Chief Makoni, Chiduku fight over boundaries

Zim Now Writer

An installation ceremony for headmen and village heads in resettlements areas that were previously under Chief Makoni was marred by violence as both chiefs’ subjects fought.

Mbaimbai Revai presided over the installations when a fight erupted over traditional boundaries in Makoni District between subjects of Chief Makoni and Chief Chiduku as the former was not happy that the resettlement area in question was previously under Chief Makoni.

The new boundaries that were gazetted reduced Chief Makoni’s area from being the largest to be the smallest in the district.

A team from Chief Makoni’s area, armed with various weapons, stormed the gathering with the aim of disrupting proceedings but they were stopped by Chief Chiduku’s subjects.

Austin Magondo, Philip Magondo and Patrick Nyatsuro from Chief Makoni’s area were arrested after the incident.

The Magondo brothers appeared in court last Saturday for bail consideration while admitted at Rusape General Hospital.

The three, who were represented by Munyaradzi Manyengavana of Manyengavana Law Chambers and Tendai Bvuma of Bvuma and Associates, were on Monday granted $30 000 bail each – coupled with reporting conditions – by Rusape magistrate, Annie Ndiraya.

The matter was, however adjourned to February 13.

Prosecutor Marlon Makamba said some weapons allegedly used in the commission of crime were recovered and will be used as exhibit.

“On January 27, and at West Valley in Nyazura, Austin Magondo, Philip Magondo, Patrick Nyatsuro and others who are still at large approached a public meeting that was being held by Mr Revayi Mbaimbai, who is Chief Chiduku, aboard a Tata truck which was being driven by Nyatsuro.

“They disrupted the meeting by assaulting the people who were in attendance using iron bars, machetes, spear and bricks.

“The iron bars and a spear that were used in the violence were recovered and are being held as an exhibit. The motor vehicle which was used to ferry the accused persons to the scene of crime was also recovered. There are independent witnesses who made citizen’s arrests,” said Makamba.

It is alleged that the Makoni people convened a high-level clan meeting attended by senior family figures late last year, where they deliberated on how to respond to the gazetted boundaries.

The matter was struck off the roll last year after Chief Makoni requested to change lawyers.

It will be heard in the first quarter of this year.

Chief Makoni is represented by Advocate Lewis Uriri, while Professor Lovemore Madhuku is representing chiefs Chipunza, Tandi, Chikore and Chiduku.

The Attorney-General is representing the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.