Gutu Police has arrested the wife of slain MDC activist Nyasha Zhambe Mawere and two other relatives for allegedly telling her husband’s suspected murderer Joseph Mudziwepasi that his victim had been laid to rest.
Mollen Banga (41) was arrested together with the deceased’s siblings Beauty (43) and Shadreck (34) on Tuesday night around 7 pm.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights lawyer, Martin Mureri confirmed the arrests to The Mirror and said he had written to Police to seek clarification.
Masvingo Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa professed ignorance over the arrest and said that he was going to check with Inspector Campes Muyambo the Officer-in-Charge at Gutu.
Mudziwapasi could not be reached for a comment as his mobile was not reachable.
Meanwhile, police are said to be reluctant to take action against individuals who reportedly assaulted Mawere at an illegal roadblock in Mupandawana in October when MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa toured Masvingo.
Mawere was assaulted with logs resulting in his hospitalisation and eventual death at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare on November 26, 2021
The other suspects in the murder case which was reported at Mpandawana are Buster Mafios and Eufrasia Chamwaita.
Banga and the deceased’s siblings allegedly bumped into Mudziwapasi, a ZANU PF youth, around 5 pm yesterday and informed him that the deceased had been laid to rest at the weekend.
Mudziwapasi allegedly shouted at the three and made some threats before reporting to Police that he had been defamed.
The Mirror reports that the police’s reaction speed shocked many Mpandawana residents.
They only released them without charge at 11 pm after MDC officials went to the station to ascertain the reasons for the arrest.
More: The Mirror