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Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
DISQUALIFIED Zanu PF Chipinge South aspiring candidate, Robert Nyemudzo, is alleged to be one of the biggest brewers of illicit brews popularly known as mukozodo or kambwa.
Nyemudzo, who allegedly runs the illegal operations at Checheche, was arrested on Monday and charged with contravening the Harmful Liquids Act, Chapter 9:10.
He recently emerged victorious in the just-ended Zanu PF primary elections.
However, he was disqualified as the party’s candidate by the Politburo on Monday.
Nyemudzo appeared before Chipinge magistrate Mr Franklin Mkwananzi on Monday.
He pleaded not guilty and was remanded out of custody to April 24 for continuation of trial.
Prosecuting, Mr Thulani Zondwayo said police in Chisumbanje were executing an operation code-named, ‘No to illicit alcohol products’ at Checheche when they received a tip-off that Nyemudzo was brewing the illicit brew at his home.
“The police officers approached the home and found people who were mixing ethanol blend with water. Some were packaging it in 200ml plastic bottle containers.
“The police officers advised them to stop their operations. The people at the house told the police officers that they were working for Nyemudzo,” he said.
“The police officers confiscated 20 860x200ml of the illicit brew and 2 380x200ml of empty plastic bottles containers, as well as 6×20-litre containers of ethanol and took them to the police station”.
Nyemudzo was advised to surrender himself at Chisumbanje Police Station.
His attorney, Mr Simon Simango of Nyikadzino and Simango Associates said his client has no case to answer, alleging that the charges were instigated by his political opponents.
“Your Worship, my client is innocent and I am praying for his discharge. On the said date, builders were manning the premises and my client was not at home.
“My client is also not aware of the recovered illicit brew. If the police confiscated the illicit brew, maybe it was planted by his political opponents to fix him in his growing political career,” said Mr Simango.
State witness, Mr Timothy Zinyemba gave incriminating evidence against Nyemudzo, and said police are still holding onto the illicit brew as exhibits.
Mr Mkwananzi adjourned the matter to April 24 to enable a forensic scientist to testify whether the brew is safe for human consumption or not.
In announcing Nyemudzo’s disqualification on Monday, Zanu PF national spokesperson, Cde Chris Mutsvangwa, said: “It is in this context that in Chipinge South, Dambudzo Robert Nyemudzo was disqualified and the reason is he allegedly owns a factory at his home and it is one of the biggest brewers of tumbwa, mutoriro (illicit ales).
“You will recall that recently, the Politburo had a long discussion on illegal drugs. This is a menace that the country is facing, this candidate was alleged to be involved in drugs and we are saying we will not accept a person who has a nefarious means of making a living.”
Online Reporter