HARARE, March 10, (NewsDayLive) - Zanu PF information director Farai Marapira, has distanced himself from reports linking him to the alleged abduction of environmental activist and farmer Nadia Vongai Mabvirakare.
Reports indicate that Mabvirakare was forcibly taken from her home in Chitungwiza on Wednesday evening, and has not been seen since that time.
The matter has been reported at Makoni Police Station under RRB Number 6346710.
According to leaked audio recordings and WhatsApp chats, Mabvirakare was introduced to Batsirai Joel Matiza, a Zanu PF national youth member for environment, by Marapira after she sought support for a joint farming project in Makoni.
Relations between Matiza and Mabvirakare reportedly soured in recent weeks, and the latter sought the intervention of Marapira to mediate between the two, the records that include WhatsApp messages indicate.
Efforts at mediation, however, did not yield positive results.
The matter has generated heated debate on social media platforms, with one @DrAfricanPride posting on X accusing Marapira and Matiza of having a hand in the disappearance of the environmental activist.
In response, Marapira said he had nothing to do with her disappearance outside introducing her to Matiza.
- The ruling party turns to dirty tactics
- Sadc elders fly into political storm
- We did not bribe Mbalula: Zanu PF
- Zanu PF after us: CCC
Keep Reading
"That was the end of my involvement bar updates here and there from the both of them being excited with their project," Marapira said in his response.
"Their issues started in January when Batsirai called and advised me that his audit team had discovered she was misappropriation funds.
"As a person who introruced them I went to his office to understand better and after they explained I texted Nadia asking to see her and discuss the matter."
He later demanded a public apology.
"...be esponsible enough to acknowledge publicly that your assertions against me were unwarranted since you also made them publicly," he said.
"Maybe next time an inquiry first would help, hey."
Marapira confirmed the leaked records that include his conversations with Mabvirakare after she sought his intervention to mediate on the dispute with Matiza.
"Indeed, the chats are mine. I would comment further and pursue possible options as the story progresses or something," he said.
"I am not bothered by personal attacks. My duty is to the party and President Emmerson Mnangagwa and these sideshows are meant to have me lose focus."
Matiza could not be reached for comment.
