Zimbabwe Wall of Shame: Chief Kasekete
By Lance Guma
MUZARABANI – Last year in June, Chief Changara Kasekete of Muzarabani, was officially given an electrified three bedroomed (six roomed) house which was built by United Family International Church (UFIC) leader Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa.
The house built in just 26 days has a spacious lounge, a dining room, a kitchen and a garage. The house was also furnished with a plasma television, sofas, luxury beds and dressing tables and a kitchen unit at a cost of over US$25 000.
Makandiwa grew up in the area and his parents live at Vhudzijena Village in Muzarabani.
He claims he built the house to honour Chief Kasekete but many people in the area expressed outrage at how ‘a man of God’ could honour such a ruthless violence monger.
Chief Kasekete, whose full name is Faxwell Mutinhima, led a brutal campaign of political violence that resulted in the death of more than 22 MDC-T officials and supporters in 2008.
Kasekete’s sudden change of character puzzled many in the area. He was initially a very popular and promising leader, instrumental in attracting developmental projects. Little did villagers know they were celebrating the installation of a ‘monster’, a witness said.
At all the gatherings held in the run up to the bloody presidential run-off in June 2008, Kasekete declared his undying loyalty for Mugabe and ZANU PF. He declared that the MDC-T would not be allowed to have a presence or even campaign in Muzarabani. Violence was to be the key tool he used to ensure this.
Kasekete teamed up with local MP Edward Raradza, Luke Mushore (MP), Jenia Manyeruke (Senator), Kamusengezi (soldier), Yahwe (CIO agent), Chief Chiweshe, Proud Pfotso, Godfrey Katsiru, Chibau (ZANU PF district chairman) and Avozhi Chibedebede.
A dossier in our possession says MDC-T supporters were “butchered, maimed, tortured and displaced in Muzarabani” by this group. In June last year SW Radio Africa posted a shocking video footage online exposing MP Raradza, who was part of Kasekete’s team in 2008.
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.
In 2008 the Kasekete and Raradza led group was 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,” the dossier says. Many victims had broken bones and lacerated wounds.
To make matters worse the militia gangs blocked the roads and victims were not allowed to seek medical help.
“Many suffered in silence and only managed to access help several weeks later, some with their conditions having developed complications due to the delays, others have consequently suffered permanent disabilities,” the document added.
Not only has the chief been involved in violence but he has abused his traditional powers to preside over kangaroo courts.
In May 2010 two MDC-T supporters who were victims of political violence in 2008, approached the perpetrators to get their livestock back. Instead Chief Kasekete had them hauled before his court to face accusations that they were talking politics and insulting a ZANU PF official.
The MDC-T supporters were initially fined US$30 each and then handed over to the police where they were charged with public nuisance and forced to pay an admission of guilt fine of US$5 each.
Worse was to come when Kasekete awarded the ZANU PF official damages in the form of three cows and goats, even though he was the one who had confiscated livestock from the MDC-T supporters.
“The cattle and goats were forcibly taken away from the victims’ homes by Kasekete and handed over to the perpetrator as compensation for the pain caused by the accusation and insults,” the dossier says.
On the 1st April 2008, a ZANU PF militia gang led by Kasekete abducted Biggie Zhuwawo from his home. Zhuwawo was subjected to a heavy and brutal assault and died on the spot.
On the 16th April 2008 Kasekete and his gang abducted Liven Mapfumo, who operated a small general dealers shop in the area. They assaulted him all over the body and destroyed his entire home. Kasekete then ordered Mapfumo to supply groceries for the Independence Day celebrations that year.
On the 26th April 2008 Eric Chinzima reported that a large group of ZANU PF militia led by Kasekete arrived at his home during the day. They accused him of supporting the MDC-T and viciously assaulted him. He lost his upper teeth after being kicked in the mouth with a booted foot.
On the 1st May 2008 the ZANU PF militia apprehended Simbarashe Manzizi on his way home. They accused him of voting for the MDC-T in March and started beating him up as punishment. They then took him to his home where they destroyed all the huts there.
