Inter Africa Buses Chairman Arrested for Inciting Mutare Violence
52-year-old chairman of Inter Africa Buses, Leonard Mukumba was finally apprehended on June 20th and brought before a Mutare court yesterday. Mukumba, had been evading authorities for weeks following accusations of inciting violence in Mutare.
Court documents state that in May 2023, disagreements arose between Mukumba’s company, then known as Mukumba Transport, CAG, and smaller operators regarding passenger loading procedures in Mutare.
A queuing system was implemented with marshals representing each company. However, the situation changed when Mupfumi Buses, with over 20 Zupco-contracted vehicles, lost those contracts and adjusted their loading strategies. This disrupted the previous agreement, leading Mupfumi Buses to withdraw from the queuing system in May 2024.
Prosecutors allege that Mukumba directly mobilized rank marshals loyal to him, resulting in a series of violent incidents.
“On May 23rd, a group of five individuals led by Brighton Ndamuka, allegedly under Mukumba’s direction, attacked Farai Chitsa, a Mupfumi bus loader, at Sakubva Market using machetes, sticks, and sjamboks,” reads the court documents.
“Later that day, another group of Mukumba’s marshals, led by Taurai Gumede, confronted Mupfumi bus employees at the Sakubva Musika Swimming Pool area. They assaulted Vincent Mupindu, a loader, accusing Mupfumi Buses of causing unrest.
“On the same day, Prince NFPK, leading another group of marshals aligned with Mukumba, abducted Calvin Munjoma, a Mupfumi bus loader, at the Mudzviti bus terminus. Munjoma was taken to Golden Hotel and beaten with various weapons.
“Finally, on May 24th, Mukumba’s marshals, armed with machetes and sticks, attacked people and damaged a vehicle at the Greenmarket. The police pursued the marshals, who abandoned their vehicles at a garage. The vehicles were later recovered.”
Following these incidents, Mukumba surrendered to authorities on June 20th. He appeared before Mutare Provincial Magistrate Tendai Mahwe, represented by lawyer Ashley Mutungura.
Magistrate Mahwe granted Mukumba US$1,000 bail under strict conditions: residing at his given address, refraining from witness intimidation, and reporting to ZRP Borrowdale in Harare every last Friday of the month. The case was adjourned for a routine remand on July 22nd, 2024.
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