The Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) agent Joseph Mwale accused of masterminding the gruesome murder to two top MDC-T activists in 2000, reportedly formed part of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirais security team during his recent tour of the Chiadzwa diamond fields.
Mwale was implicated 12 years ago in the brutal murder of Talent Mabika and Tichaona Chiminya, who were burnt to ashes after their vehicle was petrol bombed. In 2006 police reportedly received but did not enforce a written order from the Attorney-Generals Office to arrest Mwale.
That same year High Court judge Justice James Devitte ordered Mwale to be brought to trial for the murders. That has not happened, to date. Instead, the operative was reportedly promoted within the CIO ranks.
Chiminya, then an aide to Tsvangirai, the MDC leader and Mabika, a youth activist, were petrol-bombed in their vehicle while campaigning for the party ahead of the 2000 parliamentary elections in the Premiers rural home area, Buhera.
So I heard that he was there, Tsvangirais spokesperson Luke Tamborinyoka said yesterday.
When you have criminals in the employ of the State it tells the justice delivery system has collapsed. Joseph Mwale must face justice together with a lot of people and we have their names. We sent a list of criminals who committed crimes, but the Attorney-General decides not to act on that, said Tamborinyoka.
Mwales presence in the PMs delegation, observers said, might have been calculated to prove Tsvangirai had no power to cause the arrest of Zanu PF activists implicated in the murder of his party supporters.
Mwale and three Zanu PF activists, including Webster Gwama, Bernard Makuwe and Morris Kainos Zimunya, also known as Kitsiyatota, were identified as perpetrators of the brutal attack. The other three are free on bail and the case has never proceeded.
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In 2004 Mwales co-accused were indicted of two counts of murder, but he never got arrested. His whereabouts had also remained a closely guarded secret although previous reports had indicated he was based in Nyanga.
Tsvangirai, at the time expressed reservations over what he saw as a token prosecution since the alleged gang leader Mwale was being left out.
He said the move was calculated to confer future impunity by facilitating acquittals rather than ensuring justice.
In 2009, the then co-Home Affairs minister from the MDC-T Giles Mutsekwa announced his ministry had directed all people with criminal cases to be arrested.
Mwale was included, but to date he has remained a free man amid reports the docket containing records of the case had vanished.
