Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. A CRITIC of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Malcom Masarira — popularly known as Traore — was arrested on Friday in Harare after being trapped with US$10 000.
Masarira, a prominent activist, who has garnered a substantial following through his online campaign advocating for Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s presidential bid, faces multiple charges, including inciting violence and attempting to undermine a constitutional government.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that Masarira was apprehended following a well-orchestrated trap involving his close friend, Lovemore Thomson, alias “Shorty” with US$10 000 used as bait.
He is being detained at Harare Central Police Station.
Thomson reportedly arranged a meeting with Masarira in Harare, leading to the latter disclosing his residential address.
The move culminated in Masarira’s capture after a spending spree in the capital.
Thomson yesterday dismissed the allegations.
“I am told there are people who are saying I was given US$10 000. They just want to tarnish my image, these are dogs. I am not a bogus person. I cannot defend myself now because they just want to tarnish my image,” he said.
The activist’s vocal criticisms of the Mnangagwa government, particularly the allegations against Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri’s daughter regarding drug supply, heightened the scrutiny of State security agencies.
In an unprecedented move, Muchinguri-Kashiri publicly condemned Masarira and called for his arrest during an interview with NewsDay, signalling the government’s growing intolerance for dissent.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed Masarira’s arrest, but declined to provide further details.
“Yes, he has been arrested. I am out of office at the moment, I could have given you details or you can go to the courts where he is appearing,” he said.
Masarira, who recently returned to Zimbabwe from South Africa, previously contested in the Zanu PF primary elections for the Chikanga constituency, He has since resorted to social media to mobilise support for his cause.
His push for Chiwenga’s presidency through the “General Chiwenga for President” movement has attracted thousands of followers, complicating the State’s response to his activism.
The arrest has sparked concern among Masarira’s supporters, many of whom fear retaliatory action from the government thus are seeking to distance themselves from the unfolding legal troubles.
The ruling Zanu PF party is experiencing deep fissures over a push by Mnangagwa’s loyalists for his term extension to 2030.
The party recently upheld resolution No 1 for the extension of Mnangagwa’s tenure at the party’s national people’s conference in Mutare recently.
It has directed the party’s legal affairs secretary and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs minister Ziyambi Ziyambi to use government structures to implement the resolution, passed in Bulawayo last year.
Mnangagwa, who has indicated that he will leave office in 2028, has reportedly faced criticism from other party structures over his continued silence over the matter.
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