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Cde Jason Machaya

Freedom Mupanedemo, Midlands Bureau
THE Zanu-PF Midlands provincial executive on Wednesday was told about chilling stories from Kwekwe where former Vice President Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa allegedly used to sponsor a terror group that went around attacking people perceived to be against him with machetes.

The Provincial Co-ordinating Committee meeting heard how the terror group, going by the moniker borrowed from the Islamist militant group, Al-Shabaab, would roam freely in and around Kwekwe City armed as they enjoyed protection from the former Midlands strong man.

Former Vice President Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa

“This group should be disarmed now that the person who had been giving them immunity has been fired. They have been going around Kwekwe killing and assaulting people perceived to be enemies of the former VP,” Kwekwe Central Legislator, Cde Masango Matambanadzo, told the meeting.

Provincial Commissar and Minister of Sport, Arts, Recreation and Culture, Cde Makhosini Hlongwane and Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister, Cde Jason Machaya, who were also in the meeting, concurred and confirmed having received the chilling reports about the Kwekwe-based Al-Shabaab terror group.

Cde Hlongwane said the group should be disarmed while investigations into their heinous crimes should be instituted.

“We have heard about people being attacked with machetes and at times dying. In this day and era, it’s unacceptable and something should be done. We can’t have a situation where people go around terrorising people in a sovereign nation,” said Cde Hlongwane.

Cde Machaya said he once issued a statement pleading for peace in Kwekwe when people went around attacking each other with machetes.

He urged party youths to remain united and shun violence.

“President Mugabe has taught us to be a peace loving people. We can’t have people going around killing each other. Let’s go back to the drawing board and work in unity as a party. A revolutionary party with values and ethos,” Cde Machaya said.