In the course of Charles’ research for The Land Reform Deception respondents frequently pointed to car crashes as examples of assassinations undertaken by the government against political opponents, or by factions with ties to state resources against their opponents. For example, a respondent in military intelligence explained specifically how some individuals are deliberately killed by staged car crashes in order for the government to provide plausible deniability about the death of certain individuals.
Out of interest Charles explored details surrounding the deaths of some senior individuals since independence in 1980. The following list is not systematic and he am not suggesting that these individuals were deliberately killed. However, Charles did find the number of senior individuals involved in car crashes to be very high; moreover, many of the crashes paralleled accounts given by respondents in how some crashes were deliberately orchestrated.
Senior Officials Involved in Vehicle Crashes
A surprisingly high number of senior officials in Zimbabwe are involved in car crashes, and many occur under suspicious circumstances. The deaths of Lookout Masuku, Edwin Nleya, Shepard Chisango, Learnmore Jongwe, Innocent Makamure, and others are frequently cited in reports and NGOs as suspicious. Reports from foreign governments also suggest that not all vehicle crashes are accidents. A confidential cable from the US Embassy in Harare stated that vehicle crashes were, “a way of dying long associated here [in Zimbabwe] with ZANU-PF political assassination.” The following excerpt from a cable sent from the US Embassy in Harare gives another example of how the US intelligence services sees some crashes:
“ZANU-PF political commissar ELLIOT MANYIKA died in a car accident last Saturday when his car suffered a blown tire. In rumour-driven Zimbabwe there is considerable speculation that this was not in fact an accident. MANYIKA was close to Emmerson Mnangagwa and was viewed as a hardliner who was attempting to reform ZANU-PF party structures in support of Mnangagwa. Perhaps not coincidentally, his two immediate predecessors died under similar circumstances. Border Gezi died on April 28, 2001 when his car skidded of the road. Moven Mahachi died on May 26, 2001 when his Range Rover also went off the road.”
Charles limited discussion here to that of vehicle crashes because during an interview with a senior officer in the army, Steven Sebungwe, the respondent specifically identified the practice of causing vehicle crashes as a method used by ZANU-PF to eliminate political opponents. Sebungwe explained:
“Even in the CIO they have such departments, the ‘Dirty Tricks Departments,’ who are responsible for all these strange cars [crashes]. I don’t know how they do it and where they were trained to do that, but even a new Mercedes Benz, even if you just give them time to tamper around with that car it will suddenly burst a tyre. Even if you take it to quality control people and they will tell you this tyre is perfect, it’s new, but you will suddenly be having it bursting. They use it in ZANU-PF to eliminate their enemies.”
Hover, the following list is not exhaustive or intended to suggest that some or all individuals suffered suspicious crashes. Zimbabwe has notoriously poor roads, and drivers frequently collide with slow-moving vehicles and livestock. Information regarding their crashes is scant and often filled with conjecture; indeed the possible reasons for the crash – provided by me – are speculative and it is probable that at least some of these incidents were genuine accidents. Nevertheless, the table below shows that a surprisingly large number of senior political figures are involved in accidents that share similar patterns.
List of Senior Officials, Family Members and Staff Involved in Vehicle Crashes
| Date | Name | Party | Details | |
| 1. | 26 Dec. 1979 | Tongogara, Josiah
ZANLA Chief of Defence |
ZANU | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Josiah Tongogara Description: Collision with parked vehicle Possible motive: Mugabe’s potential rival for leadership of post-independence Zimbabwe |
| 2. | 1989 | Ndangana, William
Deputy Defence Minister |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
One fatality: William Ndangana Description: Unknown Possible motive: Said to have been mistakenly killed; target was allegedly Edgar Tekere |
| 3. | 1992 | Ngwenya, Mthandazo Ndema
Novelist and academic |
Unknown | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Mthandazo Ndema Ngwenya Description: Unknown Possible motive: Critic of the government |
| 4. | June 1992 | Giwa, Christopher
Youth leader, activist |
Unknown | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Christopher Giwa Description: Unknown Possible motive: Student leader who opposed Mugabe |
| 5. | 1994 | Malunga, Sydney
Member of Parliament |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Sydney Malunga Description: Vehicle swerved to avoid a ‘black dog’ Possible motive: Critic of Mugabe. Malunga was repeatedly detained and eventually acquitted of aiding dissidents in the mid 1980s during the Gukurahundi crisis. |
| 6. | 1995 | Rukarwa, Witness
Governor of Mashonaland West |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Witness Rukarwa Description: Unknown Possible motive: Feuding within ZANU-PF |
| 7. | 1995 | Ushewokunze, Chris
Minister |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Chris Ushewokunze Description: Head-on collision with army lorry Possible motive: Unknown |
