The recently-launched Mbare Old Boys and Girls’ Association is set to confront the Zanu PF shadowy militia group, Chipangano, which has reportedly terrorised residents since 2008 in an effort to bring sanity to Harare’s oldest and most populous suburb.
Although Chipangano is linked to Zanu PF, the party has reportedly disowned it, labelling it a criminal outfit.
Harare mayor Muchadeyi Masunda told NewsDay the association last week donated 200 litres of fuel to boost the council’s anti-litter programmes and pledged to flush out criminal elements operating in the suburb.
“The association has vowed to deal with a group that is masquerading as Chipangano,” Masunda told a full council meeting on Monday. He, however, declined to name leaders of the association. But one of the three MDC-T Mbare councillors, Friday Muleya, said he was unaware of the association.
“I don’t know about the association, but the situation remains tense. We no longer hold meetings,” Muleya said.
Chipangano has reportedly invaded several council properties including Carter House, Mupedzanhamo market, Mbare vegetable market and several flea markets where the group is reportedly collecting rentals from tenants and stall holders. Council recently admitted that it had lost a lot of revenue after Chipangano took over its properties and used the rentals to fund its operations.
Mbare MP Piniel Denga (MDC-T) recently admitted the group had barred him from conducting public party meetings. Last year, a house belonging to former councillor Paul Gorekore was attacked while an MDC-T office in the area was petrol-bombed.
