Suspected drug dealer arrested for assaulting minister. A man from Harare, who is suspected of being involved in drug dealing, was found guilty of assaulting Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Tongai Mnangagwa, and his party host, Wellington Vengesai. The incident occurred due to a dispute over parking space.
The accused, Munyaradzi Antony Mwedziwendira (30), pleaded guilty to two counts of assault during his appearance before Harare magistrate, Mrs Appollonia Marutya. He is set to be sentenced on Monday. According to the prosecution led by Mr Thomas Chanakira, the incident took place on Tuesday around 10:15pm.
Deputy Minister Mnangagwa and Handson Gapa were leaving Mr Vengesai’s apartment at Trude Mansions when they encountered Mwedziwendira, who was loudly complaining that his motor vehicles were blocked by Mr Vengesai and his friends. Mwedziwendira allegedly grabbed Deputy Minister Mnangagwa by the collar before turning his attention towards Mr Vengesai.
He held Mr Vengesai by his beard with both hands and questioned why he had not shaved. Mwedziwendira then threatened to shoot the two individuals he had already assaulted, although he did not produce any firearm. Mr Gapa intervened and restrained Mwedziwendira, who subsequently fled the scene at high speed.
However, more serious charges were brought against Mwedziwendira and his employee, Jasper Cephas Kuziva. The police received a report around the same time indicating that Mwedziwendira and Kuziva were involved in drug dealing and were also involved in a brawl with members of the public at a shopping center. Detectives arrived at the scene to find the two suspects fleeing, leaving behind four vehicles allegedly containing dangerous drugs.
The police conducted a search of the vehicles, which included a silver BMW 530I, red VW, Mercedes Benz C240, and a silver Mercedes Benz C220. Unfortunately, they were unable to access the boots of the vehicles as they were locked. Consequently, the vehicles were placed under 24-hour police guard until the arrest of Mwedziwendira and Kuziva.
The two accused were ultimately apprehended on Wednesday. Kuziva was found in possession of the car keys. A search of the vehicles led to the discovery of two sachets of mbanje (cannabis) and a passport under the name of Antony Mwedziwendira in the Mercedes Benz C220. Two other vehicles were unlocked, leading to the recovery of 26 prepared cannabis cigarettes and 21 sachets of dagga (cannabis).
Additionally, various types of medication and tablets were uncovered, including pentral-50 pills, Sildenafil tablets, cobra tablets, sex force tablets, Oto tablets, Viamax power sex coffee, super power capsules, man king tablets, Bang Bang strong man capsules, and AK 47 super satchets. The trunk of one of the vehicles contained packaged mbanje valued at $825,000. The drugs and vehicles have been seized as evidence and are being held at Milton Park Police Station.
