ZANU PF central committee member and transport mogul Esau Mupfumi was over the weekend arrested in Mutare following violent clashes involving rank marshals that rocked the city at Old Harare rank in the last few days.
Police yesterday confirmed the arrest of bus operators, touts, criminals and rank marshals.
Rank marshals and touts engaged in a fierce fighting over passengers that left several people injured.
Acting Manicaland police spokesperson assistant inspector Wiseman Chinyoka told NewsDay on Saturday that Nash Mudukuti (32) also known as Bazooka sustained cuts on the left hand, left leg and forehead while Munyaradzi Mudiho (29) sustained a swollen right leg and bruises on his face.
In a detailed statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest of numerous individuals implicated in the disturbances.
“Police confirm the arrest of bus operators, touts, criminal gangs and rank marshals in connection with public violence scenes which rocked Mutare on 23 May 2024 and 24 May 2024.
“The suspects arrested include Isau Mupfumi, Jelous Mukorera, Michael Chigaro, Tatenda Chamusingarevi, Cassidy Chabvuta, Clayton Muchineripi, Kudzanai Neshiri, Taurai Gumende, Donemore Dube, Constantine Makombe, Tawanda Matara, Liberty Simonyi, Rodrick Chiutsi, James Bhekete, Daniel Kaibo, Daniel Edmore Shupai, Noah Mabota, Wayne Mafuta, Blessing Chikukwa, Donald Matakure, Oracio Migayo and Luckmore Shamhu,” Nyathi said.
He said some of the suspects were hired and paid to engage in public violence using vehicles while wielding machetes and other weapons.
“In one of the incidents, police had to fire warning shots to effect arrests as the gangs were fighting and striking one another with machetes, stones, iron bars and other weapons. Some members of the public were caught in crossfire and sustained injuries.
“Several complaints have been made and reports of assault to the police. Initial police investigations indicate that there is a fight over loading bays and ranks at Harare-Mutare Old rank in Mutare central business district and Mudzviti rank pitting Mupfumi buses and Mukumba buses,” Nyathi said.
In a statement yesterday, Zimbabwe Passengers Transport Organisation chairperson Samson Nhanhanga condemned the violence.
“We don’t support violence. We don’t support touting. Operators must no pile buses on over-subscribed routes. We appeal for government intervention in this regard. Permits must not be issued before an assessment has been done. We have saturated routes and areas with a serious shortage of transport,” Nhanhanga said.
