A GUN-WIELDING bogus State security agent, Guthrie Chiredzero, who allegedly breached President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s close security on two occasions last December, is now set to endure a long stay behind bars pending trial after his appeal against bail, was yesterday dismissed by the High Court.
BY CHARLES LAITON
Chiredzero (40), who is popularly known as “Madzibaba Guthrie” by his apostolic followers, was picked up by members of the military police after he allegedly positioned himself close to Mnangagwa on December 6 last year.
It is the State’s case that Chiredzero was arrested while trying to disguise his identify by controlling movement of people at a function for the renaming of King George (KGVI) Barracks to Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks in Harare.
Two days prior to the incident, Chiredzero had allegedly used the same modus operandi and gained entry into State House, where Cabinet ministers were taking oaths of office before Mnangagwa.
However, when Chiredzero appeared before Harare magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa facing charges of possession of an offensive weapon at a public gathering, impersonation and forgery, he was denied bail but later approached the High Court challenging the lower court’s ruling.
But Justice Clement Phiri dismissed Chiredzero’s application on the basis that he was not a good candidate for bail. Chiredzero’s judgement was delivered by High Court judge, Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo, in the family court, on behalf of Justice Phiri.
It is the State case that on December 4, Chiredzero sneaked into State House during the inauguration of Cabinet ministers masquerading as a State security agent and was spotted near the podium controlling human traffic.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
It was later established that Chiredzero had produced a fake Central Intelligence Organisation identity card at the security checkpoint to gain entry into State House.
Using the same modus operandi, Chiredzero allegedly broke into Mnangagwa’s security team at Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks on December 6, where he arrived in the company of two unidentified accomplices driving a BMW X5.
Chiredzero again is said to have produced a fake CIO identity card bearing his names.
While at the venue, Chiredzero was seen roaming around the front seats before he allegedly positioned himself close to the podium, where Mnangagwa was addressing the gathering.
The State alleges Chiredzero was intercepted by alert military personnel, who inquired about his presence, and he claimed to be a CIO operative and upon realising that Chiredzero was being quizzed by soldiers, his unidentified accomplices sneaked out of the venue and disappeared.
The State alleges military personnel then established that Chiredzero was a bogus CIO operative and in his possession, he had a special Amando Rossi South African revolver with three live rounds of ammunition and two spent cartridges.
