CIO launched raid on Mnangagwa's office

CIO launched raid on Mnangagwa's office

MNANGAGWA: Says allegations 'just stupid'

• Judge makes U-turn on open trial for 'coup plotters'

• Zimbabwe 'coup plotters' back in court

• Judge orders coup plotters' trial to be held in open court

• Zimbabwe 'coup plotters' charged with treason

• Zimbabwe soldiers could starve in weeks, MPs told

• Air Force commander 'poisoned'

• Mugabe's guards in open rebellion

• US government sponsored Zim army

• Army blows US$1,3 million on new vehicles

• 40 'possessed students' withdrawn after Shiri visit

• Herald makes apology over Shiri story

• Zimbabwe splashes on new Chinese K-8 jets

• Mugabe says army will 'pull trigger' on opponents

By Staff Reporter

CENTRAL Intelligence agents raided the office of a key Zimbabwean government official and seized a laptop, documents and a mobile phone days before he was publicly accused of being a part of an alleged plot to overthrow President Robert Mugabe's government in a military putsch.

The sensational revelations show for the first time how Emmerson Mnangagwa, a cabinet minister and powerful leader in Mugabe's ruling Zanu PF party, was sucked into the alleged coup plot which has so far seen the arrest of at least six men.

Intelligence sources told New Zimbabwe.com this week that on the evening of May 25 -- four days before police made the first arrests -- a team of agents from the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) broke locks and doors leading to Mnangagwa's office and his aides as rumours of an attempted coup swirled on the streets of Harare.

In an interview Monday, Mnangagwa confirmed the raid, but insisted he was not aware who had broken into his office.

But the idea that it was an ordinary robbery has looked more and more unsustainable after it emerged that the "intruders", after taking Mnangagwa's laptop, made no effort to take his secretary's laptop despite also breaking her door.

Mnangagwa said: "It is true that my office was broken into and the intruders stole my laptop, documents and my Nokia communicator cellphone. They broke the locks on all the doors leading to my office, my personal assistant, secretary and deputy finance director.

"My PA lost $2 million. In the other two offices, the thieves did not pick anything including a laptop that was in my secretary's office."

The CIO head office at Chaminuka Building is just meters from Mnangagwa's office.

Last night police confirmed receiving a report from Mnangagwa and said
investigations were yet to be completed.

"It is true we are handling a case of theft from the minister's office, but we cannot say much as this may prejudice our investigations," said a police spokesman.

The police revealed they had referred fingerprints to their forensic team, but the investigation is yet to be completed almost seven weeks after the raid.

As a rule, all government offices and buildings are under armed guard. During the day, visitors are subjected to a body search and stringent conditions such as producing valid national driver's licence and/or national identity documents.

Intelligence sources said only the CIO could have circumvented the security and carried out the operation in Mnangagwa's office which is on the 6th floor of Kaguvi Building. The building houses the Ministry of Rural Housing and Amenities, for which Mnangagwa is in charge.

The privately-owned Zimbabwe Independent newspaper reported last week that the government wanted to arrest Mnangagwa over the alleged coup while Mugabe was away in Libya and later Egypt.

Vice-President Joice Mujuru was the acting president when the plan was hatched to seize Mnangagwa. Mnangagwa and Mujuru are bitter rivals in Zanu PF, both vying for the control of the party.

Vice-President Joseph Msika is said to have intervened and demanded that the government should not arrest Mnangagwa until Mugabe had returned.

Mnangagwa — who has described the coup allegations as "stupid" — was said to have been very anxious as word spread that he could be arrested. He met Mugabe soon after his return to deny any involvement.

Mugabe is said to have been furious at his security chiefs over their handling of the matter, believing that the operation had destroyed Zanu PF unity ahead of key general elections next March.

"The President was angered by the coup story and the botched operation by the security agents. He is angry that this has left the party embarrassed and deeply divided," said a source.

Police have arrested six suspected coup plotters – Albert Matapo, Emmanuel Marare, Pattison Mupfure, Nyasha Zuvuku, Oncemore Mudzurahona and Shingirai Webster Mutemachani -- after security agents learnt they intended to topple Mugabe.

However, the coup story has been described as storm in a teacup after attempts to link it to Mnangagwa laid an addled egg.

The six men are currently in remand prison awaiting trial. They all deny charges of plotting a military overthrow of the government.

JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
editor@newzimbabwe.com