Arnold Mosterd (16) was gruesomely murdered, allegedly by Zanu (PF) thugs in Macheke two weeks ago, after he had asked for his outstanding wages from a Zanu (PF) chairman, Harry Munetsi. (Pictured: Stab wounds were just some of the appalling injuries inflicted on this 16-year-old boy) According to sources in his village, Mosterd who previously had been accused of supporting the MDC, was attacked and killed by seven suspects (names supplied) in the early hours of July 30.
Minister Didymus Mutasa reportedly ordered the release of the suspects last Friday after three days in Marondera remand prison. They paid $50 bail each. Minister Mutasa also allegedly told villagers of ward 19 two days after the murder to deal with strangers who visited the area enquiring about the murder, as they would be MDC supporters.
The deceased arrived at Munetsis home around 2am to collect his outstanding wages since he had left employment early this year without being paid, narrated a shocked villager. He knocked at the doors and proceeded to sleep in the kitchen after receiving no response. Munetsis wife went to the kitchen reportedly to fetch drinking water. She spent a couple of minutes with the deceased only to shout thief when the husband followed to investigate why she was taking so long to return. The deceased was subsequently attacked with logs. Neighbours teamed up, shouting MDC killed Mosterd.
The villager said the assailants tied up Mosterd with ropes, cut his chin with a knife and pierced his stomach with redhot iron bars before carrying the dead body in a wheelbarrow. They dumped it on the Harare-Mutare road where they hoped it would be run over and the murder covered up. The bloodstained barrow and ropes are being held as evidence. The body was spotted by a school child a day later.
Police advised Mosterds relatives not to visit the village. as they could be attacked by the thugs. Police officers revealed that Mosterd was the fifth person to be murdered at village 19 since the outbreak of violence in June 2008. Two months ago, an unidentified body was found in the Mucheke River. The body had an iron rod pierced through the stomach.