By Takudzwa Changadeya
Harare – The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has claimed they are not aware of the Chinese investigators assisting in the renewed investigation into the 2018 White City Stadium grenade attack.
The incident, which targeted President Emmerson Mnangagwa and other top Zanu PF officials during a rally, left two aides dead and several others, including Vice President Kembo Mohadi and Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri, injured.
On November 27, detectives from Zimbabwe’s Criminal Investigations Department revisited the crime scene, reportedly accompanied by four Chinese investigators.
Their presence caused a brief standoff with City of Bulawayo security guards, who initially denied them entry for failing to obtain prior clearance.
According to a council official, the team eventually forced their way in.
Witnesses said the Chinese team spent about two hours gathering information, interviewing those present during the attack, and making detailed notes and drawing.
Despite these claims, police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi maintains he is unaware of any Chinese involvement in the investigation.
In an interview With this publication, Nyathi said: “I am not aware of the Chinese involvement in the investigations.”
The probe was revived after Mnangagwa instructed police to solve the case and arrest the culprits.
Shortly after the attack in 2018, Mnangagwa hinted he knew who was responsible, accusing loyalists of former President Robert Mugabe and his wife, Grace.
However, no arrests were made, and the investigation stalled.
Initial findings suggested the grenade, a Soviet-made offensive fragmentation device, likely came from Zimbabwe’s military arsenal, raising further questions.
Earlier suspicions that the weapon originated from the Zimbabwe Republic Police were dismissed after it was confirmed the police had disposed of their grenade stockpile in the late 1980s.
The case’s sudden reopening, with alleged foreign involvement, has raised eyebrows.
