Tafadzwa Nyikadzino
The Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Energy Mutodi allegedly assaulted a Zanu PF Goromonzi West Ward 4 district Chairperson Patrick Rwafa over the controversial Presidential rice last Saturday in Domboshava.
Mutodi who is the legislator for the constituency reportedly punched Rwafa twice on his head after a heated argument between the two who were overseeing the distribution.
The incident reportedly took place at Showground shopping centre where Rwafa was assaulted by Mutodi after they failed to agree on the time to distribute the rice since Rwafa had suggested they wait for other Zanu PF senior members who had attended a funeral which didn’t go well with Mutodi.
“Honourable Mutodi came with Presidential rice to give party members in the district. So our Chairman, Mr Rwafa asked the M.P to delay the distribution process for a little while to wait for other party cadres who were attending a funeral of one of our senior district member. Honourable Mutodi refused to wait for them and opted to go ahead with the distribution saying those who were absent should either abscond the funeral to get their share or miss out. Cde Rwafa then asked the M.P to preserve their share but the M.P lost his cool and went on to Punch Cde Rwafa twice on the head before he was held by other party members” said a source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Rwafa confirmed the incident and said he was severely injured and had to be taken to Makumbe Hospital after he was feeling dizzy.
“It is true, M.P Mutodi assaulted me on January 11, 2020. He punched me twice on the head after I asked him to delay the distribution of rice for a little while and wait for some of our district members who were attending a funeral of our fellow member who had passed away as is our custom. The M.P refused and said they should abscond the funeral in order for them to receive their portion. We also had a misunderstanding on the number of bags he availed to the district. I asked him why he came with only 8 bags of rice when he was supposed to bring 10 bags and why he was distributing rice to people he came with who are not from my district and that is when he lost his cool and punched me twice on my head. The M.P had to be refrained by Peter Nyakudya who is my Deputy together with Cde Mawodza because he wanted to continue beating me up while I was not retaliating”, he said.
Mr Rwafa said he made a police report against Dr Mutodi at Chinhamora Police Station and a docket number RRB 4021600 was opened.
He also said he is waiting for a medical report which he intends to use in court against Dr Mutodi.
Another source who witnessed the incident said they were embarrassed by the actions that were displayed by their legislator as it would spoil the party’s name.
“I feel so embarrassed by what our M.P did. I understand that he may have been provoked by the questions he was asked but for him to punch a senior leader in front of everyone like that was not wise. He went against the ethos of the party which call for peace, unity and development” said the source.
Efforts to get a comment from Dr Mutodi were fruitless as he wasn’t answering his phone up until the time of publishing.
However, this publication has it on good authority that Dr Mutodi issued a statement to Sarakunzehuona District Executive Members suspending Rwafa from his position after the incident.
In a statement which is in our possession, Dr Mutodi accused Rwafa of teaming up with opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) to disturb him from distributing the Presidential rice.
He also stated that he did not assault Rwafa but the latter was pushed by members of the CIO who accompany Ministers as they execute their parliamentary duties.
“I hereby give notice that Patrick Rwafa is with immediate effect suspended from holding office as District Chairperson of Sarakunzehouna District and barred from participating in any party activities. Disciplinary proceedings will be taken against him in accordance with party rules. During a presidential rice distribution exercise on Sunday, Rwafa teamed up with some MDC sympathizers to disturb the Honorable MP and disrupt him from distributing the rice to party members who were gathered at Showground. Rwafa tried to obstruct the Honorable MP from distributing the rice and wanted to be given bags of rice so that he could distribute later in the absence of the MP. He produced a list of names with people who were not present at the meeting and demanded their rice. Unfortunately as the Honorable MP, I kam insisting that the rice be distributed in my presence so that no one is disadvantaged. We are kaware that Rwafa is working with opposition elements and is extorting money from unsuspecting individuals promising them to contest for MP in 2023 on a ZANU PF ticket the same way he did with Leeroy Murape. Disciplinary procedures are currently underway to allow Rwafa to explain his wayward bahaviour. He was not assaulted as he is alleging but was simply pushed away by members of the CIO who accompany Ministers during the execution of their parliamentary duties. Patrick Rwafa is now a danger to the party because of his extortionist tendencies and as the Honorable MP I will not be able to work with him going forward. The District Executive is hereby instructed to appoint an Acting Chairman while disciplinary procedures are underway. Regards,
Hon Dr Energy MUTODI (MP), Provincial Member,” reads the statement.
Rwafa however rubbished the suspension saying Dr Mutodi had no power to suspend him as he is just a provincial member.
“Mutodi has actually committed an offense by suspending me because he has no power to do that. He is just a provincial member so his suspension is null and void as it does not follow party procedures” he said.
Recently Chivi South legislator Killer Zivhu caused chaos after he alleged that the presidential rice meant for his constituency had gone missing.
Zivhu fingered Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Ezra Chadzamira in the brawl which has since caught attention of the police.
Do you have a story you want to share? Get in touch with us on 0775 011 709/0718 041 316/ 071 898 9310 and be heard.
Domboshava Dot Coms, Telling the Domboshava story
Comments
Post a Comment