Graffiti Protest

Zimbabwe Standard (Harare)

November 14, 2004
Posted to the web November 15, 2004

Chimanimani

Unknown people on Monday night painted graffiti on buses belonging to a Mutare businessperson and ruling party stalwart in Manicaland protesting over the incarceration of their legislator, Roy Bennett.

Parliament two weeks ago jailed Bennett, the MP for Chimanimani for assaulting Patrick Chinamasa, the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.

Four buses belonging to Esau Mupfumi, the Zanu PF secretary for transport in Manicaland province, were sprayed with messages demanding Bennett's release.

Some of the messages read:" Release Honourable Bennett"; "He has no case to answer"; and "We want our MP back", among others.

The police in Chimanimani confirmed the incident and said investigations were in progress.

Mupfumi said he was not sure who could be behind the action."I don't know the people behind the incident, but I have since repainted the buses."

Police sources said the MDC could be linked to the incident and they were closing in on suspected MDC supporters.

However, the opposition MDC has distanced itself from the incident. Pardon Maguta, the party's Chimanimani co-ordinator said: "This has nothing to do with the MDC, but the people of Chimanimani who voted Bennett into Parliament."