>The case against the MDC officials collapsed when it became painfully apparent, even for the partisan Zimbabwean judiciary, that the story had been concocted at CIO headquarters.
But that did not stop them continuing to hold and torture Peter Hitschmann because an “arms cache” had been found at his premises. The fact that he was a registered, licenced gun dealer was considered a minor details and the charge prompted changed from caching arms to the more season one of plotting to assassinate the head of state.
The star witness was presented in court – Alfred Chiukira – who proceeded to give eye-popping testimony about how he had been involved as an under-cover agent in plotting the assassination with Hitschmann.
He told the court he had alerted his superiors at Army Headquarters who had given him the nod to carry on. After giving his dramatic evidence, it emerged that Chiukira was himself a prisoner, facing charges of treason, for which he could have faced a firing squad.
He had in fact been in army custody since March 2006 – the same as Hitschmann. During this time he was denied access to lawyers, doctors or family and tortured so much that he suffered 17% disability.
Last week he faced a court martial where he was found guilty of two courts of treason. He was returned to incarceration at King George VI Barracks in Harare to await sentence.
Lo and behold – a few days later the man makes a daring escape from the maximum security of the army headquarters itself. Incredible! “Unconfirmed reports” have been circulated to suggest he has fled to Mozambique – of all places.
Needless to say the case is full of holes. For instance, why was Chiukira court martialled for treason if he was on duty as a mole at the time the alleged assassination was planned?
They say fact is stranger than fiction – but really! We smell a very big rat here – and sympathise with Chiukira’s family who must be desperate for news of his true fate.
Word for Torday:
Do not take revenge my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath for it is written: “it is mine to avenge, I will repay” says the Lord. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12;19, 21
Post published in: News