THE THREAD:MARONDERA GANGS IN ZANU PF.
This thread is a follow up to the other thread I did a couple of weeks ago in which I was highlighting the existence of gangs in Zanu PF,this thread discusses events that I am privy to that took place between the year 2000 to year 2014.
This thread is a follow up to the other thread I did a couple of weeks ago in which I was highlighting the existence of gangs in Zanu PF,this thread discusses events that I am privy to that took place between the year 2000 to year 2014.
1.The land reform ushered in a new relationship between war veterans and youths particularly in Zanu PF. In Marondera Central most youths became involved in land takeovers that had been instigated by late Enock Zenda who was then Chief Svosve, as youths we had hoped to get land.
2.Though I was absent during most of the land invasions due to work commitments in Harare I had the opportunity to attend youth meetings in which land invasions and the need to support the Svosve people were discussed though at that time the Zanu PF party position was not clear.
3.When the Zanu PF position became clear that compulsory land acquisition was to be carried out,it further strengthened the resolve of the Marondera youths and war veterans, planning of programs was jointly done discussing how farms were to be taken over.
4.Though I never directly went for such farm invasions it was during this time that some of the youths we worked with in our structures had been involved in the takeover of former MDC MP Ian Kay's farm called Chipesa Farm which is in Marondera East,the takeover was violent.
5.Early 2000s marked the introduction of National Youth Service by then Minister of Youths the late Border Gezi,most youths in Marondera went for the program I was on the list of those who were to be the pioneer group meant to be trained in Mt Darwin at the first NYS centre.
6.I never managed to go for NYS training because I fell out over an issue with one guy who was responsible for recruiting youths,i however thought it was never meant for me. The return of the pioneer group of NYS graduants marked a new era in the Marondera political scenario.
7.Upon arrival from the NYS training those who had managed to go felt superior than some of us who had not managed to go for training,they had some imaginary power which was later translated to real power through Zanu PF structures and The Godfathers.
8.Fast forward to 2008 elections, I was part of one of the campaign teams that was in Nyameni high density surbub where a group of NYS graduants led the front for a Zanu PF reelection,as district executive members we had to work together to with the NYS team.
9.Carlos Mudzongo (MDC) was ward 8 candidate contesting against Mai Chikono (Zanu PF) on the other hand Ian Kay was contesting for MP Marondera Central against our candidate Peter Murwira who I insisted at the time was too weak to contest Kay in all aspects.
10.After nomination of Ian Kay on an MDC ticket several meetings were called where Zanu PF leaders in Marondera Central insisted that we could and should never allow a white man to be MP,I had been a little close to Carlos Mudzongo the MDC candidate then and to me nothing changed
11. Carlos and I remained close we talked as usual and that began to create problems for me,NYS graduant namely Norman Guramatunhu who was my neighbor confronted me over my regular drinking and chatting with Carlos,he made the consequences clear.
12.I made it clear to Norman that he was younger than me and he could not fight me in any way, I made it clear that Carlos had grown up with us and there was no need to perceive him as our enemy. Norman was outraged and a fight ensued and I outclassed him at it.
13.Carlos Mudzongo was always in the company of one Kainos Veterans whose name I shall mention later,these two were real fighters, they had often fought Zanu PF youths viciously and in a show of bravery always emerged victorious.They had a way of surviving any attacks.
14.After the 2008 elections the rest of candidates had their results announced except the Presidential result as we all know,a rerun was announced and things changed even at our level. New orders came and we're delivered by war veterans and military personnel.
15.We where called in as members of the Zanu PF youth league and told the party had gone into war mode, the country had to be defended from invasion by the whites disguised as a national party (MDC) all youths were told to be on high alert and defend the hard won independence.
16.It was at this stage that two gangs emerged one from the Nyameni Side of Marondera Code named Gudo and another in Dombotombo called The Leopards.The Gudo gang had a self anointed leader in Norman Guramatunhu who had also been named Magama Tongogara.
17.These two gangs never worked together,they only had exchanges of operating areas.The Leopards would cross to Nyameni while the Gudo gang would cross into Dombotombo where they would beat up perceived MDC members based on intelligence shared between the two gangs.
18.The Leopards were known for their love of beer and food and they would openly demand beer from bottle store operators & even money anyone who did not tow their line would get a thorough beating so most complied at one point they ate food meant for sale at Malwatte and Comoil.
19.The Gudo Gang was more of a crack unit, they were more like Commandos they preferred operating at night and were seriously committed to their cause to defend the country they were guided by the ideology instilled in them at the NYS, they meant business (in gangster terms)
20.Things began to get ugly as the two gangs became more and more powerful and notorious,most perceived and real MDC supporters ran away from Marondera in large numbers Kainos Betera (MDC activist) disappeared and so did MDC youth chair Bakayimani to this day they are missing.
21.The involvement of the gangs in the disappearance of MDC activists is not clear to this day. The gangs became even more powerful as we drew closer to the Presidential Rerun election, money was allocated to them through powerful party leaders to ensure the "troops" were covered
22.This brings to an end the introductory part of THE MARONDERA GANGS in the next thread I will only touch on the activities of the gangs during the run up to the election rerun and how such activities inflicted suffering on the residents of Marondera. Be patient it's a BOOK.
