Zim finance chief held by military
Bullets riddle minister’s home as army takes control
PICTURES of the Zimbabwe finance minister’s bullet-riddled house have emerged‚ showing that his arrest yesterday was no simple affair.
It is understood Dr Ignatius Chombo was taken captive from his Borrowdale home at around 1am yesterday after the Zimbabwean army’s televised announcement that it was taking control of the country.
“What we know is that there was an exchange of fire and word is that one of his guards died on the spot.
“Those pictures were taken hours later‚” said an independent media journalist who first obtained the pictures.
A senior government official who spoke to reporters confirmed that the pictures were of Chombo’s house. “That’s his official residence. “He has many houses but chose to go to this one.
“He didn’t expect the blitz. No one did, actually‚” the source said.
The pictures show an entry door that was blown open leading to the kitchen, which was also destroyed.
The microwave was destroyed and cabinets sprayed by what looks like bullets.
Chombo is a close ally of Zimbabwean First Lady Grace Mugabe and one of the key strategists of the G40 faction who are said to have been manoeuvring to take over from Robert Mugabe.
It is not clear where the holding him.
Chombo’s house is normally guarded by no less than three guards provided by the state, and it was said that they tried mounting a resistance to protect him.
Kudzai Chipanga‚ the Zanu-PF Youth League leader‚ who read a strongly worded response to the army’s initial statement‚ is also in custody.
Yesterday some roads in the city centre‚ such as Second Street leading to parliament and the Munhumutapa government complex‚ were closed as the search for “criminal elements” continued.
● South African Airways (SAA) is not booking new flights to Zimbabwe.
A journalist phoned the airline yesterday afternoon to make a booking‚ but was told “because of the state of the country we cannot make bookings now”.
The operator said those who have already made bookings will be advised “as time goes on”.
“If the flight is for tomorrow‚ they will e-mail the passengers or call the passengers.”
SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali said, however: “Everything remains as normal as it was a week ago.”— DDC army is