Zanu PF MP’s vehicle used in attempted abduction of Bulawayo motorist

BULAWAYO – Two men were arrested on Monday after they attempted to abduct a motorist by throwing him in the back of a Zanu PF truck assigned to Insiza North MP Farai Taruvinga.

The incident, captured on video, was triggered by a minor road traffic accident.

Witnesses said after two vehicles “touched” on George Silundika Street between 10^th and 11^th Avenue in Bulawayo, one of the drivers attempted to leave the scene before police arrived, prompting the other driver to grab his keys to stop him leaving.

Incensed, the driver who wanted to flee allegedly called for “back-up” and within minutes, a Zanu PF-branded Mitsubishi truck arrived with four men who jumped off and began assaulting the other motorist, who claimed to be a soldier based in Harare.

The soldier, whose name could not be established, said four of his front teeth had become loose from the savage beating before his assailants tried to force him into the Zanu PF vehicle, registration AEN 7705. He jumped from the vehicle just as it was driving off with him. Onlookers stepped in and stopped the attempted abduction.

ZimLive has established that the Zanu PF branded truck is owned by Taruvinga and was being driven by a man identified as Sifiso Mpofu, who drove off from the scene before police arrived.

The two men who were arrested are believed to both work at Fred Gold Mine in Filabusi. One of the men, who wore a blue shirt, has been named only as Tatenda.

In a statement to ZimLive, Taruvinga said: “Things didn’t happen as they seem in video. My manager Sifiso was collecting some orders from a shop called Vaiton in that general area and by some bad coincidence there was this street fight between the gold panner from Filabusi and a soldier after an accident in the centre parking.

“It appears these men recognised my car and then tried to drag this soldier into it, for whatever reason. Sifiso was completely unaware of what was going on and was surprised when they put that man in the car. I don’t believe in violence and I’m disappointed by how this has been portrayed.”