a war. Do you know that we are the people who killed John Nyamande. I want to warn you that some people are going to die in burning houses. I want you to find out who distributed in Ward 27 the papers written by Nyarota. I hail from Chipinge. There is juju there. I am going to use that juju.”

11. Mrs Chibayambuya reported this matter at Nyazura Police Station. The report was made to Assistant Inspector Lloyd Gova of PISI. Details were recorded by Constable Musariri.

12. Soon after I sent the message to Hon Muchauraya, I forwarded copies to Hon Nelson Chamisa, MDC-T Organising Secretary and Ass. Insp. Gova of Nyazura for their information.

13. I make the above statement solemnly and conscientiously, believing the same to be true.

14. Signed:………………………………………..

Geoffrey Nyarota

Sworn before me this………..day of March, 2013 at …………..

Signed………………………………………

Commissioner of Oaths