Police arrest Gutu gang

Zim Now Writer

Police in Gutu have arrested four members of a Zanu PF gang notorious for terrorising people in the district. Two of the members were arrested for allegedly obstructing the course of justice after they fought cops trying to apprehend the other two members.

The remaining two were arrested for alleged assault.

Josephat Sarukore, a land baron who sells residential stands at Gracelands in Mpandawana Growth Point donated to him by the party for free, and Joseph Mudziwepasi, were arrested on Monday.

They have since been remanded in custody to May 16, 2023, by Gutu magistrate Mandlekosi Ndhlovu after they appeared in court on Tuesday.

Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Kudakwashe Dhewa said he could not comment on the matter since the case is now before the courts.

Human rights lawyer Martin Mureri described the gang as notorious and unrepentant.

Sarukore, a Zanu PF Gutu DCC chairman and the most feared political activist in the district and Mudziwepasi had running battles with police at Gracelands suburb on Monday.

The two pulled Sylvester Mashamba and Jonathan Mugutso out of the police vehicle after they had been arrested on charges of assault.

Several times, police would again take the suspects into the car, but Sarukore and Mudziwepasi would pull them out.

The four were eventually arrested after police decided to apprehend Sarukore, who is widely regarded as the terror leader. Police detained the four in custody overnight and brought them to court on Tuesday. Mashamba and Mugutso were released, while Sarukore and Mudziwepasi were remanded in custody.

Mashamba and Mugutso were arrested for allegedly assaulting builders constructing houses in the Gracelands suburb. Anyone contracted to build a house at Sarukore’s housing scheme is required to always wear Zanu PF regalia.