-family cries foul
BRILLIANT MUKARO
GUTU-The family of former Zanu PF ward chairman and Zimbabwe National Army Intelligence boss, Christopher Mutonhori Rwodzi who died in a car accident yesterday said they suspect foul play over his death.
Mutonho’s elder brother, Aaron Chenjerai Rwodzi confirmed the death to The Midweek Watch.
Efforts to get a comment from the police were futile as Mash East Province spokesperson, Inspector Simon Chazovachii referred questions to national spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi whose phone went on unanswered until the time of posting the story.
Rwodzi successfully filed papers as an independent candidate for Gutu West Constituency on June 21 after his bid to represent the constituency under a Zanu PF ticket hit a brickwall.
He was served with a suspension letter a day before the party primary elections that were held on March 18 this year.
Aaron told The Midweek Watch that the family believes that Mutonho’s death is man made and they seriously suspect foul play.
He said police suspect that Mutonho wanted to overtake a vehicle that was ahead of him through the left side near Honeyspruit River some 10km from Chivhu along the Gutu Chivhu road.
Aaron said Mutonho was a trained soldier and knew the safety rules of the road and disputes the statement which says that the vehicle that Mutonho wanted to overtake was the one that pushed him into the bridge.
“According to the police, Mutonho wanted to overtake a vehicle ahead of him through the left side. But we know that Mutonhori was a soldier and knew how to navigate out of danger.
“As a family we feel that his death is man made and we disagree with the statement which says that the vehicle he wanted to overtake was the one that pushed him into the bridge as it was getting dark,” said Rwodzi.
He added that Mutonhori was popular in Gutu West and was an enterprising business man who created many friends as well as enemies in his adventures.
Rwodzi described Mutonho as the vanguard of the family whose death is a big loss to the clan.
Zanu PF Masvingo Province chairperson, Rabson Mavhenyengwa said he cannot say much as Rwodzi was independent candidate.
He however rubbished suspicions of foul play saying accidents can happen to anyone and everyone is aggrieved by Mutonho’s death.
“I don’t think there is foul play, accidents can happen to anyone, I phoned his relatives to pass my condolences as I felt aggrieved and did not wish him to die despite our political differences,” said Mavhenyengwa.
Born on 27 November 1970 Mutonho attended Zengeya, Mvuma and Highlands primary schools.
He went to Prince Edward for his secondary education before enrolling at Inkomo Infantry Battalion where he trained as a soldier.
He was part of the group that fought the Mozambican rebels led by the late Alfonso Dhlakama known as Matsanga.
He also took part in the Democratic Republic of Congo war where he served as a Consultant.
Mutonho went to the United Kingdom for two years from 2002 to 2004 where upon return he retired as a soldier and founded Muga Foods, a thriving milling company.
He also worked as a director for intelligence and research in the K.F.C company and co-founded CR Security Company.
Born to Aaron Simbanegavi Rwodzi and Ottilia Rwodzi, Mutonho was the last born in a family of five.
He was married to Zanu PF Chirumhanzu South MP and Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Barbra Rwodzi and the couple was blessed with two children George and Mazvita.
His brother said Mutonho will be buried on Sunday at the family homestead in Fairfields, Aaron Village near Mutao Forest under Chief Chirumhanzu.
