Chiyangwa threatens journalist with death

Chiyangwa threatens journalist with death

CHIYANGWA: Threatened journalist

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• Chiyangwa arrested

• Msika warns Chiyangwa

• Chiyangwa threatens cop in court

• Chiyangwa implicated in ENG scandal

• Zanu PF bids to oust Msika

• ENG directors charged with fraud

By Staff Reporter

CHINHOYI MP Phillip Chiyangwa has threatened a journalist with death after he exposed the businessman's reported endorsement as the ruling Zanu PF's candidate for next year's elections as a lie.

The privately owned Daily Mirror newspaper punched holes into the story which was enthusiastically carried on state owned state television, calling it a 'hoax'.

Newsnet had reported Chiyangwa's candidature in the March parliamentary elections was endorsed by the entire Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial membership.

But the Mirror, quoting unnamed sources cast doubt on the story, suggesting Chiyangwa had hired a private cameraman, with a Newsnet reporter (name supplied) doing the narration that gave the impression that he was overwhelmingly endorsed.

"Chiyangwa did not consult the party leadership, but invited only six people from the party’s structures who are loyal to him for the event, which was held at the Local Government boardroom in Chinhoyi," the paper's source is quoted as saying.

“He did that through skewed means (the endorsement). He hired a private cameraman and dragged a Newsnet reporter to narrate on the bogus endorsement.

“The general feeling, if the truth were told, is that Chiyangwa has done a disservice to the province. He is hardly here and thinks Chinhoyi can be run from Harare.”

Chiyangwa, described as 'livid' by the Daily Mirror, reacted angrily to the allegations. Describing himself as an 'authority', he lashed out at a journalist, telling him: "You can die". It was a chilling echo of similar threats which landed him in court recently after threatening a police officer.

“Who are you to question my endorsement? I am the authority here. My decisions can not be queried and if anything it is me who can instruct the holding of those primary elections," thundered Chiyangwa.

“I don’t listen to people in the street and please don’t play with me, you can die. It’s better for you to ask me for some better story happening in the province to write about."

He also threatened to call this newspaper’s publisher Ibbotson Day Mandaza to complain about its intention to publish this story.

Chiyangwa is currently facing charges of allegedly threatening a police officer. Earlier this year, he threatened a detective who was handling a case in which he was being accused of defeating the course of justice by allegedly holding onto cars that the police needed as exhibits in a case involving directors of ENG, a now defunct asset management company.

The threat invited the ire of Vice President Joseph Msika, who publicly admonished him. The admonishment was quickly followed by the arrest of Chiyangwa.

Chris Chivinge, the head of Newsnet said: “We can start investigating only after receiving official complaints. At the moment Zanu PF has not said anything on the matter and do you think they can be silent on it? I think its unfortunate that some people are dragging Newsnet into their fights.”
Additional reporting Daily Mirror
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