Former Brig-Gen's son gunned down in the US

Go Fund Me campaign to bring slain son of Zim national hero home; Kupo Mleya shot dead in the US - NewZimbabwe.com — The late Kupo Mleya

Zim Now Writer

A Zimbabwean man who is son to a late hero brigadier-general was last Friday night gunned down in Nebraska, the United States, and police in that country managed to subsequently arrest the culprit who had tried to escape following the shooting.

The late Kupo Mleya, 38, son to the late brigadier-general Fakazi Mleya, is believed to have been involved in a road accident with the now accused, Karsen Rezac, at the corner of 20th and Washington Streets. The latter reportedly produced a pistol and shot the Zimbabwean.

Rezac appeared in court Tuesday, December 27, and was asked to pay a US$250 bond while he remains held in the Lancester County jail until his next appearance on January 26, 2023.

According to Lincoln Police Department who are handling the matter, a number of gunshot holes were found on the late Mleya’s Jeep Patriot and it has since been established that he and Rezac were not known to each other.

The latter, upon committing the murder crime escaped, but was later arrested as onlookers had gotten his number plates down.

Police have since sent a message of condolence to the deceased’s family and called on the general public to give it peace as it mourns its late relative. Mleya is survived by his wife and 12 year-old daughter.

The American Broadcasting Corporation has reported that a Go Fund Me initiative to assist with burial costs for Mleya has so far raised US$25 000, $US5 000 more than the anticipated amount.

The fund is the brain child of Mleya’s brother-in-law, Stephen Kaludzu. Mourners are expected to gather at his Nebraska home on January 9 to bid him farewell before departure for home.

Meanwhile, Acting President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has sent a condolence message to the Mleya family.

“I was saddened when I received the message of his death from (ZANU PF) Vice President Mohadi. He was a child whom I knew very well when he was growing up.

“It is barely two months since we last talked of him. I asked Vice President Mohadi and he told me they are out of the country and I told him that they should come back home.

“Now, we hear of this very sad incident. To the family, I want you to be strong in this difficult time and what we now need is to ensure his remains are brought back home for a decent burial,” said Dr Chiwenga.