Mutasa threatens cops with arrest
2010 07 06
http://www.newsday.co.zw/article/2010-07-06-mutasa-threatens-cops-with-arrest
KELVIN JAKACHIRA
Jul 06 2010 09:09
Zanu PF stalwart and controversial Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in the President’s Office, Didymus Mutasa, has allegedly threatened to cause the arrest and detention of police officers who dare assist besieged white commercial farmers in reclaiming their properties.
Allegations against Mutasa come at a time the politburo member is frantically fending off accusations that together with co-Minister of Home Affairs, Theresa Makone, he tried to influence the police to release his son and nephew from lawful custody.
The politburo is Zanu PF’s supreme-decision making body outside congress.
Mutasa denied trying to coerce the police to release his son, Martin and controversial businessman,
Temba Mliswa, from custody following their arrest on charges of fraud and extortion when they allegedly tried to wrest a motor vehicle company from the owner.
According to court papers, Mutasa allegedly threatened that any police officer who assisted white commercial farmers would be arrested and locked up.
Keys to the holding cells, Mutasa is alleged to have said, would be handed to Deputy Commissioner General of Police, Godwin Matanga.
The allegations are contained in a High Court application filed by Chipinge farmer, Trevor Gifford who is challenging eviction from his farm house. Mutasa, the Zanu PF politburo secretary for administration, yesterday said.