In a startling incident early Friday morning, armed men claiming to be law enforcement officers raided the home of Daily News editor Guthrie Munyuki in Westgate, Zimbabwe. This action followed a significant error in an advert published by sister publication The Financial Gazette, which mistakenly suggested that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had passed away.
Munyuki was not present during the raid, but his family was reportedly held at the home. The assailants temporarily confiscated their phones to review communications, raising concerns over privacy and intimidation tactics.
The raid was executed by nearly a dozen men driving in two vehicles, including a Toyota Fortuner and a Toyota Hilux. They demanded to know Munyuki’s whereabouts and even approached his brother, who resides nearby. Alarmingly, Munyuki’s wife reported being followed by some of the men during her morning run, while others remained stationed outside their home.
Lawyer Alex Muchadehama was scheduled to meet with police on Friday morning to seek clarification regarding the raid and the circumstances surrounding it.
The controversy stemmed from an advert that ran on Thursday, placed by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to congratulate Mnangagwa on his 82nd birthday. The advert concluded with the phrase, “May his soul rest in eternal peace,” which sparked outrage and confusion. In response to the backlash, the Daily News issued an apology, attributing the error to “lapses in the production process.”
Mistakes in advertisements are not uncommon in Zimbabwean media, where ad departments often use outdated templates and editors may not review the content before publication. This incident occurs at a particularly sensitive time, just days after a military helicopter crash that disrupted plans to transport Mnangagwa.
Sources indicate that paranoia among Mnangagwa’s aides and loyalists is intensifying, with discussions suggesting that he may consider skipping the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York due to heightened fears of security and stability. The incident underscores the tense atmosphere surrounding the current political landscape in Zimbabwe.
In other news – Drama unfolds at Spirit Angels of God church in Beitbridge
In a dramatic turn of events at the Spirit Angels of God Church in Beitbridge, former ZANU PF ward 4 councillor and current party official Aphos Ndlovu clashed with the church’s founder, Archbishop Paul Simetch Ndlovu, over his expulsion from the congregation. This confrontation on Sunday left Ndlovu visibly enraged as he insisted on retaining his status as a bishop.
The conflict erupted after Archbishop Ndlovu officially informed Ndlovu of his dismissal, citing gross misconduct and insubordination. Tensions escalated when Ndlovu, along with his wife and brother-in-law, stormed out of the church following the confrontation. Read More
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