Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
CHIEF CHIREYA, two police officers and several others have appeared before the Nembudziya Magistrates Court facing allegations of murdering a 72-year-old relative in a dispute over chieftainship.
Chief Chireya, born Henry Chidzivo, was remanded in custody yesterday, joining his alleged accomplices Jethro Dumbura, Chenjerayi Chidzivo, Kelvin Panashe Musariri, Kasiyani Mudyachawaona, and two police officers, Moses Sibanda, who is stationed at Nembudziya Police Station, and Agent Chitsinde. This group was remanded in custody on Monday.
The dead relative, Tapson Jichidza, was from Taka Village under Chief Chireya.
The State alleges that on October 13, the group now under arrest went to Mr Jichidza’s home in an Isuzu double-cab vehicle allegedly driven by Chief Chireya.
The group was armed with knobkerries, axes, iron bars and wooden sticks, while Chitsinde allegedly carried his service rifle, an FN with serial number 5284, loaded with eight live rounds.
Upon arrival, the vehicle’s lights were switched off and the chief drove the vehicle closer to the homestead.
The group allegedly left the vehicle and surrounded the homestead before Chitsinde ordered everyone to lie down. The State alleges that Dumbura, who was armed with a knobkerrie, struck Mr Jichidza on the head.
Chenjerayi Chidzivo allegedly lifted Mr Jichidza and threw him to the ground, where Chitsinde allegedly struck him with the butt of his rifle.
Chief Chireya allegedly ordered the group to kill Mr Jichidza, accusing him of having stripped him of his chieftainship.
Mr Jichidza allegedly fell unconscious, prompting the group to carry him away from the homestead and out of sight of his relatives. His body was left in an unfinished house some distance away.
The State further alleges that Brighton and Shelton Jichidza were assaulted during the incident.
Shelton later discovered Mr Jichidza’s body at the house under construction and made a police report.
Police attended the scene and conducted investigations that led to the arrest of the accused persons.
The body was taken to Gokwe North District Hospital, where Dr Emmerson Nguluvhe certified Jichidza dead. A full post-mortem examination by a pathologist is pending.
