Bunjiwe Moyo
A BULAWAYO family has raised alarm over what relatives describe as the alleged harassment of a man, his wife and their household.
Mr Yenamani Makwelo, a member of the National Constitutional Assembly, his wife Ms Nqoba Mabhena and their seven-year-old son have reportedly been targeted in connection with Makwelo’s activities with the NCA and Mabhena’s voluntary work with the YMCA.
They said Makwelo was at one point detained by police, while Mabhena was also questioned by law enforcement officers under unclear circumstances.
The relatives said their concerns grew after the couple confided that they no longer felt safe.
“Yenamani was detained by the police and Nqoba was also questioned. After that, they started reporting that they were being followed and also getting mysterious calls,” said a relative.
Another family member described the couple as law-abiding citizens and questioned why they would be targeted for exercising their rights.
“We do not dispute that Yenamani is a member of the NCA nor that Mabhena is a volunteer with the YMCA. It is something that is known within their community.
“Us approaching the media right now is because we want their plight to be known. They themselves have expressed reservations on this move,” said the relative.
Efforts to obtain comment from the couple hit a brick wall, with the two declining to discuss the matter, saying they were not comfortable speaking about it.
Police could not immediately be reached for comment.
