Started as a hit squad for the party, it has become a lucrative business. Recently, the gang seized Carter House, a municipal lodge, where they now collect rentals in defiance of the law and in full view of the police.
So powerful has the gang become that even the police and army are afraid of them. They are heavily armed with illegal weapons supplied by President Robert Mugabe's party. Earlier this year, a magistrate asked a policeman why Chipangano members who attacked the MDC offices and injured scores of party supporters were not arrested and brought to court and was told by the embarrassed cop: “We were overpowered.”
Investigations by The Zimbabwean into the ongoing violence in the city's oldest township led to the doorstep of Chipangano. Several cabinet ministers and Zanu (PF) politburo members were mentioned by present and retired thugs as the masterminds of the gang. These include local government minister Ignatius Chombo, Zanu (PF) Harare province chairman, Amos Midzi, politburo member Tendai Savanhu and retired soldier Boutros Magwaza.
A toothless youth guards the entrance to the gang’s NQ in Carter House. He disclosed that a man named Gore was in charge of running the lodge on behalf of the gang but would not be drawn into naming the overall leader of the group.
“Gore collects money on behalf of Chipangano,” said the toothless one, who gave his name as Gabriel.
“Carter House is our torture base. People brought from Mupedzanhamo market and all over Mbare are beaten here. If we decide not to beat you here, we take you to the Zanu (PF) office behind Musanhi supermarket or to the office at Stodart Hall and thrash you there.”
He named one leader as Reuben who lives on Zarango street, next to Marengenya bar and Chiweshe beerhall where MDC supporters are said to be beaten daily.
Other names of Chipangano leaders that kept popping up during our investigations were Sanyanga, Kunta Kinte and one Kedha, who is alleged to have murdered MDC supporters.
Another is Chataika, a losing municipal candidate in 2008 whose house at the corner of Ardbennie and Chatima streets has for long been used as a torture base.
Herded like cattle
Chipangano's main role remains that of facilitating hits for the army, CIO and police agents of Zanu (PF). During the recent spate of attacks by the party, Chipangano members drove people into the walled grounds of Gwinyai school in the volatile Majubheki section.
“Then the soldiers came and beat us up. Some people suffered broken bones. Women were raped,” said a survivor, who received counselling and treatment with the help of a local NGO.
People living next to Stodart Hall, where Zanu (PF) has an office also used as a torture chamber said they were forced to attend party meetings daily.
“People here are forced to go for daily meetings. Even at the shops people are harassed by gangsters led by Reuben and Chipangano. People are beaten here every weekend by these hooligans, who also steal cellphones and cash. We can’t even call them party youths as they claim to be. They are just thugs,” said a householder who said his daughter had been raped at one of the all-night meetings after she was beaten and accused of supporting MDC.
The continued use of Gwinyai school as a torture base has perturbed teachers and angered the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe.
Wave of extortion
Traders at Mupedzanhamo market said they were forced to pay varying amounts to Chipangano daily.
“To get a table in the flea market, you've got to have a Zanu (PF) card. Chipangano insists that you vote for Zanu (PF). We are often told to stop trading and go to attend the party's endless meetings. Those who don't comply are beaten and robbed of money and goods,” said a trader.
A farmer from Mutoko said Chipangano had set the rule that all tomatoes coming to the market had to be boxed before being sold. The farmers are then forced to buy boxes from Chipangano members, who charge $3 per box compared to $1 charged by others. Farmers who refuse to buy Chipangano's more expensive boxes are beaten and robbed. The gang also routinely goes around the markets demanding donations for Zanu (PF) programmes.
Zanu (PF) has declared that the MDC, which commands a majority of voters in the area, should not be allowed to function there.
Chipangano is the enforcer of that decree, while the police turn a blind eye.
Post published in: Zimbabwe News