17 MPs accused of murder, violence

david_parirenyatwaHARARE - The police and the attorney-generals office have failed to press murder and violence charges against 17 Zanu (PF) members of parliament, says the MDC. The charges arise from violence committed during the election period last year. (Pictured: Murehwa MP David Parirenyatwa among the perpetrators of some of the worst cases of violence

In its latest publication, The Changing Times, the MDC has accused the law enforcement authorities of persecuting innocent officials belonging to the party, while ignoring serious crimes committed by Zimbabwean strongman Robert Mugabe and his senior officials.

The MDC said it had evidence that the Zanu (PF) officials had committed a wide range of offences, including murder. But it did not name the officials.

However, human rights groups have named Murehwa MP David Parirenyatwa among the perpetrators of some of the worst cases of violence against MDC supporters last year.

The accusation is among a number of charges the MDC has used to disengage from further involvement with Mugabe and Zanu (PF) in the transitional government.

MDC security chief, Kisimusi Mudzingwa, recently sent to the AGs office a complete dossier of evidence collected by the party concerning violence against its members during 2008. He was subjected to a hostile interrogation by the police shortly afterwards, but no further has been taken against the perpetrators named in the dossier. As far as we know, they have not even been interviewed.

Last month the MDC accused notorious Masvingo-based Major General Engelbert Rugeje of drawing a pistol and threatening to shoot Tichaona Chiminya, one of its MPs.

The party said the MP met Rugeje at the Chevron Hotel in Masvingo at the weekend, where the soldier queried why Chiminya had not saluted him. Rugeje is then said to have pulled out his pistol and threatened to shoot him.

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