| 8. | 1996 | Duri, Zororo
ZANU-PF chairman in Manicaland |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Duri, Zororo Description: Unknown Possible motive: Disobeying orders from senior ZANU-PF leaders |
| 9. | 1996 | Pamire, Peter
Businessman |
Unknown | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Peter Pamire Description: Brake failure Possible motive: Alleged romantic liaisons with Grace Mugabe. The death of Peter Pamire in a car crash brought about the term, the ‘Pamire Silencing Method,’ which means a planned car crash to kill the victim. Sebungwe explained: ‘When he was killed he was coming from the airport. He had gone to South Africa. People believed that he was having an affair with Grace Mugabe. So I don’t know what happened to his car. I think they cut one of his brake pipes. So when he was driving home at night he was involved in an accident. He died on the spot.’ |
| 10. | 1996 | Zvobgo, Edson
Minister |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
No fatalities. Description: Unknown Possible motive: Unknown |
| 11. | Aug. 2000 | Gwanzura, Rufaro
Member of Parliament |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Rufaro Gwanzura Description: Unknown Possible motive: Possibly connected to a political rivalry with ZANU-PF member Cleophas Kundiona |
| 12. | 28 Apr. 2001 | Gezi, Border
Minister |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Border Gezi Description: Burst tyre Possible motive: Minister Border Gezi’s fatal vehicle crash on 28 April 2001 was featured for several days on the front page of the national newspaper and ZANU-PF mouthpiece, The Herald. I include the following account because it coincides with claims made by respondent Steven Sebungwe, a senior army officer. A Herald story on 30 April 2001 stated that the Minister Gezi was being driven in a Mercedes Benz and that ‘preliminary investigations’ had noted that the rear left tyre had burst (see a copy of the article on following pages). An inquest was held, and two CMED officials (from the same repair and maintenance facility Sebungwe cited) were found guilty of culpable homicide . Interestingly, a report from The Herald noted that one of the accused died before the trial was completed . A confidential cable sent from the US Embassy in Harare reported the vehicle crashed due to a ‘tire blowout.’ |
| 13. | 26 May 2001 | Mahachi, Moven
Defence Minister |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Moven Mahachi Description: Head-on collision Possible motive: Could have been suspected of involvement in a coup plot and of opposing diamond theft from the DRC. |
| 14. | 21 June 2007 | Gunda, Armstrong
Brigadier and former commander of Presidential Guard |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Armstrong Gunda Description: Train hit his car Possible motive: Suspected participant in alleged coup attempt |
| 15. | 6 Dec. 2008 | Manyika, Elliot
Minister |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Elliot Manyika Description: Burst tyre Possible motive: A confidential cable sent from the US Embassy in Harare stated that the Zimbabwe government was investigating individuals for the alleged assassination of Manyika. |
| 16. | 10 Feb. 2009 | Dube, Timond
Aide to Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe Catherine Mabhiza Mother of Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe |
MDC | Type: Car crash
Two fatalities: Timond Dube and Catherine Mabhiza Description: Catherine Mabhiza and Timond Dube were travelling in the same vehicle. Dube died at the scene whilst Mabhiza died on 26 March 2009 in South Africa from injuries sustained in the crash. Possible motive: Death may been to undermine Thokozani Khupe |
| 17. | 6 Mar. 2009 | Tsvangirai, Morgan
Opposition leader and Prime Minister Tsvangirai, Susan Wife of Morgan Tsvangirai |
MDC | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Susan Tsvangirai (wife of Morgan Tsvangirai) Description: Collision with lorry Possible motive: Opposition leader and political rival to ZANU-PF. Presidential Guard Captain Ibrahim Chasakara allegedly admitted to masterminding an assassination attempt against Morgan Tsvangirai. |
| 18. | 11 Mar. 2009 | Muswere, Francis
District chairman for Makoni West |
MDC | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Francis Muswere Description: Unknown Possible motive: Political rival |
| 19. | 13 Mar. 2009 | Sipepa-Nkomo, Samuel
Water Resources Minister |
MDC | Type: Car crash
No fatalities Description: Vehicle rammed from behind. Vehicle also contained Gorden Moyo (Minister of State) Possible motive: Opposition minister |
| 20. | 13 Apr. 2009 | Mutsekwa, Giles
Home Affairs co-Minister |
MDC | Type: Car crash
No fatalities Description: Vehicle rammed from behind Possible motive: Opposition minister |
| 21. | 17 July 2009 | Pemhenayi, Charles
Member of the House of Assembly for Mutare North, Member of Parliament |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Charles Pemhenayi Description: A cable from the US Embassy in Harare stated the following: ‘After initially asserting that foul play was not suspected, police now report that a car sped away when police first arrived on the accident scene to investigate the deadly crash. The MP’s wife and son suffered minor injuries in a separate car accident on Tuesday on their way to PEMHENAYI’s funeral.’ Possible motive: Unknown |
| 22. | 21 July 2009 | Pemhenayi, ?
