Pauper's burial for MDC man killed 3 years ago

Pauper's burial for MDC man killed 3 years ago

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By Staff Reporter

THE body of an MDC polling agent, Petros Jeka, who was murdered by a Zanu PF member during the violent 2002 presidential election campaign will be interred this week after the government granted a paupers burial.

A former MDC Masvingo North treasurer, Jeka was stabbed several times on April 4 2002 by a ruling party supporter, Winterton Chirove, the Zanu PF’s youth chairperson in the area.

His relatives persistently refused to bury the body in fulfilment with the late MDC activist’s deathbed wish that his murderer first pay compensation - 40 heard of cattle and $2 million

As a result of the family’s refusal and Chirove’s relatives failure to pay the compensation, the department of social welfare decided to bury the body.

The ruling party supporter is now serving an 18-year jail term for the heinous act.

The Police Officer commanding Masvingo Province Senior assistant commissioner, Emmanuel Shiku confirmed the development.

"We have since notified the relatives about the burial," he said

Jeka’s decomposed body has been lying at Masvingo General Hospital, with efforts to arrange a burial by the police and the department of social welfare hitting a brick wall.

The MDC has refused to recognise the outcome of the 2002 elections won by President Robert Mugabe, citing widespread political violence and rigging.

During the period, dozens of MDC supporters and commercial farmers were murdered by suspected Zanu PF shock troops to secure Mugabe’s victory.
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