Vehicles torched outside Mangudya, Chivayo, Tagwirei properties
By Staff Reporter
Four vehicles were set ablaze early Friday outside properties owned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s allies John Mangudya, businessmen Wicknell Chivayo, Kudakwashe Tagwirei and DA Motors.
In a statement, police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the attacks.
Police did not mention any suspects but expelled Zanu PF central committee member Blessed Geza said in a social media broadcast on Friday evening that the attacks were part of a scheme targeting individuals linked to Mnangagwa.
Mangudya, the Mutapa Investment Fund CEO, Chivayo and Tagwirei are believed to have corruptly amassed wealth through their connections to Mnangagwa.
According to Nyathi, the vehicles were driven to locations in Avondale, Highlands, Newlands and Goromonzi between midnight and 4am where the drivers parked them and set them on fire before jumping into waiting getaway vehicles and fleeing.
Chivayo’s IMC Communications is based in Avondale, Tagwirei runs his businesses from Argyle Road in Newlands while Mangudya’s business complex was the target in Goromonzi. A fuel station owned by DA Motors was the target in Highlands, apparently because of the company’s links to Tagwirei.
Geza, whose whereabouts are not known, has called for a nationwide “uprising” against Mnangagwa. He has emerged as a fierce campaigner against Mnangagwa’s push for a third term.
In a video post on X on Friday, Geza, wanted by police for treason, boasted that this is how they will proceed to try and force Mnangagwa out.
“We told you that we are men of action. We have started the action…this is our typical game. Dealing with rogues,” Geza said while urging Zimbabweans to heed his call for street protests on Monday to force Mnangagwa out.
In an earlier comment, government spokesperson Nick Mangwana played down the attack saying it was the works of “amateurs”.
“Wow, what a mastermind plan! They collect some clunkers, drive them to a spot outside some place, set them ablaze, and then sprint away like lunatics. And the grand strategy behind this ‘genius move’ is… to what? Scare someone? Please. And there are actually people holding their breaths, eagerly awaiting these amateurish stunts? Jokes on them, right?” Mangwana said.