Wife of Charles Pemhenayi |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
No fatalities Description: Pemhenayi’s wife and son received minor injuries in a car crash on their way to Charles Pemhenayi’s funeral Possible motive: Unknown |
| 23. | 7 Nov. 2009 | Nyamande, John
Member of Parliament |
MDC | Type: Car crash
One fatality: John Nyamande Description: Collision with parked vehicle Possible motive: Opposition politician |
| 24. | 13 Feb. 2010 | Tsvangirai, Morgan
Opposition leader and Prime Minister |
MDC | Type: Car crash
No fatalities Description: Burst tyre Possible motive: Opposition leader, political rival |
| 25. | 23 Mar. 2010 | Biti, Tendai
Minister of Finance |
MDC | Type: Car crash
No fatalities Description: Collision with lorry Possible motive: Opposition minister. Initiated numerous finance measures unpopular with ZANU-PF |
| 26. | 24 Mar. 2010 | Gasela, Renson
Founding member of MDC. Mlambo, Lyson Midlands South Provincial Chairperson Gumbo, Ntombizodwa Chair of the women’s assembly for Midlands south Renson, Lyson Women Assembly Provincial Chairperson for Midlands South |
MDC | Type: Car crash
Three fatalities: Renson Gasela, Lyson Mlambo, Ntombizodwa Gumbo, and Lyson Renson Description: Collision with stationary lorry Possible motive: Opposition party politicians |
| 27. | 24 Mar. 2010 | Nkomo, Alice
Anti-corruption Commissioner, ZANU-PF Central Committee Member |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Alice Nkomo Description: Sideswiped by a car attempting to over-take Possible motive: Unknown |
| 28. | 11 Sept. 2010 | Magunda, Alex
MDC district chairman for St. Mary’s Sango, Loveless District vice chairperson for St. Marys Muzuva, Innocent Secretary for Ward 1 in St. Mary’s Taruvinga, Connie St. Mary’s Organising Secretary (Taruvinga eventually passed away from injuries on 11 October 2010) |
MDC | Type: Car crash
Four fatalities: Alex Magunda, Loveless Sango, Innocent Muzuva, and Connie Taruvinga Possible motive: Unknown. Accounts suggest the incident was a genuine accident. |
| 29. | 11 Oct. 2010 | Dube, Edwin
Deputy Editor for Zimbabwe Independent’s |
MDC (assumed) | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Edwin Dube Description: Vehicle sideswiped by truck Possible motive: Government critic and for exposing corruption |
| 30. | 3 Nov. 2010? | Mabhena, Norman
MDC national executive member |
MDC | Type: Car crash
No fatalities Description: Two attempts were made to ‘bump him off the road’ Possible motive: Perhaps for embarrassing ZANU-PF leadership. The following gives more insight: ‘Our correspondent Lionel Saungweme told us that Mabhena had also been receiving death threats, two of which included phone calls telling him “he was going to die for embarrassing the ZANU PF leadership.” In the last two weeks the MDC official was getting late night visits to his home from unknown people… Mabhena started receiving threats after his family spurned a ZANU PF offer last month to have his brother, Welshman, interred at the national shrine’. |
| 31. | 1 Dec. 2010 | Ndlovu, Jabulani
Hwange Senator |
MDC | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Jabulani Ndlovu Description: Unknown Possible motive: Unknown |
| 32. | 23 July 2012 | Ncube, Ntabiso
Son of Welshman Ncube, president of an MDC faction |
MDC | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Ntabiso Ncube Description: Vehicle ‘rammed into a wall’ at 2am Possible motive: Son of MDC leader |
| 33. | 10 Dec. 2012 | Mujuru-Makoni, Chipo
Daughter of Vice President Joyce Mujuru
|
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
Two fatalities: 2-month old son of Dr Amin Hamidzadeh and the driver of the vehicle Joseph Ngonji Description: Chipo Mujuru-Makoni collided with a vehicle containing the family of Dr Amin Hamidzadeh Possible motive: Unknown |
| 34. | 19 June 2013 | Chindori-Chininga, Edward Takaruza
Former Mines Minister |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Edward Takaruza Chindori-Chininga Description: ‘Rammed into a tree’ after failing to stop at an intersection Possible motive: Was allegedly accused of being ‘Baba Jukwa,’ the online source of numerous ZANU-PF secrets. Also alleged to be investigating the ties between ZANU-PF and the mining industry. |
