The missing soldiers include Patrick Zishiri (Two Brigade), Bernard Mwakaereni (Two Brigade), Cephas Muradzwa (One Brigade), Clayton Marufu (One and Three Brigade), Martin Chidzomba (Five Brigade), Cephas Shoko (Two Field Artillery), Obert F Hamandishe (Two F/A), Liberty Utete (One Mechanical), Proud Utabwashe (ENG), Brian Lizwe Khumalo (Intelligence), Tatenda Mapfenya (Two Mech), Andrew Mudzimba (Two Presidential Guard), Tavagwisa Shoko (Air Defence), Clifford Shumba (KG6), Gabriel Nyamayaro (KG6), Tonderai Chihwai (Two and three Infantry), Pardon Marufu (Two and Three Infantry), David Munaki (Three Brigade), Nkosilathi Tshuma (S.I.B), and Owen T Gwatiringa (One Commando) and others yet to be traced.
A shocked Bishop Paul Verryn, who turned the church in to a haven for refugee Zimbabweans more than 10 years ago, told The Zimbabwean he was devastated to learn that people were disappearing without a trace from the building.
“It’s devastating for me and their families. I am very conscious that Zimbabwean CIO officials could be involved. We have launched an investigation and soon will be taking this matter up with the authorities,” he said.
A former soldier who deserted the ZNA and now lives at the church confirmed that his friends went missing and is convinced that CIO officials operating under cover at the church are responsible.
“I believe a senior military intelligence guy, Rubson Muchini, took care of these guys using CIO agents who managed to infiltrate the refugee home at the church. These guys were taken as if they were going to join security companies around Johannesburg and that was the last time we saw them. The truth of their disappearance came to light after another deserter, Kelvin Chimombe (who was situated at Thornhill), escaped and revealed to us that his fellow comrades were killed and dumped in disused mines around North West and Johannesburg.
“Chimombe also warned all deserters not to follow those who came pretending to be searching for ex-soldiers for jobs in security firms here. What’s sad is that two days after Chimombe cautioned us, he went missing as well. This is when we were convinced that we have a spy among us. We need help to get rid of these operatives within the church community. Some of my friends who are police deserters officers are also nowhere to be seen these days,” he added.
A vendor at the church, on condition of anonymity, said “There is a black Navara with South African registration numbers which frequents this place and I suspect they are the ones behind these continued disappearances. They always monitor people, and on one occasion I saw them assaulting someone who used to stay here. They forced him to their car and sped off. That was the last time I saw that man and I understand he was a former soldier as well.”
There have been intensified media reports recently that Zanu (PF) has deployed members of the CIO to track down security sector deserters and political activists in the SADC region.
Post published in: News