Man sought over US$300k fraud also suspect in 2018 White City bombing

BULAWAYO – The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is appealing to the public for the location and identification of a suspect who has been hunted for years over the 2018 White City bombing which allegedly attempted to assassinate President Emmerson Mnangagwa in June 2018.

On Tuesday, the police issued a statement with a picture of the unnamed man alleging that he had stolen US$300 000 from a local firm in Bulawayo.

US$10 000 is being offered to anyone who “will give credible information on the identity and location, leading to the arrest of the suspect”.

The law enforcement department did not mention his previous crime. But the same picture the Bulawayo police published in the Chronicle, a state controlled newspaper, has resurfaced under different circumstances.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is urgently appealing for information which may lead to the identification, location and subsequent arrest of a most wanted person whose picture is part of the statement,” Police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said.

“The suspect is being sought in connection with a fraud case of US$300 000.00 which occurred in Bulawayo. The suspect defrauded a local firm and disappeared.

“A reward of US$10 000.00 is being offered to anyone who will give credible information on the identity and location, leading to the arrest of the suspect.

“Anyone with information should contact the National Complaints Desk on telephone (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp number 0712 800 197.”

A grenade attack targeted Mnangagwa and the Zanu-PF leadership as they exited the stage at White City Stadium in Bulawayo, subsequent to a political rally. A thorough investigation, which included collaboration with Belarusian bomb experts, failed to yield any prosecutions.

Interestingly, Mnangagwa asserted that he was aware of the individuals responsible for the attack and promised to instruct their arrest following the elections held in July of the previous year, yet no such action was taken.

The ZRP is now claiming that it “urgently” needs to locate the accused person, now over US$300 000 fraud. Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and his then wife, Marry Mubaiwa, were also victims of the attack.

Due to the health effects of particles of the grenade, Chiwenga is now living with swollen lymph nodes on his hands caused by a disease called lymphoedema.

Following a bitter divorce from her former husband, Army General, Mary Mubaiwa has been battling a severe illness for several years.

Unfortunately, her condition has deteriorated to the point where she has undergone the amputation of her arm and leg due to complications from the disease.