| 35. | 14 July 2013 | Dhliwayo, Elliot
Human rights activist |
MDC | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Elliot Dhliwayo Description: Vehicle sideswiped by two cars who failed to stop after the accident Possible motive: Human rights activist critical of ZANU-PF |
| 36. | 20 Aug. 2013 | Karakadzai, Mike
National Railways of Zimbabwe general manager, retired Air Commodore |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Mike Karakadzai Description: Vehicle was said to have hit a cow Possible motive: Unknown |
| 37. | 27 Dec. 2013 | Sikhala, Job
MDC-99 president |
MDC | Type: Car crash
No fatalities Description: Sikhala, his wife and children were involved in a major accident reportedly due to brake failure Possible motive: Opposition politician |
| 38. | 25 Feb. 2014 | Bango, William
MDC Activist, Veteran Journalist, Tsvangirai aide |
MDC | Type: Car crash
One fatality: William Bango Description: Unknown Possible motive: Opposition politician |
| 39. | 20 Oct. 2014 | Moyo, Lovemore
Former speaker of parliament, MDC-T National Chairman |
MDC | Type: Car crash
One fatality: Vumani Mahlangu (driver of Moyo’s) vehicle eventually died from his injuries Description: Unknown Possible motive: Opposition politician |
| 40. | 21 Oct. 2014 | Mnangagwa, Emmerson
Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
No fatalities Description: Car made a sudden turn into Mnangagwa’s vehicle. Possible motive: Intensifying factional conflict. |
| 41. | 8 Nov. 2014 | Butau, David
Mbire legislator, key ally of VP Joyce Mujuru |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
No fatalities Description: Vehicle said to hit ‘at least six donkeys’ Possible motive: Long-time ally of the Mujuru family. Comes at a time of intensifying jockeying by ZANU-PF ahead of the December 2014 ruling party conference. Also comes at a key time when Joyce Mujuru is under intense pressure by Grace Mugabe who has newly emerged as a key political player and potential successor to her husband. |
| 42. | 28 Nov. 2014 | Kabuyuni, Gokwe
MDC district chairperson |
MDC | Type: Bus crash
One fatality: Shushine Siyamandanda Description: Front tyre of bus burst causing the vehicle to veer off the road Possible motive: Opposition politician |
| 43. | 13 Dec. 2014 | Phelekezela, Mphoko
Vice President |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
No fatalities Description: Vehicle made a sudden stop causing a rear-end collision Possible motive: Unknown |
| 44. | 15 Feb. 2016 | Mnangagwa, Samora
Son of Emmerson Mnangagwa, Vice-President of Zimbabwe |
ZANU-PF | Type: Car crash
No fatalities Description: Samora Mnangagwa’s vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with a bread delivery vehicle. Possible motive: Factionalism. Emmerson Mnangagwa, Samora Mnangagwa, is the leading figure in the Robert Mugabe succession battle with Grace Mugabe. |
Moven Mahachi Vehicle Crash
The fatal vehicle crash on 26 May 2001 involving ZANU-PF Minister of Defence Moven Mahachi was viewed with particular suspicion by a farmer respondent, Gerry Garner (Mashonaland West, interviewed on 2 March 2007), in part because it came just 28 days after ZANU-PF Minister Border Gezi was involved in a similar fatal vehicle crash. Respondent Garner believed that when Mahachi’s vehicle came to rest, CIO operatives mistakenly placed the Government number plate right side up over the original vehicle’s inverted civilian number plate. On 28 May 2001, The Herald ran a front page story detailing Mahachi’s death, featuring a photograph of Mahachi’s Land Rover Discovery (below). The researcher enlarged the number plate, which is upside down because the vehicle came to rest on its roof (the bottom line is visible, ‘893 A’ – see following page). A second number plate has been placed over the original, but this one is right-side-up bearing the number ‘GPR 2052,’ indicating a Government vehicle.
Moven Mahachi Vehicle Crash Photograph
Source: The Herald .
Moven Mahachi Vehicle Crash: Number Plate Close-up
Source: © Charles Laurie; The Herald.