Deon Theron arrested in relation to Tsvangirai accident
Deon Theron, vice-president of Zimbabwe’s Commercial Farmers Union, has been arrested for taking photographs of the crash scene in which Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s wife died. He was asked to present himself at a police station yesterday, which he did, and apparently spent most the day there before he was arrested in the evening. (You may remember that he was harrassed on the day of the accident as well).
Reports say he is being charged with “defeating the course of justice” by taking images at the scene.
The Daily Nation yesterday featured an article, circulated by ZWNews, in which they discussed an article that appeared in Zimbabwe’s state-controlled The Herald yesterday. The contents point to unsubtle attempts to draw convoluted conspiracy theories.
But the State-owned Herald newspaper, which usually reflects the thinking in President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party, said it had uncovered fresh information that the contractor in question was Crown Agents, a concern with roots steeped in British colonialism.
The paper said John Snow International, which partnered Crown Agents and had admitted ownership of the truck had their headquarters at a building owned by the CFU.
It might be coincidence but JSI’s headquarters here is what is called Agriculture House or CFU house, the paper said, quoting an unnamed government official.
On the day of the accident, white commercial farmers were at the scene before the Prime Minister’s own close people knew what had happened.
The government official said security officials should determine exactly how far this friendship (between CFU and Crown Agents) and their interests in the country go.
CFU vice president, Mr Deon Theron was arrested as he allegedly filmed and photographed the wreckage.
The Daily Nation article concludes: “However, in some circles the attempt to link the white farmers to the crash would be seen as trying to shift blame from the real culprits”.
Well yes, it’s not ’some circles’ who will think that, it’ll be the majority of Zimbabweans who are already suspicious about what happened on the day. If the State appeared to start formulating elaborate plots, it’ll only serve to fuel the suspicions of most people.
It does seem remarkable, knowing that The Herald is a state-controlled newspaper and the mouthpiece of Zanu PF, that they would play with ideas like this. Especially after Mugabe’s plea at the Church on the day of Susan Tsvangirai’s funeral: “I plead with you to accept it, it’s the hand of God“.
Is The Herald calling Mugabe a liar?
March 18th, 2009 15:54
We must let the State do its business, remember its nolonger ZanuPF alone its inclusive Govt. The MDC is nolonger opposition they are now in Gvt so whatever goes wrong or right they are equally accountable. Personally I do not trust anyone, the Whites should be suspected just like the CIOs.They gave Tsvangirai alot of money why because they also have some interests. Now Morgan goes into an inclusive Gvt with their enemy they can do anything guys.
We must give our Gvt the chance to investigate properlly without interferance. I do not understand why people are so negative about everything happening in Zim. Let us support our Gvt and stop all the nonsense, negatives that we always write about Zim. We must support this inclusive Gvt guys give them time and the much needed support.
Thank you
March 18th, 2009 18:38
Leo…
I don’t hear anybody suggesting that the Govt should not investigate. The MDC is also investigating, separately. Everyone here loves Zimbabwe as much as you do, maybe more, but what do the people of Zimbabwe gain if the truth is not told, whether or not it is “negative”? (And I say this as one of the die-hard optimists).
Yes, MDC are “in Government” but the question a lot of us are asking is, what does “in Government” actually mean? If they can’t protect their officials, stop the farm invasions even by passive resistance, exercise ANY supervisory control over the actions of the Police…?
Nor should any Government in this world – not even a fully representative Government which the Zim Inclusive Government is not – be trusted completely, citizens must look to their own interests and be vigilant over democracy. Quite frankly this looks like another set-up but why bother with it if hands are clean? And – think about this – if you were Deon Theron and you’d just pulled off an assassination attempt on two of Southern Africa’s most popular people, would you be found shortly after, taking photos of the crash scene?
No. Thought not.
March 18th, 2009 21:02
@LEO – Well, well – Leo you’re quite right. I also wonder who to trust – and your letter makes me directly distrust you!
It is worded exactly as a plant whose purpose is to to start swinging the blame for Mugabe’s evil and disasterous rule over to MDC – because, after all they are now complicit in ruling Zimbabwe. Oh – and don’t forget – the whites! I would expect nothing less from ZANU-PF at this very point.
The sad and real truth, as I see it, is that MDC have probably lost all impetus for real change having capitulated with this farcical GNU nonsense – but I’d like very much to be wrong!
So, wearily (and warily) I still whimper “go MDC” from the sidelines.
March 20th, 2009 21:12
There are only a limited number of people and organisation that could pull off an operation like that – it requires spotters, communication devices, possibly foreknowledge of the route taken by the Prime Minister.
That would limit the number of suspects to the CIO, international intelligence organisation, and of course former Rhodesian era intelligence operatives.
1) The truck was owned by a British contractor, John Snow International, working for USAID. USAID is a favorite front/cover for the CIA.
2) On the scene before the police, with a camera, because ‘his farm was nearby’, was Deon Theron, vice president of the Commercial Farmers Union, and the first white farmer to have his farm redistributed. I don’t know what his intelligence background was during the rhodesian era. At age 54, he would have been 26 by 1980.
3) This crash took place 2 days after the Prime Minister announced to parliament that land reform would not be turned back. He also called for an end to sanctions, which were subsequently ignored by the Obama Administration.
It is hard to put into action a head on collission with another moving vehicle – the timing has to be impeccable, and it is very dangerous to the driver himself, even if he is driving a truck with a huge anti-game grill in front of it.
On the other hand, the drivers, or even people inside the MDC convoy were just spotters, and someone by the farm would have a sniper rifle to shoot out a tire or some kind of roadside explosive device, that would be a lot easier.
But as I said, it would still involve several people, not a single driver.
And still, it could just be an accident – although I think the presence of the VP of the CFU at the scene before the arrival of the police warrants a second thought.
March 20th, 2009 21:30
@MrK – That is seriously so absurd – you use ZPF government propaganda as a source for fact?!!!? Hilarious. Where’ve you been the last decade?
Please wait for the outcome of the independent investigation before you spin conspiracy theories. Or maybe you’re spinning them now because you’re scared the investigation may show that history repeats itself over and over and over again in Zimbabwe – especially where ‘mysterious car-accidents’ are concerned – and you’re trying to deflect attention away from what may come out?
March 21st, 2009 07:04
As far as I know, the CIO wasn’t involved. Also, Happyton was running around the hospital after the crash and he’s the only one of the security chiefs to go to the funeral. I’m thinking if it wasn’t an accident, it was the JOC guys. They’ve got the knowhow and they’re openly against the PM.
It sounds like Theron isn’t involved. As was mentioned, why would he be at the scene of the (possible) crime? If his farm was nearby, it’s possible he heard about the accident and, distrusting the police, went in to get the footage in case the wreck suddenly dissappeared. Cops see him, ‘Eish! Murungu’s taking pictures! Arrest him.’ Or perhaps they got orders to do so. Who knows. Let’s wait and see.
March 22nd, 2009 02:16
This accident was too coincidental and murky to be an ‘accident’. Let’s see the pictures and video from Deon Theron as soon as possible. Maybe it could shed some light on the murkiness. Or is that perhaps too revealing for Happyton and Mugabe. This unity government is far from unified.