Zimbabwean Tourism Deputy Minister, Tongai Mafidi Mnangagwa, was reportedly assaulted by a security personnel assigned to the Zanu PF headquarters.
The incident occurred during a confrontation over a parking space. The accused, Munyaradzi Mwedziwendira, pleaded guilty to the assault charges in front of Harare magistrate Apollonia Marutya. He is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on Monday. Mwedziwendira, also facing charges of possessing prohibited drugs, revealed that he was a security detail at the Zanu PF headquarters.
According to court documents, on January 30, around 10 pm, Mnangagwa, accompanied by Wellington Vengesai and Handson Gapa, exited an apartment building at Number 6 Trud Mansions, located at the corner of 6th Street and Five Avenue in Harare. They had attended a party at the flat. While making their way to the parking lot, they encountered Mwedziwendira, who was loudly complaining that Mnangagwa and his team had blocked his vehicles. Mwedziwendira allegedly charged towards Mnangagwa, grabbing him by the collar, and then turned his attention to Vengesai.
Using both hands, Mwedziwendira held Vengesai by his beard and questioned why he hadn’t shaved. He also threatened to shoot them if they made fun of him, although no firearm was produced. However, the complainants managed to push Mwedziwendira away, and Gapa even overpowered him when he attempted to assault him. Mwedziwendira then fled the scene in his Nissan Caravan, parked nearby. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the assault.
The CID Homicide unit then tracked and arrested Mwedziwendira.