Minister cited in MDC supporter's death Financial Gazette (Zimb) Date posted:Thu 29-Jul-2004 Date published:Thu 29-Jul-2004
Back to previous page		Claims for $135 million in connection with the death of Francis Chinosvina Brian Mangwende Former Minister of Youth Development, Gender and Employment Creation, Elliot Manyika, faces claims for $135 million in connection with the death of a Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) supporter and injuries to another during violence which marred the Zengeza by-election held about four months ago. The claims against Manyika, who has since been relegated to the obscure post of Minister Without Portfolio in the President's Office, come amid a cacophony of angry voices over the bloodshed and shootings that have characterised Zimbabwe's elections. Violence, which has become a trademark of the country's elections, has been blamed on growing intolerance for political opponents and confrontation. The claims against Manyika, the ruling Zanu PF legislator for Bindura who was dumped from his former ministerial portfolio in the last mini Cabinet reshuffle, are contained in High Court cases 8359/04 and 8360/04 in which the plaintiffs Arthur Chinozvina and Aurther Gunzvenzve have filed summonses implicating Manyika in the sudden death of 22-year-old Francis Chinozvina, an MDC activist and the injuries to Gunzvenzve. Manyika is currently Zanu PF's political commissar. In papers prepared by Magwaliba, Mathuthu and Kwirira Legal Practitioners and filed at in court on June 30 2004, it is claimed on behalf of Francis Chinozvina that: "On or about the 28th of March 2004 and at Chitungwiza near the residence of a Movement for Democratic Change parliamentary candidate, the defendant caused to be discharged a firearm into the direction of the late Francis Chinozvina and others. The discharging of a firearm in a public place and in the presence of a considerable number of persons was deliberate or alternatively grossly negligent. As a result of the defendant's conduct, one bullet from his firearm hit the person of Francis Chinozvina causing serious and severe injuries as a result of which he died immediately." It is claimed that before his death Chinozvina was a commodity broker earning $1 million monthly and supporting several dependants including five minor children left behind by his late brother. The plaintiff claims, on his own behalf and the minor children, from Manyika $20 million in respect of funeral expenses, $30 million for his own loss of support and damages and $40 million for loss of support and damages for the minors. In the second case, Gunzvenzve claims that as a result of the shooting, he sustained a huge hole across the shin, severe wounds around the lower part of his knee and severe damage to the knee cartilage and tendons and wants $45 million from Manyika. Gunzvenzve's claim is for $20 million for medical expenses incurred, $15 million for future medical expenses and $10 million for damage, pain, suffering, shock, disfigurement and loss of amenities of life. Manyika's address in both summonses is cited as 55 Shaneragh Road, Mandara, Harare. Contacted for comment, Manyika said he had sold that property in 1999 and had not had sight of the summonses. "They are dreamers," Manyika said. "I sold the house in 55 Shaneragh in 1999. I don't live there anymore. As far as I am concerned, that story is a non-starter. The police have already said that I was nowhere near Chitungwiza on that day." In earlier press reports published in the government-controlled media, police spokesperson Wayne Bvudzijena exonerated Manyika, saying the Member of Parliament for Bindura was in his constituency at the time of the incident and that his alibi had been confirmed by the Electoral Supervisory Commission chairman, Sobusa Gula-Ndebele, police officers at a roadblock in Mazowe, personnel at Mazowe Hotel and employees at his farm. Bvudzijena was quoted as saying: "As much as we would want members of the public to come forward with information, we will only tolerate reasonable and substantive information that can be used in a court of law". The police subsequently arrested a 43-year-old Arcturus man identified as Ernest Matsotso in connection with the Zengeza skirmishes. Matsotso has since appeared at the Harare magistrates' court in connection with the matter. The bloody Zengeza by-election was won by ZANU PF's Christopher Chigumba, who trounced MDC's "imposed candidate" James Makore. Makore has since filed a petition in the High Court challenging the outcome of the poll results, arguing that the by election was riddled with violence. The Zengeza seat fell vacant following the abrupt departure of MDC legislator Tafadzwa Musekiwa to the United Kingdom citing security reasons.