BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
Chief Chireya, born Henry Chidzivo, has been nabbed and remanded in custody following accusations that he directed the killing of a 72-year-old man over a chieftainship wrangle.
Chidzivo (53) is said to have teamed up with six men and others still at large, to fatally assault Tapson Jichidza, in Gokwe North on October 13.
Chidzivo allegedy teamed up with his brothers, Jetro Dumbura (36) and Chenjerai Chidzivo (42), as well as police officers Moses Sibanda (40) and Agent Chitsinde (33), who are stationed at ZRP Nembudziya/Chireya Police Post and Kevin Panashe Musariri (27) and Kasiyani Mudyachawaona (26).
The gang will be back at Nembudziya Magistrates Court on November 4.
It is the State’s case that Chidzivo led the group of six and others still at large, in his Isuzu twin-cab vehicle to Jichidza’s homestead at around 8.30pm.
The court heard that the group was armed with knobkerries, axes, iron bars and an FN rifle.
Upon arrival, Chidzivo allegedly switched off the vehicle’s lights before driving closer to the homestead, where the group disembarked and surrounded the premises.
Chidzivo and his alleged accomplices reportedly ordered Jichidza and his family members to lie on their stomachs before assaulting them with wooden sticks, iron bars, knobkerries, open hands and booted feet.
Jichidza allegedly attempted to escape but was struck with the butt of an FN rifle, an iron bar and a knobkerrie, leaving him unconscious.
It is further reported that Chidzivo then instructed his accomplices to kill Jichidza, whom he allegedly accused of causing his chieftainship to be shared.
The group allegedly carried Jichidza’s body into a roofless, pole-and-mud hut before fleeing the scene. Chidzivo is alleged to have driven away at high speed.
Jichidza’s two sons, Brighton and Shelton, reportedly sustained serious injuries during the attack.
The deceased’s body was taken to Gokwe North District Hospital, where Dr Emmerson Nguluvhe certified him dead.
It was subsequently referred to United Bulawayo Hospitals for a post-mortem examination.
