But it is now obvious to all that there is indeed an intricate relationship between the youths who have become a law unto themselves and Zanu (PF)’s political structures.
Militarism and political manipulation plays a huge role in council business and the role of council employees in looting of council resources.
I have argued before that Chipangano was established in March 2001 by the late Zanu (PF) official Ali Khan Manjengwa as he gunned for political office as a councillor. Uneducated and unemployed youths rallied behind him.
Over the years, Chipangano has transformed from being a group of thugs to an elite business unit, using violence to defend its turf.
Residents of Mbare and other community leaders agree that Chipangano was set up to mobilise support for Zanu (PF) candidates in Mbare, to control all council properties and make money, and to prevent the penetration of the area by the MDC and any other civic groupings not linked to Zanu (PF).
In my discussions with people of influence, what outsiders call Chipangano are in fact some executive members of the disbanded district coordinating committees, especially those holding influential portfolios like transport and security.
There were 12 districts in Mbare, with 34 members in each of the the main wing, the women’s league and the youth wing before the disbandment of DCCs.
People in the know say Chipangano is now like a ‘spirit of bondage among cadres’ where it is extremely dangerous to acknowledge its existence given the widespread condemnation of its activities by civil society organisations and other political parties.
The comments attributed to Didymus Mutasa, the Zanu (PF) Secretary for Administration urging Amos Midzi, the Chairman of Harare province to disband this group and end its illegal activities point to a real battle behind the scenes on how to deal with the issue.
It is common knowledge that each bus rank used by commuter omnibuses is under the control of vigilante groups, directly under the control of the ‘District’ that covers that area.
Drivers of public transport are harassed daily, and money is extorted from them merely for stopping their vehicles in order to pick up or drop off commuters. At the market places known thugs, using the name of Zanu (PF), move around demanding money from stall holders, making them pay for unknown services or ‘security fees’.
Zanu (PF) Harare provincial secretary for information and publicity, Claudius Mutero, was quoted in the media recently distancing Zanu (PF) from the gang’s activities. “These are people trying to soil the name of the party. We do not get money as a party from the ranks,” Mutero said.
While these ‘Zanu (PF)’ individuals started off being assured of Zanu (PF) protection against arrest, prosecution and subsequent incarceration for human rights violations, they have migrated from being mere pawns in a political game to become their own masters as they have gained financial muscle.
They have gained in confidence as the impunity gained by having the protection of Zanu (PF) has demonstrated that they can violate anyone’s rights without being arrested by the police.
As long as Zanu (PF) does not act decisively on the rogue elements within their ranks, they will continue to lose support from the electorate.
At a time when the elected councillors in Harare have failed to perform to the electorate’s satisfaction, Zanu (PF) should endear itself to the people by promoting peace, security and community development.
Given that they have been able to buy themselves several properties in the low and high density suburbs, and vehicles, the leaders of these thugs have gained in terms of their influence over their creators, who now fear confronting them on a political level.
It has to be noted that the ‘crossing the line’ of the mandimbandimba, the Chipangano security teams, came when they beat up soldiers in the central business district. They were trying to demonstrate that they are above the ‘state’ and can do as they please.
The beating of the soldiers was a direct challenge to the powers and authority vested in the Office of the President as Commander In Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
The immediate reaction of the military should be commended. They came down hard on the thugs and disciplined them. Unfortunately some people were caught in the onslaught as they ‘attempted to be reasonable’. The police, whose constitutional mandate is to maintain law and order, have failed the nation in general and Harare residents in particular.
The City of Harare, who are tasked in terms of the Urban Councils’ Act (Chapter 29:15) and the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:12) to plan and regulate traffic, markets and housing has also failed in its duty to monitor and implement its own regulations and systems dealing with ranks.
The way forward
The Government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs should give the Municipal Police arresting powers to protect them from the constant abuse they endure at the hands of Mandimbandimba and Chipangano.
The failure by the police to arrest these vigilante groups demonstrates political collusion, incompetence and disregard for basic human rights of ordinary citizens. The police should deal decisively with illegal activities in the residential areas and the central business district. The soldiers, while they should be restricted to the barracks, have received overwhelming support from ordinary residents for their robust response to those who have constantly unleashed violence on the people.
The Anti Corruption Commission should deploy its officials to all the ranks and see what police officers are doing. If the City of Harare and the Police are unable to take charge of their areas of jurisdiction, the best option is for them to officially invite an elite team of experienced military personnel to help them control the ranks and markets.
Zanu (PF) as a political party could be losing the battle to control these vigilante groups, and therefore have allowed the soldiers and the police to tame them through a violent and robust response, which in my view is short-sighted, a short-term intervention, lacking in seriousness to be sustainable. If the intention is to end their operations, then we would expect to see the presence of soldiers or the police and the municipal police on these ranks and markets until around 10pm every day. Reports abound that once the police finish their work, the mandimbandimba reign supreme – doing whatever they please. The soldiers are needed until a sustainable intervention is in place.
These thugs deserve no one’s sympathy as they have brought untold suffering to individuals and businesses. – Shumba writes in his personal capacity and views expressed herein do not reflect the position of the Harare Residents’ Trust of which he is director.
Post published in: Opinions & Analysis