Ex-MP in trouble over ballots
FORMER Chivi North Member of Parliament Cde Tranos Huruva has been arrested after he allegedly led a gang and stormed a polling centre during the just-ended Zanu-PF primary elections and destroyed ballots before disappearing on Sunday.
Cde Huruva also allegedly beat up a Zanu-PF official, who was at the polling centre at Chitowa Hall. It is not yet clear why he assaulted the official. He went into hiding, but was later arrested.
Officer Commanding Crime in Masvingo Province, Assistant Commissioner Crispen Makedenge yesterday confirmed Cde Huruva’s arrest. He will appear in court today. Assistant Commissioner Makedenge said Cde Huruva will face malicious damage to property and assault charges.
“He is in custody and will appear in court tomorrow (today) facing malicious damage to property charges after he destroyed ballot papers after people had voted,” he said.
“The suspect will also face assault charges after one person made a report against him,” said Assistant Commissioner Makedenge.
The Masvingo senior cop said police will not tolerate political violence ahead of the forthcoming harmonised elections.
“There are special courts that have been set up to expeditiously deal with all cases of political violence and our message to all political parties is that police will not condone violence,” said Assistant Commissioner Makedenge.
Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chair Cde Ezra Chadzamira said the ruling party had to dispatch another batch of voting material after Cde Huruva had disrupted the voting exercise and destroyed ballot papers.
Cde Chadzamira said they were left with no option, but to report Cde Huruva to the police.