TRANSPORT minister Obert Mpofu has said he is worried after suspected thieves broke into his office Thursday night in what some see as part of the internecine factional fights bedevilling the ruling Zanu PF party.
Insiders said at least five doors had been tempered with, while three had given in. However the suspects could not gain access into the minister’s main office.
“They tempered with no less than five doors and broke down three of them. They got through up to the minister’s private secretary’s office but at the moment no one can tell what was stolen. There are computers the latest (Apple version) and all these are still intact.
“They might have been looking for some very sensitive information probably to use against Mpofu,” a source told NewZimbabwe.com.
Mpofu, who is currently on leave, referred all questions to the police but indicated he was worried.
“It is worrying but we will leave everything to the police. They should be able to investigate and come up with a determination at the very least or arrest the culprits. That will assist a lot but of course one gets a little worried,” said Mpofu without elaborating.
Mpofu was recently appointed Zanu PF secretary for finance, the fifth most important position in the ruling party and is believed to be the chief financier of the camp led by new vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Police spokesperson Charity Charamba confirmed the incident.
“We are conducting investigations in connection with the case of unlawful entry with intent unknown, which occurred at the Minister of Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Development, Cde Obert Mpofu’s office on 02 January 2015.
“An unknown accused person forced open three (3) doors at Kaguvi Building 16th Floor in Harare and tried to enter into Cde Mpofu’s office and failed. Initial investigations have revealed that nothing was stolen from the office,” the statement said.
“The ZRP has stepped up surveillance on all government buildings and will take stern action against anyone who will be found trying to cause alarm and despondency on government officials.”
The break-in at Mpofu’s office comes hard on the heels of the much publicized “attempt” on Mnangagwa’s life on the night before he was appointed new VP at the conclusion of the ruling party’s acrimonious congress late last year.NewZimbabwe