He said that among the group was Chief Kasekete who was giving the orders.
On the 2nd May 2008 the local ZANU PF youths around Hoya school accused Freddie Matonhodze of campaigning for Tsvangirai in the area. Chief Kasekete and his group destroyed Matonhodze’s entire homestead.
His family fled and sought refuge with relatives away from the area. Their clothes, property and utensils were all burnt.
On the same day Chief Kasekete ordered Lucky Mutengwa to be brought before him because he was accused of supporting the MDC-T. Mutengwa was harassed and threatened with death if he continued living in Muzarabani.
Mutengwa eventually deserted his family and property and lived in another district until the June elections were over.
Again on the 1st May 2008 Chief Kasekete, in the command of more that 50 ZANU PF youths and war vets, attacked Christopher Mondera at his home. They heavily assaulted him, looted and destroyed his home.
The violence continued on the same day as the mob caught Wanzirai Magodo at his home. They assaulted him with a variety of weapons and he sustained serious injuries all over the body.
They also destroyed all his property including family clothes and his only tractor which was burnt in the attack. Magodo identified Kasekete, Edward Raradza, Luke Mushore and Avhozhi Chibedebede.
On the same day Chief Kasekete, accompanied by a large group of ZANU PF youths, some of them in army fatigue, assaulted Obert Tayi at his home. They destroyed his huts and took away 9 cattle, 4 sheep and 3 goats.
The following day on the 2nd May 2008 Saymore Gweru was abducted and interrogated by Chief Kasekete. He was accused of refusing to divulge information on where his brother was hiding.
He was assaulted and tortured for a long time before he was released. His abductors confiscated 2 goats from his home for food at their base.
Later on the group attacked Dzikamayi D Gono at his home during the night. Some of the assailants were in military uniform and they destroyed the whole homestead.
Gono identified some of the perpetrators as Raradza, P Pfotso,T Diamond, O Sosono, C Chiringa, CP Mutonga Njiva, B Mazhuwana, P Chashaya and Chief Kasekete himself.
The gang, still in the company of these senior party officials, surrounded Clemence Chirozva’s homestead near Chaminda Primary school. They ordered him out of his house and started assaulting him with a variety of weapons. Chirozva sustained serious injuries that never healed. He passed away in 2009.
On the 3rd May 2008 the same mob stormed Siiraishe Charunda’s homestead where they interrogated and assaulted him. The gang destroyed his house and property including his bed, radio, food, and clothes.
The same day Luke Mushore, Edward Rraradza, Chief Kasekete and the other members of the ZANU PF gang, burnt down the home of Sunungurai Musengeni. They not only beat him up severely but burnt everything at his homestead. They also took his three cows.
On the 5th May 2008 Prisca Mutizwa was beaten up by local ZANU PF youths who accused her of supporting Morgan Tsvangirai. She reported that after the assault Chief Kasekete took away 2 tonnes of maize and 4 bales of cotton as punishment for her supporting the MDC-T.
On the 6th May 2008 Chief Kasekete led a ZANU PF militia who were wielding axes, iron bars and guns. They surrounded Angelina Ngorima’s homestead during the night. They ordered her out of the hut she was sleeping in and set it on fire. All the structures were demolished and she lost everything.
On the 7th May 2008 Lucky Mutemaunga was told that soldiers were looking for him and that he had been targeted for elimination by the local ZANU PF leadership. He quickly got out of the area and walked on foot throughout the night.
He boarded a bus the following morning to Harare where he sought refuge for the whole of 2008. Assisting the army was Madhongi, Chief Kasekete, Norman Chizeya, Paramanzi and Kanhutu.
It’s estimated more than 22 people were killed in Muzarabani in 2008 as a result of direct orders from Chief Kasekete. According to the Heal Zimbabwe Trust some 125 people were also displaced.
Kasekete has not been prosecuted and continues to be a prominent ZANU PF mouthpiece and campaigner.
To contact this journalist email [email protected] or follow him on twitter @LanceGuma
