Boss murder threat: 20 in court

Thandeka Moyo Court Reporter
TWENTY dismissed Zimbabwe Grain Bag Pvt Ltd workers accosted their former manager demanding their outstanding salaries and threatened to follow him home to kill him, a court heard.

The disgruntled employees blocked their ex-general manager, Cavin Nkiwane, as he was driving out of the company’s premises that are situated along Khami Road in Bulawayo but he was saved by security guards.

The workers, who are aged between 30 and 63 years, warned Nkiwane not to stop at traffic lights and threatened to follow him home where they would kill him.

A frightened Nkiwane reported the incident to the police.

Jabulani Nowakhe, 44, Austin Rurino, 46, Rolland Moyo, 50, Kennet Muchabawa, 35, Blessing Manyoka, 33, Kesses Mupwaha, 40, Judith Nhevera, 41, Rodgers Khumalo, 56, Cleto Machokoto, 37, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Tinashe Tashaya facing charges of threats to commit murder.

They appeared with their co-accused Samuel Khumalo, 42, Xolani Ncube, 43, Betty Moyo, 63, Charles Marange, 33, Samson Ndlovu, 62, Thwalumuzi Moyo, 41, Shepherd Pasipanodya, 44, Takura Madamombe, 30, Silaye Moyo, 61, Mondreck Gumbo, 47, and Kenned Mhondoro, 31.

Magistrate Tashaya remanded the 20 employees out of custody to March 15 for trial.

Nathaniel Mutsikwa, for the State, alleged that the Zimbabwe Grain Bag employees went to the company’s offices on February 10 to collect their confirmation of termination letters.

“As they were walking out, they met Nkiwane who was inside his vehicle and they surrounded his car thereby blocking the way. They then started knocking on his windows demanding money,” said Mutsikwa.

“Part of the group was shouting in ChiShona while others used isiNdebele to threaten Nkiwane with death if he did not give them money at that moment.”

The court heard that Nkiwane was warned never to stop at any traffic lights as they threatened to kill him.

“They also threatened to follow him to his house and kill him, leaving Nkiwane frightened. Two security guards intervened and saved Nkiwane before the crowd could do anything,” he said.